Eyelid Surgery
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery that improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both is called blepharoplasty.
Eyelid surgery helps patients from Glen Carbon, Maryville, Edwardsville, and metro St. Louis look more alert and rejuvenated by enhancing the appearance of their eyelids.
Who May Benefit from Eyelid Surgery?
There are many reasons people come to see MidAmerica Plastic Surgery about eyelid surgery, including:
- Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness and fullness
- Sagging upper eyelid skin that impairs vision
- Loose skin that interrupts the natural appearance of the eyelid
- Wrinkles and sagging skin below the eye
- Bags under the eye
- Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)
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Eyelid Surgery Before & Afters
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Am I a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Good candidates for eyelid surgery include:
- Healthy individuals without a medical condition that impairs healing
- Non-smokers
- Individuals without serious eye conditions
Inform Dr. Ryan Diederich if you have any of the following conditions:
- Eye diseases
- Dry eyes
- Detached retina
- Thyroid disorders
- Cardiovascular disease or circulatory disorders
- Diabetes
Treatment Options
Upper Blepharoplasty can be performed in the office with local anesthesia. This procedure can also be completed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Either option is safe and effective, the choice is yours.
Lower Blepharoplasty can be completed in the operating room under general anesthesia.
Before the Eyelid Surgery
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation, as needed
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications, as recommended
- Stop smoking well in advance of your surgery
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding (if OK with your primary care physician. If you cannot stop please let us know)
- Get your pre- and post-surgery checklist
- Pre-Op instructions will be provided before the procedure. Please read these thoroughly for additional information.
The Day of Eyelid Surgery
- Completed as an outpatient or with hospital stay depending on your particular needs
- Nothing to eat or drink the day of surgery
- You will need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours
After the Eyelid Surgery
- Recovery is patient dependent.
- Sutures are typically removed after 5-7 days.
- Post-Op Instructions will be provided before the procedure. Please keep these close throughout recovery.
- Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following:
- shortness of breath.
- chest pains, or unusual heart beats.
Complications from Eyelid Surgery
As with any procedure there are risks. Fortunately, with eyelid surgery, these risks are minimal. These include, but are not limited to:
- Unfavorable scarring
- Temporarily blurred or impaired vision
- Dry eyes
- Difficulty closing your eyes
- Lid lag, a pulling down of the lower eyelid may occur and is often temporary
- Ectropion, rolling of the eyelid outwards
- Bleeding (hematoma)
- Poor wound healing
- Infection
- Fluid accumulation
- Blood clots
- Numbness and other changes in skin sensation
- Anesthesia risks
- Eyelid disorders that involve abnormal position of the upper eyelids (eyelid ptosis), loose eyelid skin, or abnormal laxness of the lower eyelid (ectropion) can coexist with sagging forehead and eyebrow structures; brow lift surgery will not correct these disorders; additional surgery may be required
- Pain, which may persist
- Skin discoloration and swelling
- Sutures may spontaneously surface through the skin, become visible or produce irritation that require removal
- Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Loss of eyesight
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Ryan Diederich
Dr. Diederich is a Southern Illinois native realizing his dream of giving back to the community. He helps patients feel and look their best with his surgical skills and compassionate care.
Now What?
Dr. Ryan Diederich is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in a range of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery procedures at MidAmerica Plastic Surgery in Glen Carbon, IL. If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon east of St. Louis, you can schedule a consultation online, or call us at (618) 288-7855 to schedule an appointment.
For more information see the American Society of Plastic Surgery topic “Eyelid Surgery”
*This article is intended as a guideline only. This is not intended as medical advice. There are no guarantees written or implied from the information presented here. Only a consultation can provide an appropriate evaluation and discussion regarding any procedure. Refer to your physician for medical decision making and advice.
