Whether you want to restore an alert, youthful appearance or address facial symmetry, eyelid surgery at Chicago Oculofacial Consultants could be your optimal solution. Our options for blepharoplasty address a range of cosmetic concerns through precise adjustments for natural-looking results.
Eyelid surgery, medically known as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve the appearance of the eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, and muscle. This surgery is performed on either the upper or lower eyelids or both and aims to rejuvenate the area around the eyes, creating a more youthful and rested appearance. Eyelid surgery can also correct functional problems caused by sagging eyelids that may impair vision.
Eyelid surgery is open to a wide range of candidates, as the techniques used do not place significant strain on the body compared to other surgeries. The first feature of a good candidate is an optimistic yet healthy approach to plastic surgery. Additionally, a few things should be considered when discussing your candidacy.
Before the Surgery: Patients will need to take a few steps to prepare for their procedure. These include obtaining any necessary bloodwork and pausing certain medications. Also, avoid smoking and excess alcohol consumption in the weeks leading up to your surgery. Lastly, we recommend arranging your ride home ahead of time.
During the Surgery: We start with administering anesthetic to ensure a pain-free procedure. Dr. Williams will move step-by-step through your agreed-upon plan. This will involve creating incisions, removing excess skin and fat, and tightening and repositioning tissues. All incisions are created in the natural crease of the eyelid to avoid visible scarring.
Dr. Williams provides comprehensive options for addressing any cosmetic or functional concerns related to the eyelids. At her practice in Chicago, she offers both upper and lower eyelid surgery, which can be adapted for both women and men to create results that match your aesthetic goals. As a board-certified oculofacial surgeon, she has refined her technique with years of experience to produce transformative results that go beyond those of a traditional plastic surgeon.
Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess or uneven skin in and around the upper eyelid. Here, the typical signs of aging involve the skin beginning to sag or droop, which can create a tired or aged look. The procedure restructures the eyelid skin and tissues to create a more youthful expression to the eyes.
Benefits:
Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess or uneven skin in and around the upper eyelid. Here, the typical signs of aging involve the skin beginning to sag or droop, which can create a tired or aged look. The procedure restructures the eyelid skin and tissues to create a more youthful expression to the eyes.
Benefits:
In many cases, seeing improvements in only one part of the eyelids does not bring about the full rejuvenation patients want to see. A Quad Blepharoplasty procedure addresses concerns about the upper and lower eyelids for both eyes, all in a single surgery. The procedures performed together complement each other, highlighting the benefits for a fully refreshed look.
We advise patients to take at least 1 week off from work and all physical activity right after surgery. You will have some bruising, swelling, and pain, but each of these can be addressed in its own way.
Additionally, Dr. Williams will provide you with full aftercare instructions for your recovery period. These steps help ensure a smooth healing process that leads not only to faster recovery but also to better results. She sees all patients for follow-up appointments to check their progress and provide additional information when needed. Never hesitate to ask any questions you may have during these follow-up visits.
Call our office or use our website form to start a process that ends with you seeing a renewed, youthful appearance. Book your consultation to learn more about eyelid surgery with Dr. Williams and begin building a tailored treatment plan. We look forward to doing our part in bringing out the best in your natural features.
You can of course combine upper and lower eyelid surgery with each other. You can also combine eyelid procedures with other facial plastic surgery. An ideal combination is with a brow lift (also called a forehead lift). When you combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift, you can fully rejuvenate the upper face. These procedures complement each other well, bringing a sense of harmony to the upper face while brining out the youthfulness of your unique features.
While both upper and lower eyelid surgery involve incisions, the resulting scars will be hidden. For the upper eyelid, Dr. Williams makes the incision in the upper eyelid crease. At first, it may be visible when closing your eyes. However, this scarring typically heals very well and fades over time. Eventually, it should not be noticeable.
Lower eyelid surgery incisions can be made inside the eyelid, which completely hides any scarring. Still, Dr. Williams maintains a precise technique so that even hidden scarring heals well. This commitment to minimal tissue damage results in better healing and more refined results.
Eyelid surgery cost will vary from one patient to the next and between clinics. During your consultation, we assess your individual situation and provide a quote based on your procedure plan details. Your quote will have transparent breakdowns of each element of the final cost, with no surprises once you commit to surgery.
Insurance companies generally do not provide coverage for cosmetic procedures. In some cases, a patient may have medical reasons for treating upper eyelid sagging, particularly for cases of ptosis. Insurance may also cover reconstructive procedures that treat various eyelid conditions. If you have a medically necessary procedure, still check with your insurance provider to see what your policy covers.
Most patients can wear makeup (and contact lenses) once the swelling and bruising mostly resolve. Typically, this takes about 10 to 14 days. Trying to do so earlier than this could interfere with healing. We see all patients for follow-up visits. At this visit, we can assess your recovery and give you the all-clear once you can safely wear makeup and apply cosmetics.
For the upper eyelids, surgery is the only way to address excess skin. Some physicians offer laser eyelid surgery, but it still removes skin. For lower eyelid concerns, there are some nonsurgical alternatives. Injectable fillers can help even out the under-eye area and restore lost volume. However, these treatments provide temporary results. While this means less commitment, you also would have to redo treatment as results fade.
After surgery, the swelling can cause some vision changes, such as blurred vision. But this typically remains mild and goes away with the swelling. Once you heal, there should be no negative effects on your vision. If anything, upper eyelid procedures can create a more open eye.
