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As we age environmental exposure and heredity factors can lead to discoloration, creasing, or puffiness in the lower or upper eyelids. Fat deposits above and below the eyes can lead to a ‘tired’ or ‘hooded’ look that adds years to your facial appearance. Eyelid surgery – also known as blepharoplasty – is a plastic surgery procedure to turn back the clock on aging and correct these undesirable eyelid features. 

Eyelid Surgery Candidates

You May Be a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery If:

  • You are in good physical and emotional health
  • You have ‘baggy’ lower eyelids
  • You have a ‘hooded’ upper eyelid appearance
  • You have excess wrinkles or ‘crows feet’ around your eyes
  • You have a ‘hollow’ eye appearance due to deterioration of facial tissue
  • You have realistic expectations about the outcome of this treatment

Eyelid Surgery With Dr. Arroyo

Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Christian Arroyo’s goal with eyelid surgery is to give men and women a fresh and youthful facial appearance. After creating a customized treatment plan for each patient, Dr. Arroyo utilizes advanced surgical techniques to perform eyelid surgery while minimizing your scarring risk. His well-rounded expertise allows him to utilize techniques such as injectable fillers or fat grafting to create a more natural and transformative look.

When you visit Dr. Arroyo’s office for the first time, he will listen to your concerns, examine your eye area, and let you know whether this procedure is for you. By integrating a state-of-the-art virtual consultation tool, he will show you what your results may look like in real-time. In some cases, he may recommend that you combine your blepharoplasty with a neck lift or facelift to achieve a holistic facial transformation. 

Dr. Arroyo’s Unique Sedation Method

During a blepharoplasty procedure, Dr. Christian Arroyo uses a specialized form of sedation. Rather than the traditional intubation method, the doctor uses Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) Sedation. This form of sedation requires fewer intravenous medications during surgery and allows the patient to breathe independently. It is also free from side effects such as nausea and pain associated with general anesthesia. 

Your Eyelid Surgery Options

Upper Blepharoplasty 

Dr. Arroyo will perform upper eyelid surgery to address excess upper skin that droops over the eyes. In addition to its cosmetic benefits, this type of eyelid surgery can also help alleviate an obstruction in the patient’s vision. He will create an incision along the upper eyelid’s natural fold and use it to remove excess tissue. Fat deposits may be repositioned or removed altogether to achieve the desired outcome. Once Dr. Arroyo has reshaped the upper eyelid to suit the surgery goals, he will close the incisions with fine sutures and place bandages on the treatment area.

Lower Blepharoplasty

This procedure is ideal for patients looking to address sagging or bulging underneath their eyes. Dr. Arroyo may make an incision slightly below the lower eyelash or a transconjunctival incision inside the lower eyelid to conceal for patients who have good skin elasticity. Once the incision has been made, he will get rid of excess fat, skin, or tissue from the lower eyelid. The incisions will then be closed and bandages placed on the treatment area. Dr. Arroyo may choose to integrate a non-surgical treatment such as injectable fillers to achieve a holistic, aesthetic outcome for patients with dark circles or other imperfections around their eyes.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

  • No more bags – lower blepharoplasty can remove excess skin and tissue below your eye, getting rid of those baggy areas.
  • Improved vision – upper blepharoplasty gets rid of excess deposits and subtly lifts the upper lid to improve your line of sight.
  • Brighter eyes – extra skin and puffiness can block light from illuminating the irises. This can lead to a dull look around your eyes. Eyelid surgery ‘opens the drapes’ and allows light to infuse the eyes, making them look and sparkle their brightest.
  • Fewer fine lines – while this is not the primary goal of your eyelid surgery, it is a cosmetic benefit—many patients who receive eyelid surgery notice an improvement in these telltale signs of aging. 
  • Refreshed facial appearance – eyelid surgery is an excellent way to give your face a refreshed appearance. 

Recovery After Eyelid Surgery

Most blepharoplasty patients experience no pain or discomfort immediately after surgery. You will be provided with appropriate medication (including antibiotic drops) to prevent infection and increase your comfort level throughout the recovery stretch. Dr. Arroyo will require you to use cold compresses during the first 24 to 48 hours. It is typical to notice some bruising and swelling, but this usually removes within a week. The majority of eyelid surgery patients can return to work within four days. However, you will need to avoid makeup for at least the first week, and you should refrain from any activities that can elevate your heart rate until after you get the go-ahead from the surgeon. If you have any questions or are worried about anything during this healing process, Dr. Arroyo’s office will always be available to provide the support you need.

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Eyelid Surgery FAQ

Are there non-surgical alternatives?

How much does blepharoplasty cost?

When will I see results?

Will there be scarring?

Are there non-surgical alternatives?

Some patients inquire about non-invasive alternatives for eyelid rejuvenation. Dr. Arroyo offers skin tightening and other non-surgical alternatives such as injectable fillers (e.g., BOTOX), resulting in mild improvements. However, if you are looking to address significant cosmetic concerns in the eyelids, surgery is the best option.

How much does blepharoplasty cost?

The cost of eyelid surgery will be determined based on the patient’s needs. Many of Dr. Arroyo’s patients pay between $4,000 and $7,000 for blepharoplasty. Health insurance companies do not cover blepharoplasty that is performed for cosmetic reasons. However, if you are undergoing this procedure to remove eyelid skin obstructing your peripheral visual field, your insurance company may cover part or all the costs. Dr. Arroyo’s team will provide you with an initial cost estimate and help you to collect all the evidence you may need to qualify for insurance coverage – where possible.

When will I see results?

Your eyelid surgery outcome will be evident immediately after full recovery (1-2 weeks after surgery). In some cases, it may take up to 6 weeks before you can get a good impression of what was achieved with this cosmetic procedure.

Will there be scarring?

While scarring is an inevitable consequence of surgery, Dr. Arroyo’s blepharoplasty patients do not have to be concerned. He makes sure to keep incisions to a minimum while positioning them in concealed areas along the eyelid’s natural lines. Dr. Arroyo will also let you know how to properly care for the incision sites to minimize the risk of scarring. In some cases, Dr. Arroyo may recommend that you wear silicone scar gel after a full recovery to fade the already invisible scars completely. Most if not all of his patient’s scars are unnoticeable after blepharoplasty.

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