Eyelid Lift/Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery)
Conveniently located to serve Dallas and Plano, TX
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What is Blepharoplasty Surgery (Upper and Lower Eyelid Lift)?
An eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, refers to the rejuvenation of the eyelids through the removal of excess tissue.
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Who is a Candidate for Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift?
As we get older, the signs of aging will eventually take a toll on our skin and affect the way we look on the outside. Some of the most common changes that will arise are wrinkles and sagging skin. One area that displays these changes the most is the area around the eyelids. When this area begins to sag, it can give your face a sad, droopy look and even obstruct your vision.
What are the Benefits of Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift?
An eyelid lift is used to help rejuvenate the eyes and reverse the effects aging has had on them. Dr. Sam Lam has helped many patients in the Plano, TX area reclaim their youthful looks with customized eyelid lift procedures.
How is an Upper Eyelid Lift Procedure performed?
Dr. Lam believes that upper eyelid aging is mainly caused by loss of volume. Most people have a fuller upper eyelid when they are young that becomes progressively deflated as they age. However, in youth one could have a very full upper eyelid (Type 1) or a modestly full upper eyelid (Type 2). In either case, there is still more fullness than is present in aging. This is why Dr. Lam does not believe that just removing upper eyelid skin is the answer in most cases. He likes to use the analogy of the brow like a balloon that deflates as one ages. Accordingly, the loss of fullness makes the eyelid look sagging. He believes that in many cases simply revolumizing the eyebrow (with fat grafting or fillers) will be sufficient to rejuvenate the brow. However, when the upper eyelid starts to truly sag over the eyelashes or become very crepey and wrinkled in appearance, then a simple upper-eyelid procedure will work well. For the upper eyelid, Dr. Lam only believes in removing skin in most cases rather than removing fat since, as mentioned, we actually lose volume around our eyes.
For the upper eyelid, the procedure can be easily performed awake in the office since only the skin is removed. Dr. Lam uses topical numbing cream that makes the procedure virtually painless and fast. Although you are awake with maybe a little oral sedation, he requests that you have someone take you home or hire a limousine/taxi/Uber ride home.
What is the recovery period for an Upper Eyelid Lift Procedure?
The recovery is typically very fast since only skin is removed. Oftentimes there is not a lot swelling or bruising even during the first week and the sutures are often well-hidden when the eyes are open, as seen in his many testimonials. However, it is advised to take a week off from work just in case there is some bruising or swelling that may make going to work more difficult. Sunglasses can help camouflage any swelling or bruising. Stitches/sutures are removed in the office 7 days after surgery. Again, many individuals can return back to work very quickly. As an alternative, an upper-eyelid procedure can be performed with sedation with other facial rejuvenative surgeries like a lower-eyelid blepharoplasty, fat grafting, and/or facelift.
How is a Lower Eyelid Lift Procedure Performed?
For the lower eyelid, Dr. Lam only believes in removing fat and not skin (the opposite of the upper eyelid) to preserve the eyelid shape. He performs the lower eyelid procedure through a no-incision approach (called transconjunctival) not to avoid a scar but, as mentioned, to preserve the shape of the eyelid. He believes that when the lower eyelid is approached by a skin incision the strength and integrity of the lower eyelid need to be restored with what is known as a lateral canthopexy or canthoplasty. This maneuver can change the shape of the eyelid unfavorably and thereby alter the naturalness and the identity of a patient. Further, Dr. Lam believes that removal of tissue is only part of the solution to aging. Since volume loss is a vital component, he almost always believes in restoring lost volume through either fat grafting or fillers.
For the lower eyelid, most times Dr. Lam can simply cover an eyebag with the use of fat grafting. He likes to use the analogy of rocks (eyebags) along the shoreline that become exposed when the tide is low (the fat around the area has receded to expose the eyebag). However, at times when the eyebag is more prominent then it simply should be removed for optimal results. Removing an eyebag alone can make an eyelid appear hollower (and thereby older). Accordingly, he believes that it is always wise to add some fat back when an eyebag is removed to create the most youthful shape. He will use lasers to tighten the lower eyelid skin as needed and prefers not to remove any skin. In fact, Dr. Lam does not use any incisions at all, as he performs what is known as a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. He believes that removing skin or making a skin incision in the lower eyelid can change the eyelid appearance in an unfavorable way by distorting the outer canthus. The outer canthus (the junction of the lower and upper eyelid) should be maintained in its position and shape.
What is the recovery period for a Lower Eyelid Procedure?
Unlike the upper eyelid, the lower -eyelid procedure must be performed under sedation since it is uncomfortable to remove fat from the lower eyelid when you are awake. Accordingly, Dr. Lam routinely performs fat grafting along with the removal of the lower-eyelid bag at the same time. Fat is harvested from the belly and injected along the bony orbital rim after the fat bag is removed through a no-incision approach (transconjunctival). Although no actual incisions are made in the lower eyelid, the eyelids can be more swollen that first week than following an upper -eyelid procedure. As needed, Dr. Lam will also use a laser to tighten the lower eyelid skin at the same time. The recovery is typically 7 to 10 days.
