What Is Blepharoplasty?

Having facial features that are smooth, firm, and evenly contoured can give you a youthful and rested appearance. Over time, however, your eyelids may develop excess or lax skin, even to the point that this tissue obstructs your vision. You may also notice heavy bags beneath your eyes that are unrelated to the amount of sleep you are getting. As a result, you may look more aged or tired than you really are. 

Dr. Jennifer Porter of Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery offers blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) to treat these conditions and help patients achieve a younger and more alert appearance. She brings more than 25 years of experience to each procedure and will be excited to work closely with you and develop a bespoke treatment plan. To learn more, reach out to our Bethesda, Maryland office and set up your consultation today.

Eyelid Lift Before and After Photos

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Who is an Ideal Eyelid Lift Candidate?

If people are asking you whether you are getting enough rest, if you look more tired than you feel, or if signs of aging around your eyes are making you appear older than you are, you may be a good candidate for an eyelid lift in Maryland.

Drs. Porter and Sitapara can help patients address these aesthetic concerns by treating conditions including:

  • Unwanted skin in the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both
  • Problems related to excess skin blocking the visual field
  • Bags beneath the eyes that create a heavy or tired look
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How Can Blepharoplasty Help?

Blepharoplasty is a targeted procedure that provides subtle but noticeable aesthetic improvements to these conditions with the following results:

  • A more alert and rested appearance
  • A soft and youthful contour to the mid-face and upper cheek
  • Correction to obstructed vision for a firmer and more youthful look
  • Boosted self-confidence and an enhanced quality of life

Your Initial Consultation

Your cosmetic journey will start with a consultation at our Bethesda, Maryland office space. You will have extensive time to get to know your specialist practitioner and discuss the aesthetic goals that you’d like to achieve. During your visit, they will conduct an examination to see if you are a good candidate for blepharoplasty. 

We will also talk with you about your general health and eye health history, including past surgeries and conditions you may have, such as ocular disease and dry eye. The consultation is a great opportunity for you to learn what is possible with blepharoplasty, and we’ll give you a clear idea of what you can expect from the procedure.

Preparing for Your Surgery

Once you decide to move forward, you will meet with your primary care physician and your ophthalmologist to get clearance for the surgery. A member of our team will schedule you for your blepharoplasty procedure and see you back at our office for a preoperative visit. During this appointment, we will go over the surgical plan as well as provide you with resources to make your recovery faster and more comfortable.

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What to Expect on The Day of Your Blepharoplasty Treatment

Procedures take place either at the Suburban Outpatient Surgery Center in Bethesda or in Washington, DC at Georgetown University Hospital. The specific techniques that our doctors will use will depend on your individual needs. Before your consultation, we’ll go over the surgical techniques that we’ll be utilizing to create your results so you know exactly what to expect from your procedure.

Upper Eyelid Lift

For an upper eyelid lift, any loose skin or excess tissue in the upper eyelids that are affecting your appearance and possibly obstructing your vision will be expertly removed. The incisions for this procedure will be made in the eyelid crease, ensuring that any signs of surgery will be nearly invisible to the casual observer.

Lower Eyelid Lift

For a lower eyelid lift, Drs. Porter and Sitapara will focus on removing excess fat that is producing bulging and bagginess, typically associated with lack of sleep, with some excision of the skin. Incisions are well hidden just inside the eyelid or below the eyelash line, which forms a smoother transition between the lower eyelid and the upper cheek.

What is the Recovery Process for Blepharoplasty?

After your blepharoplasty, we will apply ointment, ice packs, and moistened pads to your eyes. We’ll also recommend that you continue icing the area on and off for 24 to 36 hours. You will return to CCFPS the day after your surgery so that we can ensure that you are healing properly and comfortably.

You can expect to experience swelling after your eyelid lift, which will peak at about 48 hours post-op. Most patients return to work and normal activities 10 days after their procedure, and about 80% of the swelling should be gone within a month. At this point, your eyes should look smoother and more alert, with a more youthful appearance.

Makeup can be worn after the tenth postoperative day, and we’ll give you a very detailed recovery timeline—along with thorough aftercare instructions—that will ensure your comfort and peace of mind as you get ready to enjoy your final results. We’ll also be available to you at all times during your recovery period should you have questions.

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Eyelid Lift FAQ

What are some recovery tips after getting a blepharoplasty?

How can a blepharoplasty make me look younger?

Are other procedures involved with a blepharoplasty?

What are some recovery tips after getting a blepharoplasty?

After getting a blepharoplasty to reduce the tired and haggard appearance of your eyes, you’ll want to take several steps to ensure that you have a swift and smooth recovery. Following the aftercare instructions provided by our doctors is crucial to ensuring that your eyelids heal appropriately for long-lasting, beautiful results.

Immediately after your procedure, you should have a friend or family member drive you home because of the anesthetics used during the blepharoplasty. If you do not have a ride, they can also choose to secure a nurse to assist you to your home and care for you for the first night.

During your recovery period, the most important thing to do will be to rest with your head elevated to avoid swelling. You will need to take a few days off of work or school to give yourself time to heal. After about two to three days, you will be able to watch TV and read. Five to seven days after your blepharoplasty, you will return to our office to have your stitches removed.

At about seven to 10 days after the surgery, most bruising should have faded, and you can return back to work if you are cleared by Drs. Porter and Sitapara. Sunglasses can help to protect your eyes from sunlight and wind. Finally, you should avoid wearing contact lenses for about two weeks.

How can a blepharoplasty make me look younger?

When people are young, their eyelids are firm and tight. However, as a person begins to age and has had gravity pushing down on their eyelids for years, their eyelids can begin to sag and droop. These changes can affect both the upper and lower lids. Sometimes the upper lid can sag down over the eye itself, blocking vision. For lower lids, sagging skin creates deep bags and wrinkles under the eye.

In particular, patients who have droopy eyelids can appear:

  • Always tired, even if they feel completely full of energy
  • Moody, as they might look aggravated or angry even though they’re perfectly happy
  • Older than they really are, especially when drooping lids start to make the eyes look smaller

Blepharoplasty is a great way for patients to eliminate these issues and get the eyelids back to their normal appearance. With a few quick incisions, Drs. Porter and Sitapara can cut away excess tissue to get the upper lids out of the patient’s line of sight or fix the drooping bags of the lower lids. After extraneous tissue has been removed, they will then tighten and lift the lids, so they rest in a natural position.

After blepharoplasty, your eyes will look much more open and brighter. The skin around your eyes will also be tighter and smoother, as any fat deposits can be removed during the surgery. Finally, our doctors can smooth out the transition between the upper cheek and lower eyelid to restore a youthful contour to the patient.

Are other procedures involved with a blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty alone can provide a significant cosmetic improvement. However, our doctors may recommend combining blepharoplasty with a facelift to address signs of aging in the lower face and neck, with a brow lift to raise the droopy eyebrow, or with other procedures.

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Trust in an Expert

When you visit Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery, you'll enjoy the ability to trust in the expertise of a nationally recognized specialist. Dr. Jennifer Parker Porter, MD, FACS has over 25 years of experience utilizing her vast knowledge to both practice and instruct on the latest facial rejuvenation techniques. She is excited to offer patients a wide range of both surgical and non-surgical treatment options and will work with you on the development of a customized treatment plan that sees you meeting your cosmetic goals in high style.

Ready to learn more about what we can do for you? Reach out to Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery at our offices in Bethesda, Maryland and speak with a helpful team member to set up your initial consultation today.

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