Eyelid Lift / Blepharoplasty
Restoring a well-framed, open, and more youtful appearance to the eyelids makes for huge rejvuvenative gains in your facial appearance. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) helps remove excess skin and “bags” around the eyes. At Aviva Plastic Surgery, we aim to help you put your best face–and eyes–forward in a beautiful and natural way. To learn more about eye and facial rejuvenation, call 678-974-8435 today and schedule your consultation with Atlanta Facial Plastic surgeon Dr. Inessa Fishman today!
Eyelid Surgery in Sandy Springs and Atlanta, GA
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While blepharoplasty and brow lifting are often thought of as purely cosmetic, problematic sagging skin on the upper eyelids can impede a person’s line of vision and lead to headaches. In these cases, blepharoplasty or an eyelid lift becomes medically necessary.Â
Whether your reasons for pursuing facial surgery are cosmetic or medical, our team is here to help. Aviva Plastic Surgery specializes in facial plastic surgery procedures like browlift and eyelid procedures, both surgical and non-surgical. By using the industry’s best technologies and leveraging world-class surgical techniques, Dr. Fishman has provided countless men and women with tailored solutions that give them control over their appearance and aging changes. Among her top requested procedures are eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery.
I had my upper eyelid surgery with Dr. Fishman over 5 years, and it remains the best thing I have done for myself. I no longer look tired in photos, and my makeup stays up on my lids! Dr. Fishman is caring, precise, and has a great artistic eye; I'm her patient for life!
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a form of surgical facial rejuvenation that helps patients reduce the appearance of aging by removing and repositioning excess skin, muscle and fat from the eyelids. The procedure helps patients enjoy a more youthful, alert appearance with a relatively minor treatment.
In 2018 alone, blepharoplasty was one of the top five plastic surgeries, with over 115,000 men and women undergoing the procedure in the U.S.
What You Need to Know About Eyelid Surgery
Who is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is an excellent option for patients who are looking for a way to refresh their appearance without resorting to more invasive surgery. The best candidates are men and women who have:
- Droopy or sagging eyelids (upper, lower or both)
- Excess fat leading to a baggy appearance of the eyelid
- Upper eyelids that droop into the line of vision
- Excessive wrinkles on either eyelid
When considering eyelid surgery, it’s important to consider the appearance of related features and overall facial harmony. The appearance of your eyelids is uniquely influenced by other facial features, particularly the forehead and eyebrows. As these areas begin to show signs of aging, they may pass these signs down to your eyelids – causing treated eyelids to droop again. In these instances, patients should consider combining their upcoming eyelid surgery with a brow or forehead lift.
I had my upper eyelids done. Dr. Fishman called me at home to see how I was doing. Doctors haven't done that in over 50 years. I was out and feeling great within a week. 4 weeks after surgery I had an eye exam, when I mentioned, having the procedure, they were all amazed because they couldn't tell. February 2018 I had my lower eyelids done and a chemical peel. Again, same bedside manner, calling and checking on me with the end results being perfect.
Brow Lift vs. Eyelid Surgery
While often referenced as the same procedure, brow lift and eyelid surgery are two distinct surgical procedures. Unlike eyelid surgery, brow lifts are designed to lift the skin and tissues above the eyebrow and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and creases along one’s forehead. By lifting sagging or asymmetrical brows, this surgery can help rejuvenate a person’s appearance while helping him or her look less tired or angry, and more alert and approachable.
