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Blepharoplasty

Improve Hooded Or droopy Eyelids

Blepharoplasty at the Philadelphia area's Cross Medical Group is a sophisticated procedure—also known simply as eyelid surgery—that can restore a more youthful look to the eye area. The eyes and region around the eyes make up what is arguably the primary focal point of the face, especially when two people are engaged in conversation. Unfortunately, this is also an area that prominently shows signs of aging for many people.

The often exhausting pandemic years have contributed to skin-damaging stress and other problems that can make eyelid drooping worse. That said, anyone can deal with this problem. Although it is more likely for older women and men to seek blepharoplasty for eyelid laxity, patients of every age and demographic can find themselves wishing their face had a more alert and youthful appearance.

Cross Aesthetics

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Contact Cross Medical Group for more details about blepharoplasty cost, recovery, and other surgery details in Philadelphia (215) 561-9100 or Main Line's Villanova (610) 688-9100. You can also send a message online to ask about a consultation, or for more information.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery designed to remove excess skin and other tissue, as well as reposition tissues, in order to “tighten up” drooping eyelids. It is commonly done for cosmetic reasons, but the eyelid surgery can also address sagging lids that intrude into a patient's field of vision. Eyelid surgery continues to be in high demand and is expected to remain a popular procedure.

An important concept to understand when considering blepharoplasty is that eyelids that look older or more tired often look this way for a combination of reasons. Not only do youthful eyes have a minimal amount of extra skin, but they typically also have good volume. Since the face loses fat, thins, and sags over time, the eye area loses much of this volume as it ages.

Dr. Kevin Cross equates this volume to high tide at the beach. When the tide is high, the rocks, stones, and irregularities on the beach underneath are not visible. As the tide recedes over time, the poor underlying contours are revealed. For many patients, restoring volume is the equivalent of bringing the tide back in.

Too often, surgeons performing eyelid surgery procedures remove fat and skin, but don't recognize the importance of restoring youthful volume. Dr. Cross feels that achieving the optimal result for blepharoplasty must include customizing the procedure to the individual patient's anatomy and needs.

Blepharoplasty may be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both upper and lower. Likewise, it may be performed on the left eye, the right eye, or both. The goal is to restore a more alert and rested look, improve the field of vision if necessary, and give the entire face a more balanced and symmetrical look.

What Is Upper Eyelid blepharoplasty?

When examining the upper eyelids before blepharoplasty, Dr. Cross always starts his exam with the eyebrows. With age, eyebrows often descend and rotate down toward the outer region of the eyelid. This leaves excessive hooding over the eyelids of many patients. When this occurs, the eyebrows must be corrected, using one of many hooded eye surgery techniques that Dr. Cross outlines on the brow lift page. In some cases, ignoring the contribution that the brow makes to the eyelids will leave the patient with hooding, even after the eyelids are corrected with blepharoplasty.

Not all eyelids require blepharoplasty surgery to look more youthful. Many times, Dr. Cross will recommend chemical peels, lasers, and volume restoration with fillers or a patient's own fat to replenish what has been lost.

When upper eyelid skin is excessive or fat is bulging, however, a blepharoplasty procedure is likely necessary. Dr. Cross positions the incision necessary for upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery within the natural crease of the eyelid. This hides the eyelid surgery's incision, making it essentially imperceptible once the healing process is complete.

From this incision, Dr. Cross can remove excess skin and tailor the appearance of bulging fat pads during an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Everyone has these fat pads, but they can push forward and become more pronounced with age, creating puffiness under the skin and an appearance of excessive tiredness. By trimming and tucking the fat pads during blepharoplasty surgery, Dr. Cross achieves a more youthful shape and arch to the eyelid.

View before & after results from Cross Medical Group in Philadelphia, PA

*Results May Vary

Before & After Photo Gallery

See for yourself the patient transformations that can be achieved by Dr. Cross and his team.

What Is Lower Eyelid blepharoplasty?

Dr. Cross explains that many people with a youthful appearance have a lower eyelid that naturally blends with the cheek—often making it difficult to tell where the cheek ends and the eyelid begins. With age, however, the lower eyelid frequently becomes elongated and shadowed, with areas of darkness and significantly more wrinkled skin. A very noticeable transition between the cheek and eyelid becomes apparent.

As with the upper eyelids, Dr. Cross will often recommend nonsurgical options instead of blepharoplasty for patients with certain types of changes in the lower eyelids. Resurfacing the skin to improve its quality and texture, along with correcting shadows and dark areas with volume restoration, will improve the appearance of many patients and help to blend the eyelid/cheek transition region.

When blepharoplasty surgery is recommended, Dr. Cross often performs rejuvenating procedures for the lower lids through an incision placed on the inside of the eyelid—involving no external incisions or scars. In cases where external incisions are necessary, Dr. Cross hides them in a natural position just under the eyelashes, making their appearance unnoticeable.

He then uses the incisions to reposition and trim bulging fat pads, eyelids that have started to droop and sag, and excess skin. He will often harvest fat that is excessive and bulging in one area, then move it to another area where it is depleted to help smooth and equalize the contours. This blepharoplasty technique can help to blend the regions in areas where there are shadows and depressions. When extra fat is needed, Dr. Cross uses a number of fat grafting techniques to ensure the eyelid surgery result looks natural and even.

What Can You Do To prepare For Blepharoplasty?

