Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Midessa Oral & Facial Surgery – Midland & Odessa TX

The eyelid skin is very thin and makes the area around the eyes particularly susceptible to the effects of aging. In such cases, your eyes can take on a tired, saggy appearance that can age the rest of your appearance prematurely. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a surgery that corrects sagging or drooping eyelids as well as bags and bulges around the eyes. These conditions develop as a result of laxity of the eyelid skin and protrusion of fat around the eyes. In some individuals, the procedure is done to help with side vision. The droopy upper lids may cause significant reduction in side vision. If the vision is severely impaired by hanging skin, insurance may cover a portion of the surgical cost. A test known as a visual field exam is typically performed to check the extent of visual impairment for insurance purposes. Excess skin is treated by excision and if excess fat is present, it can be removed simultaneously.

Changing Faces. Bringing Smiles. Call us with any questions or to make an appointment.
Midland TX
Midland Office Phone Number 432-683-1863
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Odessa TX
Odessa Office Phone Number 432-614-2963

Our office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm, & Fridays 8:00am - 1:00pm for both locations.

Who Is A Good Candidate?

Men or women with droopy upper lids, saggy lower lids or obstructed vision due to the anatomy of the eye area can make excellent candidates for eyelid surgery.

Although more women elect to have eyelid surgery, the operation is equally suitable for men. Eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on the human body and becomes increasingly loose on almost everyone with time.

How Is Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Blepharoplasty is usually performed under mild sedation or general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. In most cases, you may be asked to stop any medications that increase bleeding. The operation is begun on the upper eyelids by making incisions in the natural crease region of the lid and removing the excess tissue above this incision. The location of the incisions, coupled with the excellent healing ability of the eyelid skin, almost always results in scars that are difficult, if not impossible, to see with the passage of time. Through these incisions excess skin, fat or muscle are removed depending on the individual problem. Following completion of the surgery, the incisions are usually closed with very fine absorbable suture.

What Should I Expect After Surgery?

Most patients can anticipate a marked improvement in the appearance of the eyes. They have a fresher, more wide-open appearance. Some patients actually experience an improvement in their eyesight or peripheral vision as a result of removal of skin that was hanging over the pupil and obstructing vision.

After your procedure, you may notice some bruising around the eyes or a feeling of dry eyes, but both of these should dissipate in about a week. After sutures are removed, residual bruising can be easily covered by makeup. Some of the common complications after eyelid surgery are Additional risks include bleeding, postoperative dryness of the eye, visible scaring, and, in very rare cases, visual loss.Patients who are subject to dryness of the eyes should notify us of this problem. Blepharoplasty can exacerbate this problem. Precautions should be taken to keep the eyes moist after surgery if the surgery can still be performed.