EYELID SURGERY
(Blepharoplasty)
Austin, TX

Blepharoplasty Before and After Photos

*Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.

Austin Surgeons

Surgeons at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery offer blepharoplasty solutions for patients in Austin and Sunset Valley, Texas. Commonly referred to as eyelid lift surgery, upper and lower blepharoplasty procedures are performed by a facial plastic surgeon to address extraneous tissue around the eyes that detracts from a person’s appearance. This surgery can reshape the eye area through the manipulation of underlying muscles and fat and the removal of extra skin. Blepharoplasty successfully addresses hooded eyelids, under eye bags, and local wrinkles to restore vitality to a patient’s appearance. There are surgeons at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery in Austin, Texas, that specialize in the blepharoplasty procedure.

Types of Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Upper Blepharoplasty

While both upper and lower lids can be treated with blepharoplasty, some patients are merely concerned with the appearance and function of the upper eyelids. In such cases, one of our surgeons may opt to perform an upper blepharoplasty to treat prolapsed fat pockets and redundant skin of the lid. When excess loose, hanging skin results in eyelid ptosis, the muscle that controls eyelid movement can be tightened for best results.

Typically, an incision is hidden in the natural eyelid crease so the doctor can access the tissues below the skin’s surface. This incision allows the surgeon to view the tissues that create the look of a puffy or creped upper eyelid to make the necessary adjustments with a thermal scalpel. Upper blepharoplasty has evolved, and our surgeons judiciously approach fatty pockets to prevent over-reduction, which can lead to a hollowed appearance of the upper eye area. Finally, the doctor can trim away extra skin, tighten remaining tissues and suture the surgical incisions.

Lower Blepharoplasty

As the title of the surgery implies, lower blepharoplasty is performed to address cosmetic concerns underneath the eyes. Before surgery, there are things you need to know about blepharoplasty so you have the correct information.

As people age, the fatty tissue of the lower lid shifts forward and interacts with fat of the upper cheek area, which forms shadows that appear as dark circles. This accumulation of fat can also cause under eye bags.

During a lower blepharoplasty, under eye bagginess and extra skin are surgically altered to rejuvenate the eye area. An incision is created, typically under the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid, which is referred to as the transconjunctival method. The doctor can then redistribute, trim, or remove the fat pads that cause puffiness and modify muscle and skin of the area.

In patients who have always noticed the appearance of a full under eye, the fat pad will likely be removed altogether for the best results. In other individuals, the protruding affect is caused by gravitational descent of the cheek fat pad, which then covers the lower eyelid bone. It often forms a curved groove under the eyelid referred to as a tear trough. In these cases, the tear trough also must be addressed through transconjunctival incisions.

Oftentimes, an autologous fat transfer (transferring fat harvested from the lower body) is utilized to maximize the result of lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Please see our fat transfer section for more information.

Blepharoplasty Aftercare

Adhering to the doctor’s postoperative plan minimizes potential post blepharoplasty complications and creates a more comfortable healing process.

The surgeon may prescribe the patient an antibiotic cream to apply topically to the affected area, anti-inflammatory medications and the use of a cold compress for 2 or 3 days.

Both pain and swelling are expected to subside within a few days following blepharoplasty surgery, but it can take a month or longer for the final results to present. Patients can return to their regular schedules within a week following blepharoplasty.

Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

It is often aging individuals wishing to rejuvenate their appearance who have experienced changes to the eyelids caused by sun damage, gravity, and other natural elements of aging who request the procedure.

They may also find that blinking has become uncomfortable due to the extra or misplaced tissues. Extra upper eyelid skin can also obstruct a person’s vision, in which case blepharoplasty may be a medical necessity.

It is common for blepharoplasty patients of all ages to explain that their eyes emote a sad or tired look, which does not express their true emotions. While eyelid lift surgery is more commonly performed on patients in the middle to later years of their life, genetics in younger individuals may create similar issues. Bulky tissues around the eyes can contribute to premature aging concerns.

