As we age, the hands of time can change our favorite facial features—including our eyes. Eyelids that once appeared bright and awake can start to sag over the years, making us look tired or exasperated, even during our happiest moments.
You deserve to express your true emotions, not stress over drooping eyelids that distract from your natural beauty. Dr. S. Darrell Lee understands your frustrations, and he wants to help you reduce eyelid sagging with a blepharoplasty near Jupiter Island.
Customized to your unique concerns, a blepharoplasty can tighten loose skin, widen your field of vision and restore your elegant appearance.
Continue reading to learn how an eyelid lift could be the surgical solution you have been searching for. If you want to personalize your procedure plan, contact the Lee Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa front-desk team or schedule your consultation online to get started.
Defining Blepharoplasty
A blepharoplasty, otherwise known as an eyelid lift, trims away excess skin and fat from the eyelid area. Providers most often perform this procedure to make the eyelids appear more youthful and alert.
As we get older, the effects of gravity can weaken the muscles that support our eyelids and cause them to stretch. A decrease in the production of collagen, an essential protein that gives the skin its strength and elasticity, can also result in sagging eyelids.
To remedy these concerns, Dr. Lee can perform both an upper and lower blepharoplasty, either individually or together during the same operation, depending on your unique aesthetic needs.
An upper blepharoplasty removes fatty tissue along your natural eyelid crease to eliminate drooping. Upper eyelid lifts can also correct sagging that obstructs your vision.
Conversely, a lower blepharoplasty eliminates puffiness below the lower lash line that contributes to eye bags. This procedure can address hollowing that makes the eyes appear more sunken.
How to Know Whether an Eyelid Lift Is Right for You
Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Lee helps determine if a blepharoplasty near Jupiter Island suits your needs. Your consultation has space for open conversation, helping you learn more about your options and form realistic expectations before beginning the procedure process.
During your initial appointment, Dr. Lee listens carefully as you describe your eyelid concerns. He takes note of the issues you share and how you want to look after surgery. He also asks about your medical history and any medications you take to ensure a blepharoplasty can safely address your goals.
Next, Dr. Lee examines your treatment area to determine if you make a good candidate for surgery. He analyzes the degree of eyelid and under-eye sagging to gain a better understanding of how much tissue a procedure would remove.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery
Although eyelid lifts have helped countless patients revitalize their appearance, they are not the right option for everyone.
Dr. Lee also encourages you to enter your eyelid procedure with practical expectations. Though a blepharoplasty near Jupiter Island can reduce tired, drooping eyelids, it cannot dramatically change your appearance. Proceeding with realistic goals can help you prepare for surgery with confidence.
Preparing for Your Blepharoplasty
Before your eyelid lift, Dr. Lee provides you with a series of pre-procedure instructions to help you create the best results possible.
You must quit smoking in the 1 week before and 2 weeks after your blepharoplasty. Smoking causes blood vessels to narrow, preventing blood with oxygen and nutrients from healing your wounds. This hinders the healing process while increasing your risk of developing blood clots. Discontinuing tobacco product usage supports a full recovery and contributes to a smoother procedure process.
Dr. Lee also asks you to stop taking blood-thinning medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen and certain herbal supplements. If other prescription medications you take are incompatible with surgery, Dr. Lee asks you to discuss pausing them with your primary care physician.
You should also arrange for transportation home from the hospital after surgery, as the lingering effects of anesthesia make it dangerous for you to drive. If at all possible, you should also have someone stay with you throughout your first day of recovery to assist with necessary tasks and provide help should a rare complication arise.
The Eyelid Lift Procedure Process
On the day of your blepharoplasty near Jupiter Island, the Lee Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa preoperative team helps you get comfortable before administering anesthesia.
If you have chosen to undergo only an upper blepharoplasty, your procedure only requires local anesthesia. Local anesthesia temporarily numbs your treatment area without putting you to sleep. Lower blepharoplasties require twilight anesthesia, which keeps you awake but in a drowsy, numbed state for the duration of your procedure.
Once you get settled in the operating room, Dr. Lee begins by making an incision in your treatment area.
During an upper eyelid lift, Dr. Lee makes his incision along the natural crease of your lid to remove excess tissues and skin. This incision is hidden when your eye is open. Lower eyelid lifts involve an incision along the lower lash line to reduce puffy undereyes. He may also use an incision hidden inside your lower eyelid to redistribute excess fat.
Your upper eyelid lift can take up to 1 hour to complete, while lower eyelid lifts take an hour and a half. Your surgery timeline depends on your unique procedure plan.
Making a Full Recovery
Immediately after your procedure, a member of the Lee Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa team brings you back to the recovery room. Here, a provider monitors you as the surgical anesthesia wears off. Dr. Lee also stops in to check-in on your recovery and provide you with post-procedure instructions.
Bruising and redness are common side effects after a blepharoplasty near Jupiter Island. A cold compress can help reduce any discomfort you may experience. Also, sleep with your head elevated to reduce swelling.
You must avoid rubbing your eyes or wearing contact lenses for a few weeks after surgery. The eyelids and surrounding tissues are very delicate as they heal, and any disruption can increase your risk of scarring, wound disruption or infection.
Dr. Lee can provide you with additional recovery instructions during your post-operative appointments.
Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions
The team at Lee Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa believes the aging process should not distract from your beautiful features. If you have more questions before committing to a blepharoplasty, here are a few details to inform your treatment decision.
How soon will I see results from the procedure?
Most patients see noticeably brighter and livelier eyes within 2 to 4 weeks after their blepharoplasty. It can take up to several months to see your full results as swelling subsides and your tissues continue to settle.
Timelines may vary from patient to patient, since they depend on each unique procedure plan and your individual anatomy.
How long do results last?
A blepharoplasty near Jupiter Island permanently reduces eyelid drooping and sagging for a more youthful appearance. However, an eyelid lift cannot stop the natural aging process.
Some patients schedule an additional blepharoplasty procedure years down the line to prolong their elegant results. Dr. Lee can provide guidance on subsequent surgeries during your follow-up appointments.
Will I have scars?
You may have scars following your eyelid lift procedure. However, with his decades of surgical expertise, Dr. Lee places all incisions in discrete areas so scars stay well hidden as they fade. Dr. Lee may also provide additional scar-care instructions during each follow-up appointment.
Why Choose Dr. Lee for Your Eyelid Lift
As one of the leading plastic surgeons in the Jupiter Island region, Dr. S. Darrell Lee is a trusted choice for your blepharoplasty procedure.
Board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Lee has been helping patients achieve their aesthetic goals for over 25 years. Board certification is reserved for only the most knowledgeable surgeons. Dr. Lee is also a member of some of the field’s most prestigious organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) and 9 aesthetic institutions.
Aside from his achievements, Dr. Lee is widely regarded for his compassionate bedside manner and astounding surgical skills. He stops at nothing to provide his patients with access to quality care—because you deserve the highest standard of medical expertise.
Refined Results Start at Lee Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa
Though drooping eyelids may distract from your self-esteem and ability to express your true emotions, a blepharoplasty gives you the power to age with confidence. Dr. Lee can help you create a lively and alert appearance—one that reflects your natural beauty.
Schedule your initial consultation to learn how an eyelid lift can address your aesthetic goals. Contact the Lee Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa team to begin the planning process.
Interested in pairing your blepharoplasty with a forehead lift or neck lift? Visit the blog to learn how these procedures can enhance your results.
