Eyelid Lift in Los Alamitos, CA

A person's eyes are a beautiful feature of the face that deserve to be visible, but sometimes an excess of skin around the eyes can produce a tired and unflattering facial appearance. Triple board-certified plastic surgeon William P. Aiello uses eyelid surgery (known as blepharoplasty) to reduce excess skin and rejuvenate the lower or upper eyelid, creating an awakened appearance. Many men and women receive eyelid surgery at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center to eliminate saggy eyelids, which leads to improved facial functionality and appearance. Blepharoplasty, whether lower or upper, creates a more "bright-eyed" look and can give you natural-looking yet noticeable improvements. If you want to learn more about refreshing your eyes with eyelid lift surgery, contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Aiello at his practice in Los Alamitos, CA.

Many patients who seek blepharoplasty feel that their eyes make them look old or tired. Many problems with the eyelids can be due to aging skin, but blepharoplasty is not reserved for older patients. Younger people with hereditary traits, trauma, and even chronic eye infections can also greatly benefit from this surgery. Upper or lower blepharoplasty is a surgical facial enhancement that is performed on both women and men. It can help improve the shape of the eyelids by trimming excess skin and sculpting the deeper layers of fat and muscle. It can correct:

• Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid
• Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
• Bags and/or hanging excess skin under the eyes
• Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris

These irregularities can cause function and vision difficulties that can get in the way of normal, everyday activities. For a more awake, youthful, and rested appearance, blepharoplasty may be the appropriate surgery for you. For some patients, a drooping upper lid may also be caused by laxity in the forehead or eyebrow. In these cases, Dr. Aiello may recommend a brow lift instead of or in conjunction with blepharoplasty. At your first visit, your treatment options will be explained by Dr. Aiello based on your areas of concern.  

Depending on the type and complex nature of the eyelid surgery, some form of anesthesia will be provided. This surgery may be done on the top eyelid by itself, under or on the bottom eyelid, or a blend of both eyelids.

• Upper
  Upper eyelid surgery assists in decreasing the folds of skin that impair vision to produce a more awakened and appealing look. The incision point is often placed along the lid crease to excise loose skin and fatty tissue.
• Lower
  Eyelid correction on the lower lid is performed to improve puffy and bulging skin beneath the lower lid. In most cases, an incision is carefully made along the lash line to surgically remove tissue and fat, and the skin is subtly lifted to allow for a softer, flatter look. Sometimes a nonsurgical laser procedure may be incorporated to help with discoloration while fillers can be used for more smoothness and softening if desired.

Blepharoplasty can take up to two hours, depending on whether one or both eyes are treated. After this outpatient surgery, you should plan about a week to recover and rest at home. A cold compress can assist in reducing discomfort, swelling, and bruising. The outcomes from blepharoplasty may last a decade or longer, but while they are long-lasting, aging does not stop. To preserve your surgical outcomes, other nonsurgical cosmetic treatments at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center, such as fillers, peels, and lasers, can be used to maintain your youthful-looking appearance.

How much does eyelid surgery cost?
Blepharoplasty costs will vary based on whether you're getting a lower eyelid lift, upper eyelid lift, or both. When your surgical plan is decided in your initial consultation, Dr. Aiello can go over cost estimates. For results that look natural and last for many years, it's better to concentrate on choosing an experienced surgeon you are comfortable with, like Dr. Aiello, rather than looking for the lowest cost. To help you afford great results, Ocean Plastic Surgery Center takes several payment methods, including low-interest financing.

Can I use insurance to pay for my eyelid surgery?
When hanging skin is affecting your sight, your insurance might cover some of your blepharoplasty. Please talk to Dr. Aiello in your initial consultation if you are considering applying for an insurance claim. A team member at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center can help you submit the required paperwork and information to your provider to consider your claim. Generally, you will require a letter from an ophthalmologist or optometrist stating that blepharoplasty is medically necessary to restore your vision.

Will my scars be hidden?
Yes! The incision lines for eyelid surgery are designed so the scars will be well concealed within the natural structures of the eyelid. The upper eyelid can be corrected through an incision within the natural crease on the eyelid. This allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles, and removal of excess skin. Conditions of the lower eyelid may be corrected with an incision just below the lower lash line. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelid is removed. Again, the excess fat can be repositioned or removed.

Will an eyelid lift fix wrinkles, Crow's feet, or dark under-eye areas?
Wrinkles on your forehead and the corners of your eyes (Crow's feet) might be better corrected with a brow lift or facelift because the improvements of blepharoplasty are limited to the upper or lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty may be combined with nonsurgical treatments, like BOTOX, or dermal fillers to smooth wrinkles around the eyes and on the forehead. Darkness under the eyes is often a familial trait but can worsen with lack of sleep and other lifestyle factors. Fat grafting or fillers may be used to soften depressions and eliminate darkness under the eyes.

Are the results from blepharoplasty long-lasting?
When performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Aiello, blepharoplasty is designed to achieve results that not only look natural now but will also age naturally with you. While nothing can stop the normal aging process, after a blepharoplasty, you will always look years younger than you would have without the surgery. However, there are certain things you can do to keep your results looking their best. You should adopt a consistent, quality skin care regimen and avoid excess sun exposure to keep your skin healthy and protected from unnecessary aging.

If you find it difficult to see or to apply makeup because of folds of skin on your upper eyelids, or if you are frustrated by bulging bags underneath your eyes, then upper or lower blepharoplasty at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center may be the answer for you. This enhancement can allow you to look and feel refreshed and youthful while offering a beautiful answer to your vision impairment concerns. We encourage you to get in touch with our surgical center in Los Alamitos, CA to learn more and schedule a consultation with Dr. Aiello.