What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyes can be a window into our souls. As we age, the delicate skin around our eyes can become loose and saggy, making us look tired and older than we feel. A blepharoplasty in Scottsdale can restore your desired youthful and bright-eyed appearance. At Dr. Andres' practice, he uses his finely-honed surgical skills and experience to provide you with results that look refreshed and youthful.

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Eyelids and the Aging Process

The aging process can affect every facial feature, and the eyelids are no exception. As we age, the body produces less collagen and elastin, and the skin gradually loses its youthful quality and flexibility. Skin laxity and the force of gravity can cause excess skin to collect in the upper and lower eyelids.

Excess skin can cause bags, bulges, and wrinkles in the lower lids. An extra fold of loose, excess skin on the upper lids can interfere with the eyelid's natural contours or hang so low that vision is impaired.

Dr. Andres specializes in blepharoplasty procedures that can address these issues and restore a youthful appearance to your eyes. With his expertise, you can regain confidence in your eyes and enjoy a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.

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Eyelid Surgery Before and After Photos with Dr. Lewis Albert Andres

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Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery in Phoenix?

If your upper or lower eyelids are sagging, creating a fatigued look or, in some cases, even impairing your vision, you may be an excellent candidate for a blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery can open the facial expression and restore a youthful-looking countenance. The appearance of looking tired may be reversed. Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty in Scottsdale and Phoenix are generally healthy non-smokers without significant medical issues, such as hypertension, bleeding disorders, or others. Patients should also be positive and realistic in what they hope to accomplish with their surgery, based on a private consultation with our team.

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What are theBenefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Patients choose eyelid surgery in Scottsdale with Dr. Andres for a variety of benefits, including:

  • Lift and perk up drooping upper and/or lower eyelids. 
  • Reposition or remove non-essential lower eyelid fat. 
  • Reduce the appearance of unappealing puffiness from underneath the eyelids. 
  • Reclaim or even create an established, clean crease of the upper eyelid. 
  • Remove excess eyelid skin, which would otherwise block one's vision.
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Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper eyelid surgery is often called an “eye lift.” This procedure should not be confused with ptosis surgery of the upper eyelid, which involves tightening the tendons and muscles that elevate the upper lids. If ptosis of the upper eyelid or even descent of the eyebrow is indeed present and worsening the issue, correction of these problems may be performed at the same time. The technical term for an upper eyelid surgery is upper eyelid blepharoplasty. 

Modern Surgical Techniques Applied to Upper Eyelid Surgery

This procedure has changed dramatically over the past two decades. Modern surgical methods remove less skin and fat from the upper eyelids to avoid causing incomplete eyelid closure and dry eye symptoms – and an unnatural, wide-eyed look.

A deeper understanding of the upper eyelid dynamics has led to advanced surgical techniques, some originating from the surgery used in Asian double-eyelid surgery. These techniques allow plastic surgeons to create a crisp upper eyelid fold at the perfect position for the patient.

Upper Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Routinely, blepharoplasty is often performed as an in-office procedure using local anesthesia only.  If combined with other aesthetic procedures, IV sedation or general anesthesia may be used, which is exclusively delivered under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist and done as an outpatient surgery. For upper eyelid surgery, an incision is positioned tactfully along the crease of the upper eyelid, so scarring should be inconspicuous. It is through these carefully placed incisions that any extra skin and/or fat are removed.

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Lower Eyelid Surgery

Adults of all ages can live with puffy, baggy lower eyelids, although this cosmetic problem may appear and worsen with aging. Dr. Andres' lower eyelid surgery in Scottsdale and Phoenix is a simple procedure to reposition and/or remove excess fat and skin from the lower eyelids.

The most crucial aspect of lower eyelid surgery is determining how much skin and fat to remove. Overly aggressive eyelid skin removal can cause lower lid retraction (pulling down of the eyelid) and other complications that can affect the eye's health -- and create an unnatural look.

Lower Eyelid Surgery Performed with Precision

Dr. Lewis Albert Andres is a board-certified plastic surgeon with an extensive background and additional, dedicated fellowship training in reconstructive and plastic surgery as well as aesthetic procedures of the face. He knows precisely how much eyelid skin to remove to achieve the most aesthetic, natural appearance.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can dramatically reduce the puffiness and bags in the lower lids, which gives a person a tired, worn appearance. This procedure is performed on women and men to create a look of well-being, youth, and vitality.

Lower Eyelid Surgery Procedure

With lower eyelid surgery, placement of the incision will be just beneath the lashes of the lower eyelids and should be essentially unnoticeable.  Any additional fat repositioning or removal, eyelid tightening, or midface lifts would be done through this incision as well.  Transfer of fat into the lower lid or cheeks is a very common adjunct procedure in facial aesthetics and is meant to add volume to the face and improve facial contour and fullness, often lost with aging and weight loss.

