Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery
What is Blepharoplasty Surgery?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid lift, is a cosmetic eyelid surgery used to refresh your appearance by removing the extra skin of the eyelids. As you age, your skin stretches and the muscles holding your eyelid skin weaken. Because the eyelid skin is so thin, it is common for the eyelid skin to droop and for wrinkles and bags around the eyes to develop. In some people the eyelid skin droops so much that their vision to the side is reduced. Blepharoplasty helps to improve a person’s eyesight by opening their field of vision.
Why get this surgery?
- Droopy eyelid skin makes you look older
- Droopy eyelid skin can make you look and feel tired.
- Blepharoplasty surgery helps you look and feel younger and refreshed
- Eyelid surgery can improve your appearance
- Build your confidence
Book your In-Person or Virtual Consultation Today!
Schedule a consultation and send us your selfie. Our team will set up a call with Dr. Conlon for you to find out if you’re a candidate for blepharoplasty.
See Our Results
Heaviness of the upper lids and brow is improved making the eyes look more open. The lower eyelid was also tightened, reducing the appearance of the lower eyelid bags.
Fold of the upper eyelid skin cuts off this gentleman’s upper field of vision. One day after surgery the eyes already look more open and the platform of the upper eyelid is visible. At this stage there is some swelling that will improve over the coming months after surgery.
Heaviness of the upper eyelid skin gives a frowning and unhappy facial expression. After upper eyelid blepharoplasty, she is refreshed and has a more friendly appearance.
Fold of the upper eyelid skin is resting on the eyelashes. Immediately after surgery, there is some mild swelling, but the heaviness of the eyelid is reduced and the fold is no longer resting on his eyelashes.
Before surgery there is excess skin resting on the lashes and significant lateral droop and a tired appearance. 2 weeks after surgery there is reduced lateral droop and he looks more rested.
Excess skin of the upper eyelid reduces his upper field of view. After surgery the eyes are more open and he looks refreshed and more alert.
Lateral drooping of the upper lid skin. Restoring the natural eyelid contour and preserving fullness of the brow results in a more youthful look.
Heaviness of the upper eyelids rests with the fold resting on the outer eyelashes. Reducing extra skin makes her look rested and refreshed.
Extra heavy skin of the eyelids droops on the outer edges. Removing the extra skin and keeping fullness of the upper eyelid gives a youthful look.
Significant redundant skin and a heavy brow hide the eyelid under the eyelid fold. Blepharoplasty removes the right amount of skin to reduce the heaviness, expose the eyelid, and maintain a natural appearance.
Results usually last 10-15 years and the surgery is typically not repeated.
Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery FAQ
A: Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid lift, is a cosmetic eyelid surgery used to refresh your appearance by removing the extra skin of the eyelids. As you age, your skin stretches and the muscles holding your eyelid skin weaken. Because the eyelid skin is so thin, it is common for the eyelid skin to droop and for wrinkles and bags around the eyes to develop. Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid lift, is a cosmetic eyelid surgery used to refresh your appearance by removing the extra skin of the eyelids. As you age, your skin stretches and the muscles holding your eyelid skin weaken. Because the eyelid skin is so thin, it is common for the eyelid skin to droop and for wrinkles and bags around the eyes to develop.
A: Droopy eyelid skin not only makes you look older it can make you look and feel tired. Blepharoplasty surgery helps you look and feel younger and refreshed. Eyelid surgery can improve your appearance and build your confidence. Dr. Conlon will consult with you to discuss why you’re interested in undergoing blepharoplasty.
In some people the eyelid skin droops so much that their vision to the side is reduced. Blepharoplasty helps to improve a person’s eyesight by opening their field of vision
A: At your complimentary consultation, Dr. Conlon will listen to your goal of blepharoplasty surgery. He will discuss with you what to expect for a result from blepharoplasty. Photographs of your eyelids are used to help plan the surgery and help see the results from surgery.
Cosmetic Eyelid Before Surgery FAQ
A: The consultation is used to review the procedure process and discuss any risks/limitations so you can make an informed decision regarding the surgery. It is important to establish realistic expectations for your results. Dr. Conlon will review your medical history and conduct an eye area examination. If pertinent, your eyesight and tear ducts will also be checked.
