Home Plastic Surgery Face Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Men and women who come to our Rochester, NY practice for eyelid surgery want expressive eyes that communicate an alert, rested appearance. Sometimes patients also suffer from drooping or heavy upper eyelids that can significantly reduce one's visual field. Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, rejuvenates the area. This transformational procedure is safe and effective when performed by Dr. Vito C. Quatela, a respected, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing blepharoplasty; or by Dr. Heather Lee, a board-certified otolaryngologist and board-eligible facial plastic surgeon who has trained extensively with Dr. Quatela.

At the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Quatela and Dr. Lee's eyelid surgery patients get consistently excellent results that give them the youthful appearance they desire. Dr. Lee's expertise in functional eyelid surgery allows her patients to enjoy restored sight and improved vision after she removes or repositions excess tissue in the upper eyelid.

Dr. Quatela and Dr. Lee's reputations as facial plastic surgery specialists attract eyelid surgery patients from Buffalo, Syracuse, and throughout New York. You can request a consultation with Dr. Quatela or Dr. Lee using the online form, or call our office at (585) 244-1000 to schedule an appointment.

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Vito C. Quatela, M.D., FACS

Specializes in Facial Procedures

Compassionate and dedicated to personalized patient care, Dr. Quatela is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon recognized worldwide for his expertise in facial rejuvenation. He established the Quatela Center for Plastic Surgery in Rochester, New York to provide excellence in aesthetic surgery.

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Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

Men and women frustrated with loose, sagging skin and accumulated fat along the upper or lower eyelid may be good candidates for blepharoplasty. Those who have obscured vision due to upper eyelids weighed down with excess tissue may be good candidates for functional blepharoplasty. Three eye tests can determine whether your vision is obstructed enough for a functional procedure: Visual Fields, Shurmer Tearing Test, and Visual Acuity. Patients should be in overall good health, understand the eyelid lift procedure, and have reasonable expectations for their results. All skin types and ethnicities can benefit from the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Quatela or Dr. Lee determines if blepharoplasty is right for you.

Your Consultation

During this initial appointment, your surgeon answers any questions you may have and explains what to expect following the procedure. Sometimes a blepharoplasty may not be sufficient to meet all of your goals, especially if there is excess skin surrounding the eyes because of the aging process.

In addition to baggy eyelid skin, you may have concerns about textural or surface changes (fine lines) in the skin around the eyes. Although an eyelid lift can improve some facial wrinkles, it will not address all the superficial lines that form from genetics, premature aging, or overexposure to weather. Blepharoplasty addresses excess skin and fat, while treatments available at our medical spa, such as chemical peels and laser surgery, can address textural wrinkles and skin imperfections.

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery

There are a few steps to prepare for your upcoming eyelid lift procedure and ensure that you experience a smooth recovery. Our surgeons provide extensive pre- and post-operative instructions prior to your eyelid lift procedure. If you have any questions or concerns, contact his office immediately. To be properly prepared, please do the following:

• Inform our nurses about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. Some may need to be stopped prior to surgery, as they may cause excessive bruising or possibly increase bleeding.
• Stop smoking at least two weeks before the procedure as it can significantly impair circulation and thus impair healing.
• Complete the necessary eye exams (these will be explained at your consultation appointment).
• Take at least one week off from work or school for recovery.
• Make sure you have transportation after the eyelid lift procedure, as patients are not allowed to drive themselves home from the surgery center.
• Arrange for assistance during the first several days after your eyelid lift.
• Pick up your prescriptions before your procedure. These should be ready to start as soon as you return home.
• Schedule your follow-up visits with your surgeon. Never skip a visit, even if you feel the healing process is going well.

Your Procedure

At the Quatela Center, blepharoplasty usually takes between one and two hours. Because the eyelid lift is an outpatient procedure, patients are able to go home after surgery.

For upper eyelid lift surgery, the surgeon begins by marking the individual lines and creases of the lids to keep the scars as unnoticeable as possible, hidden along these natural folds. After making the incisions, the surgeon removes or repositions excess fat. Next, he or she removes the loose muscle and skin. The surgeon closes the incisions using fine sutures, which minimizes potential scarring.

For lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Quatela starts by making a small incision hidden along the lower eyelid. Next, he trims excess muscle, fat, and skin. Finally, he or she closes the incision with sutures for proper healing.

A transconjuctival blepharoplasty may sometimes be used for the lower eyelids. In this situation, the surgeon makes the incision inside the lower eyelid. From here, excess fatty tissue is removed. Once the procedure is complete, Dr. Quatela closes the incision with dissolvable sutures. Because the incision is inside the eyelid, there is little to no visible scarring.

Heather Lee, M.D.

Specializes in Facial Procedures

Fellowship trained in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Lee is dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children by using her surgical talents. She specializes in procedure of the face and head including facelift, functional and cosmetic nose surgery, blepharoplasty, and injectable treatments.

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Recovery

Patients should expect their blepharoplasty recovery to take between 7 and 14 days; although experiences vary. Initially, minor bruising and swelling may occur, but these diminish within the first 10 to 14 days after the procedure. Pain is normally minimal, although patients may note some soreness or tightness across the upper/lower eyelids. Some patients will feel well enough to return to work or school within a week of their eyelid lift procedure, but those who desire more privacy may wait 2 weeks, when residual bruising can be covered with makeup.

During the first week after your eyelid lift procedure, please avoid all strenuous activity, but there are no restrictions on any light tasks you would like to perform. Patients who wear contact lenses may resume wearing them after about one week.

Eyelid lift surgery is considered both safe and effective. However, as with any surgical procedure, on rare occasions complications may occur. Risks of blepharoplasty include excessive bleeding, infection, and scarring. To minimize the chance of complications after an eyelid lift, patients should only trust an experienced, well-trained cosmetic surgeon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the most common questions patients have about eyelid surgery. Find answers to additional questions on our Eyelid Surgery FAQ page.

What is a blepharoplasty?

A blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reduce sagging skin and remove fat along the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure lifts and smooths tissue, and may also improve impaired vision from excess upper eyelid skin.

Will my eyelid lift results be long lasting?

The results from a blepharoplasty last indefinitely; however, as the normal aging process continues, the results may change slightly over time.

Will an eyelid lift leave scars?

The blepharoplasty procedure does result in small, thin scars. However, our surgeons use great care to place the incisions within the natural eyelid crease or lash line, keeping the scars well concealed.

Who is a good candidate for the eyelid lift procedure?

The best candidates for a blepharoplasty are men and women who are overall healthy, and are unhappy with sagging or puffy tissue on the upper and/or lower eyelids.

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