Candidates for the surgery must be healthy enough to undergo the procedure as it does require anesthesia and in most cases light sedation. Prospective blepharoplasty patients should be informed of the extent of changes the procedure can create, possible risks and the aftercare process. Because blepharoplasty will directly affect tissues of the eye area, certain skin or eye diseases may preclude someone from this form of cosmetic treatment.

Additional Plastic Surgeries

Blepharoplasty is generally performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia in one to two hours, and patients can return home when the surgery has been completed. The doctor may require additional anesthetics and time if the patient is having a combination of facial treatments. In many individuals, the eyes may not be the only facial feature to display unwanted signs of aging.

Blepharoplasty can be combined with an endoscopic forehead lift or midface lift to achieve lasting changes in the underlying structures of the forehead or midface area. Dermal injections and skin resurfacing treatments can also restore vitality to various areas of the face without surgery.

The goal of lower eyelid surgery is to produce a natural youthful contour between the lower eyelid and cheek. Overly aggressive surgery is to be avoided as it leads to an unnatural appearance. Surgeons at the Buckingham Center often combine lower blepharoplasty with autologous fat transfer and a chemical peel for the lower eyelid skin to maximize the aesthetic results and address crow’s feet (smile lines) around the eyes.

During a consultation with our surgeons, patients can learn about the various facial cosmetic procedures available for a tailored treatment plan.

Common Blepharoplasty Questions & Answers

Schedule your Consultation Today

The Buckingham Center’s philosophy is that a successful facial plastic surgery begins with a good rapport between the patient and the surgeon and the staff during the consultation and additional appointments.

The initial consultation includes a complete facial analysis, which helps the surgeon determine which procedure or combination of treatments will provide the patient with his or her desired results. Patients’ questions and concerns will also be addressed.

Prospective patients are encouraged to call the office to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience. Call 512-401-2500 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced surgeons.

Those with busy schedules who prefer email communications can complete our Patient Contact Form.

Related Articles

• Do You Need Upper or Lower Blepharoplasty?
• Looking Tired? Wake Up with Blepharoplasty!
• Look Tired? Upper Blepharoplasty Can Help
• Avoiding Blepharoplasty Complications
• Five Things Patients May Not Know About Blepharoplasty

Austin Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Specialists at Buckingham Center

A blepharoplasty (aka eyelid surgery, an eyelid lift) is a surgical procedure that facial plastic surgeons perform to address the signs of aging around the eyes (e.g., drooping upper eyelids, bags beneath the eyes). A blepharoplasty procedure can also be used to reconstruct or repair an individual’s eyelid. At the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, some of the top facial plastic surgeons in the Austin, Texas, area perform cosmetic, functional and Asian blepharoplasty procedures. After surgery, their patients look younger and appear well rested.

What Signs of Aging Can Eyelid Surgery in Austin, Texas, Address?

The eyes themselves can reveal whether an individual is happy, sad, exhausted or full of energy. Since the delicate tissues surrounding the eyes usually succumb to the natural-aging process before the other facial features do, men and women of all ages are choosing to rejuvenate their eyes with blepharoplasty procedures.

Issues that facial plastic surgeons can address with a cosmetic blepharoplasty include bags or a sunken-in look beneath the eyes, as well as droopy or hooded upper eyelids and local wrinkles. During an eyelid lift, our surgeons can reshape the patient’s eye area by tightening the eyelid muscle, manipulating underlying fat and muscle, as well as by removing excess skin.

Who Should Consider Having an Eyelid Lift?

Most of the time, the men and women who choose to have a blepharoplasty are those who would like their eyes to appear more youthful and energized. In addition, people who find blinking to be uncomfortable because of misplaced or an excessive amount of skin and tissue may be good candidates for a blepharoplasty. Individuals who are experiencing a decrease in their field of vision due to ptosis can benefit from a functional blepharoplasty as well.

As time passes, facial features change. The changes that occur around the eyes include wrinkling and drooping of the upper eyelids, as well as puffiness or a sunken-in appearance beneath the eyes. These eye characteristics can make an individual appear older and look more tired than he or she actually is.

