As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity and gravity pulls down on the soft tissues of the eyelids, causing them to droop and make puffy bags under the eye more noticeable. You may even find that your eyebrows begin to sag as part of the same process.

If you’re finding that your outward appearance looks more tired than you feel, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) may be an option for you. They say that the eyes are the window to the soul, and many of our patients feel more confident after their procedure. It’s designed to open up the eye area to restore a natural, soft expression.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is an operation to remove excess skin and fat from your eyelids while tightening the skin and soft tissues around your eyes. It is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures which rejuvenates the appearance of the eyes, giving a more alert and rested appearance. It’s often combined with a facelift or browlift, although it can also be performed as a standalone procedure.

Blepharoplasty can address the following concerns:

  • Drooping upper eyelids that give a tired appearance.
  • Hooding of the upper lid that interferes with vision for driving or other visual tasks.
  • Fat deposits that reduce the upper lid crease and make it difficult to apply eye makeup or wear contact lenses.
  • Drooping of the lower lid that exposes the white of the eye underneath the iris.
  • Puffiness under the eye that creates a chronically tired look.

Types of Eyelid Surgery 

Upper Eyelid

This is performed on the upper eyelid, often for cosmetic but also medical reasons. Here, sagging, also known as ‘hooding’, can have an impact on our eyesight with upper eyelid skin sagging and fat protruding.

During surgery, the excess skin, muscle and fat can be removed to reduce hooding in the upper eyelid. Surgical incisions are placed in the eyelid crease, making scarring inconspicuous. Many patients feel this surgery makes their eyes appear bigger and livelier.

Lower Eyelid

This is performed on the lower lid to help reduce the presence of bags under the eyes for a youthful, rested effect. Puffy bags under the eyes are caused by fatty tissue inside the eyes that bulges forward due to weakness in the muscle wall. This area can also present with loose skin, prolapsing of fat and hollow eye troughs, which can also be treated with surgery.

During surgery, the fat that sits directly behind the lower eyelid skin is removed. Incisions are typically made just below the lower lash line; however, a trans-conjunctival incision can be made inside the lower eyelid. This is generally only used when fat is being removed from the lower eyelid and not any skin.

Surgery Expectations

Depending on your individual requirements and physical features, the procedure may take between 1 – 2 hours.

Any incisions made will be secured with suture strips to encourage healthy healing and support the new eyelid shape. As the incision techniques used for eyelid surgery are usually along natural fold and creases in the skin, there should be no conspicuous scarring. You may find that subtle lines around the eye may also be reduced as the skin is tightened over this area.

A successful surgery should give you a more youthful, rejuvenated and rested appearance. Ultimately, skin folds and fat bulges will be removed, eyelid creases will be improved, and tissue will be lifted and repositioned.

If you’d like more information about eyelid download our free guide to find out more.

To arrange a consultation with Dr Flynn, give us a call on 5588 4777 or enquire online.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should consider seeking a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.