LOS ANGELES EYELID LIFT (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

The eyes are one of our most expressive features and greatly contribute to our sense of beauty. Unfortunately, the eyes are also one of the first areas to demonstrate signs of facial aging. Excess eyelid skin, heavy or droopy upper eyes, puffy or bulging lower eyelid bags can give us the appearance of being tired, sad, or angry. These conditions typically present when one approaches the late thirties to early forties. Fine wrinkles around the sides of the eyes can develop as early as our twenties and thirties.

Eyelid lift surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can create a more youthful, refreshed, and rested appearance to your eyelid areas. The operation allows your surgeon to remove unwanted excess skin and fatty tissue that creates the inflated and heavy eyelid appearance. The procedure can make you appear years younger, which can improve your appearance and self-confidence.

Eyelid surgery is often performed in conjunction with other complimentary cosmetic surgery procedures, such as a forehead or brow lift, facelift, facial fat grafting, or laser skin resurfacing to enhance your overall aesthetic result.

During your consultation, Dr. Hoefflin will determine if you are in fact a good candidate for the blepharoplasty or eyelid lift procedure. Customized literature that discusses the procedure, along with pre- and post-operative instructions will be provided. Before and after photographs of similar blepharoplasty patients will be reviewed.

ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

Dr. Hoefflin performs his Los Angeles and Beverly Hills eyelid lifts as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with deep sedation, administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. The procedure usually takes about an hour. All operations are performed in fully credentialed and state-of-the-art surgical facilities.

Upper eyelid incisions are placed within the normal eyelid crease. Excessive skin, muscle folds, puffiness, and fatty "bags" are then removed. In time, the incisions become nearly undetectable.

Lower eyelid incisions are made just beneath the eyelashes, where eyeliner is normally applied, and excessive skin, muscle folds, puffiness, and fatty "bags" are removed.

When neither skin nor muscle fold removal is required, puffiness and "bags" can be removed with an incision made inside the lower eyelid without any visible external incision, a procedure termed transconjunctival blepharoplasty.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY

Both head elevation and ice-cold compresses are used in the first day or two after surgery to help decrease potential bruising. Our patients are surprisingly free of discomfort due to Dr. Hoefflin's long-acting local anesthetic and nerve blocks. Most bruising and swelling usually resolves by seven days. Eyelid incisions are closed with very fine specialized plastic surgery stitches, which are typically removed after 5 to 7 days. Once the stitches are removed, hypoallergenic make-up may be used as a camouflage any swelling.

The duration of the results is based on your own individual aging process, which is affected by age, heredity, health, sun exposure, diet, exercise, smoking, and other habits. While individual results may vary, the results of eyelid surgery typically lasts 5-10 years.

RISKS

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, the risk of serious problems after eyelid surgery are rare. Most complications are minor, temporary, and can be easily resolved with conservative treatment. Specific risks and the suitability of the eyelid lift procedure for a given individual can be determined at the time of consultation. You can reduce your risk of complications by closely following your surgeon's instructions both before and after surgery.

RISKS

Excessive upper eyelid skin can sometimes cause irritation to the upper eyelashes and even obstruct the visual field. In such cases, health insurance may cover surgical correction. In this case, a visual field exam documenting the condition, photographs, and authorization from your insurance company will be required before the procedure.

To learn if you are a candidate for the blepharoplasty or eyelid lift procedure, contact Los Angeles board-certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Hoefflin for a complimentary consultation.

EYELID LIFT OR BLEPHAROPLASTY LINKS:

1. The Surgical Art of Facial Sculpting
2. Blepharoplasty or Eyelid FACS
3. Patient Testimonials
4. Patient Resources

BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS

Above set: Upper and lower blepharoplasty (Eyelid rejuvenation). Excess skin has been smoothed out and appears appear more youthful and attractive.

Above (2 sets): Dr. Hoefflin performed upper eyelid rejuvenation. Excess skin has been smoothed out, excess fat removed, and now appears more youthful, well rested, and attractive.

Above sets: Los Angeles blepharoplasty (Eyelid Enhancement) to remove the lower eyelid bags and smooth out out the excess skin.

Above Set: This 55 year old female underwent the Los Angeles blepharoplasty procedure. Excess skin and fat has been removed from both her upper and lower eyes to smooth out these areas. Note her more refreshed and well rested eyelid appearance. Postoperative photographs were taken four months after surgery.

Above set: Upper and lower blepharoplasty (Eyelid rejuvenation). Upper and Lower excess skin has been removed smoothed out and appears appear more youthful and attractive.

Above set: Lower transconjuctival (incision on the inside of the eyelid) and skin pinch blepharoplasty. Excess skin and fat removed. Eyelid area appears more awake and well rested.

Above set: Dr. Hoefflin performed a facelift, forehead/browlift, necklift, laser skin resurfacing and upper and lower blepharoplasty rejuvenation procedures.

Above set: Dr. Hoefflin performed his Los Angeles upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery. Excess eyelid skin and lower eyelid fat has been removed.

Above set: This patient demonstrates excess lower eyelid bulging fat pockets. Dr. Hoefflin performed upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

Above (3 sets): Dr. Hoefflin performed a transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty (no external visible incisions). Notice the improvement in the herniated lower eyelid fat bags.

LOS ANGELES PLASTIC SURGEON:

Dr. Hoefflin is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast augmentation, breast revision surgery, breast reduction, liposuction, body contouring, and many other plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Hoefflin's offices serve the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas.

To learn if you are a candidate for the Los Angeles eyelid surgery, contact Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon Dr. Hoefflin for a complimentary consultation.