Eyelid Lift Before & After Case 497

This 38 year-old woman had already had a browlift for very low-set eyebrows approximately 10 years prior, but presented to discuss upper-lid lifting as well.  In particular she was bothered by the heavy, closed-lid appearance, which also made her look more chronically tired that she felt inside.  She also had an element of residual lateral hooding (likely due to some recurrent descent of the brow several years after having had the brow lift), which was also amenable to improvement via an upper blepharoplasty.

The patient indeed underwent a formal upper blepharoplasty (as well as a concomitant breast augmentation) under light general anesthesia as an outpatient.  The incisions were carried out beyond the eyelid a small degree to take in the element of hooding laterally.  She healed very quickly, with bruising apparent for less than one week, and was thrilled to again see the natural-appearing upper lid crease (in which the incision heals almost imperceptibly), which “opened up” her eyes appreciably.  Her photos, from only six weeks post-operatively, reflect this significant facial rejuvenation, achieved in only an hour.

If you have noticed that your lids chronically look heavier with age, lending an effect of being sad, angry or tired, you are probably an excellent candidate for an upper blepharoplasty, which can be performed more or less awake under “conscious sedation” for a fraction of what it costs to go to the OR.  Bags and excess skin under the lids are also amenable to outpatient rejuvenation (although this sensitive, more difficult area often requires heavier sedation).  I often tell patients the eyelids are the first place that people tend to show age (or, as in this case, are genetically predisposed to be heavy), and that eyelid surgery usually gives patients the most “bang for their buck” with respect to facial rejuvenation, with very little downtime.  If you are a patient from Colorado or Denver who may need an eyelid lift, we encourage you to call and schedule your consultation today.