A: Generally, the procedure takes between thirty to sixty minutes, depending on the degree of work needed.
A: Local anesthetic will be applied to the eye area. During the procedure, you may feel a tight sensation around the eyes.
A: The cost for blepharoplasty is:
- $4500 for the upper eyelids.
Provincial health care does not cover cosmetic blepharoplasty.
A: It is important to follow the advice of Dr. Conlon to minimize risk, although blepharoplasty complications are rare. As with any surgery, there is always a risk of infection or anesthesia reaction. Please discuss the presence of any of the following conditions with Dr. Conlon as these pre-existing conditions may put you at-risk:
- Thyroid problems
- Insufficient tear production
- High blood pressure
- Circulatory disorders
- Diabetes
Temporary complications that may occur include:
- Excessive tearing
- Decreased eyelid sensation
- Dryness
- Burning/stinging
- Gritty sensation in the eyes
These complications are typically relieved with eye drops.
A: For your comfort and convenience, eyelid lift surgeries are performed in our Saskatoon office in our fully accredited surgery facility. The freezing for blepharoplasty is performed with local medicine within the skin around the eye.We understand if you are nervous for surgery near your eye and you will be offered the option of having a mild sedative medicine to help you relax for the procedure. Fortunately, you do not need to be put to sleep to have a blepharoplasty surgery.
Cosmetic Eyelid After Surgery FAQ
A: You may feel mild discomfort for a few days, which you can alleviate with a pain reliever. Swelling/bruising varies per individual case, with bruising healing in seven to ten days post-surgery. Other recovery symptoms include:
- Red/bumpy incision
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Excess tearing or dryness
- Tired eyes
Tips to promote a healthy recovery:
- Avoid makeup application until one week post-surgery.
- Do not wear contact lenses for a week post-surgery.
- Wear dark sunglasses for eye protection for the first few weeks.
A: It is important to maintain realistic surgical expectations. It usually takes a few months to experience the final results. A mild degree of asymmetry between the eyelids is expected. Eighty-percent improvement in the upper eyelid is a standard result.
A: After the surgery, it is normal for there to be bruising and swelling. It is critical to use ice on the blepharoplasty incisions, “20 minutes on 20 minutes off”, for the first 48 hours after surgery. This is the most important thing you can do to speed up your recovery. You will also be given a medicated ointment to use along the blepharoplasty incision line to prevent infection.
The stitches Dr. Conlon uses for eyelid lift surgery are dissolvable. They will start to lose tension and fall out 10 to 14 days after your surgery. It can take up to 3 months for the residual stitches under the skin to completely dissolve. Gently applying vitamin E oil along the blepharoplasty scar will help dissolve the stitches and minimize the scar.
A: For blepharoplasty, Dr. Conlon uses a specialized technique to hide the incisions in the natural crease of your eyelid. Using this eyelid lift technique there will be minimal visible scar after you have healed for the procedure. It can take several months for the surgery to fully heal and see the final result.
Ointment is used during blepharoplasty to keep your eye lubricated and comfortable. Eye ointments can make the vision blurry for a few hours, but it gets better on its own as the ointment melts. You will need somebody to take you home after surgery because of the ointment and the sedative medication.
A: After eyelid lift surgery we recommend that you take the following additional steps while you recovery:
- Avoid heavy lifting for 1 week
- Avoid hot tubs and swimming pools for 1 week
- Wear large, dark sunglasses to protect your eyes and eyelids while outdoors
- Avoid medicine such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for pain relief. If you need medicine for pain relief Dr Conlon recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Your eyes will begin to look normal after a week or two. However, It is normal for there to be puffiness and swelling of the eyelids when you wake up in the morning for the first few months after surgery. This will improve on its own with time in the first three months. You can judge your final results three months after your blepharoplasty procedure.
A: Blepharoplasty results last 10 to 15 years on average. If you have blepharoplasty it is unlikely that you will need to have the surgery again.