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Many times, as we get a little older, our eyes feel and look tired all the time-even if we don't feel tired. The thin eyelid skin begins to get droopy. The sagging skin gives us the tired look and the lids get heavy so that it takes extra effort to hold them up all day. The extra skin even blocks part of the vision. Lower eyelids frequently look "baggy" because fat bulges under the skin. You don't have to be overweight to have this condition.
Blepharoplasty is the medical term for the procedure we do to remove the excess skin and fat to eliminate that "tired" look. Many people only need the upper lids treated or only the lower lids. Usually, the upper eyelids can comfortably be treated in an hour or so in the office operating suite. The lower lids may add 30 to 45 minutes. There is virtually no discomfort and you can go home right away. Blepharoplasty can easily be combined with Erbium laser wrinkle removal.
Recovery
The incisions in the upper lids are hidden in the normal upper eyelids creases. Fat is removed from the lower lids from inside the lid so no skin incisions are necessary. Swelling of the eyes is most prominent in the first day or two and then rapidly diminishes. Some mild swelling may be slightly noticeable for as long as 4 to 6 weeks. Some bruising may be present in the lids which gradually disappears over the period of about 7 to 10 days. Sutures are removed from the upper lids 1 week after surgery. Normal activities can be resumed the day after surgery.
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