Blepharoplasty
Consultations offered at our three convenient locations in Austin, TX, San Antonio, TX and Westlake Hills, TX
Eyelid Surgery can be done on the upper or lower eyelids and many times both of them. The facial procedure is used to enhance the appearance of the eyes by removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids. Eyelid surgery has become very popular for both men and women as it can give you a refreshed appearance without the overdone fake look that many patients are trying to avoid. Blepharoplasty in Austin & San Antonio is performed for both mature and young patients. Some patients have bags under their eyes at a young age and are often asked if they are tired. These bags can be removed internally to avoid any visible scarring on the face, giving the patient a refreshed, aesthetically pleasing result.
Contents
Before and After Photos
Ideal Candidate
- You have tired-looking eyes
- Excess skin of the upper or lower eyes
- Bags under the eyes that are visible at a young age
- You are in good physical and emotional health
- You have realistic expectations
Recovery
Eyelid surgery is a great procedure in Austin & San Antonio as it gives patients a youthful appearance without looking overly done. The most common eyelid surgery is an upper blepharoplasty. This is where the excess skin of the upper eyelid is removed to refresh the eyes.
The recovery process for the procedure is typically very straightforward. I typically use a technique for the upper eyelids that does not require any sutures. This helps make the postoperative period very easy for patients. Patients often have very little pain after the procedure.
I typically have patients take a week off work for their eyelid surgery. Patients do have to take it easy the first week so that they do not worsen their bruising or cause a problem after their surgery. At one week typically most of the bruising from an upper blepharoplasty has resolved, if not patients can use cover-up makeup.
Please consult your board-certified plastic surgeon for your eyelid surgery.
Preparation
You will have pre and post-operative instructions detailed out for you so you can easily refer to them. Usually, to prepare for your surgical day you will:
- Stop taking aspirin (if you are required to by your doctor, discuss this fact with your surgeon)
- Stop taking herbal supplements and supplemental vitamin E because they can increase bleeding (again, if you have arranged this regimen with your doctor, you will first discuss the issue with your surgeon)
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products at least 3 weeks before surgery (it will interfere with healing)
- Fill any prescriptions
- Prep your home with light foods that won’t upset your stomach
- Prep a recovery area with books, movies, and other ways to pass the time
- Arrange for a spouse, family member, or friend to bring you to surgery, drive you home, and stay with you for at least 24 hours after the procedure
- Clear your schedule so you have nothing to worry about for at least the first week
- Don’t wear your contacts (if you wear contacts) to the procedure
- Bring sunglasses with you
- Follow our instructions for bathing and eating
We will make sure you have these instructions in advance so you can plan accordingly. There is not too much prep, but we do want to make sure that your body is ready for it and that you have everything planned. Preparation is the best way to go into this experience confidently! We of course will be here as support at this time, making sure nothing is ambiguous or unanswered as you get ready for this rejuvenating eye procedure.
Surgery Duration
The duration of the actual procedure itself varies slightly depending on whether any other procedures in Austin & San Antonio are being combined with the blepharoplasty, as well as whether both upper and lower eyelid surgery will be completed. Typical procedures take 1-2 hours to complete, but you should plan to be at the surgical facial for several hours, and the rest of your day must be clear to go home and relax.
Anesthesia
Our team may recommend local anesthetic or general anesthesia for your blepharoplasty. Local anesthetic with sedation allows you to deeply relax while still being awake and able to respond to your surgeon if they ask you to open or close your eyes. But in some cases, general anesthesia is the best choice. Discuss all of these options and any concerns you have with our surgeons. We want to make sure you feel safe and comfortable during eyelid surgery in Austin & San Antonio.
Procedure Popularity
Eyelid surgery remains very popular in Austin! In fact, it was the second-most-popular procedure in 2020, second to rhinoplasty. In 2020, there were over 352,000 blepharoplasties performed, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This rejuvenating surgery consistently ranks as a top choice among men and women alike. It’s a straightforward way to refresh the appearance of the area surrounding the eyes while also eliminating saggy eyelids that interfere with reading and vision.
Results
The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting. The excess tissue and fat that is removed is removed for good; however, it cannot stop the aging process or prevent the effects of gravity over the years. After a decade or more, you may notice that the passage of time causes some return of wrinkles and sagging, but generally, the clock will remain turned back in this regard: your eyes will continue to look younger than they would have if you hadn’t gotten blepharoplasty.
Contact
Saggy under eyes and wrinkles can make you look tired and worn out. Blepharoplasty in Austin can give you a fresh, youthful look. Contact our team to discuss your aesthetic goals.
