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Blepharoplasty

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, CO, practice for restoring a refreshed look to the eye area. He is known by patients from Colorado Springs, Parker, Castle Rock, Greenwood Village, and 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:

• Brow lift
• Facelift
• Fat grafting
• Laser skin resurfacing
• Dermal fillers

“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.”

5-Star RealSelf review, Thrifty522960

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 Denver 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Schedule Your Blepharoplasty Consultation Today

Women and men looking for the best blepharoplasty specialist in Denver, CO, often choose Dr. Ladner. You can request a personal consultation to discuss your cosmetic surgery goals, or call our office at (303) 253-7686 to schedule an appointment.

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