A common area of concern for many people is the drooping, sagging skin that obscures the appearance of their eyes. The delicate skin of the eyelids is notorious for being the first area to show aging signs due to the skin being thin and the eyes ` expressive. People in as early as their 30s and 40s start to notice heavier eyelids, sagging eyelids, puffy eyes, dark circles, and undereye bags, and an overall tired appearance.
Eyelid and facial plastic surgery specialist Dr. Malena M. Amato has built an impressive reputation throughout her 20-year medical career for her natural-looking oculoplastic and facial surgery results. If the appearance of your eyes concerns you or is affecting your self-confidence, you may want to consider blepharoplasty to restore your youthful eyes.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, also called an eyelid lift, is a cosmetic surgery performed to improve the appearance of the eyes. As we age, muscles weaken, eyelid skin starts to droop, and fat pockets under the eyes become more prominent. These changes can result in the eyes appearing more tired, worried, and older looking. Sagging skin around the eyes can reduce a patient’s peripheral vision, making it difficult to drive or perform everyday tasks. Blepharoplasty can reduce or resolve these vision problems while also restoring eyelid appearance making the eyes look more youthful and alert. It is also one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures and can be done in under a few hours with local or general anesthesia
What Are the Differences Between Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty?
The main difference between upper and lower eyelid surgery is the targeted eyelid rejuvenation area. Upper blepharoplasty focuses on the upper eyelid, while lower blepharoplasty addresses the portion below the lash line.
Upper Blepharoplasty. Patients with weakened muscles, sagging skin, and excess fat pockets along their upper eyelids can benefit from upper blepharoplasty. For this approach, the upper eyelids are the target. The aim is to correct fatty or excess skin that can droop or hang over the eyes, alter the natural eyelid contouring of the upper eye that may be causing visual impairment. When performing upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Amato removes the surplus of skin and fat by creating a small incision in the crease of the upper eyelid. Muscles above the eye may be repositioned before the skin is lifted and secured with small sutures.
Lower Blepharoplasty. Patients with drooping skin or excess eyelid fat pockets along their lower eyelids can experience lower blepharoplasty benefits. Lower blepharoplasty addresses a variety of issues along the lower eyelid, including eye bags, puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, and extreme ptosis that results in an abnormal amount of the whites of the eyes being exposed. When performing lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Amato customizes the procedure based on the anatomy and goals of each patient. During lower blepharoplasty, Dr. Amato will remove or reposition fat from below the eyes through a tiny incision made along the lash line or on the inside of the eyelid. Excess skin may also be removed, depending on the individual needs of the patient.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Good candidates for eyelid surgery are those with realistic expectations surrounding the results of their procedure. Eyelid surgery can help enhance the appearance and raise the confidence of the patient, but it won’t necessarily have an impact on sagging eyebrows or deep expression lines. If you are concerned with drooping brows, discuss the possibility of including a brow lift with your eyelid surgery or Botox® to help with dynamic expression lines.
Those seeking candidacy for eyelid surgery should also be in good overall health and have no eye-related medical issues. These individuals should have unwanted excess skin above their eyes and pockets of fat surrounding the nasal bridge or underneath the eyes.
If you’re considering blepharoplasty surgery, first determine your goals surrounding the procedure. During your consultation with Dr. Amato, she will ask you to describe your expectations and aesthetic enhancement goals. From there, she will be able to tell you what degree of improvements you can expect, estimate the cost of blepharoplasty, as well as recommend any additional surgical options or non-surgical alternatives that may help you reach your goals. Dr. Amato will also describe the blepharoplasty recovery process to ensure you achieve the best results possible.
What Is Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Vs. Functional Eyelid Surgery?
While a cosmetic blepharoplasty focuses on improving the overall appearance of the eyes and eyelids, the goal of a function blepharoplasty is to address medical issues or a problem that is affecting the way your eyes function. The most common goals of functional eyelid surgery are to improve your vision and help reduce irritation that occurs when the skin of drooping eyelids rubs together.
The goal of cosmetic eyelid surgery focuses on the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. You may choose to have cosmetic eyelid surgery if your upper eyelids look or feel heavy and obscure the shape of your eyes, making you look tired or years older than you are.
What Should I Look for In an Eyelid Surgeon?
When looking for a qualified eyelid surgeon, ensure that they have the following requirements:
- Proper education, training, and certificates
- Extensive experience performing surgery on the face and eyes
- Updated and innovative technology and techniques
- An impressive portfolio of results
- Excellent patient feedback and testimonials
While many plastic surgeons offer facial procedures, the best approach is through a facial and eye surgery specialist. Dr. Malena Amato brings 20 years of experience and extensive training from prestigious schools, including Stanford and Georgetown Universities. Her specialization is in cosmetic procedures of the face and the delicate eye area. As a board-certified ophthalmologist, she knows how to minimize complications and manage co-existing eye conditions, including dry eye, tearing, and eye irritation. Additionally, patients of Dr. Amato boast about her natural-looking results and the in-depth consultations she utilizes to help patients understand the details of their procedure.
Schedule Your Blepharoplasty Consultation with Dr. Malena Amato
To learn how this procedure can help cosmetically or functionally enhance the appearance of your eyes, call the office of Dr. Malena M. Amato at (512) 501-1010 or complete our contact form today!