Before you schedule your blepharoplasty, Dr. Cross will meet with you to discuss your medical history—including any previous surgeries you have had, past and current conditions, and any medications or supplements you're currently taking. He will talk to each patient about what they hope to achieve with blepharoplasty surgery and whether the procedure is likely to be effective for them.

What should you avoid before eyelid surgery in order to enjoy the best results possible? You'll be asked to stop taking aspirin, other blood thinners, or anti-inflammatory drugs that can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding—as long as it is medically safe to do so. You should also refrain from smoking, since nicotine reduces the body's ability to heal itself.

Ask a friend or loved one to drive you to and from eyelid surgery and stay with you overnight following the procedure.

General Blepharoplasty Details

Blepharoplasty surgery may involve specific techniques used on one or both upper lids, one or both lower lids, or all four. The overarching goal of any lower or upper eyelid surgery is to rejuvenate the eyes and eye area, as well as to create a balanced and symmetrical look. A blepharoplasty procedure can also improve a patient's ability to see, since sagging upper lids can interfere with an unobstructed field of vision.

Most blepharoplasty surgeries can be performed with the patient under a "twilight" anesthesia or a deeper anesthesia—though a breathing tube is rarely necessary. Our anesthesiologists now use a technique called "TIVA" anesthesia that is very effective in preventing any nausea or vomiting.

Dr. Cross has made a number of advancements to help reduce bruising and swelling after blepharoplasty surgery. This includes a formulation in his numbing medicine that stops bruising before it has a chance to develop.

What Are Recovery And Results Like After Blepharoplasty?

Patients are typically able to go home a few hours after completion of their blepharoplasty procedure. Post-eyelid surgery downtime and discomfort are generally very minimal.

Patients will be given a regimen of prescription drops and ointments to use during the first week after eyelid surgery to help reduce swelling and speed their recovery. Some patients may also experience dry eyes during the first two weeks.

Exercise should be avoided for one to two weeks, but all other normal activities can be resumed right away after blepharoplasty surgery.

Patients will return to the office five to seven days after their eyelid surgery. At that time, any remaining post-blepharoplasty bruising and swelling is addressed with a number of in-office treatments. Dr. Cross's goal is to get patients feeling comfortable in light social situations in less than one to two weeks after their blepharoplasty surgery.

Dr. Cross will provide guidelines for how to care for your eyes, what medications you should take, any specific concerns to watch out for, and when to return for follow-up appointments. Following postoperative instructions is critical for the success of your blepharoplasty.

To enjoy the best results possible, it's important to protect the fragile skin on the eyelids from sun exposure and wear darkly tinted sunglasses following a blepharoplasty. After a blepharoplasty, patients often feel more confident and believe that they look more youthful, relaxed, and rested.

The surgery is known for providing very natural-looking and long-lasting results. The skin on the eyelid areas heals very well and scars will be concealed in the natural crease lines around the eyes. Although the eye area will continue to be affected by natural aging, the results can last a lifetime for many blepharoplasty patients.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Blepharoplasty?

The most effective treatment to address drooping eyelids depends on what's causing the problem. If you have sagging eyelids caused by loose skin or muscle weakness on the forehead or brow, you may need a different type of surgery to address the problem. Dr. Cross will examine your facial anatomy to find out whether blepharoplasty or another form of surgery would be the most suitable option for you. With all of this in mind, who is a good candidate for blepharoplasty?

Older patients most commonly choose eyelid surgery to address changes to the eye area, but there is no set age range for when you should have blepharoplasty surgery. Patients may decide to have eyelid surgery done at a younger age if droopy or hooded eyelids run in their family. If you look in the mirror and you're bothered by the appearance of your eyelids, your upper eyelids feel heavy, you're getting headaches, or you're experiencing tired eyes, it may be time to consider blepharoplasty. Most individuals who are healthy and don't have any conditions that could negatively affect healing, who are non-smokers, who don't have serious eye conditions, and who have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for what they can improve with eyelid surgery could be considered candidates for blepharoplasty.

The best way to determine is this procedure is right for you is to contact Dr. Cross and arrange a consultation so he can develop an understanding of your unique situation and make an appropriate plan to address it.

Facial Procedures Beyond Blepharoplasty

Signs of aging lower on the face also involve sagging tissues, which can change the overall facial shape from a youthful "heart" to a boxy square. Dr. Cross uses a facelift or neck lift to remove and reposition fat, excess skin, and other tissues as necessary.

Patients who want to address signs of aging in the area, such as crow's feet, but who do not want surgery, can choose BOTOX®. Known as a "neuromodulator," this injectable keeps wrinkle-forming muscles at rest for months at a time. Other neuromodulators available include Dysport® and Xeomin®.

Dr. Cross will work with you, starting at your consultation, to determine which treatments or procedures can work together to rejuvenate your overall face so that no one area draws attention for looking aged or overly youthful.

Cross Aesthetics

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Contact Cross Medical Group for blepharoplasty surgery in Philadelphia (215) 561-9100 or Main Line's Villanova (610) 688-9100. You can also send a message online to inquire about a consultation, or for more information.

OUR OFFICE LOCATIONS

2200 Arch Street Suite 120, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Philadelphia, PA

2200 Arch Street Suite 120, Philadelphia, PA 19103
PH: 215.561.9100

775 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 230, Villanova, PA 19085
Villanova, PA

775 E. Lancaster Avenue Suite 230, Villanova, PA 19085
PH: 610.688.9100

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