Youthful eyes look bright, alert, and rested. As you age, sagging eyelids and dark circles can give the impression of being fatigued, even when you’re not. Dr. Keith Ladner, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, specializes in eyelid surgery at his Denver and Beverly Hills practices for restoring a refreshed look to the eye area. He is known by patients from Colorado Springs, Greenwood Village, Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas for results that look remarkably natural.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, often called eyelid surgery, minimizes puffiness and bags under the lower eyelids and removes the hooded skin of the upper lids. In some cases, upper eyelids may sag enough to actually obstruct a patient’s peripheral vision.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Even though women and men have various reasons for seeking upper and lower blepharoplasty, all patients share a desire to look more youthful, healthy, and refreshed. The concerns eyelid surgery patients may have include:
- Excess skin covering the natural fold of the upper eyelids
- Loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids over the eyelashes
- Puffy upper and lower eyelids that result in tired-looking eyes
- A sunken appearance beneath the eyes (tear troughs)
Can Eyelid Surgery be Combined with Other Procedures?
Dr. Ladner may recommend combining eyelid surgery with other surgical or nonsurgical procedures for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Facial aging rarely occurs in just one area, so combining eyelid surgery with other facial rejuvenation options can address multiple concerns at once. Options often include:
After upper and lower blepharoplasty, I no longer look tired all the time. I look age-appropriate and the look is natural – just without those puffy bags on top and under my eyes. I couldn’t be happier when I look into the mirror.
Can Heavy Eyelids Cause Vision Problems?
Even though many patients get blepharoplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons, some patients need upper eyelid surgery if skin droops enough to obscure their vision or makes it difficult to wear glasses or contact lenses.
Are You Put to Sleep for Eyelid Surgery?
Dr. Ladner uses a local anesthetic with sedation for upper eyelid surgery. He performs lower blepharoplasty using either conscious sedation or a general anesthetic.
How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Dr. Ladner uses his expertise as a blepharoplasty specialist to customize your surgical plan. He assesses skin laxity and fat position in the treatment area, along with the structure of your facial anatomy. He offers multiple approaches to eyelid surgery, depending on the location of the excess skin and fat pads that need to be adjusted. Dr. Ladner may also remove some underlying muscle during the procedure. Patients may choose to get upper or lower eyelid surgery or combine the two procedures.
Upper Eyelid Surgery: Dr. Ladner camouflages incisions by making them in the natural crease of the upper eyelids. He then removes excess skin and an appropriate amount of fat; aggressive fat removal can create a skeletal appearance around the eyes.
Lower Eyelid Surgery: Incisions may be made on the inside of the lower eyelid (transconjunctival incision) or just below the lash line. In either case, Dr. Ladner takes care to minimize the invasiveness of the procedure. He then removes or repositions fat to erase undereye bags. Injecting filler in the tear troughs can also enhance the results.
Dr. Ladner meticulously closes the incisions using fine sutures to minimize the scar. Depending on the individual patient’s needs, the procedure takes 1 to 2 hours.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery patients can typically return to work within a week of their procedures. The most serious bruising and swelling occur during the first week after an eyelid lift, and some signs of surgery may linger during your first few days back to work. Patients may use eye makeup to camouflage any bruising.
Applying cold compresses and moisturizing ointment during the first week after surgery, along with sleeping with your head elevated, helps reduce the time needed to heal. Prescription medication keeps the incisions clean and minimizes the risk of infection.
You’ll need to ice your eye area or apply cool compresses at least four times a day and sleep upright, propped up with extra pillows, or even in a chair to help minimize swelling. Use any prescribed eye drops or ointments and keep your eyelids clean to reduce your chance of infection. We provide detailed post-op instructions for cleaning incisions.
Patients return to our office to have sutures removed within 7 to 9 days of their procedures. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the recovery. You should avoid direct sun exposure throughout the healing process to reduce scarring. You’ll see the initial results as the swelling and bruising resolve, but it can take up to 6 months before you’ll see the final outcome.
Nonsurgical Alternatives to Eyelid Surgery
Women and men with minimal eyelid sagging may want to explore nonsurgical alternatives to blepharoplasty procedure. These include:
- Laser skin resurfacing: A customized, ablative laser skin resurfacing treatment removes old skin cells in order to reveal newer, more youthful-looking skin. The heat from the laser also stimulates the production of new collagen, which lifts mildly sagging eyelids.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic: Injections precisely placed on the eyebrows’ outer edges can create a slight lift for hooded eyelids.
- Dermal fillers: Deep creases between the lower eyelid and upper cheek—tear troughs—can create a tired, older appearance. Fillers add volume to this area, providing a lifted, more youthful look.
How Long After Blepharoplasty Will I Look Normal?
Swelling and bruising fade significantly in about 14 days; makeup around the eyelids can hide residual bruising.
Why Choose Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery
There are several reasons to choose Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery for your aesthetic and reconstructive needs:
- Experienced Surgeon: Dr. Ladner is a board-certified surgeon with years of experience in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.
- Personalized Care: Each patient is unique, and Dr. Ladner tailors his approach to meet each individual’s specific needs and desires.
- Quality Results: Dr. Ladner’s expertise and attention to detail result in natural-looking outcomes that enhance each patient’s unique beauty.
- Advanced Techniques: Dr. Ladner stays abreast of the latest developments in his field, ensuring that patients receive the most advanced surgical care.
- Comfortable Environment: From the first consultation to the final follow-up, patients can expect a comfortable, supportive environment that respects their privacy.
Choosing Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery means choosing a practice committed to patient satisfaction, safety, and exceptional results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Ladner ensures you remain comfortable during either upper or lower eyelid surgery. For upper eyelid surgery, he uses a local anesthetic plus sedation. Some patients getting lower eyelid surgery may be placed under a general anesthetic.
Yes. Some people have upper eyelids that sag enough to block their peripheral vision. Upper eyelid surgery lifts the lids so they have unobstructed vision.
Eyelid surgery has a 94% “worth it” rating on the RealSelf website, which reflects the excellent results you’ll see when it’s performed by a qualified surgeon.
Lower eyelid surgery removes excess fat and tissue, creating a smoother, tighter appearance.
Dr. Ladner camouflages incisions in the natural folds of the upper eyelids, so scarring is virtually imperceptible. Lower eyelid surgery may involve incisions on the inside or outside of the lid. External incisions are well concealed.
Even though eyelid surgery is often thought of as an anti-aging procedure, it can be appropriate for patients of all ages. Younger patients may have inherited hooded eyelids or puffy lower lids that can be corrected with surgery.
Schedule Your Blepharoplasty Consultation Today
Women and men looking for the best blepharoplasty specialist in Denver or Beverly Hills often choose Dr. Ladner. You can request a personal consultation to discuss your cosmetic surgery goals, or call our office at (213) 457-7740 to schedule an appointment.