Eyelift Surgery Review

Eyelid surgery is called blepharoplasty and designed to improve the appearance of the eyelids. The surgery may be applied to the either the upper or lower eyelids. In some cases, patients will have surgery on both the upper and lower eyelids at the same time. The results of the surgery are that the appearance surrounding the eyes has a rejuvenated look and the individual looks more alert and rested.

Impaired Vision?

• While eyelid surgery is generally considered a cosmetic procedure, there are cases where lose or sagging skin created folds that impair the vision. In these cases, the surgeon can restore the natural contour of one's upper eyelid using the eyelid lift surgery so that vision is no longer impaired.

Upper & Lower Eyelid Surgery

• Cosmetic use of eyelid surgery can be used to treat several different conditions. Surgery for one's upper eyelids may help to reduce the fatty deposits that give the upper eyelids a puffy look. Lower eyelid surgery can remove the excess skin that leads to fine wrinkles found in one's lower eyelid. In addition, lower eyelid surgery can be used to correct droopiness in these structures that allows the white portion of the eye to show below the colored portion or iris of the eye.

• Eyelid surgery is normally only performed only on adults. The adult should have healthy facial tissue. The patient should have attainable goals as to what they want to accomplish through the surgery. These goals often determine if the surgery involves only one eyelid or both.

So... Are You a Candidate?

• Patients will want to ask themselves why they are interested in blepharoplasty. They should be undergoing the surgery because it fits their own desires and not those of someone else. This surgery should not be used to fit someone else's ideal image.

• Not every person desiring this cosmetic surgery is a good candidate. In order to be a good candidate for eyelid surgery patients should be generally healthy without medical conditions that might impair healing or life threatening illnesses. In addition, patients should be non-smokers or be willing to give up smoking several weeks before the surgery and during the time of recuperation. Patients with serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, detached retina or dry eye may not be candidates for this type of procedure.

Is General Anesthesia or Sedation Involved?

• The procedure is performed under general anesthesia or with intravenous sedation. Once the patient is under anesthesia, the doctor will make the incision. The surgeon will plan for any scars to be hidden in the normal fold lines of the eyelid. Once the excess tissue is removed, the doctor may use removable sutures, adhesives or surgical tape to hold the incision together for healing. Initially after surgery, there may be some bruising and swelling surrounding the eye. However as this subsides, the patient will begin to see the results of the procedure.

What about risks with Eyelid Surgery?

• As with any surgery, eyelid surgery is not without risks. When considering this type of surgery, patients should discuss these risks with the doctor. If the surgeon feels the risks of the surgery outweigh the benefits to the patient, he or she may refuse to provide the procedure.

Eyelid surgery is used for both medical correction and cosmetic purposes. If excess skin in the eyelid is causing vision problems, the surgery can be used to correct the condition. The procedure can also reduce puffiness, wrinkles and sagging eyelids. This procedure is not for everyone. Patients should talk with their surgeon about the benefits as well as the risks of the surgery before proceeding.

There are a lot of poor plastic surgeons out there so it’s not surprising that some people were dissatisfied. A woman I know wanted to save money although she’s pretty affluent. She went to a doctor who charged only $3500 and he made a mess of her eyes. I do not believe in economizing on one’s face. Wearing cheaper underwear is a better strategy. I went to a highly regarded surgeon and I got my money’s worth.

Some years later I confided to a couple of dermatologists that I had had my eyes done. They looked closely and said it was the best job they had ever seen. You get what you pay for. The fees I cited are "all-in", hospital, anesthesiologist, etc.

Original review from realself.com

I went into Dr. Tarbets office for a facelift. When i was young, I was really pretty but was hard for me to feel it because I suffered with acne until I reached the age of 50 years old and was very self-conscience of myself. No more acne, and suddenly my face and eyes started to droop. Never having the self-confidence I deserved I decided to do something to make me feel better about myself.

My eyes had really taken a toll and Dr. Tarbet suggested to at least do the eyes if nothing else. She did an excellent job and I love my new look. My eyes look like they did when I was 24 years old!!! Trust me if you want a good eyelift, she would do a good job. She accepts insurance too, because it is one of her specialties.Updated on 21 Dec 2011:I still love the way Dr Tarbet did my eyes, more so after 5 months and much healing. They look so natural and even.

