Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) In Denver, CO

The eyes are arguably the essential facial feature in emotional expression and nonverbal communication; hence the adage “the eyes are the windows to the soul.” This subtle procedure is a perfect option for patients looking for a more youthful appearance, with organic results.

Smiling woman in white shirt looking over left shoulder.

A Key Component of Facial Beauty

Our eyes are a special part of our overall appearance. Naturally, our eyes change as we age over time. This change can manifest as drooping and wrinkling in the upper eyelids and puffiness or bags in the lower eyelids, which can make a person look older or more tired than they feel. Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic or functional surgery used to treat aging upper and lower eyelids. It is done by removing excess skin, and occasionally, lax muscle and fat. Other treatments may be combined with the eyelid lift, such as an eyebrow or forehead cosmetic procedure (Brow Lift). Patients can choose to have either an upper or lower eyelid surgery, but sometimes having both surgeries performed simultaneously produces the optimal aesthetic result. Here’s a brief breakdown of each:

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

This upper eyelid surgery corrects drooping or overhanging upper eyelids. This can make you look younger and healthier, and in some cases, it can even improve your vision. Typically, the incision is placed at the natural crease in your eyelid, which works well to hide the scar. This procedure can even be done in the office under local anesthesia with or without a mild anxiolytic (a medication used to help patients relax).

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

The other type of blepharoplasty is a lower eyelid surgery, which removes excess skin that causes wrinkles and bags beneath the eyes. Sometimes fat deposits that cause puffiness are removed. This results in a rejuvenated and more alert appearance. Traditionally, this procedure uses an incision in the lash line to remove excess skin and tighten the underlying muscle. A transconjunctival approach is a surgery that uses an incision inside the eyelid, but this permits only fat removal, with no ability to remove excess skin

Is Blepharoplasty Right for Me?

Ideal candidates for a blepharoplasty in Denver include nonsmoking, generally healthy people who have realistic facial rejuvenation expectations and a desire to improve the appearance of wrinkles, drooping eyelids, or puffy bags under the eyes.

Your Initial Consultation

Your initial consultation with Dr. Thompson at his office in Denver, CO is a chance to make sure you feel confident and secure going forward with the procedure. For starters, a careful evaluation with Dr. Thompson is completed to determine the procedure of choice. He will listen carefully to your goals and desires, review your health history, and perform a physical exam before providing you with a personalized treatment plan that will meet your expectations. Dr. Thompson will take the time during the consultation to make sure your concerns and goals are adequately understood and also to answer any questions you have to ensure that you feel comfortable with any treatment recommendations.

Complementary Procedures

The blepharoplasty procedure is used to rejuvenate the eyes, but other options may be discussed during your consultation as well. The areas under the eyes and brow may be volumized using fat transfer or injection with filler to provide a more youthful appearance to the eye. Fat transfer or filler may be performed alone or in conjunction with conventional blepharoplasty. And this facial plastic surgery may also be combined with other procedures like a facelift or laser resurfacing to erase the signs of aging from the upper or lower face. Patients may also consider combining the treatment of the eyelids with a brow or forehead procedure. A brow lift is used to elevate the position of the eyebrows, which can be a contributing factor to excess skin in the upper eyelid area.

The Day of Your Procedure

Dr. Thompson typically completes upper eyelid surgery in the office under local anesthesia. The patient may elect to take a mild anxiolytic before the procedure. Lower lid blepharoplasty is completed in one to two hours at the doctor’s surgical facility or an outpatient surgical center or hospital. General anesthesia is typically used, but local anesthesia with sedation is an option for some patients. The eyelid lift incisions are placed in a concealed location in a fold of skin or on the inside of the eyelid. Depending on the patient’s concerns, a combination of excess skin, fat, and muscle can be removed. When skin incisions are performed, very fine sutures are used to close them. If the operation is done under local anesthesia in the office, Dr. Thompson will ensure patients are comfortable, in a relaxed setting, and do not feel pain during the surgery. When we have surgeries performed in the operating room, the patient will typically be under sedation or general anesthesia for approximately 1 to 2 hours.

Dr. Thompson creates a very fine incision either in the upper eyelid crease, under the lashes of the lower eyelid, or behind the lower eyelid. A variety of techniques can be used to address skin, fat, muscle, and sagging of the eyelid during the procedure and are customized to each patient based on their concerns. He closes the incisions with very fine sutures. If permanent suture is used, it is removed in approximately 5 to 7 days. If an absorbable suture is used, it will dissolve over time without needing removal. Upper eyelid surgery typically has little, if any, bruising or swelling. Mild bruising and swelling are experienced with lower eyelid surgery and may last for about one week or longer.

Woman wearing all white posing with her hand on her face.

Recovery and Results

Patients are given aftercare instructions detailing how to care for the incisions. They are also advised on the application of ice and the need to maintain head elevation while sleeping for the first few nights. Everyone’s healing process varies, though blepharoplasty recovery normally takes about 5-7 days. Patients typically resume normal routines within a day after surgery, but this excludes strenuous activity. Upper eyelid surgery has little associated bruising or swelling, but your eyelids may feel tight or sore.

For lower eyelid surgery, you may experience additional symptoms, but these usually resolve in several days. Bruising will begin to fade in 1-2 weeks, and you should be able to return to work when stitches are removed in 5-7 days. Any strenuous exercise should be avoided for about two weeks. Patients typically find that Tylenol can treat post-surgical discomfort, but additional pain medication is always made available if needed. Typically, patients are usually very pleased with the more energetic and youthful appearance they achieve with blepharoplasty. If other options or recommendations discussed during the consultation are performed, they often enhance and complement the overall result.

Why Choose Us?

Dr. Thompson guarantees a careful and compassionate experience throughout your eyelid surgery in Denver. He is patient-oriented and always striving for the most natural results.