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What are the risks with Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Surgery?
In most cases of upper eyelid surgery, there is a risk of not being able to close your eyes, overhollowing the eyelids, creating asymmetry, or changing the eyelid shape. Fortunately, Dr. Lam has not experienced these issues because he performs a very safe cosmetic eyelid procedure. He always states that your natural asymmetry will not be entirely fixed, as we are all going to have some degree of asymmetry and trying to fix this issue can at times worsen the problem. He also counsels patients who, as they age, have a mild degree of ptosis, meaning that the eye-opening muscle becomes weaker with aging, that blepharoplasty will not address this issue.
For lower eyelid surgery, there is traditionally risk of creating eyelid dysfunction including dry eye, not being able to close the eyes, and changing the eyelid shape. Again, Dr. Lam has not experienced these issues because he avoids the external incision, which inherently weakens the eyelid shape and must be rebuilt in a way that may lead to both short- and long-term problems. He does emphasize that he will remove the eyebags but cannot guarantee that there is no small residual fullness left, and when he does fat transfer there will be a slight resorption of the fat even though results overall are still excellent. His fat grafting is smooth, not lumpy, with great longevity, since he uses a method he developed and which he wrote about in his 2006 textbook, Complementary Fat Grafting. He also purifies the fat using the PureGraft method, which has resulted in much higher fat take and less recovery for his patients.
What are the costs of Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift Surgery?
A standalone upper blepharoplasty procedure price is much less than lower eyelid blepharoplasty because it can be done awake, which bypasses any facility or anesthesia fees that Dr. Lam must charge for a lower blepharoplasty. An upper blepharoplasty with skin removal can be performed with or without a lower blepharoplasty and also with or which fat grafting. Doing both an upper and lower blepharoplasty will cost more. With a lower blepharoplasty, Dr. Lam believes that fat grafting is an essential part of the procedure, which accordingly makes the procedure also more expensive. For detailed information on current pricing, please contact Dr. Lam’s office at 972-312-8188.
Your Eyelid Lift/Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery) will be performed by Dr. Lam' surgery center located in Plano, TX.
Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift FAQ’s with Dr. Lam
Will I have scarring after Blepharoplasty surgery?
Can I wear contacts after Blepharoplasty surgery?
Typically, Dr. Lam recommends not to wear contacts for either upper or lower blepharoplasty for at least 10 days after the surgery. He does not want you to pull on the incisions, which can cause the wound to not heal as well.
Will my vision be blurry after Blepharoplasty surgery?
In about 20% of patients who have upper blepharoplasty, they may experience some mild to moderate blurry vision for a few days. This occurs because the cornea is adapting to the reduced amount of upper eyelid skin and has always resolved within a week. It is more uncommon with lower eyelid blepharoplasty but still possible to occur for a few days to a week following a procedure.
Will I have dry eyes after a blepharoplasty?
This is very common following lower eyelid blepharoplasty and typically lasts several days to a week since the tear duct or the lower eyelid muscle may not work as well. Dr. Lam advises using prescription eyedrops that contain a light steroid and topical antibiotic to help with the healing process. Fortunately, as mentioned previously, Dr. Lam’s no-incision method virtually eliminates the risk of long-term dry eye issues seen with traditional eyelid surgery, and he has not seen this complication after performing blepharoplasty now for 20 years.
Does Dr. Lam accept insurance for my blepharoplasty?
How can Dr. Lam fix my asymmetric eyelids?
Can he do fillers under my eyes instead of fat grafting?
Will I be able to close my eyes easily after eyelid surgery?
Does Dr. Lam perform browlifts?
What does he think of the brows? In general, Dr. Lam does not believe browlifts are needed in most individuals. The brows appear to sag because the eyelids become hollow and the upper eyelid skin becomes redundant. Simply removing some skin and filling the brow can be sufficient to make an individual appear rejuvenated. Too often browlifts do not look natural since most attractive, youthful brows are actually relatively low. However, in brows that are too aesthetically low, he performs a very simple elevation of only the outer brow to create an improved brow shape. This technique involves a hidden incision along the temporal hairline and what is known as a temporal lift. He believes that the central brow should remain low. Otherwise, you will look surprised.
Your Eyelid Lift/Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty (Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery) will be performed by Dr. Lam' surgery center located in Plano, TX.
I did an upper blepharoplasty. Sam took his time and answered all my questions. The whole process was painless and I am ecstatic about the results. He did such a good job with making sure everything was even and also minimized the pain. Highly highly recommneded.
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