Eyelid Surgery

The area around the eyes is one of the first parts of the face to show signs of aging, so it is no surprise that cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is one of the most-requested facial plastic surgery procedures.¹

Blepharoplasty can be customized to address each patient’s unique concerns and involves the surgical removal of excess fat and skin, with specialized techniques for both the upper and lower eyelids. For more pronounced enhancement, some patients choose to combine eyelid surgery with a facelift or skin rejuvenation. Dr. Namnoum’s years of experience in cosmetic facial procedures allows him to make minimal incisions while achieving natural-looking results.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery Who is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery? Blepharoplasty: What to Expect Eyelid Surgery: Risks and Complications

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

The eyes draw an enormous amount of attention from onlookers and are the key to non-verbal communication. A refreshed appearance of the upper and lower eyelids and the surrounding structures can powerfully communicate an overall sense of well-being, wellness, and happiness.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery by Dr. James Namnoum can address many of the most obvious signs of facial aging, including:

Sagging or drooping of the brow or upper eyelid (ptosis)
Redundant skin on the upper and lower eyelids
Bulging fat under eyes
Descent of cheek tissues
Lengthening of the lower eyelid
“Hollow” appearance
Increased skin pigmentation
Textural changes to the lower eyelids
Broken red capillaries

Upper and lower eyelid surgery is designed to reverse these changes brought on by aging. Skin and bulging fat can be tailored to create a clear, more open appearance of the eyelids. Judicious use of fat grafts can help refine the appearance and avoid a hollowed-out look. The application of makeup can be especially enhanced with the removal of the redundant skin and fat.

Who is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

If you are troubled by common signs of aging around your eyes, you might be considering cosmetic eyelid surgery. Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty:

Desire a more youthful, open, and alert appearance to the eye area
Are in good overall health
Have not been diagnosed with eye disease, such as dry eye disease, glaucoma, or detached retina
Have not been diagnosed with thyroid disorders that may affect eye appearance, such as Graves’ disease
Have realistic expectations about what cosmetic eyelid surgery can achieve²

Blepharoplasty: What to Expect

The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure that generally takes between 1 and 2 hours. Incisions for blepharoplasty are well-hidden by the natural contours of the eye.

To rejuvenate upper eyelids, Dr. Namnoum makes a tiny incision in the fold of the eyelid to tighten skin and remove excess fat. The incision for the lower eyelid is made either inside the lid or in a natural crease. Here, Dr. Namnoum will remove excess skin and muscle and carefully sculpts underlying fat to create a more youthful appearance.

Recovery After Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

After eyelid surgery, it is normal to experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Frequently applying cold compresses to the treatment area will help all enhance patient comfort and reduce swelling.

It is important to avoid rubbing the eyes after blepharoplasty, but patients may gently clean the area with soap recommended by Dr. Namnoum. Patients will also be given special eye drops or ointments to help with the healing process.

Patients should avoid strenuous activity and swimming for at least one week after cosmetic eyelid surgery. The full rejuvenative effects of the eyelid surgery should be visible in about two weeks, when swelling has mostly subsided.³

Eyelid Surgery: Risks
and Complications

Any plastic surgery procedure carries some risk of complications, though these are dramatically reduced by entrusting your blepharoplasty to an experienced surgeon such as Dr. James Namnoum. Potential risks of blepharoplasty include:

Anesthesia risks
Bruising
Swelling
Infection
Asymmetrical results
Unnatural, “pulled” appearance to the eyelids
Light sensitivity
Numbness or changes in skin sensation
Changes in vision
Unfavorable cosmetic results⁴

¹ American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2020 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2019/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2019.pdf. Accessed September 23, 2020.
² Cleveland Clinic. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty). Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8409-eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty . Accessed September 23, 2020.
³Mayo Clinic. Blepharoplasty. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174. Accessed September 23, 2020.
⁴ American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Eyelid Surgery Consultation. Available: plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery/consultation. Accessed September 23, 2020.