Gregory Turowski
MD, Ph.D., FACS
phone: 847 674 4646
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Eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) Chicago *

Blepharoplasty: An Unsung Hero of Cosmetic Surgery

Eyelid Lift Surgery, also known as blepharoplasty is the procedure designed to eliminate a “baggy” appearance beneath the eyes and to remove heaviness from the upper eyelid.

The term blepharoplasty is derived from the Greek work blepharo meaning “eyelid” and plastikos which means “fit for molding”.

When you look in the mirror, do your eyes look tired? Do you have “bags” under your eyes due to aging or genetics? Do your eyes appear puffy, even though there’s no reason for it, such as crying or lack of sleep?

You could be a candidate for the blepharoplasty procedure! Contact our team at Chicago-based New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one of our surgeons.

Other reasons to consider getting eyelid surgery are:

Having eyelid surgery can change the entire look of your face, giving it a rejuvenated and more rested appearance.*

Your eyelid surgery can be done in an outpatient setting here in Chicago at New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery either under sedation anesthesia or local anesthesia.

For upper eyelid correction, an incision is typically made in the natural eyelid crease. Redundant skin is removed and in certain cases, judicious removal of any excess fat is performed so as to correct the fullness over the eye without leaving the patient with a “hollowed” look.

For the lower eyelid, there are a few different approaches utilized by our specialists, including a tranconjunctival/internal approach only (all incisions on the inside of the eyelid) or a combination approach using both internal and external incisions, depending on the patient’s needs. In most cases, lower blepharoplasty involves removal of excessive or bulging fat underneath the eye through the internal approach. This fat can then be transferred below the orbital rim to correct the so-called “tear trough” deformity. Fat transfer can also be utilized for this purpose. For patients with significant lower eyelid skin laxity, an external incision is made just below the lash line. This incision allows for removal of any redundant skin, and once healed, it is typically well-concealed by the patient’s lashes. Our approach leads to fewer complications related to eyelid malposition after surgery.

When working on the lower lid ​Dr Turowski prefers the latest combination procedure of transconjunctival and open approach. The incision is ​ actually first made inside the eyelid to access fat pocket. Then some of the fat is removed and some transferred below the orbital margin to fill up so call tear through deformity. After that portion is completed another incision is ​ made along the lash line, also toward the temples. ​This incision allows for skin tightening. So, although it appears that 2 incisions have to be performed in this approach rather than only outside eyelid incision, this approach is much safer to avoid serious complications of eyelid malposition. ​

Laser resurfacing is a nonsurgical cosmetic surgery technique sometimes used by our specialists to achieve skin tightening and delay the need for a blepharoplasty. It can also be performed at the same time as traditional eylid lift surgery to correct fine wrinkles and remove blemishes.

Recovery

As with any other surgery, it’s important to fully understand the recovery process before the procedure is begun. Knowing what to do and what not to do after eyelid lift surgery will speed your recovery. Below are a few suggestions. Our staff at ​New Horizons ​Cosmetic Surgery center will give you individualized instructions for both pre and post-operative care.

To see if you could be a candidate for the blepharoplasty procedure, contact our team at Chicago-based New Horizons Center for Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with one our plastic surgeons.

We look forward to seeing you here at New Horizon’s Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

Eyelid lift surgery (Blepharoplasty) FAQ

Who is a good candidate for Blepharoplasty?

As we age our eyelids droop, making us look tired and older. However, this procedure can also be performed for younger patients who are dissatisfied with hereditary heaviness of the lower or upper eyelids or “bags”.

Is the procedure safe?

Blepharoplasty is a very safe procedure when performed by appropriately trained plastic surgeon. Although serious complications have occasionally been reported, these are extremely rare, considering that this is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the USA.

Do I need a procedure on the upper, lower eyelids or both?

This can only be determined after personal consultation with Dr Turowski. Although these are two distinctive operations, they are frequently performed together to achieve the best results. For younger patients removal of the lower eyelid bags may be all that is needed.

The procedure is frequently combined with endoscopic forehead/brow lift to achieve optimal results. In addition, blepharoplasty is often performed together with face lift for overall facial rejuvenation.

How is blepharoplasty performed?

This procedure can be performed under intravenous sedation or even local anesthesia. It is usually performed on the outpatient basis, with the patients going home soon after the surgery. Upper eyelid incision is placed in the skin crease and excess amount of skin and bulging fat is excised. In certain cases, lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed without visible incisions (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). Laser may be used to achieve optimal results. If there is obvious skin excess in lower eyelids, the incision may be made directly under the eyelash line. The excess amount of fat and skin is removed, skin re-draped and incision carefully closed. Eyelid incisions heal in very inconspicuous fashion.

What is the typical recovery?

Postoperative discomfort is usually very mild and easily controlled with oral pain medications. It is recommended to use ice-packs for the first 24 hours after surgery to minimize swelling and bruising. The sutures are removed after 5 days, and with some makeup patient can return to certain activities. Some bruising may persist for about 10 days. No suture removal is necessary for transconjunctival blepharoplasties.

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.
In young patients eyelid lift procedure can be pretty successful restoring youthfull and rested appearance to that region of the face in otherwise very young looking faces. It is a combination of fat removal and fat transfer. *

*Individual results may vary and there are no guarantees that you will experience the same results as those mentioned here.

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