Eyelid Surgery
It is possible to rid bags under the eyes, drooping eyelids, and crow's feet with blepharoplasty. The result- a refreshed & more youthful look.
Why have an eye lift? Find out in consultation with NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Preminger.
Eyelid surgery in NYC
“The eyes are the mirror of the soul,” says an old Proverb. Though your eyes are aging, you may feel young at heart and soul. Eyelid surgery is one way to synchronize these competing truths.
Dr. B. Aviva Preminger has trained at some of the country’s finest institutions, including New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center and Columbia University. As a board-certified Ivy League graduate, she is a trusted medical professional for blepharoplasty in Manhattan.
As we get older, the fibrous bonds break down and underlying muscles weaken, causing the skin around the eyes to become lax. Blinking thousands of times each day, squinting in the sun, and eye rubbing all make the eyes older. Eyelid fat absorbs water readily, causing the eyes to appear puffy.
Correcting the eyelid appearance with makeup only goes so far. It can be challenging to apply eye-shadow to overstretched lids, and concealer can only do so much to improve the appearance of deep, dark under-eye bags. Eyelid surgery may be in order for those tired of looking in the mirror and seeing half-closed, droopy eyes looking back.
“People come in and they tell me that they have tired-appearing eyes,” explains Dr. Preminger, “that their upper eyelids look heavy all the time. Patients are really happy with the results of blepharoplasty. No one knows what they’ve had done, so when they go back to work, people say to them, ‘Did you go on vacation? You look like you got some really good rest.’ And so patients feel good about themselves. They don’t look tired anymore. They feel rejuvenated.”
Blepharoplasty can correct
- Loose, saggy upper and lower eyelids
- Puffy fat circles beneath the eyes
- Sagging lower eyelids that reveal whites of the eyes beneath the iris
- Fine wrinkles beneath the eyes
Blepharoplasty procedure
Dr. Preminger often performs eyelid surgery under local anesthesia in her accredited office. That means: no additional charges for anesthesia or a hospital stay! Local anesthesia with sedation decreases the amount of down time following your procedure and alleviates the risks of nausea, respiratory depression, and heart rate variability.
Once the patient is numbed and relaxed, Dr. Preminger makes an inconspicuous incision in the crease of the upper lid just below the lashes to ensure there are no visible scars.
Through this incision, fat deposits can be repositioned or removed, the muscles are tightened, and excess skin is removed and stretched smooth.
The incision site is then closed with dissolvable sutures, which will come out on their own within 1-2 weeks. The whole procedure is typically done in one hour.
Recovery
Bruising, swelling and a little bit of tightness can be expected after eyelid surgery. The eyes can be sensitive to light and wind initially, so eye drops may be prescribed. Any adverse symptoms should clear up within two to four weeks. Most patients get back on their feet in 3-5 days and return to work in about 10 days. Contact lens wearers will need to rely on glasses for two weeks.
The true results of eyelid lift surgery can be seen in one to two months. Patients report greater self-confidence with their cheerier, refreshed look around the eyes.
Dr. Preminger will give you detailed instructions on how to speed up your recovery from blepharoplasty. These steps may include keeping your head elevated and using mild cold therapy to reduce swelling. It’s advised that you minimize unnecessary movement for the first few days.
Stock up on audiobooks, buy a few new CDs. Reading or watching TV causes the lids to open and close more often, which can increase bruising. Avoid salty foods, fish oil, and aspirin as you heal.