Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty) in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona

Eyelid surgery, also referred to as blepharoplasty, improves the appearance of the eyelids. Puffy bags underneath the eyes and sagging upper eyelids make you look older and tired. Your vision may also be affected by extra upper eyelid skin. These problems can all be corrected with eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, which is accomplished by removing and contouring excess fat, muscle, and skin from the upper and lower eyelids. Asian eylids can be westernized by the creation of an upper eyelid crease. Blepharoplasty can be performed as a single procedure, or can be combined with other cosmetic surgery procedures. Blepharoplasty is commonly combined with browlift and/or facelift.

Is Eyelid Surgery right for You?

Eyelid surgery is ideal for women and men who are healthy, emotionally stable, and who have realistic expectations. In general, most patients are age 35 or older - however occasionally a younger patient may be a candidate for eyelid surgery.

Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation with Dr. Weinrach

The initial consultation with Dr. Weinrach is very important. Dr. Weinrach will review your medical history, as there are medical conditions that increase risk of eyelid surgery. These conditions include: thyroid problems such as Grave's disease, problems with poor tear production, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, and glaucoma. Please let Dr. Weinrach know if you have any allergies, if you smoke, and if you take any medications.

Dr. Weinrach will carefully discuss with you your goals and expectations. Issues to discuss include whether all four eyelids or just the upper or lower ones need contouring, whether skin only or fat as well requires contouring, and whether it may be helpful to consider any additional procedures. Please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Weinrach any questions you may have.

Before Your Eyelid Surgery

Dr. Weinrach will give you specific instructions regarding preparation before surgery. He will tell you what medications to take or avoid, and when to stop eating or drinking before surgery. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery be as successful as possible.

After your eyelid surgery, you will need a family member or friend to drive you home. Somebody available to assist you for a day or two is always helpful as well.

Where Your Eyelid Surgery Will be Performed

Safety is always Dr. Weinrach's number one priority. He only operates in accredited surgery centers and hospitals. He has hospital priviledges for every procedure he performs. Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is almost always done as an outpatient surgery. An overnight stay may be indicated if it is combined with other procedures.

Anesthesia for Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia with oral or intravenous sedation. You will be in a light sleep during the surgery. The local anesthesia will make your eyelids numb and you should not feel discomfort. If blepharoplasty is combined with other procedures, general anesthesia may be used; in that case, you will be in a deep sleep throughout the procedure.

Eyelid Surgery Technique

Blepharoplasty usually takes about one to three hours, depending on the complexity of the problem as well as how many eyelids are going to be corrected.

Incisions are made in the natural and already existing lines of your eyelids. Through these incisions, Dr. Weinrach separates the skin and muscle from underlying fat pads, the excess fat is contoured and removed, and extra skin and muscle are removed. Very fine stitches are used to closed the incisions.

Sometimes an external skin incision on the lower eyelid can be completely avoided. This may be the case if you have no extra skin at all on the lower eylids, but only protruding fat. In this situation a "transconjunctival" blepharoplasty may be considered. This procedure involves an incision inside your lower eyelid, leaving no external visible scar. This procedure is most commonly performed on younger patients with thick and very elastic skin.

After Your Eyelid Surgery

As the local anesthetic wears off, your eyelids may feel tighter. It is unusual to have severe discomfort; any discomfort you do have can be controlled with the pain medication prescribed by Dr. Weinrach.

Dr. Weinrach will likely instruct you to elevate your head for several days. Swelling and bruising can be relieved with cold compresses. There is very little care required for the incisions. A gentle rinse in the shower with mild soap and water is all that is usually needed.

Dr. Weinrach will follow you very closely after surgery. The stitches will be removed five days to a week after surgery. The swelling around your eyes will gradually resolve. You will then start to look and feel much better. You probably will not feel comfortable wearing contact lenses for about two weeks. Most people feel ready to go out in public or back to work in a week to 10 days.

Dr. Weinrach will probably tell you to keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days. More strenuous activities such as heavy lifting or vigorous sports should be avoided for for about three weeks.

Your New Look

Healing is a gradual process; over the course of weeks to several months the incisions will fade to a thin, nearly invisible white line.

After your eyelid surgery, your more alert and youthful appearance will last for years. For many people, these results are permanent.