Eyelid Surgery

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What Is Eyelid Surgery?

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.

Am I a Candidate?

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.

  • Is your eyelid droopiness caused by ptosis? Then we may match you with ptosis repair.
  • Do you have any current eyelid or eye infections or injuries? You will need to wait for those to resolve before surgery.
  • Do you currently use tobacco products? You will need to pause use for several weeks before surgery.
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What Is the Procedure Like?

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. 

After the Surgery: Dr. Williams will close all incisions, and you will be taken to a comfortable room to rest for a time. Once you are ready, you can return home that same day with your arranged driver.

Types of Eyelid Surgery


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.

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What Lower Eyelid Surgery?

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:

  • Improve upper lid contour and structure.
  • Tighten up droopy upper eyelids.
  • Create a youthful, alert expression to your eyes.
  • Decrease upper eyelid puffiness.
  • Restore or achieve upper lid symmetry.

It's not the having, it's the getting.

Elizabeth Taylor

Upper Blepharoplasty

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: 

  • Improve upper lid contour and structure.
  • Tighten up droopy upper eyelids.
  • Create a youthful, alert expression to your eyes.
  • Decrease upper eyelid puffiness.
  • Restore or achieve upper lid symmetry.

Quad Blepharoplasty

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.

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Before & Afters

Procedure before and after patient1

After the Surgery: Recovery

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.

  • You can wear a compression mask or use cold compresses to help with the swelling and bruising.
  • Pain is usually mild enough that it can be managed with over-the-counter medication.
  • The majority of swelling, bruising, and pain should resolve within about 2 weeks.

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.

Seeing Results: Timeline & Duration

  • Initial Results: You can start to enjoy your initial results about 2 weeks after your surgery. Around this time, most of the visible swelling and bruising should have faded. Patients should begin to see a refreshed, alert appearance around the treated areas.
  • Final Results: The delicate nature of the eyelids means that even minor swelling can affect how they look. Residual swelling might not be visible, but it can take several months to fully fade. After this, you can see your full results.
  • Results Duration: With a healthy lifestyle and good skin care, eyelid surgery results can last for years. Upper tends to provide benefits for about 5 to 7 years. Lower usually lasts longer, with patients seeing benefits for 10+ years in many cases.

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Q & A

What are different types of eyelid abnormalities?

Surgery can correct many eyelid disorders, including:

Ectropion/Entropion

Ectropion causes eyelid tissue to become loose and turn outward – Entropion causes your eyelid to turn inward. It can rub against your eye and feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, it can improve these conditions and reduce unpleasant side effects.

Eyelid retraction

Eyelid retraction can occur in upper and lower eyelids, causing blurry vision, dry eyes, and tearing. Surgery repairs the eyelid abnormalities responsible for unpleasant symptoms.

Lacrimal duct issues

Your lacrimal gland in the eyelids drains tears from the surface of the eye. If you have a blocked duct or another lacrimal duct issue, blepharoplasty can correct the problem.

Ptosis

Ptosis is a common term for drooping eyelids. It may affect one or both eyes and can cause vision impairments or abnormal-looking eyelids.

Dermatochalasis

If you have a condition called dermatochalasis, you often experience loose, excess skin around your eyes. It’s often related to aging and loss of skin elasticity.

Eyelid cancer

Eyelid cancer might appear as a bump or discolored tissue. It can spread and be dangerous if left untreated.

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