Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid Surgery in Miami, Fl – Gables Plastic Surgery
Our eyes are the focal point of our communication with the other people in our lives. However, sometimes loose skin around our upper and lower eyelids can be a significant source of insecurity when it leads to awkward questions about how tired or rundown we look. Even worse, this loose skin can also cause vision issues and other troubling concerns.
Nothing promotes an energetic and youthful appearance like bright, alert eyes. After all, your eyes are what people focus on when they engage with you when you meet. And, with the pressure of having a social media presence and attending all those video meetings required for work, it may be time to consider an eyelid lift as the signs of aging start showing around your eyes.
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, can work wonders rejuvenating your facial appearance and positively impacting the way others see and relate to you.
To learn more about eyelid surgery and how it could help you, request a consultation with Dr. Jorge de la Pedraja at his convenient location in Coral Gables, Florida.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
If you feel that sagging skin and drooping eyelids negatively impact your appearance, you may be a great candidate for eyelid surgery. The procedure skillfully removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids and, in the process, tightens the skin to create a rested and youthful appearance.
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery helps women and men improve their look by making them look alert, well-rested, and more youthful. This rejuvenation around the eyes restores skin texture and eliminates age-related drooping lids and dark circles under the eyes. In summary, the benefits include:
- Restored, youthful eyelids
- An energetic appearance
- Lifted drooping eyelids
- Reduced puffiness or eye bags under the eyes
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
Eyelid lift surgery has many cosmetic and functional benefits as well. You may have upper eyelid sagging leading to reduced vision because the skin on the upper eyelids obstructs your field of vision. Blepharoplasty removes this excess skin, improving your vision by allowing your eyes to open fully.
Dr. de la Pedraja performs blepharoplasty on the upper or lower eyelids, either during the same surgery session or as a standalone procedure for each. Your consultation will help determine the best approach while taking into account your cosmetic concerns and goals.
The full results of your eye lift will be achieved a few weeks after your surgery and should last for years. Patients often report that their results continue to improve for months, even up to a year, after their surgery.
During your consultation with Dr. de la Pedraja, he may recommend upper, lower, or combination surgery. He may also recommend other procedures like a facelift or non-surgical corrections like Botox® or dermal fillers to complement your eyelid surgery and achieve even more stunning overall results.
Why Choose Dr. de la Pedraja
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Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
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Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
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Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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Member of Miami Society of Plastic Surgeons
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Committed to providing the highest quality of care to each and every patient
Are You a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery in Coral Gables, FL?
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are patients who struggle with wrinkles and sagging skin on their eyelids or have a tired and worn-out appearance caused by undereye circles.
Dr. de la Pedraja employs an individually customized approach to each patient’s eyelid surgery that considers their cosmetic and personal goals.
Good candidates for eyelid surgery are:
Eyelid surgery can improve the appearance of both men and women.
These include bags under the eyes, extra skin on the upper or lower eyelid, and a tired appearance.
Take a look at our before and after photos of past blepharoplasty patients to understand better what you can expect.
A review of your medical history to determine if surgery is safe for you.
Smoking and nicotine use can slow your healing after eyelid surgery.
Even if you have a problem with an eye condition, a consultation about your eye health will determine if blepharoplasty is right for you.
Still not sure if you’re the right candidate for an eyelid lift? Come and see us, and we’ll help you decide if the procedure is right for you.
The Eyelid Lift Procedure
Dr. de la Pedraja can perform blepharoplasty under general anesthesia or local sedation and help you choose which would work best. After sedation, incisions are made in the natural lines above the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid at the lash line. Next, Dr. de la Pedraja meticulously removes muscle, skin, and, if required, fat. The eye contour is then reshaped to give a natural, youthful appeal. As the last step, he carefully closes the incisions with fine sutures placed to reduce any risk of scarring.
Here is what to expect during your surgery:
- Local Anesthesia: A local anesthetic is used during all eyelid surgeries, thus reducing bruising and increasing your comfort.
- Incisions: Carefully placed incisions minimize visible scarring, are made in the natural creases, inside the eyelid, or along the eyelash line, where scars will be well-hidden after healing.
- Fat and Skin Removal: Excess fat and skin is removed to create a smoother, refreshed appearance with tightened contours.
Eyelid surgery is almost always performed on both the left and right eyelids to ensure symmetry. Being an outpatient procedure, you will return home on the day of your surgery.
Look your best, feel your best
Dr. de la Pedraja is committed to providing the highest quality of care to each and every patient. His philosophy is to develop an individualized care plan to meet the needs of each patient with the utmost compassion and concern in a setting of comfort and confidentiality.
Recovery From Eyelid Surgery
Common side effects you might experience during recovery from your blepharoplasty include:
- Bruising, especially after lower eyelid blepharoplasty
- Swelling
- Dry eyes
- Tenderness or discomfort
After your surgery, your eyes will be loosely bandaged with gauze, and a friend or family member will need to drive you home.
These side effects can be controlled with pain medication, lubricating eye drops and ointments, and cold compresses. You may even need to wear gauze dressings for a short while over your eyes.
Although each patient’s recovery is unique, you might need to take 3-5 days off from work after your procedure and avoid vigorous exercise for at least 3-4 weeks.
Dr. de la Pedraja will provide detailed after-surgery and recovery instructions on how to properly care for your eyes during your healing and will be available to answer any questions or concerns you might have during your recovery. Follow-up appointments will also be scheduled to monitor your recovery closely.
As the bruising and swelling subside, you should see a more defined, smoother area forming around each eye. Your eyes should look younger, more alive, and more alert. As your life returns to normal, it’s vital that you obtain medical-grade sunscreen to protect your eyelids from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Learn more about eyelid surgery to lift sagging upper lids and resolve undereye circles by requesting a friendly and informative consultation with Dr. de la Pedraja today!
Look Your Best, Feel Your Best!
Miami Eyelid Surgery FAQs
For an upper eyelid lift, incisions are carefully placed in the crease of the eyelid, resulting in your incisions being practically invisible when healed. For lower eyelid surgery, incisions are placed either below the eyelash or inside the eyelid.
You may choose to have an upper eyelid lift for sagging upper eyelids or if your eyelids block your vision. A lower eyelid lift is an excellent solution for bags under your eyes. Many patients choose to have both an upper and lower eyelid lift surgery delivered in combination to minimize downtime and provide a complete rejuvenation with a dramatic transformation.
When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, eyelid surgery is a highly tolerable procedure. Significant discomfort is rare, and as a result, many patients choose to combine this procedure with others to reduce the recovery period. It’s rare for patients to take any pain medications after the first days of their recovery.
Although eyelid skin is the most delicate on the entire body, being so thin, it leaves the least visible scars. Even on the lower eyelid, where prominent fat is removed from the eyelid through the eyelash line, there is no visible scar.
Dr. de la Pedraja performs upper blepharoplasty for functional concerns as well as aesthetics. When the upper eyelid drops down, it may not only impede vision but put pressure on the cornea and change its focus.
After blepharoplasty, there is typically at least one week of downtime required, during which you may want to take it easy while you are healing. Patients with low-impact, office-type jobs usually take 5-8 days off from work or less if they can work from home. For patients with a strenuous job, it’s best that they talk with Dr. de la Pedraja to determine how much downtime is needed.
Eyelid surgery goes well when paired with other facial rejuvenation treatments. These include facelifts and brow lifts, Botox, and dermal fillers as non-surgical treatments that may enhance your results.