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Eyelid & Eyebrow Surgery

Droopy Lids & Brows

The eyes are the first feature that others notice about you, and convey a multitude of emotions and expressions. Droopy, saggy, or baggy eyelids can create the illusion of looking sad, tired, worried, or even angry, and addressing the eyelids provides a powerful rejuvenative effect with relatively quick recovery.

The eyebrows are the foundation of an expressive face, and drooping or volume loss within the brow creates an illusion of sadness, anger, or tiredness that does not match the inward emotions. Eyebrow surgery is not just about lifting the eyebrow – it is about restoring the ability of a person to outwardly express what they are feeling inside.

In some cases, droopy eyelids can be so severe that the vision is affected. Patients may have difficulty driving, reading, or simply getting around as the ability to look up is limited. In many cases, this surgery can be covered by your health insurance.

What causes droopy eyelids & eyebrows?

Droopy or baggy eyelids can be caused by several things – gravity and age, trauma, neurologic disorders, or even congenital errors in formation of the delicate muscles that lift the eyelid. In children, this can even lead to abnormal development of the eye.

Blepharoplasty, or surgery to sculpt the skin, muscles, and fat in the upper and lower eyelids, can address the drooping and sagging to remove excess tissue and restore youthful contours to the eyelids. This is often combined with ptosis surgery to lift the eyelids and make them more open, and eyebrow lift, to address the crow’s feet and out portion of the eyelids.

How is this treated?

Every patient is unique, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. We will carefully listen to your concerns, and together, you will design a plan to address your distinctive anatomy. We encourage you to bring in old photos to study how your face has changed over time and target a more natural result. Asian patients have anatomically different eyelids which require different techniques, and Dr. Ramesh has super-specialized experience in treating these complex eyelids after training in South Korea.

Surgery may involve removal of excess skin or fat, tightening of the muscles, fat repositioning, or fat injection. In the upper eyelid, incisions are precisely hidden such that they are invisible to the naked eye. In the lower eyelid, incisions are hidden on the inside of the eyelid with no external scars.

For some patients, nonsurgical options such as laser skin resurfacing, fillers, or Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport, are even more powerful in addressing fine lines, wrinkles, under-eye hollows, or sun damage. These can be performed in the office with little to no downtime.

It is extremely important that surgery on the delicate eyelids be performed by a qualified individual as inappropriate or excessive surgery can lead to lifelong complications ranging from dry eye to total vision loss. As a member of the prestigious American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS), an elite society of only 500 members specializing in cosmetic surgery of the eyelids and face, Dr. Ramesh is dedicated to safely and elegantly helping you reach your goals.

What is eyelid surgery?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is one of the most common surgical procedures. This procedure removes unwanted fat deposits and sagging skin from around the eyelids, thereby reversing the signs of aging. Younger patients can also opt for eyelid surgeries to reduce puffiness around the eyes. However, Dr. Ramesh carefully examines your eyes and only recommends surgeries if nonsurgical options, such as Botox, laser skin resurfacing, and Dysport, are deemed unsuitable.

Eyelid surgery can address the following concerns:

Under-eye bags
Sagging skin under the eyes
Dark circles under the eyes
Hooding of eyelids due to excess skin
Lower eyelid hollowing and gauntness
Fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
Puffiness around the eyes

What is a brow lift?

A brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, is a plastic surgery that tightens the skin on the forehead and eliminates the horizontal lines and wrinkles between the eyebrows. This procedure also improves the overall appearance of the eyebrows and forehead. It elevates the outer eyebrows, giving you a sharper, more youthful arch. Furthermore, smoothing the forehead lines and wrinkles makes you appear more alert and youthful.

A brow lift can address the following concerns:

Skin laxity on the forehead
Horizontal forehead lines
Frown lines between the eyebrows
Drooping eyelids

Will I be asleep for surgery?

Dr. Ramesh is typically able to perform these delicate surgeries under IV sedation, or twilight anesthesia. This avoids the risks of general anesthesia and being put to sleep completely, while still preventing you from feeling any pain. Twilight anesthesia also allows you to participate in the surgery in a way that allows a more symmetric result.

What is recovery like?

Surgery takes between 1 – 2 hours, and patients can go home afterwards. Usually, patients have bruising and swelling around the eyes for 1 – 2 weeks, and pain is minimal. Most patients are ready for social events in 2-4 weeks, and “wedding-ready” by 3 months. Strenuous activities must be limited for the first week, and patients may return to normal exercise and other activities after 7 days.

No matter the approach, our goal is for you to look more youthful and refreshed, without any appearance of having had surgery. Eyelid surgery, upper or lower, generally does not cause visible scarring after surgical healing is complete. Complications after surgery are extremely rare, and patients are typically very satisfied after the procedure.

Most patients report better vision leading to improved driving, reading, or simply getting around, as they can see through more open eyes. Women are able to apply eye makeup to areas of their eyelid that had been covered by excess skin for years. Men and women often report increased confidence and self-esteem as they feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle their day.

Will there be scars after eyelid surgery?

All surgeries have the possibility of scars. However, Dr. Ramesh carefully places the incisions along your natural creases and folds, making them imperceptible to the naked eye. For lower eyelid surgeries, Dr. Ramesh makes incisions on the inside of the eyes, so there are no visible scars.

When will I see results after the procedure?

You may experience mild redness and swelling around the incision sites after the surgery. However, the side effects will gradually dissipate over several weeks. The results of your blepharoplasty will be completely evident after about six weeks, making your eyes look brighter and more alert.

How long will the eyelid surgery results last?

Eyelid surgeries reverse the signs of aging around your eyes, but they don’t stop the aging process. Generally speaking, the results from eyelid surgeries last for 10 to 15 years, making you look at least a decade younger. However, the longevity of your results also depends on your overall health, genes, and skincare.

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The Center for Eye and Facial Plastic Surgery
35 Clyde Road, #104
Somerset, NJ 08873
Monday - Friday: 8:30a - 4:30p
P: (609) 608-0142
F: (855) 644-0469