Eyelid Surgery

Signs of aging around the eyes can dramatically affect one’s appearance. Even small changes to the eyelids can influence how the face is perceived and can appear at a young age for many individuals. Excess skin, dark circles, heavy eyelids, and more can lead to a tired or disinterested look that shapes how people perceive the face overall. Eyelid surgery with Dr. Nicole Langelier allows patients to reverse the effects and restore a dynamic expression to their eyes at any age.

stock image of an attractive young woman going through her morning routine

Types of Eyelid Surgery

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Also called upper blepharoplasty, this procedure involves precise surgical adjustments to the upper eyelid. Upper eyelid surgery can enhance an open and youthful appearance to the eyes while still preserving a natural look. The procedure involves some combination of:

  • Removing excess skin
  • Tightening the remaining tissues
  • Removing pockets of fat
  • Adjusting underlying tissues (such as the muscles)

Benefits of Upper Blepharoplasty

  • Restore a rested and alert appearance
  • Enhance overall eye shape
  • Create a more open look to the eyes
  • Evoke a more youthful, lively expression

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Lower eyelid surgery, or lower blepharoplasty, addresses any cosmetic concerns with the under-eye area. Aging, sun exposure, and genetics all can contribute to lasting changes in this area that influence the face’s overall appearance. This procedure reverses these changes, providing some of the longest-lasting benefits of any plastic surgery. Lower eyelid surgery addresses concerns such as:

  • Dark circles or bags under the eyes
  • Puffy skin under the eyes
  • Wrinkles and fine lines
  • Loss of volume
  • Uneven fat deposits

Benefits of Lower Blepharoplasty

  • Exceptionally long-lasting results (10+ years)
  • Restoration of a youthful and rested appearance
  • Readily combined with other procedures for comprehensive results
  • Treats multiple under-eye concerns at once

Before & After

An Enhanced Solution: Quad Blepharoplasty

Aging will rarely limit itself to a single part of the body, let alone a single eyelid. Quad eyelid surgery combines upper and lower blepharoplasty into a single procedure. Procedure details are adjusted so that the changes to each eyelid complement their counterpart. For many patients, quad eyelid surgery crafts a more refreshed appearance than a single procedure does alone.

Is Eyelid Surgery Right for Me?

Upper and lower eyelid surgery are open to a broad range of patients. Knowing if the procedure is right for you depends on your specific cosmetic concerns. Dr. Langelier consults with each patient to ensure the chosen procedure will deliver the results they want to see.

Dr. Langelier will look at the following to determine if you are a good candidate:

  • Your overall health (good health is vital for enhancing procedure safety)
  • The cause of eyelid concerns (e.g., aging, sun damage, muscle issues)
  • Your cosmetic goals
  • Your eye health (to ensure the procedure can be performed safely)

What Is an Eyelid Surgery Procedure Like?

Upper and lower eyelid surgery are both outpatient procedures. Furthermore, the process is mild compared to other surgical experiences. Dr. Langelier adapts her techniques for each patient to craft a personalized treatment. This tailored approach creates more natural-looking results and enhances patient safety.

The details can vary in each procedure, but the general outline includes:

  • Administering Anesthesia: We use local anesthesia or sedation. Both options are generally safe and prevent any pain during surgery.
  • Creating Incisions: Small, hidden incisions allow for access to the underlying tissues.
  • Tissue Adjustments: As needed, Dr. Langelier will remove excess skin, reposition tissues, and remove or redistribute pockets of fat.
  • Closing Incisions: Dr. Langelier uses tiny sutures to close all incisions to facilitate proper healing.

What Is the Recovery Like?

The recovery period is similar for both upper and lower eyelid surgery. While the process is milder than other surgery, it is still essential. Dr. Langelier takes extra care to ensure each patient fully understands their recovery process. This includes providing information about aftercare and seeing patients for follow-up visits.

A typical eyelid surgery recovery will involve:

  • Downtime: Take about 7 to 14 days off from work. Minimize any physical activity during this period. The exact time needed will depend on your recovery pace. During this period, avoid bending over and lifting more than 5 lbs.
  • Healing: Expect some bruising, swelling, and discomfort. These are natural after surgery, and they should fade gradually. We provide instructions on how to mitigate each element. Over-the-counter pain relievers tend to prove sufficient for managing discomfort.
  • Follow-Ups: Dr. Langelier sees all her patients during their recovery to track how well they are healing.

Seeing Results: Timeline & Duration

Eyelid surgery results can last for years. However, you will first need to let your eyelids heal. Initial results can appear about a week or two after surgery. By this point, enough swelling should fade so that your new look peeks through. As swelling and bruising resolve, you will gradually notice further improvements.

Keep in mind that even minor swelling can slightly alter how the eye looks. Full swelling fades after a couple of months, after which your full results should be visible. Results last for years. But you can prolong and maintain your results with healthy living and nonsurgical touchup treatments. For example, laser treatments are highly effective in increasing the duration of results.

For most patients, eyelid results durations are:

  • Upper Eyelid: 5 to 7 years
  • Lower Eyelid: 10+ years

Nonsurgical Options for Eyelid Rejuvenation

If you have wrinkles around the eyelids, you can still have upper eyelid surgery but may need additional options to address these wrinkles. Dr. Langelier provides advanced laser treatments that can reduce wrinkling around the eyes. These devices use settings precisely adjusted for the more vulnerable skin in these areas while still producing visible improvements.

Can You Combine Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures

In addition to combining upper and lower eyelid surgery together, you can combine either procedure with a brow lift or nonsurgical options. You can have a brow lift at the same time as your eyelid surgery, saving you the inconvenience of a separate recovery period. For nonsurgical options, the work best as touchup treatments to preserve or prolong your surgical results. Fillers and laser treatments both offer gentler ways to maintain your benefits without needing a second surgery.

Dr. Langelier Smiling

Schedule
Your Consultation

Begin moving toward a refreshed look by starting with a personal consultation with board-certified oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Langelier. Book your visit by calling her office or using our website form to discover if eyelid surgery in Richmond is your ideal solution. Claim a renewed and restored aesthetic.