Eyelid Surgery – Blepharoplasty in St. Peters & St. Louis, MO

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a popular plastic surgery procedure. It is done to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes. With age and sun damage, the delicate eyelid tissue can loosen and weaken. This can result in a hooded eyelid appearance, bags under the eyes, and a generally tired appearance. Blepharoplasty can refresh your appearance by trimming the excess tissue from the upper or lower eyelids. Your plastic surgeon can even address both your upper and lower lids in one procedure!

What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Having eyelid surgery is a quick and relatively simple way to rejuvenate your overall appearance. We tend to see each other’s eyes first. While you may have some signs of aging on your lower face, reviving your eyes can go a long way in restoring a more energetic, vibrant look. The blepharoplasty procedure takes about an hour to an hour and a half for the upper or lower eyelids. If you combine both areas, your surgery would take about two and a half hours, after which you can go home to begin your recovery.

There is very little downtime associated with this procedure. You can expect to be ready to go back to work and engage in social activities after 10 to 14 days. It can take up to three months for complete healing, but the remnants of post-op side effects are very subtle after two weeks. Blepharoplasty results can last many years before the signs of aging recur in the area.

Who is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

Chances are, you are a good candidate for blepharoplasty if you’ve got heavy, loose, or protruding eyelids. The surgical procedure is pretty conservative and often does not require general anesthesia. However, you must be in good health to safely undergo this procedure. Your doctor may review your medical history, health, and lifestyle to ensure that you can achieve an optimal surgical outcome. 

Can Eyelid Surgery Be a Medical Necessity?

Blepharoplasty is most often considered an elective cosmetic procedure. However, there is a situation in which it may be medically necessary. This would be when the upper eyelid tissue is so droopy that it hangs over the eyelashes and is obstructing the field of vision. To obtain insurance coverage for functional blepharoplasty, it may be necessary to undergo a specific type of examination and provide documentation to your insurance company. The best first step to learn more about functional blepharoplasty is to contact your insurance provider directly and ask about their prerequisites for this procedure. 

How is the Procedure Performed?

Blepharoplasty is a very precise procedure. It begins with injections of a local anesthetic. You may also receive a sedative to help you relax during your surgery. Another option is to undergo blepharoplasty in an outpatient surgery center where general anesthesia is used. During your consultation, anesthesia will be a topic of discussion and you will learn which method would be ideal for you.

After the tissue around the eyes is numb, the doctor makes an incision in the eyelid. Upper eyelid incisions are made in the natural crease. The doctor will tighten the eyelid from the incision, trim excess skin, and place tiny stitches to close the incision before moving on to the other eye. Lower eyelid incisions are often made just inside the lower eyelid. In this procedure, the doctor may use special instruments to reposition or reduce the fat pads under the eyes. Eyelid tissue is pulled upward until smooth and the excess skin is trimmed. If small, fine stitches are placed, they will dissolve in a matter of days.

How Soon After Eyelid Surgery will I See the Full Results?

You will see changes in your eyelids soon after surgery. Shortly after the procedure, though, swelling will obscure the new contours of the eyes. The area around your incisions will be red and, depending on your procedure, you may see stitches. It can take one to two weeks for the swelling and redness to subside enough to once again begin seeing the effects of your procedure. After about that long, the majority of your swelling may be gone and the redness at your incision lines should be nicely resolved. You may want to lightly apply makeup to disguise any lingering redness, but can expect to feel confident being seen at work and social engagements. 

Why Should I Get Eyelid Surgery in St. Peters, MO?

Eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) can improve the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids. Dr. BoschertDr. Craig, Dr. Mills, and Dr. Alleyne are all experts in eye surgery and addressing the loose skin and fat around the eyes. They can give you a more youthful and energetic appearance. In some cases, other facial procedures can accompany eyelid surgery.

Is Eyelid Surgery Covered By Insurance?

If your vision is obscured, eyelid surgery can be performed for medical reasons and may be covered by your health insurance.

What Can Blepharoplasty Treat?

Blepharoplasty is a viable treatment option for any of the following conditions:

  • Bags under the eyes
  • Loose or excess skin hanging down from the upper eyelid
  • Puffiness around the upper eyelids
  • Drooping lower eyelids
  • Crepe paper wrinkles around the lower eyelids

Upper Blepharoplasty Vs. Lower Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty is performed to remove excess fat and skin from the interior corner to slightly beyond the outside corner of your lid. This is typically where the incision is placed, and once the tissue is removed, the skin is closed with sutures.

Lower blepharoplasty is similar to the upper eyelid procedure and is performed to help with those puffy bags under your eyes. Incisions are placed on the natural lines of your lid and any fat and skin are then removed. A laser may also be used to tighten and firm the skin and sutures will be used to close the incision.

Recovery From Eyelid Surgery

With eyelid surgery, scarring is either very minimal or not visible at all. We advise that makeup not be worn for the first seven days after surgery while you continue to heal. In just a few weeks, you should be able to see the full benefits from your procedure.

Learn More About Eyelid Surgery

If you are interested in undergoing eyelid surgery in St. Peters, MO, contact Renaissance Plastic Surgery by calling 636.535.2933 or by submitting an online contact form. Our caring team of professionals will set you up with a consultation with one of our talented physicians.

Book an Appointment

Please fill out the form below or give us a call to schedule your appointment.

What happens in a consultation?

01. Get to know the RPS team of plastic surgeons and aestheticians.

02. Discuss your unique goals and concerns.

03. Receive a personalized procedure plan.

“I had a WONDERFUL experience at Renaissance Plastic Surgery! Dr. Boschert made my husband and I extremely comfortable during the entire process.” - Google Review

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