Men and women who are experiencing a decrease in their field of vision due to a droopy upper eyelid (i.e., ptosis) may be good candidates for a functional blepharoplasty. Patients who have a functional blepharoplasty to address ptosis enjoy more youthful-looking upper eyelids, as well as a wider field of vision.

Men and women throughout the Austin, Texas, area who would like to address these issues should consider having an upper blepharoplasty, a functional blepharoplasty, a lower blepharoplasty or a combination upper and lower blepharoplasty.

A Blepharoplasty Can Increase an Individual’s Self-confidence Level

After an eyelid lift, most of the Buckingham Center’s patients state that they feel more confident about their appearance.

Blepharoplasty Procedures Available at the Buckingham Center

An Upper Eyelid Lift

Although many patients choose to have a combination upper and lower blepharoplasty, some patients are only interested in addressing issues related to the function and appearance of their upper lids. In cases such as these, our surgeons may perform an upper eyelid lift to address redundant skin and prolapsed pockets of fat in this area. When a fallen upper eyelid compromises the patient’s field of vision, besides removing the excess skin, the surgeon can tighten the muscle responsible for moving the eyelid.

An overview of the upper eyelid lift:

Our surgeons ensure that the upper eyelid incision remains well hidden within the patient’s natural eyelid crease.

Through this upper-eyelid incision, the surgeon views the tissues below the surface of the skin to determine which tissues are causing the patient’s upper eyelid to appear wrinkled or puffy. After locating the tissues responsible for creating the undesirable upper-eyelid features, the surgeon uses a thermal scalpel to make the adjustments that are necessary to reduce or eliminate these unwanted characteristics.

Once removal of the fat pockets is complete, the plastic surgeon carefully trims away excess skin.

Choosing an experienced facial plastic surgeon is crucial to attaining optimal eyelid lift results. The highly experienced facial plastic surgeons at the Buckingham Center, know that removing too much fat can cause an individual’s upper eye area to appear hollow. Therefore, to prevent over-reduction, the surgeons take a judicious approach when removing the fatty pockets that accumulate in the upper eyelid.

Just as with the removal of fat pockets, surgeons must be prudent when removing excess skin. Removing too much skin can negatively affect the patient’s ability to close his or her eyelids all the way.

Following skin removal, the surgeon tightens the remaining tissues (and, if necessary, the muscle), before closing the surgical incision with very fine sutures.

A Lower Blepharoplasty

During a lower blepharoplasty, the surgeon addresses cosmetic problems beneath the eyes. However, before having a lower blepharoplasty, it is important to understand why these under-eye changes happen.

As part of the natural aging process, the fatty tissue in the lower eyelid moves forward, interacting with the fat located in the upper cheek area. This results in shadows that appear as dark circles. In addition, this fat accumulation can create under eye bags.

To address under eye bags, the facial plastic surgeon creates an incision just inside the lower eyelid (i.e., transconjunctival incision). Through this incision, the surgeon can redistribute, trim or remove fat pads. This reduces the fullness under the eye. In addition, the surgeon may modify the muscle beneath the eye.

If an individual states that he or she has always had fullness beneath the eyes, to achieve optimal results, the surgeon may remove the entire fat pad.

Some individuals develop a protruding affect when the fat pad in the cheek descends, covering the lower eyelid bone. When this occurs, a curved groove typically forms beneath the eyelid. Patients who have this groove frequently choose to have dermal filler injections or an autologous fat transfer into this area.

An autologous fat transfer involves the facial plastic surgeon harvesting fat via liposuction. The surgeon harvests this fat from an area on the patient’s body where there is excess (e.g., the abdomen or flanks). Following collection, the surgeon purifies the fat, and then uses it to add volume beneath the eyes.

A Functional Blepharoplasty

During a functional blepharoplasty, the surgeon lifts a drooping upper eyelid, which restores the patient’s field of view.

An Asian Blepharoplasty

An Asian blepharoplasty addresses the absence of an upper-eyelid crease. To create a crease, our surgeons can use very fine sutures, reposition, or remove muscles, fat and skin from the upper eyelid. An Asian blepharoplasty provides the patient with an upper-eyelid crease, as well as a larger, more symmetrical almond-shaped eye.