Brightening the Eyes: Periorbital Rejuvenation
Comprehensive and tasteful facial rejuvenation often involves more than one type of treatment for best results. Our Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Fishman uses her extensive surgical and non-surgical experience and expertise to ensure you obtain harmonious, natural-appearing and beautiful results. To rejuvenate the eyes and face, Dr. Fishman often employs a combination of:Â
- Surgical blepharoplasty:Â a procedure to remove excess or hooded skin, and bags at the upper and lower eyelids
- Surgical brow lift: a procedure to contour the brows and forehead, often opening up the frame of the eyes or repositioning brows that have become low and heavy over time Â
- Botox and Dysport: wrinkle-relaxing injections to smooth frown and worry lines between the eyebrows, forehead, and crinkly smile lines also known as “crows feet”Â
- Dermal fillers: volumizing injectable medications that help add contour and volume to thin temples, flattened cheeks, overly hollow upper eyelid creases, and dark circles under the eyes Â
- Facial microfat grafting: a volumizing treatment, facial fat grafting employs your own tissue to add volume and improve the contour of the temples, cheeks, and eyelids
- Facial nanofat grafting: nanofat restores the skin’s health and glow using your body’s stem cells and growth factors. Unlike microfat transfer, nanofat is not a volumizing treatment but rather acts as a skin rejuvenating treatment
- Skin resurfacing treatments: Dr. Fishman often combines chemical peels or CO2 laser treatments with radiofrequency microneedling (called Morpheus8) to improve the texture of the eyelid and facial skin, smoothing fine lines and creases
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In many instances, patients find that a more comprehensive treatment strategy is necessary to help them achieve their aesthetic goals. Atlanta facial plastic surgeon Dr. Fishman is uniquely skilled in adapting multiple cosmetic surgeries and procedures into a cohesive, custom strategy that can help you feel beautiful and more confident in your appearance.
What to Expect During Your Visit
We like to start your treatment journey at Aviva Plastic Surgery with a one-on-one consultation with our Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Fishman. This consultation serves as an excellent opportunity for you to discuss your current concerns and long-term objectives; during this time, Dr. Fishman reviews your medical and surgical history, assesses your facial physical exam; and explore all available treatment options for reaching your goals. We discuss the details of Dr. Fishman’s treatment recommendations, pricing and financing options, and pre- and post-procedure care recommendations during your consultation also. We offer both in-person and virtual consultations for you to meet with Dr. Fishman. You may expect to have our staff take photos of your face (or review photos you have submitted), and review before and after photos of patients we have treated. Â
Dr. Fishman customizes restorative facial and eyelid treatments for each individual patient.  For upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty), Dr. Fishman places a small incision within the natural crease of the eyelid, ensuring it can be easily concealed after healing. Through this incision, Dr. Fishman contours, repositions, and removes excess skin, muscle, and fat, then carefully closing the incision is closed with tiny stitches. Sometimes the tear-producing gland (also known lacrimal gland) within the upper eyelid needs to be repositioned, and occasionally a too-hollow upper eyelid crease requires volumization in the form of fat grafting; these procedures are typically performed at the same time as the upper blepharoplasty surgery. Dr. Fishman and her staff review post-procedure and care instructions with you carefully before and after surgery to ensure a smooth recovery.
Recovering from upper blepharoplasty typically involves 7-10 days of working from home, and avoiding important meetings and social interactions. During the first week, you can expect some minor discomfort, swelling and bruising around the eyelids and cheeks which generally dissipates with the consistent application of cool compresses and time. You may also experience eye redness, irritation, and mild blurriness of vision. These common symptoms generally resolve within the first few days-weeks after surgery. During this time, we recommend patients avoid wearing eye makeup and contact lenses, and lubricate the eyes frequently with over-the-counter lubricating eye drops.
Lower eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty remains Dr. Fishman’s go to for addressing undereye bags, dark circles, and some causes of swelling. Dr. Fishman commonly performs lower eyelid surgery via an incision hidden inside the lower eyelid for a scarless approach; this is called a transconjunctival approach to lower eyelid surgery. She occasionally makes an incision just under the lashes of the lower eyelid when planning to remove excess skin. Dr. Fishman repositions and contours the fat pads of the lower eyelid to restore a smoother contour and treat undereye bags. Importantly, she commonly combines lower eyelid surgery with facial fat grafting to restore or add volume to the cheeks and around the eyes; and chemical peel or laser procedures to smooth the delicate eyelid skin.
Similar to upper eyelid surgery, recovery after lower eyelid surgery/ blepharoplasty is typically a one to two-week process, depending on your incision type and how your body heals. You can expect some discomfort and bruising near the eyelids and cheeks, which usually resolve within two weeks after surgery. We recommend avoiding strenuous activities, the use of contact lenses, and extensive travel for a short period of time after lower eyelid surgery.