Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery | Dr. Maria Lombardo | Rancho Mirage, CA

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

eyelid surgery | Palm Springs, CA
As we age, the eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken and fat accumulates around the eyes causing bags below the eye and droopy eyelids above. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can fix these problems by tightening up or removing excess skin and fat round the eyelid. Double eyelid surgery fixes both the upper and lower eyelids at the same time.

Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

Ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are adults who have healthy facial tissues and muscles in and around the eyelids. The procedure can correct:

  • Drooping upper or lower eyelids.
  • Puffiness around the eyes.
  • Loose or sagging skin under and around the eyes.
  • Fine lines and wrinkles around the lower eye.
  • Under eye bags.

What are the risks with eyelid surgery? 

Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries every year because it delivers great results, and the risks are very low. Still, there are the usual risks with any surgery: excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, reaction to anesthesia, and the like. Specific to this surgery, risks involve injury to the eye muscles, difficulty closing your eyelids, and potential dry eye. These are all very rare thanks to Dr. Lombardo’s expertise, training, and experience as a board-certified surgeon. For our patients from across the Coachella Valley, this is an effective, safe procedure.

Will upper blepharoplasty change the shape of my eye?

The shape of your eyes will not change. All that Dr. Lombardo is changing/adjusting is the laxity or sagginess of your eyelids and some of the surrounding skin.

Where are the incisions made with eyelid surgery? Will there be noticeable scarring?

Dr. Lombardo makes the incision in the upper eyelid in the natural crease. This effectively hides any minor scarring. In the lower eyelid, the incision is usually made just beneath the lash line, or it can be made inside the eyelid. Neither leaves a scar that is visible.

Can I combine eyelid surgery with other procedures?

Blepharoplasty can be combined with other procedures. Patients who want to expand the area rejuvenated often have Dr. Lombardo perform either a mini or full facelift along with their eyelid surgery. You could have liposuction performed on an area you’ve been seeking to contour. While you wouldn’t want to have any non-surgical treatments that approach the eye area, such as BOTOX injections, you could address your double chin with a Kybella treatment. You could even have Dr. Lombardo use Restylane Lyft injections to mask the tendons and blood vessels that are becoming more and more pronounced on the backs of your hands.

During your consultation for your eyelid surgery, Dr. Lombardo can discuss with you any possible options for combining procedures.

Is eyelid surgery very painful?

Our patients are surprised at how easy their recovery is after this surgery with Dr. Lombardo. If you make diligent use of the cold compress we provide, this really decreases not only the amount of swelling and bruising you experience, but it also limits recovery pain. This is surgery, but recovery is truly one of the easier recoveries involved with any cosmetic surgery. In just a few days, you’ll feel great. In a week, most of your recovery, other than some on again off again light residual swelling for another week or so, will be complete.

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

Eyelid surgery requires anesthesia. Regardless of whether you are having an upper blepharoplasty or a lower blepharoplasty, your incisions will be placed in areas where they will be naturally concealed and leave minimal scars. For an upper eyelid lift, incisions are made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. For under eye surgery, incisions can be made just below the lower lashes.

Through these incisions, excess fat, skin and tissues can be removed, repositioned or tightened. Incisions are closed with sutures. Your eyelids will be covered with lubricating ointment, cold compresses and gauze immediately after your eye lift surgery.

Is blepharoplasty permanent?

The changes and rejuvenation made by Dr. Lombardo with eyelid surgery are permanent. The excess skin she removes is gone for good. Fat that is repositioned won’t move back to its former location. If she tightens loose muscles that have allowed your eyelids to droop, those changes are forever.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure, and our patients at Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery are universally thrilled with the outcome. A nice thing about eyelid surgery is that it delivers dramatic results, but it does so in a subtle way. How great is that!

You may have some new sagging as you continue to age, but your eyelids will do so from a much younger starting position. You’ll enjoy your new eyes for the rest of your life.

What should I not do after my eyelid surgery?

For the first week after your surgery with Dr. Lombardo, the main thing to avoid is elevating blood pressure to your face. This can create complications with bleeding and healing. You want to avoid bending at the waist. You shouldn’t lift anything over around five pounds. No strenuous exercise. You want to allow your eyelid incisions to heal with the least amount of stress possible. And they don’t take long to heal — in just over a week most of our patients feel they are mostly recovered.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

During your recovery, you will need to apply topical medications to the eyelids and use cold compresses to minimize swelling. It is normal to experience some swelling and bruising around the eye but it will fade with time.

You might also have dry or irritated eyes for a few days after eye lift surgery. If this is troublesome ask your surgeon if you can use lubricating eye drops to minimize discomfort. You will be given specific instructions for caring for your eyes and should be able to go back to normal activities within 7-10 days. As your eyes heal, you will need to protect them from the sun. Be extra diligent about wearing sunglasses during this time.

When will I be able to see my final results from eyelid surgery? 

Not only is recovery relatively easy, but you will see your results very quickly, usually in just a couple days after your initial swelling resolves. From there, your eyes will continue to improve for the next two weeks. In two weeks, you’ll be thrilled with your younger eyes, and they will improve somewhat for another two weeks or so. Your improved eyelids will make your face appear roughly 10 years younger.

That’s another great thing about eyelid surgery — it’s subtle. People who don’t know you had this surgery with Dr. Lombardo will notice something about your face and that you somehow look more refreshed and younger. But they’ll have no clue as to why. This contrasts with more obvious procedures such as facelifts or breast augmentation.

Cost of Eyelid Surgery

The Cost for eyelid surgery varies from person to person and is dependant on the specific procedures necessary to achieve the desired look. Dr. Lombardo offers a free in-office consultation and price quote after assessing your individual needs and goals. To schedule your free consultation, call: (760) 610-8990.

Contact Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery in Rancho Mirage today to learn more about eyelid surgery where we serve greater Palm Springs & Palm Desert areas.


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