What is the Difference between a Cosmetic Blepharoplasty for the Upper Eyelid and a Functional Blepharoplasty?

When an individual has an upper eyelid lift solely to improve the way his or her upper eyelids look, this procedure is cosmetic. However, if an individual has an upper blepharoplasty to address a falling eyelid that is interrupting his or her field of vision, this procedure is functional (i.e., necessary to address a medical issue, which means it is not elective).

Recognizing the difference between these two surgical procedures is essential because insurance usually covers a portion of an individual’s functional blepharoplasty procedure.

Specific conditions that our surgeons address with eyelid surgery include:

• A sagging upper eyelid. This issue may arise due to weakened eyelid muscles, as well as from a surplus of skin and tissue on the upper eyelid.
• Impaired peripheral or central vision resulting from ptosis. To address ptosis, the surgeon can tighten the muscle and remove excess skin, and tissue to help raise the upper eyelid.
• Bags beneath the eyes resulting from fat that has pushed forward (i.e., herniated fat).
• Excess skin on the lower eyelids.
• A sunken-in look beneath the eyes.
• The signs of aging. Through the process of excess skin removal, muscle tightening and the repositioning or removing of excess fat, a facial plastic surgeon reverses the unwanted eye characteristics that develop with time.

At the Buckingham Center in Austin, Texas, Patients Receive Personalized Treatment Plans

Every patient is unique, which is why the Buckingham Center’s surgeons tailor each treatment plan to meet the needs of a specific patient.

Issues that a Blepharoplasty Cannot Address

Just like all treatments and cosmetic surgeries, this procedure has its limitations. Nonetheless, our surgeons have other ways to address the issues that a blepharoplasty cannot.

Issues a blepharoplasty cannot address include:

• Crow’s feet

  — the wrinkles that develop at the outer corner of the eye. A surgeon can address these wrinkles with BOTOX or Dysport injections.

• A heavy brow

  — a surgeon can lift a fallen eyebrow with injections of BOTOX or Dysport.

• Lost volume beneath the eye

  — with dermal filler injections or an autologous fat transfer, facial plastic surgeons can plump up the under-eye area.

Each of these procedures can be combined with a blepharoplasty to provide the patient with a rested, more youthful appearance.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Blepharoplasty?

The ideal candidate for eyelid surgery is someone with realistic expectations, who is in good health and does not use products that contain nicotine (e.g., traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, smoking-cessation products).

Most blepharoplasty patients are over the age of 35. Nonetheless, younger individuals who inherit the genes that cause bulky tissues to develop around the eyes may also be good candidates for a blepharoplasty.

Since the surgeon modifies the tissues of the eye, there are certain eye or skin diseases that could disqualify an individual from being a good candidate for this procedure.

Blepharoplasty candidates must be aware of the potential changes the procedure can provide, the possible risks of the procedure, as well as how to care for their eyes following surgery.

A Consultation for a Blepharoplasty in Austin, Texas

Our surgeon needs detailed information about the patient’s medical history. This information should include previous surgeries, chronic medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, heart disease), medications, herbal supplements and vitamins that he or she takes on a regular basis. In addition, the surgeon needs to know if the patient is allergic to any medications or to latex.

For the patient’s safety, individuals who use products that contain nicotine and those who drink alcoholic beverages regularly need to inform their facial plastic surgeon. Furthermore, it is vital for patients who participate in recreational drug use to inform their surgeon of this activity.

After reviewing the patient’s health information, the surgeon asks the patient what he or she would like to accomplish with a blepharoplasty. Patients need to be candid with their facial plastic surgeon because the only way the surgeon can provide the patient with the results he or she desires is by clearly understanding what those desires are.

The surgeon physically examines the patient’s eyes. Following the examination, if the surgeon believes a blepharoplasty can provide the patient with the results he or she desires, the preparation phase can begin. However, if the patient is not a good candidate for a blepharoplasty, he or she may be ideal for another procedure.

