Eyelid Lift in San Diego, CA

The eyes are often the first feature that others notice in a person. Unfortunately, over time people can develop an angry or tired look because of weakened facial muscles and drooping eyelid skin. At Del Mar Plastic Surgery in San Diego, Dr. Larry Pollack regularly performs eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) to give individuals a youthful and refreshed facial appearance.

Am I a Candidate for An Eyelid Lift?

Ideal candidates for an eyelid lift procedure are in good overall health with realistic expectations and some or all of the following conditions:

• Sagging skin around the eyes
• Puffiness or bags under the eyes
• Sagging upper eyelids that impair vision
• No serious eye conditions

How Is Blepharoplasty Performed?

Eyelid lift surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under sedation anesthesia. Depending on the patient’s needs, Dr. Pollack can perform surgery on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.

• Upper Eyelid Lift – To remove excess skin and puffiness from the upper region of the eye, Dr. Pollack will make an incision along the crease of the upper eyelid fold to remove fat deposits and excess skin. Occasionally, some patients are candidates to have this procedure performed in the office under local anesthesia.  Ask us at your consultation.
• Lower Eyelid Lift – An incision is made just beneath the lower lash line to remove excess skin and fat. If puffiness is extremely apparent, an incision may be made inside the lower eyelid to correct it, and laser resurfacing can be used to tighten and smooth the periorbital skin.

Oftentimes, patients combine an eyelid lift with a brow lift or a facelift to achieve complete facial rejuvenation.

What Is Discussed During My Eyelid Lift Consultation?

When you meet with Dr. Pollack for your initial consultation, you will discuss your goals and concerns with him in detail, and he will customize the procedure to fit your needs and desires. Individuals regularly seek an eyelid lift because they want to gain an alert and rejuvenated appearance.

How Long Is My Eyelid Lift Recovery?

Once the eyelid lift is complete, swelling and bruising will be apparent for the next few days. These symptoms can be alleviated with pain medication and plenty of rest. Many patients are able to return to work in about a week, but activities such as strenuous exercise and driving should be avoided for a couple of weeks.

Although rare, risks and complications after surgery, such as bleeding, dry eyes, and visual difficulties, can occur. To increase the likelihood of a safe and effective procedure, it is best to carefully follow Dr. Pollack’s postoperative instructions.

When Will I See My Eyelid Lift Results?

The improvements from eyelid lift surgery are immediately noticeable after the procedure is complete. Patients do not have to worry about apparent scarring because the incisions will be concealed within the natural creases of the eyelids.

Will Insurance Cover My Eyelid Lift?

It is unlikely that eyelid surgery will be covered by insurance. In some cases, following a visual field test, insurance may cover the procedure when the vision is impaired. In general, this type of treatment is considered an elective form of cosmetic surgery.

To schedule a consultation with our board certified plastic surgeon, please call (858) 450-9100 today. Dr. Pollack routinely performs eyelid surgery and is devoted to providing each and every one of his patients with the most successful outcome possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blepharoplasty

What is the purpose of eyelid lift surgery?

As individuals age, the skin around the eyes begins to stretch and become loose, resulting in sagging and puffy eyelids that make you appear older and tired.

Eyelid surgery, commonly referred to as blepharoplasty, aims to remove excess skin and puffiness from the upper and lower eye region for a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

Will my eyelid lift fix my peripheral vision?

Some patients have loose skin or fat bulges that acts as an obstruction to the upper visual fields. Eyelid surgery can significantly improve peripheral vision that has been impaired by severely sagging eyelid skin, especially at the far edges and tops of your visual range.

Therefore, for those individuals with sagging upper eyelids that impair vision, an upper eyelid lift can be a solution. An eyelid lift will not affect the strength of your eyes themselves and is not a solution for your optical needs.

At what point should I consider a brow lift instead of an eyelid lift?

While upper eyelid hooding is often caused by excess skin on the upper lids, it may also be caused by heavy, sagging brows that put pressure on the delicate skin of the upper eyelids. If the cause of this laxity is the brows or forehead, a brow lift—or forehead lift—may be a better solution. This surgery will eliminate excess skin on the forehead, raising the brows and eliminating the pressure on the eyelids.

Brow lift surgery and an eyelid lift are commonly performed together.

Is there an age limit to having an eyelid lift done?

While individuals in their late thirties and upward comprise most blepharoplasty patients, there is no correct age for obtaining the surgery. It all depends on a person’s facial anatomy, as people with a family history of sagging and puffy eyelids can undergo the procedure sooner.

Will my eyesight be affected following eyelid surgery?

A few days after the surgery, patients may experience blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and a hard time focusing. This is all temporary and should go away shortly.

What other procedures can I combine with my eyelid lift surgery?

An eyelid lift is frequently combined with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or injectable treatment. This combination provides comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

To remove fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, many patients consider BOTOX® Cosmetic injections.

Are my blepharoplasty results permanent?

Generally, the positive effects of an eyelid lift are long lasting. The excess skin and fat that is removed are permanently gone. However, as the natural aging process resumes, the skin will eventually become looser.

Feel free to schedule an appointment to see if eyelid lift surgery can help address your concerns. Dr. Pollack will determine your candidacy and recommend a customized treatment plan that would benefit you most.