If your eyes are showing signs of aging, talk to Indianapolis board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Fata to see if an eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, would help. Dr. Fata will explain how an eyelid lift can correct sagging skin of the upper eyelids and puffy bags under the eyes.
Please call Renaissance Plastic Surgery at 317-575-9152 for an eyelid surgery consultation.
Who is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Good candidates for blepharoplasty are men and women who are unhappy with the appearance of their eyelids or are experiencing vision obstruction due to upper eyelid ptosis.
Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty are in generally good health, nonsmokers or willing to quit, and prepared for a surgical procedure and recovery period. The best way to learn if an eyelid lift is a good option for you is through a one-on-one consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Can Blepharoplasty be Combined With Other Cosmetic Procedures?
Eyelid surgery is commonly combined with forehead lift and facelift. The procedure can also be combined with nonsurgical skin tightening and wrinkle reduction procedures including dermal fillers, neurotoxins like BOTOX® Cosmetic, and fat transfer.
How Should I Prepare for Eyelid Surgery?
You will need to stop taking blood thinners, certain medications, and specific herbs and supplements before your procedure. If you use tobacco products, even e-cigarettes, you will need to quit at least six weeks before your procedure. Nicotine will cause thick and noticeable scars.
There may be some restrictions on eating and drinking, as well as instructions on avoiding facial lotions and other potential irritants on the day of surgery. These, along with all pre and postoperative instructions, will be carefully reviewed before the day of your surgery to help ensure you are comfortable, confident, and prepared.
Is Blepharoplasty Painful?
Upper eyelid surgery can be performed under localized anesthesia. Lower eyelid surgery requires general anesthesia. Under both circumstances, you should not have any pain during your procedure. There may be swelling, bruising, and discomfort during the initial part of recovery. These can be dealt with through medications provided by our office and careful adherence to all of the pre and postoperative directions we will provide.
Serious or lasting pain is neither expected nor normal with blepharoplasty. If you experience significant discomfort, it is important that you reach out right away to schedule an examination. While follow-up visits are included in the cost of your procedure, you should not wait until your next scheduled visit if you are in substantial pain.
Eyelid Lift Technique
Eyelid lift surgery is a procedure in which excess eyelid skin and bags under the eyes are corrected to restore a more youthful appearance. The upper and lower eyelids are usually treated together to maintain facial harmony, but some patients may only need correction of the upper or lower eyelids. In some cases, sagging eyebrows may contributing to a tired, weary look, and a brow lift may be recommended.
In the upper eyelid, the primary problem is loose, excess skin. In an upper eyelid lift, excess skin of the eyelid is removed and the scar is placed in a natural, hidden crease. Small amounts of fat may be removed if necessary.
In the lower eyelid, the main problem is bulging fat that causes puffiness, or “bags”, under the eyes. In a lower eyelid lift, the bulging portion of fat is removed. In most cases a lower eyelid lift can be performed using an incision inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty) and there is no visible scar. If excess skin needs to be removed, an incision is placed under the eyelashes.
Dr. Fata performs eyelid lifts as an outpatient procedure at the Carmel Surgery Center in Carmel, Indiana, conveniently located near his Indianapolis office. An upper eyelid lift can be performed under local anesthesia, but a lower eyelid lift requires a general anesthesia.
Eyelid Lift Recovery
An eyelid lift typically has minimal discomfort. Some swelling and bruising is expected, but it can be minimized with cold packs, taping and head elevation, and it will be mostly resolved in one to two weeks. Most patients take one week off from work after eyelid lift until the tape and stitches have been removed, but it is possible to return sooner. The only restrictions are no strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for two weeks. To assist you as you gather information on the procedure of eyelid lift, Dr. Fata has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions based on his extensive experience with patients who have had eyelid lift.
Is Blepharoplasty Covered by Insurance?
Lower eyelid surgery removes fat, dark circles, and bags from below the eyes. The procedure is entirely cosmetic and will not be covered by insurance.
Upper eyelid surgery can be used to lift drooping eyelids. If an ophthalmologist recommends blepharoplasty to improve vision, the procedure be covered by insurance. This is something that should be double-checked with your provider before being relied on as a form of payment. Insurance aside, we accept several payment options, including financing through Key Bank in Indianapolis. We will discuss all of these options during your initial consultation.
Eyelid Lift Surgery Costs
The estimated cost of an upper and lower eyelid lift is $4,350. This price includes Dr. Fata’s fee, the anesthesiologist and surgery center fees, and all follow-up care by Dr. Fata. In the case of multiple procedures, a discount may be applied.
Schedule Your Appointment in Indianapolis, Indiana
Dr. Joseph Fata performs blepharoplasty on his patients in Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana. Call 317-575-9152 or contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery online to learn more about eyelid surgery.