If the patient agrees to move forward with a blepharoplasty, the surgeon takes photos of the patient’s eyes from different angles. In addition, the surgeon may take a variety of measurements. This information serves as a guide during the creation of the patient’s custom-designed surgical plan.

How Patients Can Prepare for Their Blepharoplasty Procedure

Patients must complete any testing that their surgeon requests no later than a week before surgery. This gives the surgeon enough time to review the test results before performing the patient’s procedure.

Patients who are having a functional blepharoplasty need to have an eye exam that includes an assessment of their peripheral vision. Attaining this documentation prior to surgery is important if the patient wants to file a claim with his or her insurance for this procedure.

The patient may need to discontinue taking some of his or her medications (e.g., NSAIDs, blood thinners), herbal supplements (e.g., Valerian, Ginseng) and vitamins (e.g., vitamin E, vitamin K) for 10 days before surgery and 10 days after.

Alcohol increases swelling; therefore, patients need to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages 48 hours before surgery and 48 hours after.

Since nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, patients need to stop using products that contain nicotine for at least 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after their blepharoplasty. As a vasoconstrictor, nicotine causes the blood vessels to contract. As the vessels contract, blood flow slows, which means the nourishing blood that the surgical wound needs to heal takes longer to get there. By inhibiting the ability of the blood to flow freely, healing slows. Slower healing increases the likelihood that a patient will experience open wounds or develop an infection. In addition, this puts the patient at a higher risk of skin necrosis (i.e., tissue death).

Patients receive sedation medications during their procedure. In addition, following surgery, some patients’ vision is temporarily compromised. Therefore, on the day of surgery, patients need to bring a driver with them.

For-hire transportation is not permitted following procedures that require sedation of any kind. This policy keeps patients from being subjected to individuals who may want to cause them harm while they are in a somewhat vulnerable state.

Where Do the Buckingham Center’s Surgeons Perform Eyelid Surgery?

Patients have their upper blepharoplasty procedures in the office at the Buckingham Center. However, patients who are having procedures on their lower eyelids, forehead or brow, as well as those who are having a procedure using autologous fat, will meet their surgeon at a conveniently located outpatient facility.

How Painful is a Blepharoplasty Procedure?

During the procedure itself, there is very little discomfort, if any. After surgery, patients may experience a tight feeling or soreness in their eyelids. These symptoms are normal and should dissipate within a few days. Nonetheless, if a patient does experience discomfort, he or she can take acetaminophen to ease this symptom.

Will the Patient Have Visible Scarring After a Blepharoplasty?

As with every surgery, our doctors take great care to use the smallest incisions and sutures possible. In addition, the surgeons at the Buckingham Center place the incisions for a blepharoplasty in areas where they will remain well hidden.

Our surgeons place upper eyelid incisions within the natural crease of the lid.

The surgeons may place lower eyelid incisions internally, just inside the lower lid, or externally along the lash line. These areas are discrete and camouflage the resulting scar well.

What to Expect During a Blepharoplasty

Since a blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, patients return home following surgery.

Patients who are only having an upper blepharoplasty need to arrive at the Buckingham Center with their driver about 15 minutes before their scheduled procedure. Patients who are having an upper eyelid lift should expect to be at the Buckingham Center for about an hour.

Patients who are having a lower blepharoplasty, combination blepharoplasty or a blepharoplasty with other plastic surgery procedures (e.g., facelift), need to arrive at the outpatient surgery center with their driver approximately 15 minutes before their scheduled time.

Those who are having a combination upper and lower blepharoplasty will remain at the outpatient surgery center for about 2 hours.

Patients who are having other combination procedures (e.g., an upper blepharoplasty with a facelift) will receive information about how long their procedures should take prior to surgery.

Blepharoplasty Procedures in Austin, Texas

Before a blepharoplasty:

• The patient receives a sedative, which is usually in the form of a pill. In addition, using local anesthesia, the surgeon numbs the patient’s eyelids. Taking these presurgical steps ensures the patient remains comfortable and pain free during surgery.
• When the patient is having a combination blepharoplasty, the surgeon usually begins with the upper eyelids.

