Small Changes Equal Big Results With Plastic Surgery for Eyelids in Lubbock

When most people think of plastic surgery, they don’t usually picture treatments involving the eye area. Breast and tummy procedures consistently top the charts as the most popular surgeries year after year, but they aren’t the only ones that can drastically improve your confidence. Just like many other cosmetic changes, eyelid surgery can have a dramatic effect on the way you look and feel. Signs of aging can make an early appearance around the eyes, as the skin in that area is thin and more susceptible to wrinkles than other parts of the face. Your eyes should show who you are; not with lines, bags, or wrinkles, but with brightness and clarity. With plastic surgery for the eyelids, Lubbock women can turn the visible signs of aging into a fresher, more youthful look. 

What is Blepharoplasty?

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids. You can elect to have the surgery for either functional or cosmetic reasons. The surgery is done on an outpatient basis often using local anesthetics with sedation.

Plastic surgery for eyelids in Lubbock is often referred to as an “eyelid lift,” however, this term is not entirely accurate. A small incision allows for the removal of skin or changing the amount of fat around the eye. This can be combined with a laser resurfacing of the eyelid skin, which reduces existing lines and wrinkles. Even small changes can have dramatic results around the eyelid.

How is it Done?

The small incision is often made to the top of the eyelid where excess skin and fat are removed. The skin is then brought together with small stitches. This helps recreate the crease at the top of the lid. This procedure can also be performed with an incision at the bottom of the eyelid, just below the lash line, or on the inside of the eyelid. The placement of the incision on the inside of the lid, called a transconjunctival approach, allows for an invisible incision after healing. This method makes possible the removal or addition of fat to the eyelid without impacting the fold or look of the eyelid. For a better understanding of which surgical approach would be best for you, visit with Dr. Jane Rowley for a personal consultation with the information and counsel you need to make the best choice for you.

Why Experience Matters

Your plastic surgeon’s level of experience matters no matter which procedure you’re having, but when it comes to blepharoplasty, this knowledge and skill is of the utmost importance. No one wants to have to revise their surgical results, and choosing a well-qualified plastic surgeon can help to minimize that risk.

Upper Eyelids

If you have excess skin in your upper eyelids, blepharoplasty can dramatically improve your appearance with a minimal recovery period. It is important that the plastic surgeon does not take too much skin off the eyelids, because this mistake can cause serious complications. Some less experienced surgeons will err on the side of caution and not remove enough skin to provide a satisfying cosmetic result. An experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Rowley will be able to give you the brighter, younger looking eyes you want without having to worry about these types of complications. For more information on what to expect from an upper eyelid lift, watch the video below.

Lower Eyelids

The lower eye area is even more complicated to treat than the upper eyes. The procedure is approached differently for each patient, because of variables such as skin quality, the shape of the face, cheekbone placement, and the amount of existing loose skin on the eyelid. Dr. Rowley’s extensive training and experience enables her to assess each patient’s needs and plan their procedure accordingly. She offers transconjunctival lower eyelid blepharoplasty with laser resurfacing to achieve the most satisfying cosmetic improvement. View the video below to learn more about Dr. Rowley’s thoughts on lower eyelid cosmetic surgery.

Why Have Eyelid Surgery?

Your eyes are perhaps the most important feature on your face. They convey your emotions, give brightness to your expressions, and allow you to view the world around you. They also are one of the first facial areas to show the signs of aging. When this happens, your aging eyes can make you appear tired, old, or moody. No matter how many internet makeup videos you watch, you can’t get rid of sagging eyelids or puffy under eye bags. Plastic surgery for the eyelids in Lubbock is the most effective way to permanently lift, brighten, and rejuvenate your eye area so you can look and feel your best.  

An excess of skin or fat around the eye can make the eyelid heavy or puffy. This slightly extra visual weight around the eyes can age the look of your face and can even block the upper field of your vision. Removing skin and fat or adding fat can reshape the look of the eye. A tightening of the eyelid skin can correct sagginess. And both this contouring effort and tightening can be paired with the laser skin resurfacing to reduce wrinkles and smooth skin texture.

Other Blepharoplasty Benefits

• Improved Vision – Apart from cosmetic results, improved eyesight may be reason enough to pursue plastic surgery for eyelids in Lubbock. Significant drooping of the upper eyelid can impair vision. A slight lift of the brow and upper lid can remove the extra skin, which causes the droop. Not only can this improve your line of sight, but some patients find that this correction relieves a strain in the brow muscles from constantly trying to raise the upper lid.