Functional vs. Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty may be covered by health insurance if it is performed for medical reasons. Usually, a functional eye lift is performed to remove drooping skin from the upper eyelids that are overhanging low enough to impair one’s vision. Baggy upper or lower eyelids can also make wearing glasses or contact lenses difficult for vision correction.

Functional eyelid surgery may be performed to treat other medical concerns. These include:

  • Forehead discomfort and subsequent wrinkles caused by muscles straining to lift sagging eyelid skin 
  • Irritation from excess skin folds from the eyelids rubbing together
  • Repair of eyelid muscles or eyebrow position that may contribute to drooping of the eyelids

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, on the other hand, is performed for aesthetic reasons. This procedure can give the entire face a more youthful, refreshed, and rejuvenated appearance.

Blepharoplasty is most frequently performed for cosmetic reasons.

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What is Recovery Like After Eyelid Surgery in Phoenix?

After your blepharoplasty, you can routinely control any pain that you experience with prescription pain medication. Applying cold compresses for the first 24 hours will help minimize swelling and bruising and is essential following eyelid procedures. Additionally, it is imperative to keep your head elevated as much as possible during the first week or so. Sleeping in a recliner or with extra pillows behind your head helps immensely. Whichever will be most comfortable for you.

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Will I Need to Take Time Off Work for My Blepharoplasty?

Generally, our blepharoplasty patients return to work within a week. Patients may resume strenuous exercise routines about 2 to 4 weeks after their procedure. Eye drops may also help with any discomfort that you may experience. Above all, please ask our staff in Scottsdale and Phoenix any questions regarding your procedure.

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Blepharoplasty FAQ

How much will my eyelid surgery cost?

Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?

What procedures can I combine with eyelid surgery?

How long will my blepharoplasty results last?

Does eyelid surgery leave visible scars?

Are there any risks or complications with eyelid surgery?

How much will my eyelid surgery cost?

Pricing depends on several factors, such as the location of the procedure performed, extent of the changes required, and whether the patient undergoes any additional treatments simultaneously. Costs will involve the surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and postoperative garment fees. We will present you with a detailed, customized quote after your initial consultation for these services.

Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?

Insurance carriers cover procedures that they deem medically necessary, so if your blepharoplasty is strictly for cosmetic reasons, it will not be covered. However, if your vision is affected by low-hanging eyelids, insurance may cover part or all of your procedure.

What procedures can I combine with eyelid surgery?

Blepharoplasty can be easily combined with a brow lift or midface lift to improve the look of the upper face comprehensively. Full facelifts and/or rhinoplasty procedures are also great procedures to do together, since it focuses on the central face as a whole and may be performed as a single anesthesia and recovery time.  We can also pair it with fat grafting, dermal fillers, and/or injectables to reduce lines, wrinkles, and creases of the face.  Skin resurfacing procedures such as with peels or lasers may be recommended before or after your procedure to address fine lines that are often not corrected with surgical procedures.  If you are interested in additional options for cosmetic rejuvenation, discuss your goals with us during your initial consultation.

How long will my blepharoplasty results last?

Blepharoplasty results are generally long-lasting, with outcomes often lasting for years. However, the longevity can vary based on individual factors such as aging and lifestyle choices.

Does eyelid surgery leave visible scars?

Eyelid surgery typically results in minimal and well-concealed scars. Surgeons use precise techniques to minimize visibility, and over time, scars tend to fade, becoming inconspicuous.

Are there any risks or complications with eyelid surgery?

Although eyelid surgery is generally safe, it's crucial to be aware of potential risks. Examples include the rare chance of visible scarring and the possibility of temporary dry eyes. While these concerns exist, consulting with a skilled surgeon helps navigate and minimize such issues for a smoother recovery.

Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation in Scottsdale

During your consultation for blepharoplasty in Phoenix, Dr. Andres will go over a comprehensive medical and surgical history as well as listen intently to your goals for facial rejuvenation. Dr. Andres will then inspect the desired areas you’d like to have refreshed. From there, he will discuss all of your surgical and non-surgical options, develop a surgical treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and goals, and assist you in making a decision that will best satisfy your hopes and wants. You should take this opportunity to voice any questions or concerns regarding your procedure so that Dr. Andres can address them accordingly. It is critical that you feel confident and secure in your choice of surgeon and the surgical procedure(s) you have chosen.

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Schedule a Consultation Today.

If you would like to discuss the available options for blepharoplasty in Scottsdale, you may request an online consultation. You may also contact the office directly, and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will assist you in scheduling your appointment.

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Schedule Your Consultation

A private, fully-tailored consultation is your next step to uncovering which surgical route is the right one for you. Dr. Lewis Albert Andres will intently listen to your particular goals in regards to your physical enhancement desires. From there, he will fully discuss all of the available options and meticulously examine

your body to determine with you which is the best course of action to attain your aesthetic objectives. Dr. Andres, a board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon in Phoenix & Scottsdale, is committed to delivering some of the best patient care and plastic surgery with honesty, compassion, and expert skill.

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