An Upper Blepharoplasty and Functional Blepharoplasty

The surgeon creates an incision along the eyelid crease or the fold of the eyelid. Through this crease, the surgeon uses a thermal scalpel to adjust the tissues. In addition, the plastic surgeon trims away excess skin and, if necessary, tightens the tissues.

When performing a functional blepharoplasty, the surgeon can also tighten the muscle that is responsible for lifting the eyelid.

After contouring the patient’s upper eyelid, the surgeon uses very fine, removable sutures to close the incisions.

A Lower Blepharoplasty

Our surgeon makes an incision within the natural crease just beneath the eyelashes on the outside of the lower eyelid. Through this incision, the surgeon contours the area by redistributing and removing tissues.

Sometimes, the facial plastic surgeon makes an incision inside the lower eyelid (i.e., a transconjunctival incision). This incision allows for the distribution, trimming or removal of the fat pads. In addition, modification of the skin and muscle through this incision is possible.

Sutures may or may not be necessary following a lower blepharoplasty.

Caring for the Eyes Following Surgery

To minimize the potential for complications following surgery, following the postoperative plan that the surgeon provides is crucial. Furthermore, patients who follow these instructions enjoy a more comfortable recovery.

Patients may receive a prescription for an antibiotic cream following surgery. The patient gently applies this cream to the eyelid. Acetaminophen and cold compresses are useful for reducing inflammation for the first few days following surgery.

Patients need to sleep with their head elevated for several days after their blepharoplasty procedure, following this recommendation helps keep inflammation down.

Any pain and inflammation the patient experiences usually subsides within 3 days. Nonetheless, it may take a month or so for the patient to see the final results of his or her blepharoplasty.

Patients return to their regular activities about a week after surgery.

Temporary Side Effects Following a Blepharoplasty

Most patients do experience temporary side effects following surgery; nonetheless, these subside rather quickly.

Common side effects include:

• Eyelids that feel numb.
• Puffy-looking eyelids.
• General discomfort.
• Blurred vision.
• Double vision.
• Bruising and inflammation resembling that of a typical black eye.
• Light sensitivity.

Suture Removal Following a Blepharoplasty in Austin, Texas

Approximately 7 days after surgery, patients return to the Buckingham Center and their surgeon removes the sutures.

Are the Results Achieved During Eyelid Surgery Permanent?

The results achieved during an upper blepharoplasty typically last about 10 years, at which point the patient may want to consider having a follow-up procedure. The results of a lower blepharoplasty are usually permanent.

Possible Risks and Potential Complications Associated with the Blepharoplasty Procedure

While complications and adverse outcomes following an eyelid lift are rare, as with all surgeries, the risks and potential complications must be considered.

Potential risks and complications include:

• Blurred vision.
• Visible scarring.
• Dry eye.
• Bruising.
• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Irregular eyelid color.
• Abnormally folding eyelid skin.
• Muscle damage.
• Itching around the eye.
• Temporary drooping of the lower eyelid.
• Having trouble closing the eye.
• Blood clot formation (rare).
• Loss of vision (rare).

Although serious complications are rare, choosing an experienced facial plastic surgeon to perform a blepharoplasty procedure is the best way to reduce the likelihood of experiencing postsurgical complications.

How Much Will Eyelid Surgery Cost?

To determine how much a blepharoplasty will cost, one of our surgeons needs to evaluate the potential patient’s eye area. To accomplish this, men and women who are interested in having a blepharoplasty can schedule a consultation at the Buckingham Center.

Will Insurance Cover a Blepharoplasty Procedure?

If an individual is having a functional blepharoplasty to address a drooping eyelid that is negatively affecting his or her field of vision, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure.

To schedule an eyelid surgery consultation with one of the top surgeons at the Buckingham Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, contact the office today at 512-401-2500. The Buckingham Center’s Austin, Texas, address is 6420 Bee Cave Road, Suite 100.

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