Eyelid / Blepharoplasty

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Am I a good eye lift candidate?

  Dr. Sessa may approve you as an eyelid surgery candidate if you are in good health overall, are a non-smoker, and have realistic surgical expectations. Blepharoplasty is a delicate cosmetic procedure that should only be performed by exclusively trained cosmetic surgeons.

  You may be a good candidate for upper eyelid surgery if you have sagging, wrinkled eyelid skin that causes you to look older or that interferes with your vision. You may be a candidate for lower lid surgery if you have wrinkled, sagging or puffy lower lids. Younger men and women with excess fat on or below their lower lids that partially conceals the eye or causes undesirable aesthetic issues such as puffiness are also good candidates.

• Am I too old for eyelid surgery?

  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, cosmetic procedures are equally safe for patients of many different ages. Dr. Sessa will evaluate your eyes and skin to determine if blepharoplasty is right for you. Certain medical conditions may require that you see an ophthalmologist or primary care physician for an exam before surgery.

• How do I prepare for blepharoplasty?

  After deciding on which treatment option is best for you, Dr. Sessa and our patient care coordinators will provide you with a complete list of pre-surgical instructions. You must stop smoking for several weeks before and after the surgery to achieve the best results and to allow your skin to heal properly.

  We also recommend that you avoid anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, Motrin and some herbal medications before and after your surgery to reduce bruising. Dr. Sessa will provide surgical soap to wash your face with the evening before and the morning of your surgery.

• When can I wear eye makeup again or attend social events?

  Women are often especially excited about eyelid transformation. Perfect eyeshadow and the smooth application of makeup are exciting results that we know many patients are anticipating. It’s important to follow all the aftercare instructions on makeup, which is why we offer camouflage makeup training in our office. Our experts will help you to conceal bruises until your eyes have healed fully.

  Most eyelid surgery patients are feeling well enough to attend social events within two weeks after the surgery, but you may want to wait longer if it’s an important event like a wedding. If you are preparing for an important date, discuss the social event with Dr. Sessa before your surgery is scheduled. We can plan the operation to coincide with your recovery so that you will look your absolute best for the event.

• When can I return to work?

  Your healing process will be unique to you, but most of our patients choose to return to work after 7 to 10 days to best conceal their eyelid procedure from coworkers. Avoid physically strenuous work for at least 14 days.

• What are the possible eyelid lift risks?

  As with any surgical procedure, eyelid lifts do carry some risks. Blepharoplasty risks include hematoma, skin necrosis, scar deformities, bleeding, infection, and eye injury. Scar deformities and skin necrosis can create serious complications, but blepharoplasty risks are relatively rare because the eyelids typically exhibit healthy blood flow. Swelling and bruising are common. However, patients usually experience only a light bruising, which is a yellow tone and resolves within a week. Dr. Sessa will thoroughly review your health history and examine your skin to determine whether you are at increased risk for complications.

• Is blepharoplasty more effective than nonsurgical treatments?

  Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery transforms the skin around the eye area by removing excess, sagging skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids. Injection procedures such as Juvéderm or Restylane can fill eye hollows and eliminate dark “circles” but cannot remove excess skin or produce permanent results. Dr. Sessa offers a comprehensive range of nonsurgical and cosmetic surgery procedures, and he will discuss the options available to you during your consultation.

• Can I also get a brow lift during my blepharoplasty surgery?

  The brow lift elevates your eyebrows, restores the natural forehead arch, softens horizontal forehead wrinkles and reduces heavy, puffy eyelids that are caused by the weight of your eyebrows. Sometimes upper eyelid hooding is caused by sagging eyebrows and is best treated with a combination of eyelid and forehead lift. Younger patients may not require combination eyebrow, upper eyelid, or lower eyelid surgeries to achieve the refreshing eye results they seek. Dr. Sessa will discuss his proposed surgical plan with you during your private consultation.