The eyes are the first thing we notice when we meet someone new. Beautiful eyes can make up for other features that are less than ideal. Likewise, eyes that are tired, droopy, or swollen may not reflect a vibrant inner self. It is often said that the earliest signs of aging are around the eyes. You may feel that the eyes looking back at you in the mirror every morning are old and tired looking, or maybe people are always questioning whether or not you had a good night's sleep because your eyes are swollen with bags. Fortunately, Dr. Sangeeta Logani at the Aesthetic Eye Plastic Surgeons located in Northridge and Beverly Hills can give you dramatically younger eyes through "eyelid lifts", also known as blepharoplasty.

A primary reason for droopy eyes is simply due to age. As everything droops, so do the eyebrows. As the outer parts of the eyebrows droop, the skin of the upper eyelids will look saggy, as if you had developed extra skin that was not there several years before. Trimming this "extra" skin can drastically improve that droopy look.

THE SURGERY

Dr. Logani performs the blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) under local injections of anesthesia with or without sedation, or in some cases general anesthesia can be used. In upper eyelid blepharoplasty, a fine incision is made with the laser in the pre-existing crease above each eye. A crescent of excess skin and muscle is removed, as well as excess fat (puffiness) that is present. The incisions are then closed with fine stitches which are removed within one week. In the lower lids, the fatty deposits are typically removed from the inside of the lid so that no external incision is made. In some instances, when there is excess skin and muscle that needs to be removed, an incision can be placed under the lashes so as to avoid a conspicuous scar. As with the upper lids, fine stitches are used to close the incision.

THE RECOVERY

Dr. Logani indicates that the typical post-operative recovery period (the time necessary for bruising and swelling to resolve) after cosmetic eyelid surgery is 7 to 14 days. It is important to avoid strenuous activity for the first week after surgery, but one can return to work during this time if desired. Dr. Logani will often prescribe an antibiotic eye ointment for several days after surgery. Also, patients cannot wear contact lenses for approximately two weeks after surgery, as the eyelids may be stiff and sore. Makeup can be worn after 10-14 days, and the resultant hairline scars which follow the natural contour of the eyelids tend to fade in about 2 months.

If the eyes you see in the mirror are not bright and alert we recommend you contact our office to set up an appointment with Dr. Logani, she can determine if you are a good candidate for an eyelid lift. Call our office today (818) 886-6700

Visit our eye plastic / cosmetic surgery offices located in Northridge, CA and Beverly Hills near the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles area.