Eyelid Lift in Port Saint Lucie, FL

The eyes are an attractive feature of the face that deserve to be visible; however, an abundance of skin around the eyes can produce a tired and unflattering look. As your facial skin begins to age, it is very normal to experience the wrinkling, sagging skin, and/or puffiness of the eyelids. You may observe an increased laxity in the skin of the upper and lower eyelids or the development of fat deposits in the lower eyelid region which causes the "puffy" appearance in the mirror. Board-certified cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. William Vinyard uses blepharoplasty (also known as eyelid surgery) to reduce the unwanted skin and rejuvenate the upper or lower eyelid to remake your younger and awakened facial appearance. He can also improve vision for patients who have large amounts of upper eyelid skin that may be blocking their sight.

Don't believe that eyelid skin issues can be corrected with creams, lotions, or potions. Instead, a delicate combination of surgical techniques to remove excess skin and fat must be employed to restore the youthful appearance to the eyes. At Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery (VIPS) in Port Saint Lucie, FL, we care about the form and functionality of your eyelid skin. Schedule a consultation today.

Upper or lower blepharoplasty is a delicate cosmetic plastic surgery that is performed on both men and women. At your first visit, treatment alternatives will be explained by Dr. Vinyard based on your areas of concern that need to be addressed. Generally, ideal candidates are impaired by excess, drooping skin, and folds that exist on the top eyelid, or bloated skin below the bottom eyelid. These conditions can cause vision difficulties that can hinder normal, everyday life. For a rejuvenated look, eyelid surgery may be the appropriate surgery for you. If you have hanging skin that folds over on the upper eyelid or bulges and puffiness under the eyes, blepharoplasty can treat this to give you a more youthful appearance.

Dr. Vinyard appreciates your time spent in consultation to communicate your needs and goals with blepharoplasty. Our intake nurse or patient care coordinator will take your detailed health history. Once she has conveyed this information to Dr. Vinyard, he will then begin the consultation. You can expect to talk about the analysis of your facial aging process and facial structure. He will also perform a physical exam. During this conversation with Dr. Vinyard, you will be able to see your images while going through your options for surgery. You will meet with a patient care coordinator who will explain your quote to you. This quote is designed based on the plan that you and Dr. Vinyard made together.

Depending on the type and complex nature of the blepharoplasty, general anesthesia, or IV sedation will be provided. This cosmetic procedure may be done on the upper eyelid alone, under or on the bottom eyelid, or a combination of both eyelids.

• Upper
  Upper blepharoplasty assists in decreasing the folds of skin that droops over the eye. This will create a more awakened and appealing look. An incision is usually made along the lid crease to excise loose skin and fatty tissue.
• Lower
  Eyelid correction on the lower lid is performed to reduce puffy and bulging skin beneath the lower eyelid. The incision is carefully made along the lash line to remove tissue and fat, and the skin is subtly lifted to allow for a softer look.

Upper blepharoplasties (upper eyelid lift) usually take about an hour to complete and lower blepharoplasties take about less than two hours to complete. The lower blepharoplasty takes additional time due to the excision of the unwanted fat pads in conjunction with the excision of excess skin. Dr. Vinyard typically does not remove underlying fat in an upper blepharoplasty because it can cause a "hollowed out" appearance later in life. In the rare case of significant upper eyelid fat, he will make an exception. Upper and lower blepharoplasties can be performed either separately or as a combination procedure. In some cases, a nonsurgical laser treatment can be incorporated to assist with discoloration, while fillers can be used for more smoothness and softening if desired.

Laser Blepharoplasty

At Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery, we have introduced a state-of-the-art way to perform eyelid lifts called Laser Blepharoplasty. Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, William J. Vinyard MD, FACS utilizes an advanced laser system to precisely remove the excess sagging skin on the upper eye. A Blepharoplasty procedure provides our patients with a more youthful and refreshed look while maintaining a natural appearance. The traditional Blepharoplasty is performed with a scalpel and Dr. Vinyard has been performing this procedure for over 10 years with great results. The new Laser Blepharoplasty procedure is performed using a CO2 laser with a surgical handpiece, allowing Dr. Vinyard to have even more precision during the procedure. His patients report less bruising, swelling and discomfort which has led to faster recovery.

Blepharoplasty of the upper or lower eyelid can last up to two hours considering whether one or both eyes are treated. After this outpatient surgery, you should plan about a week to recover and rest at home. A cold compress can help reduce discomfort, swelling, and bruising. The results of bleph surgery can last years, but even though they are lasting, the aging process does not stop. To maintain your surgical outcomes, other nonsurgical cosmetic treatments at VIPS such as fillers, peels, and lasers can be paired to create a youthful-looking appearance.

