Why Eyelid Lift Surgery Consistently Tops the Charts (+ What it Can Do for You)
The 2016 stats for aesthetic plastic surgery are in, and among a boom in butt lifts and surge in non-surgical treatments lies one consistent winner that we shouldn’t ignore: the eyelid lift! Eyelid surgery, a.k.a. blepharoplasty, has ranked in the top 5 cosmetic surgeries for men and women for 16 years running. Last year, it hit #4 with nearly 174,000 procedures performed.
Why does eyelid lift surgery consistently top the charts in terms of both procedures performed and patient satisfaction (did we mention that eyelid surgery has a 94% Worth It rating on RealSelf)? Let’s look at a few reasons that this classic procedure remains a top pick:
Eyelid lift surgery is the only procedure to effectively address puffy or drooping eyelids.
The popularity of eyelid surgery has remained steadily high over the last few decades largely because there is no other procedure that can effectively remove excess, sagging skin from the upper lids. Blepharoplasty remains the best way to correct a myriad of problems caused by drooping eyelids, such as a persistently drowsy appearance or obstructed field of vision.
Likewise, lower eyelid surgery is the only way to sculpt away excess, herniated fat to reduce puffiness in the lower lids, an often-bothersome genetic trait.
“I just feel refreshed…it took 10 years off my looks. I also do not have tired eyes anymore.”
Swan Center eyelid lift patient
You can make dramatic upgrades to your appearance with subtle changes
Your eyes are often the first thing people notice about you, and their appearance communicates your feelings as powerfully as the words you speak. If sagging tissues are causing your eyes to look tired or haggard, just lifting the upper eye by a few millimeters, and/or reducing puffiness and excess skin of the lower eyelid, can provide a more youthful, brighter look to the entire face.
And men, don’t be put off by fears of looking feminized with overdone eyelid surgery. Just find a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in male eyelid lift techniques, which are designed to refresh your look while retaining masculine eyelid contours.
“Being a guy I wasn’t sure of the whole ‘cosmetic’ surgery thing, but at 47 years old I wasn’t getting any younger-looking. I had bags under my eyes as a result of heredity that made me look much older, so I went in for a consultation with Dr. Fardo and returned in three days to have the procedure done…My results are fantastic and definitely exceeded my expectations.”
Swan Center eyelid lift patient
Surgery takes less than 1 hour, and blepharoplasty recovery is surprisingly manageable.
An experienced plastic surgeon will only remove a tiny amount of skin and fat during surgery (check out our Atlanta eyelid surgery page for details on how the procedure is performed). As such, eyelid surgery is usually very easy on the patient from a comfort and recovery standpoint.
While your eyes will tire easily for a week or two after blepharoplasty, you will be able to see immediately after surgery—your eyes are not bandaged shut. Most patients are back to work within the first week, perhaps with camouflage makeup to help conceal any residual bruising—incisions are made in the eyelid crease or inside the lower lid, so they’re virtually undetectable when your eyes are open, even just days after surgery. While results adjust subtlely for up to 8 months, most eyelid lift patients are photo-ready within 3 to 4 months.
An eyelid lift can be the perfect complement to a facelift, brow lift or other facial procedure—without additional downtime
While many patients are satisfied with an eyelid lift alone, it’s often performed in tandem with a facelift or brow lift procedure to achieve a seamless forehead-to-chin rejuvenation. In fact, getting eyelid surgery at the same time as these other facial surgeries can improve your long-term result, as your plastic surgeon can “reset the aging clock” to the same “time” across your face, so that your eyes, cheeks, and jawline continue to age at a similar rate. Alternatively, filler injections can enhance eyelid surgery results without additional surgery by plumping the cheeks or smoothing lines and creases throughout the face.
Will an eyelid lift help me look younger?
Given all these benefits of eyelid surgery, it may seem like anyone wishing to look younger could use an eyelid lift. But, as with any procedure, the best results are seen by patients who meet certain criteria. Look into an eyelid lift if:
- You’re unhappy with a tired, angry or older appearance of your eyes caused by excess, sagging skin or fat around the upper or lower lids
- Or, you have trouble fully opening your eyes due to excess, sagging skin
- And, you are otherwise in good health
If lines like crow’s feet, frown lines, or deep brow furrows are your primary concern, eyelid surgery probably won’t help as much. These “expression lines” are caused by repetitive facial movements, not excess skin. BOTOX or Dysport injections are your best bet to treat these signs of aging.
Ready to rejuvenate your eyes? We can help!
Think an eyelid lift might help you get the refreshed look you want? The best way to find out for sure is to meet face-to-face with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your concerns and learn about all your options to achieve your goals for your appearance—and that’s exactly what you’ll get during a free cosmetic consultation at the Swan Center for Plastic Surgery. Just give us a call at 770-667-0904 or contact us online to make your appointment with one of our board certified plastic surgeons. We can’t wait to meet you!