Blepharoplasty Newport Beach – Eyelid Surgery Orange County

Blepharoplasty, also known as the eyelid lift or eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin or fat from the eyelids. Often referred to as hooded eye surgery, the procedure can either be done for cosmetic or functional reasons. Lower eyelid surgery helps with sagging lower lids and eye bag removal. At Orange County Plastic Surgery, plastic surgeon Dr. Juris Bunkis uses the latest and most advanced methods to produce the best results possible.

What is Blepharoplasty Surgery for Upper and Lower Eyelids?

Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids as a standalone procedure. The upper and lower eyelids can also be treated during the same surgery. Upper eyelid surgery involves removing excess skin and fat, typically from the area along the natural crease. Fat pad under the eye removal is a technique used for the lower eyelids.

What is the Blepharoplasty Procedure?

When performed on the upper eyelids, loose, or sagging skin that create unsightly folds to the upper eyelid are eliminated. This not only improves the aesthetic appearance but improves vision as well. When performed on the lower eyelids, bags and puffiness are reduced. The results will leave you with a refreshed and revitalized look.

The benefits of eyelid surgery are numerous. Because it is difficult to envision how the surgery will improve your appearance, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Bunkis to learn about the specific benefits of blepharoplasty for you. Please note that eyelid surgery may not improve lines and wrinkles in the forehead area. A brow lift is a better option for this. Botox® injections in the brow muscles may also soften lines across your forehead.
Common blepharoplasty benefits include:

Ptosis is a medical condition in which the muscles of the upper eyelid don’t keep the lid open completely. It is typically caused by irregularities with the muscles that control the eyelid. In most cases, ptosis represents only a cosmetic concern. In other cases, though, ptosis interferes with vision. In more serious cases of ptosis, the droopy eyelid indicates an issue with the eye socket, nerves, or brain. Careful evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause of the droopy lid. For mild cases, ptosis repair surgery is a type of functional plastic surgery. The eyelid muscle is tightened or modified to correct a droopy eyelid.

How to Prepare for Eyelid Surgery or Blepharoplasty?

After blepharoplasty surgery, your eyes are covered with a surgical bandage. Your eyes will most likely be swollen shut. Therefore, we recommend that you arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first seven days.

Blepharoplasty in Newport Beach at Orange County Plastic Surgery is usually an outpatient procedure performed under light general anesthesia or deep sedation supplemented by local anesthesia. After surgery, patients can expect the blepharoplasty recovery to include eyelids to be bruised and swollen. Part of proper care after blepharoplasty involves gently applying ice packs and elevating your head. Most patients are well enough during their lower and upper bleph recovery to return to work in a week. Dehydrated eyelids can be treated with a gentle moisturizer, and Dr. Bunkis can recommend a product for you to use. You may also notice a tightness as collagen in the eyelids develops after the procedure.

Blepharoplasty Healing Stages

Proper care after blepharoplasty ensures that complications are minimized and you achieve the optimum results from the surgery. There are some distinct blepharoplasty healing stages.

Bruising is normal after any type of surgery. Incisions and other parts of the procedure affect small blood vessels in the skin. This leads to minor bleeding in the tissues, resulting in bruising. Your body heals the blood vessels and re-routes the blood supply. Any blood in the tissues is absorbed by the body. After blepharoplasty, bruising typically lasts only two to three weeks. During that time, the bruising may change color, indicating that the blood in the tissues is being absorbed by your body.

Swelling is another common symptom after surgery. This indicates that fluid is building up around the surgical site, and it is quite normal. The fluid may be blood or special cells that help promote healing. After surgery, your body produces high levels of these cells around the surgical site to quickly repair the tissues. While swelling does represent a healthy response eyelid surgery, it does need to be controlled. Too much swelling causes discomfort, so Dr. Bunkis may recommend that you gently apply cold compresses or ice packs to the area.

Incisions are like any other type of injury to the skin. When an incision is made in your skin, it triggers a natural healing response in your body. An abundance of collagen fibers form to close the wound. This protects your body from infection. Scars look different than the surrounding skin because the collagen fibers are formed in a rather rapid way, so they are not as organized as the fibers in the undamaged skin. Initially, your scars from eyelid surgery will have a pinkish appearance. Over time, the scars change color to be just slightly darker than your natural skin tone. This can take up to one year. For upper and lower Blepharoplasty, the incisions are so thin and well-hidden that you have a hard time seeing them once they are fully healed.