As we age, eyes that were once bright and expressive can begin to appear more droopy and tired. With cosmetic eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, Dr. Melanie Prince can help her patients from the Little Rock and Fayetteville areas embrace a more alert and youthful appearance.
What is Blepharoplasty?
As we age, the skin around our eyes loses elasticity and the muscles can also weaken, causing eyelids to droop or sag — which leads to that tired look. Upper eyelid surgery, also called upper blepharoplasty or eyelid lift, is a cosmetic surgery procedure to lift the upper eyelid and remove excess skin for a refreshed and youthful appearance.
Benefits of Upper Blepharoplasty
If you are bothered by sagging or drooping eyelids, a healthy lifestyle and a good eye cream can only do so much. If you would like to eliminate premature signs of aging in the eye area, cosmetic surgery may be the best option to help you achieve a more rested and youthful appearance. Benefits of an upper eyelid lift include:
- Remove excess skin around the eyes for a tighter, firmer look
- Remove excess fat to reduce the appearance of baggy eyelids
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyesA more bright-eyed, refreshed, and youthful appearance
- Long-lasting results
Who is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
If you are troubled by hooded upper eyelids, wrinkles around your eyes, and/or droopy eyelids and desire a brighter, tighter, and more refreshed look, then upper blepharoplasty could be an option. Ideal candidates are in good general health and have good eyebrow position (drooping brows may require a brow lift or forehead lift surgery for optimal results.) The best way to determine if eyelid surgery is right for you is to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Prince.1
Preparing for Eyelid Surgery
The first step in the eyelid surgery process is a phone call with our Patient Coordinator to discuss options prior to an in-person consultation appointment with Dr. Prince at her Little Rock office. She will evaluate your eye area and discuss your goals to determine if you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Dr. Prince will also make sure you are fully educated about what can be achieved through upper eyelid surgery, so you can feel confident when deciding if blepharoplasty is right for you.
Once your procedure has been scheduled, you will receive instructions about how you should prepare for eyelid surgery. This may include:
- Pausing use of certain medications, vitamins, and supplements
- Arriving at the surgical center without contact lenses and wearing no creams, lotions, or makeup on your face
- Making arrangements for transportation home after your cosmetic procedure
The Blepharoplasty Procedure
Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes one hour. During surgery, you will receive general anesthesia and Dr. Prince will make an incision in your upper eyelid, placed strategically within the eyelid crease to minimize visible scarring. She will then remove excess skin and fat and reposition the skin. She will ensure that enough tissue is left in place to give you natural-looking results.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
You can expect some temporary bruising and mild discomfort after blepharoplasty surgery, which sleeping with your head elevated and using cold compresses will help alleviate. Your sutures will be removed during a follow-up appointment one week after surgery and Dr. Prince will discuss scar massage with you in the following weeks to minimize scarring. The majority of Dr. Prince’s patients feel comfortable appearing in public within two weeks of their upper lid blepharoplasty, though healing will continue for the next few months. You should refrain from heavy lifting or strenuous activity for four weeks after surgery.2
Eyelid Surgery Results
You will begin to notice a tighter, more youthful appearance to your eyes within a few weeks of your eyelid surgery. The final results will be realized once all swelling has resolved, which may take a few months.
At Prince Plastic Surgery, your treatment plan is tailored to deliver the results you want. Dr. Prince understands that “natural-looking” can mean something different to everyone. She will work with you to ensure that you share the same vision for your results. View Dr. Prince’s patient gallery to see real patients’ before and after photos.
Before
After
Before
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What will my scars look like after eyelid surgery?
Dr. Prince will place your eyelid surgery incisions in the natural crease of your eyelid so that they can be very easily concealed.
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Can eyelid surgery fix bags under my eyes?
Dr. Prince specializes in upper blepharoplasty, which focuses on rejuvenating the eye area by lifting the upper eyelid. If your primary concern is bags under the eyes, dark circles, or wrinkles on the lower eyelid, she can refer you to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in lower eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty.
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How much does eyelid surgery cost?
The cost of eyelid surgery is unique to each patient. Once your treatment plan is established, we will create a price quote for you. We will be happy to discuss payment and financing options with you at that time.
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What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
When performed by an experienced surgeon, eyelid surgery is generally a safe and effective procedure with few complications. Any surgical procedure does carry some risk, and potential risks of upper blepharoplasty include bleeding, infection, anesthesia reactions, and unfavorable changes in eyelid appearance.3 Dr. Prince takes patient safety seriously and will prioritize a safe and effective outcome.
Schedule Your Consultation
Dr. Melanie Prince is dedicated to providing personalized care that helps you look and feel your best. Contact us to learn more about eyelid surgery or schedule your consultation appointment today. Dr. Prince is proud to serve patients from Little Rock, Fayetteville, and nearby areas.
Upon my consultation with Dr. prince I knew God had placed me in the right hands. I was truly blown away that every concern and question was already thought out and addressed. Dr. prince and her staff are professional and took all the time I needed to figure out the best treatment plan for me. I’m LOVING my results! I highly recommend having a surgeon’s hand with a woman’s touch! She IS the BEST!
Dawn
1 Oestreicher J, Mehta S. Complications of Blepharoplasty: Prevention and Management. Plast Surg Int. 2012; 2012: 252368. Published online 2012 May 8. doi: 10.1155/2012/252368
2 Cleveland Clinic. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Risks / Benefits. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8409-eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty/risks–benefits Accessed January 26, 2020.
Dr. Melanie Prince has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.