Located in Glen Mills, Media and Chester, Providence Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery offers eyelid surgery to the residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas desiring facial plastic surgery.
The eyes can tell a story from the moment you walk into a room. If your eyelids are drooping, bulging, or you feel as though age has caused your eyes to no longer help you make the best first impression in your personal and professional endeavors, then eyelid surgery may be able to help.
Why Should I Consider Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Many patients have concerns with the excess skin on their upper eyelids. Excess skin in this region of the face can create a more fatigued, disinterested appearance that may not accurately represent how you feel. Fortunately, this can easily be corrected with an upper blepharoplasty or eyelid lift, which removes the excess skin and bulging fat of the upper eyelid area to achieve a more youthful and alert appearance.
Why Should I Consider Lower Eyelid Surgery?
There are 3 things that become noticeable as the lower eyelid ages and all 3 must be accounted for in you treatment plan.
- The fat from around the eye bulges through the orbital septum given the typical bags or bulges of the lower eyelid.
- Due to a combination of the fat pseudoherniation and loss of volume in the upper cheek or midface, there appears a groove or tear trough that commonly will need to be addressed with fat repositioning or structural fat grafting.
- The skin of the lower eyelids attenuates or becomes loose as a result of the aging process, sun exposure and lifestyle, smoking etc. This skin can be tightened in a number of ways, from chemical peels and lasers to tighten skin with mild to moderate wrinkles, skin pinch removal is also an option for moderate rhytids, when the skin laxity is severe a skin muscle flap may be required to remove excess skin.
How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Also known as blepharoplasty, upper eyelid surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, either with local sedation or general anesthesia. When undergoing upper eyelid surgery, incisions are typically hidden in the natural eyelid crease. This allows scarring to be minimal. If there is excess fat in addition to excess skin in the upper eyelid, the excess skin is removed first, followed by the fat, to create a more alert and engaged visage.
When undergoing lower eyelid surgery, one or more concerns may need to be addressed, including loose skin, bulging fat, and/or a tear trough—a hollowing under the bulging fat. Dr. Ginsburg will remove the fat pocket by one of two ways, a transconjunctival incision on the inside of the eyelid is used to remove the fat from the inside while not leaving any visible scars as well as reducing the chance of lower lid malposition after surgery. If there is significant excess skin then a skin muscle flap may be a better option. Incisions are meticulously placed in a crease under the lash line and allow removal of excess skin and muscle, this also give direct access to the fat pockets. Depending on each patient’s needs, we will either tighten the skin with a laser or perform a fat transfer to fill in the hollow space. In some cases, we may be able to turn the muscle and raise the skin.
Rest assured, the details of your procedure will be discussed with you during your consultation, so you will be well informed as to what you can expect. This will also allow you to ask questions so that all of your concerns are set at ease in advance of your eyelid surgery.
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost in Philadelphia?
The average cost of eyelid surgery is $2,000 – $7,900. At Providence Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we tailor the cost of each treatment to the individual patient. This allows us to provide the most accurate fee based on your specific needs and combinations of procedures. During your initial complimentary consultation, we will discuss the cost of your eyelid surgery and other procedures, as well as our financing options, to help your eyelid surgery feel as financially accessible as possible. For further details, feel free to view our patient financing page.
Can I Combine Other Procedures with Eyelid Surgery?
At Providence Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, our patients often combine additional procedures with their eyelid surgery for optimal results. This procedure is frequently combined with a brow lift, which complements eyelid surgery by elevating the eyebrows to achieve a refreshed appearance.
Many patients need only a lateral aspect of the brow to be elevated—known as a temporal brow lift—to achieve the revived look they desire. If this is the case, the brow lift procedure can be done under local anesthesia in the hairline. However, if Dr. Ginsburg believes a lateral lift will not be enough, a full brow lift is also an option. Please keep in mind, we do not perform endoscopic brow lifts at this time.
For patients seeking a less invasive complement to their eyelid surgery, a chemical peel or laser facial resurfacing are excellent options. These procedures tighten the overlying skin as well as fat transfer to smooth the contours of the lower eyelid as it transitions into the cheek.
What Can I Expect from Eyelid Surgery Recovery?
After your eyelid surgery, you can expect to feel some discomfort. We will provide you with a prescription for pain medication, should you decide it is necessary. Bruising and swelling are also common, but will naturally resolve within seven to 10 days of your procedure.
In the days after your surgery, you may find it helpful to wear dark glasses when in public so as to hide potential discoloration and swelling, while also protecting your eyes, which may feel more delicate as you heal.
Although each patient’s recovery time is unique, general recovery time is about a week. The length of time may vary based upon your treatment plan that may include upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both.
If you should have any questions during your eyelid recovery, do not hesitate to reach out. Our team is ready to help you navigate any challenges you face during your post-surgery experience.
Additional Facial Plastic Surgery Procedures
Many of our patients find it helpful to have more than one procedure to receive the best results. To gain a broader perspective of our services, do not hesitate to take a look at our wide range of procedures:
- Facelift
- Rhinoplasty
- Neck Lift
- Facial Liposuction
- Chin Implant
- Brow Lift
- Ear Surgery
- Fat Injection
- Earlobe Repair
- Facial Reconstruction
- Scar Revision
Integral to your choice to undergo elective surgery are the qualifications of the surgeon. Do not hesitate to learn more about Dr. Mark Ginsburg so that you can rest assured you will be in good hands.
Eyelid Surgery FAQs
How long does it take to recover from eyelid surgery?
The initial recovery from eyelid surgery takes only 1-2 weeks. After this time, patients should feel back to normal and comfortable with returning to work, social activities and even physical activity. However, it’s possible for minor side effects to persist for a few months after surgery. Patients can expect a full recovery within 3 months at the latest.
What is the difference between eyelid surgery and blepharoplasty?
There is no difference between eyelid surgery and blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is the medical term for eyelid surgery, but most people use the term “eyelid surgery” colloquially. However, it is important to understand that eyelid surgery can include upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. While some patients undergo both upper and lower eyelid surgery for maximum results, the procedures can be performed separately for patients who only want to address one area of the eyes.
What is a good age for blepharoplasty?
There is no perfect age for eyelid surgery. Instead, patients who are experiencing bags under the eyes, drooping upper eyelids, and an overall “tired” appearance can be fitting candidates for a blepharoplasty regardless of age. This means that patients in their 40s, 50s or 60s can all be great candidates for eyelid surgery, depending on their cosmetic needs.
Are you awake during blepharoplasty?
At Providence Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we perform the blepharoplasty procedure with either local sedation or general anesthesia. This means that patients are comfortably asleep throughout the eyelid surgery procedure, and will experience no pain whatsoever.
Is it worth getting eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is one of the only procedures that can effectively reverse signs of aging in the eyes. Considering that incisions are made within the folds of the eyelids, where no visible scarring will occur, and the fact that recovery time takes only a few weeks, it offers many benefits. For these reasons, eyelid surgery is one of the best choices for rejuvenating the eyes, and many patients agree that it is well worth it.
Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation Today!
Providence Facial Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery offers facial plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery, and skin rejuvenation to residents of Glen Mills, Media, Chester, and the greater Philadelphia area. Mark Ginsburg, DO, FAACS, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, general cosmetic surgeon, and head and neck surgeon who combines personalized care with the latest technology to provide each patient with extraordinary and natural results. For more information or to schedule a complimentary patient consultation, call 484-352-3524 to speak to a member of our friendly, knowledgeable staff.