Eyelid Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery to Correct Baggy Eyelids
Eyelid surgery can treat unwanted eye bags that hang over the upper eyelid, or sag below the lower eyelid. Also known as blepharoplasty, this procedure is an excellent way to rejuvenate your eyes and provide a more youthful appearance.
Here in Mobile, Dr. Proffitt performs eyelid surgery for women and men. If needed, he can combine your procedure with a brow lift or facelift.
Who's the Right Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
According to the most recent statistics released by the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, blepharoplasty was ranked the most commonly performed aesthetic procedure. The procedure is most often performed on patients between ages of 35 and 64, and 15% of eyelid surgery patients are men. They're bothered by conditions such as:
- Loose skin on upper eyelids
- Bags under lower eyelids
- Tired appearance
Although these are relatively minor imperfections, they can diminish your appearance significantly. To be considered for eyelid surgery, you should be in good health – especially when it comes to your eyes. Dr. Proffitt may advise you to see an eye doctor before surgery. People with dry eye, hypothyroidism, Graves disease and glaucoma are not considered good candidates.
Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation in Mobile
To learn more about eyelid surgery, we recommend that you schedule a personal consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. When you visit Dr. Proffitt in Mobile, he can educate you about the benefits, risks, techniques and expected results of eyelid surgery.
Dr. Proffitt will also evaluate factors like your medical history, surgery goals and eyelid conditions. Using this information, he'll determine if you're a suitable candidate for the procedure. A consultation may also include a review of eyelid surgery photos.
How Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Works
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient surgery. The procedure only takes 1 hour for 2 eyelids or 2 hours for 4 eyelids.
Upper eyelid surgery is designed to address dermatochalasis, a condition of loose skin that can interfere with vision in severe cases. Upper eyelid skin is very thin, so it is prone to stretching over time. When this occurs, you begin to show wrinkles and skin crepiness above the eyes. To remedy this situation, Dr. Proffitt makes careful incisions in the crease of the eyelid. He then removes loose skin and a very small amount of fatty tissue.
Lower eyelid surgery is performed to address eye bags. The goal of this technique is to remove the small fat deposits that have collected below the eyes. To prevent undesirable results – a hollow appearance in particular – after lower eyelid surgery, the doctor must remove only a conservative amount of fat. The incision can be placed within the lower eyelid or just below the lower eyelashes.
When Dr. Proffitt performs lower lid surgery, he prefers to incorporate the use of the Coherent CO2 laser system, which he also employs for laser skin resurfacing. By performing the procedure in this manner, bruising and swelling post-surgery are greatly diminished. Dr. Proffitt also finds that the lower eyelid approach eliminates the risk of visible scarring around the eyes.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend double eyelid surgery to address both upper and lower eyelids. Another technique variation is known as Asian eyelid surgery (or epicanthoplasty) which can make the eyes appear larger.
After Eyelid Surgery in Mobile, AL
Recovery time for blepharoplasty is about ten days. After surgery, Dr. Proffitt will lubricate your eyes and apply a bandage to the treated areas. As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some tightness and soreness in the eyelids. Medications can be prescribed to help control discomfort. Sutures are removed in 5 days for upper lids, and no sutures are used for lower lid transconjunctival blepharopalsty (inside the lower lid).
Dr. Proffitt will give you specific post-operative instructions, which may include instructions to keep your head elevated, use cold compresses, postpone exercise and wearing of contact lenses, and take prescription medications.
To Schedule Your Eyelid Surgery with Dr. Proffitt
When you're prepared to discuss eyelid surgery with a board certified plastic surgeon in Mobile, contact our office for a consultation. You can reach our friendly and helpful staff by calling 251-344-0322 or by sending an email with the online form. Our plastic surgery practice is conveniently located at 6317 Piccadilly Square, Mobile, AL 36609.