Annapolis, Maryland|(410) 266-7120|Contact us|About|Gallery|Patient Resources
HomeJournalEyelid Surgery Refreshes Your Look

Eyelid & Brow Lift

Eyelid Surgery Refreshes Your Look

Henry D. Sandel IV, MD, FACSDouble board-certified facial plastic surgeonJanuary 2011

As people get older, skin loses elasticity, and the eyelids begin to show evidence of aging including puffiness, sagging and lines. This can result in a face that appears tired and much older than its actual years. Due to advances in technology, these concerns can usually be improved or corrected through a single procedure. Eyelid surgery refreshes your look and offers dramatic results.

Specific procedures are used to enhance the appearance of both the upper and lower eyelids. Even though these surgeries can be done separately, they are usually completed at the same time. For upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon keeps scars to a minimum by making an incision in the crease of the eyelid. Next, the tissue and muscles surrounding the lid are adjusted, extra fat is trimmed away and the opening is carefully sutured. The lower lids require a similar procedure where an incision is made to remove extra fat, skin and muscle, and the opening is sewed shut.

Eyelid surgery is often done along with supplementary procedures such as a face lift, brow lift or skin resurfacing. These supplementary procedures may be used to improve the condition of under eye circles, remove crow’s feet, shape the eyebrows or fix issues with skin texture. Also, to complement a patient’s new, fuller eyelids, it is common for fat from the lower lids to be used to fill in and accentuate the upper cheeks. This results in a more youthful, contoured face. A surgeon can explain all options and develop the best course of action for each patient.

This operation involves a period of recovery that generally lasts from several days up to several weeks. Patients may experience a few mild side effects such as swelling and bruising. Dryness can also occur around the skin of the eyes and near the site of the incision, but it can be alleviated by keeping the area clean and treating it according to the surgeon’s instructions.

About the author

Henry D. Sandel IV, MD, FACS

Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.

Full profile →

Read about the procedure

Eyelid & Brow LiftView →

Questions about any of this?

Ask us directly. A coordinator will get back to you within one business day.

Send us a messageBook online