The tissues surrounding the eyes are the thinnest on the body. Therefore, they are very susceptible to swelling and bruising. You can diminish the degree and length of time this takes to resolve by following Dr. Vinyard's post-operative instructions with a constant application of a cool compress to the eye region for 72 hours after surgery. This will decrease the amount of bruising, as well as, the amount of swelling so that you will experience less irritation and facilitate the healing process. Most people return to sedentary work at one week after an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty). You will be able to return to light activities within one week utilizing a touch of concealer for bruising that may have occurred. However, you will need to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous work. You may also drive at one-week post-operatively as long as you are not taking any pain medication and your vision is unobstructed. While outside, it will be helpful to wear sunglasses as your eyes will be sensitive to the light. At four weeks after your eyelid lift, you will be able to return to all activities.

How much does eyelid surgery cost?
Blepharoplasty costs can vary depending on whether you are having an upper eyelid lift, lower, or both. When your treatment plan has been decided during your consultation, Dr. Vinyard can go overestimated costs. To get natural-looking results that last a long time, it is better to focus on choosing a skilled plastic surgeon whom you trust, like Dr. Vinyard, instead of trying to find the cheapest place. To make it easy for you to afford a great eyelid lift, VIPS accepts many payment methods and we can help you find low-interest financing.

The cost involved with a blepharoplasty will be determined once you have consulted with Dr. Vinyard and decided what will be the best single procedure or combination to provide you with the most refreshed look. Cost of your eyelid surgery includes Dr. Vinyard's professional fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee and any facial garments. His professional fee includes the initial consultation, pre-operative visit, and all post-operative visits associated with the blepharoplasty.

How long can I expect the bruising and swelling to last after my blepharoplasty?
Bruising after a blepharoplasty will usually remain for 10 – 14 days. By the end of week one, most of the bruising can be covered with some concealer. We can suggest some options for concealer during your post-op visits. Swelling after a blepharoplasty is the most obvious during the first week. The skin around the eyes is very delicate and tends to hold swelling in the tissues. However, you can minimize this by consistently placing cool, moist gauze over the eyes for the first 72 hours. The majority of the swelling will resolve in three weeks, but the amount that persists toward the third week will most likely be perceived by you only. You are examining yourself in the mirror much more closely than others do after your eyelid surgery. You will see Dr. Vinyard 10 days after your procedure to have your sutures removed and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.

How much will my blepharoplasty cost?

The cost involved with a blepharoplasty will be determined once you have consulted with Dr. Vinyard and decided what will be the best single procedure or combination of procedures to provide you with the most refreshed look. The cost of your eyelid surgery includes Dr. Vinyard's professional fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee and any facial garments. Dr. Vinyard's professional fee includes the initial consultation, pre-operative visit and all post-operative visits associated with the blepharoplasty.

What are some other benefits of an eyelid lift?
Eyelid surgery not only helps to refresh your appearance, it can also improve other aspects of your life. You may find your field of vision expanding when hanging skin from your upper eyelid is removed. It can also be easier to apply eye makeup when your upper eyelid is smooth. Eliminating fine lines, "crepey" skin, puffy bags, and dark circles under your eyes can make your eyes look brighter and fuller without cosmetics.

Will an eyelid lift fix wrinkles and Crow's feet?
Wrinkles on your forehead and the corners of your eyes (Crow's feet) may be better corrected with a facelift or brow lift because the results of the eyelid surgery are confined to the eyelids only. Eyelid surgery can be combined with a nonsurgical procedure such as BOTOX, which combats wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. An injectable filler can also be effective because it adds volume to hollow areas for a smoother appearance.

Commonly, eyelid lifts can be performed in conjunction with one or a combination of the following procedures: mini-facelift (cheek lift), facelift (cheek and neck lift), endoscopic brow lift, traditional brow lift, and micro-liposuction of the jowls and sub-mental (area under the chin) regions. 

What about nonsurgical treatments instead of eye surgery?
Noninvasive skin tightening procedures and injectable treatments (for example, Restylane, Juvéderm, and BOTOX) can provide some improvements. However, if you have moderate-to-severe sagging skin or want long-lasting results, an eyelid lift would be better than nonsurgical treatments. After you have talked to Dr. Vinyard about your concerns and goals for your eyes, he can explain his recommendations for your nonsurgical or surgical treatment plan. He may also suggest both surgical and nonsurgical procedures for your best results.

If you find it difficult to see or apply makeup because of folds of skin on the upper eyelid, or you suffer from puffy bags under your eyes, then upper or lower blepharoplasty at VIPS may be right for you. This enhancement can help you look refreshed and youthful while offering a beautiful answer to your vision impairment from the skin. We invite you to get in touch with our office in Port Saint Lucie, FL to learn more and schedule a consultation with Dr. Vinyard.