Blepharoplasty Faulkner Plastic Surgery

Getting older is inevitable but looking older doesn't have to be thanks to cosmetic surgery procedures. One area of the face most affected by the natural aging process is the skin around the eyes. The slowdown of collagen and elastin being produced combined with sun damage, pollution and gravity can cause the skin around the eyes and eyelids to lose elasticity and become loose and sagging. In some cases, it can be severe enough to not only affect your appearance but also to obscure your vision. Fortunately, it is possible to address these age-related changes with a popular cosmetic procedure called blepharoplasty.

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is the name of a cosmetic surgery procedure that is carried out on the skin around the eyes in order to make it appear smoother, tighter and more youthful. This includes both the upper and lower eyelids.

Blepharoplasty procedures are usually very straightforward and performed using just local anesthetic or local anesthetic combined with sedation. The entire surgery should take less than two hours from start to finish. After the anesthetic has taken effect, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Brent Faulkner will make small incisions either inside the lower eyelid or along the natural folds of the eyelids, depending on which parts of your eyes you are having addressed. Placing the incisions in these locations will help to hide any small scars that may form. The skin is pulled into position and any excess cut away, before it is secured in place using sutures and/or sterile strips.

Patients can almost always return home the same day as their surgery, although you will need to arrange for someone to drive you since you won’t be able to get behind the wheel until your eyes have healed and Dr. Faulkner has given you permission to drive again. It’s normal to feel some slight discomfort, and while over the counter pain relief is usually sufficient, you may be able to be prescribed something stronger if necessary.

It is important that you take good care of your eyes while they heal, as this will minimize your risk of complications. To do this, you should follow the aftercare instructions given to you by Dr. Faulkner and your surgical team at Faulkner Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, which will include specific advice about washing your face and wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes until they are fully healed. Depending on what you do for work, you may also need to take a few days off.

Am I a good candidate for blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is typically recommended for patients who have:

Sagging lower eyelids, often to the point that it reveals the lower part of the eyeball or causes permanent bulging/bags beneath the eyes.
Upper eyelids that look particularly heavy and hooded, causing the patient to have a perpetually tired expression.
Upper eyelids that sag into your line of vision.

Before you can be approved for a blepharoplasty procedure, you’ll first need to undergo a consultation with Dr. Faulkner who can determine if this procedure is the most appropriate to address your concerns. He will also confirm that you are healthy enough to undergo this procedure.

Click Here To Download The American Society Of Plastic Surgery Brochure

If you would like to learn more about blepharoplasty and how it can transform your appearance or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Faulkner, please contact our team at Faulkner Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics in North Bethesda, MD today by calling (240) 802-8100.