• Reduced Bags and Lines – By lifting the upper and lower lids, common signs of aging are corrected. Fine lines and bags around the eyes give a fatigued look even when you are well rested. To enhance the results of plastic surgery for eyelids, Lubbock patients can also include skin rejuvenation treatments such as a chemical skin peel or medical facial to provide additional smoothing or to reduce the visibility of dark circles.
• Headache Relief – Do you suffer from chronic migraines? An eyelid lift may be able to provide some relief. A 2017 study found that, after blepharoplasty, headache symptoms improved in 25 of the 28 research participants. Another study found the procedure to have a high success rate in certain patients when headache-triggering nerves were decompressed during the eyelid surgery. Ninety percent of those participants experienced significant relief after undergoing the procedure.  

Recovering from Plastic Surgery for the Eyelids in Lubbock

Unlike other more involved surgeries, blepharoplasty can have a relatively short recovery time. The day after the surgery you will typically experience some bruising and swelling around the eyes, but these will reduce quickly, particularly if you regularly apply cool compresses to the eyes during the first 48 hours. You should be able to resume normal activity after ten days and experience a full recovery after two weeks with the majority of the bruising and swelling gone by then. 

Combining Blepharoplasty with Other Procedures

Early signs of aging don’t just appear around the eyes. It is likely that if you have wrinkles or bags in the eye area, you may also experience sagging skin elsewhere. The face, neck area, jawline, and even the breasts are common concerns for patients who notice gravity and aging taking their tolls. An eyelid lift can produce stunning results on its own, but when patients combine their enhanced eyes with other procedures, the effects are even more dramatic. Here are some popular plastic surgery options that patients can add to their wish list for a younger looking appearance:

Facelift

Different procedures are used to target specific areas of your appearance. For example, while plastic surgery for the eyelids in Lubbock rejuvenates the upper and lower eyelid area, a facelift corrects issues in the cheeks, mouth area, and jawline. During the facelift procedure, your plastic surgeon will work to elevate and tighten the facial skin through small incisions above the ears in the hairline. Superficial muscles are also tightened to achieve long lasting results. With more than 20 years of facelift experience, Dr. Rowley has the skill and artistry to provide patients with a beautiful, natural outcome.

Liposuction

In certain instances, excess fat on the face and neck can make women appear older or heavier than they really are. A fleshy neck or double chin is almost impossible to get rid of without the help of plastic surgery. Submental liposuction, or liposuction of the chin and neck area, eliminates excess fat on the neck to create a thinner, more elongated appearance. The procedure is relatively simple and can be done on most patients with a local anesthetic in the office examination room. Your plastic surgeon will inject the anesthetic, make a small incision, insert a cannula, and suction out excess fat. The whole procedure can be done during your lunch hour, but it yields dramatic results, especially when combined with plastic surgery for the eyelids in Lubbock. 

Non-surgical Alternatives

Some patients can achieve their desired results with minimally invasive or non-surgical cosmetic options. Treatments such as laser skin resurfacing, non-invasive body contouring, chemical peels, and fillers are popular among women who wish to fight the signs of aging. In 2019 alone, 16.3 million cosmetic minimally-invasive procedures were performed on patients in the U.S. With little to no downtime required and a wide variety of treatments from which to choose, many women are opting for non-surgical methods to rejuvenate and enhance their appearance. Dr. Rowley can help you plan your combination of procedures should you choose to include any minimally invasive options with your Lubbock blepharoplasty.  

Choosing the Right Plastic Surgeon

Plastic surgery for the eyelids in Lubbock is not something that should be bargain shopped. While saving some money on a cosmetic procedure might sound tempting, it is generally not worth the savings when your health, safety, and appearance are on the line. The first thing you should do when searching for a plastic surgeon is to only consider those who are board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Any physician can legally perform cosmetic procedures, so you want to make sure the doctor you choose has been specifically trained in the field of plastic surgery. 

ABPS board-certified plastic surgeons undergo rigorous training and examinations to earn their certification. They are required to complete an additional five years of surgical training upon their completion of medical school. A board-certified plastic surgeon must also complete a plastic surgery residency. In addition, they participate in ongoing education to keep current in their field throughout their careers. All of this training, testing, and experience gives these surgeons the skill and aesthetic talent to give patients the absolute best results possible. ABPS board certification is voluntary, so when a surgeon goes above and beyond to achieve the honor, it shows just how committed they are to providing the highest level of care. For more information on the importance of selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon, watch the video below. 

Take the Next Step Toward Brighter Eyes

You don’t have to look tired, moody, or older than your age because of excess skin or under eye bags. When it comes to plastic surgery for the eyelids, Lubbock patients can enjoy both functional and cosmetic improvements along with an overall refreshed appearance. Blepharoplasty can give your entire face a younger, healthier look. This procedure enhances and brightens the shape and appearance of your eyes, which can have a noticeable impact on your image as a whole. And, when you feel better about the way you look, it has a positive effect on your everyday self-confidence. Dr. Jane Rowley has more than 20 years of experience performing eyelid surgery and she always carefully consults with her patients to create the best surgical plan for them. Schedule your no-obligation consultation visit today and discover your cosmetic possibilities.