Eyelid Surgery in Sacramento

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

There are many reasons why men and women in the Sacramento area consider eyelid surgery. Some of the key benefits of this procedure include:

• Achieving a more youthful, alert look by removing excess skin and fat around the eyes.
• Improved peripheral vision, when drooping upper eyelid skin has been blocking your line of vision.
• Smoother makeup application, without excess folds of skin.
• Long-lasting results, since removed skin and fat will not return.
• A subtle, natural-looking change that keeps your eyes looking like your eyes, just refreshed.
• Renewed confidence in how rested and refreshed you look.

Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are bothered by drooping upper eyelids, under-eye bags, or both and are otherwise in good health. You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you:

• Have excess or sagging skin on the upper eyelids that affects appearance or vision.
• Have puffiness or “bags” under the eyes that create a tired look.
• Don’t smoke or are willing to stop smoking before and after surgery.
• Have realistic expectations about what eyelid surgery can achieve.
• Are in good overall health, with no untreated eye conditions like severe dry eye or glaucoma.
• Want to address sagging or puffiness rather than fine lines, which are better suited to nonsurgical options like BOTOX®.

Your Blepharoplasty Consultation

During your eyelid surgery consultation, Dr. Davis will examine your eyes, eyelids and your face. It is important to discuss any prior eye or eyelid surgery as well as contact lens usage or any issues with dry eyes. Dr. Davis will discuss your concerns and your ideal outcomes for your eyelid surgery. Depending on your goals, he may suggest combining your eyelid surgery with a facelift or brow lift, and possibly even fat grafting and laser resurfacing, to achieve more harmonious results.

Types of Eyelid Surgery

There are two main blepharoplasty techniques: upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery.

With upper eyelid surgery, the incision is placed within the natural crease of the upper eyelid, hiding the resulting scar as it heals. Through this incision, Dr. Davis removes excess skin and fat that has caused the lid to droop or feel heavy. This technique addresses hooding and can also improve peripheral vision that has been blocked by sagging skin.

With lower eyelid surgery, the incision is placed just below the lash line. Through this incision, Dr. Davis removes excess skin along with the puffy “bags” of fat that create a tired or aged appearance. The underlying muscle is then tightened, smoothing the transition from the lower lid to the cheek and reducing the look of hollows or creases in that area.

Some patients choose to have both upper and lower eyelid surgery performed at the same time, while others only require one technique to achieve the results they are looking for.

During Your Procedure

Eyelid surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, so you will go home the same day. Depending on which areas you are having treated, the surgery usually takes between 1 and 2 hours.

Anesthesia can be local with light sedation or general, depending on which type of eyelid surgery you are having and whether it is combined with another procedure. Dr. Davis will discuss which option is right for you during your consultation.

For upper eyelid surgery, the incision is placed within the natural crease of the lid to remove the excess skin and fat causing the heaviness or hooding. For lower eyelid surgery, the incision is placed just below the lash line to remove excess skin and the puffy fat pockets beneath the eyes. The underlying muscle is then tightened to smooth the transition from the lower lid to the cheek.

If you are having both upper and lower eyelid surgery, or combining your procedure with a facelift or brow lift, this will typically be done in a single procedure. Once your surgery is complete, you will rest in a recovery area before heading home to begin healing, with instructions on caring for your eyes over the days ahead.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

After your eyelid surgery, you will have tape on the sides of your eyes supporting the sutures and eyelids. You will return to the office the next day to have the head wrap removed. We will continue to check on you as you recover and are, of course, here and available any day if you have any questions or concerns.

You will need to apply a cool compress to your eyes frequently for the first 2 days to reduce swelling and bruising. Ointment at night will help keep your eyes from becoming too dry. The sutures will be removed at 1 week. That first week, you’ll be a bit bruised and swollen but will be feeling very good at the end of the week. Bruising can last a few weeks but can be easily covered with makeup around 2 weeks. You can begin strenuous exercise and rigorous activity at 8 weeks.

Eyelid Surgery Results

Your initial results will be visible as soon as the swelling and bruising begin to subside, though your eyes will still look tight and healing in the first couple of weeks. As the tissues continue to settle, your eyes will take on a softer, more natural appearance.

Final results typically develop over the following months, once all residual swelling has resolved. Upper eyelids will appear smoother and more open, without the heaviness or hooding that was there before. Lower eyelids will look refreshed, with reduced puffiness and a smoother transition into the cheek.

The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting. While your eyes will continue to age naturally over time, the excess skin and fat removed during surgery will not return, so the rejuvenated appearance holds for many years to come.