Original review from realself.com

I felt my eye lids looked tired and made me look older. Couldn't wear mascara. It was like I had a hood on my eyes. It was the final peace to the "aging" puzzle.

After my recovery from lipo, fat grafting and the tightening of my arm pits, I decided to add eye lid surgery to the mix. Call me crazy! I was assured that this procedure would be painless and easy. So, I must say it was literally the icing on the cake after I did it.

My eyes went from night to day! No one can quite figure it out. My friends tell me I look well rested or they ask me am I wearing new eye shadow or mascara? …you name it. It's quite amusing actually. Best part, the surgery was so quick and easy, I barely felt any discomfort through out my recovery. 2 weeks post I could barely tell

Original review from realself.com

I had upper bleph and also lower transconjuctival bleph done. It has only been 16 days post op and I am very happy. My eyes look more alive and open. I have more swelling time ahead of me but everyday gets a little better.

The day after was the hardest, my eyes were almost swollen shut and my tears were tinted red. The first few days are definitely tough (get some audio books!) but once the major swelling goes down, its gets better quick.

I never needed anything stronger than tylenol for pain but I definitely utilized Ambien (your eyes are crazy dry and irritated) and Valium (even though you can prepare yourself, its hard to see your own face like that!).

If I had to do it all over again, I would have done this surgery years ago to fix my heavy lids (they were also not symmetric). I was lucky to have found the best doctor too. He was having some special opening prices when I had my procedures done but I would have picked him regardless. It was worth it and then some!

Updated on 16 May 2011:
Over 5 months post op and have had a few minor modifications to my creases. Healing and swelling is a slow process and my doc didn't want to rush things before I had time to heal further. I need to learn to be patient! Had some scar tissue inside lower lid lasered (OWWW!). Dr. Holden has been great with doing my requested alterations gradually to give me the results I want in a way that is beneficial and healthiest for me(I am a perfectionist!). Lower inside lids still healing possibly. I get a lot of discharge from my eyes still but it is also allergy season. Things are looking good through my "new eyes", I may seek a little lid tightening in the future…btw, he is great with botox and fillers as well! He definetly has more of an artistic eye for it than my past injectors.

Updated on 18 Jun 2011:
6 months post op, lower lids have gotten slightly better as far as discharge production. One thing I did notice, I went out last wknd and drank for the first time in over 6 months. Just had a few drinks but the next day my upper lids were really puffy and stayed that way all day luckily I don't drink much anymore! Going soon to see about tightening lids with some laser resurfacing. I just have this strip of fat above each eyelash line, wish I could get some micro lipo on them or something. We'll see what the dr. says…

Updated on 2 Jul 2011:
Had upper eyelids lasered about 2 weeks ago to tighten some of the skin. They were crazy swollen for 2 days. But when they heal, you you have really delicate fresh baby skin. I love it, wish I could do my whole face! The skin tightens over time from lasering as I understand but it already seems a little better and it seems to have made my eyes look a little more symmetrical. Don't ask me why. The aquaphor I was using to keep them lubriucated started to make them itch and get inflamed the last few days so I stopped using it per Dr's instructions. They are still a little pink but am happy with the choice to laser them.

Updated on 16 Jan 2012:
One year post op and I am happy with my decision to go through with this surgery. My right eye is still a little resistant because it had the most change to it without cutting the epicanthal fold and continues to want to crease below my new crease which is something I hope to get “tucked” in hopefully soon. It is bothersome to me but likely only because I am a perfectionist and I have to look at it all the time. Although my doctor doesn’t think it is necessary, I believe I may need a little tightening further in toward my right epicanthal. My new crease is just a tiny bit too high for the angle of my right eye’s inner corner. I did notice that the skin around my eyes seems persistly dry and slightly flaky so I always need nightly eye creams/moisturizer. Love not having to wear eye makeup though which I never was confident enough to do before my blepharoplasties. I would’ve done this before my breast aug 10 years ago if I had known how much it could change my life! Dr. Holden’s expertise and skills played a major role in my transformation and I will continue to seek graceful aging procedures from him in the future.

Original review from realself.com