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.”

BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY

Quick Facts

Procedure Length:

1-2 hours (depending on extent of procedure)

Anethesia

Often performed under local anesthesia; General anesthesia for extensive eyelid surgery

IN/OUT Patient

Often performed in the office, outpatient

RISKS

Bleeding, infection, and lowering of the lid

SIDE EFFECTS

Temporary swelling, bruising, and some pain, irritation

RECOVERY

1 week back at work
1-2 weeks light exercise
2-3 weeks more strenuous activity
4-8 weeks for swelling to completely resolve

DURATION OF RESULTS

About 5-10 years

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

Preparing for eye lift surgery

If you are considering eyelid surgery, a consultation with Dr. Preminger is the first step towards attaining your aesthetic goals. Dr. Preminger will assess the condition of your eyes, discuss your medical history, and give you an idea of what to expect. You are invited to bring in pictures of your younger self to give her a more precise idea of the appearance you wish to restore.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most successful and satisfying operations in facial plastic surgery today. However, you must still choose a surgeon like Dr. Preminger who understands how to minimize the risk of complications such as: infection, reaction to anesthesia, dry eyes, blurry vision for a few days, edema, trouble closing the eyes all the way, uneven healing, and scarring.

The best candidates for blepharoplasty:

Are generally healthy
Do not smoke
Do not have serious eye conditions, and
Have realistic expectations.

Your risk of complications increases significantly if you have:

“Dry Eye Syndrome”
Detached retinas
Glaucoma
Facial nerve dysfunction
Cardiovascular disease
Hyperthyroidism
High blood pressure
Graves’ disease
Diabetes

To prepare for eyelid surgery, patients are usually asked to quit smoking and avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements that may increase bleeding. You will need to make arrangements for someone to drive you to and from surgery, and stay the night with you after your procedure.

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.

"A common complaint among patients considering blepharoplasty has to do with looking tired. An eye lift imbues a person with freshness and rejuvenation - right where people look first."

- B. Aviva Preminger, MD

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.

Successful results with eyelid surgery in Manhattan

Though you will continue to age naturally, the results of eyelid surgery are very long lasting — usually five to ten years. Usually, you will see a dramatic change in one to two months, but it could take up to a year for incision lines to fully refine. Sun protection will help you maintain optimal results.

In some cases, other complementary procedures may be necessary to give you the results you desire. All in all, research shows that you can expect a 96% improvement in your eyes’ appearance and a significant boost in self-esteem.

New York City eyelid surgeon

If you would like to learn more about having eyelid surgery in NYC, call 212.706.1900 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Preminger.