Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Clearwater, FL

What is Blepharoplasty?

As we age, our eyelids stretch, and the muscles that support them weaken, facilitating the accumulation of excess fat. This can result in sagging or ‘hooded’ brows, droopy upper lids, and under-eye bags. Blepharoplasty, also called eyelid lift surgery, is a procedure that repairs droopy and puffy eyelids. The procedure typically involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fat in the eyelid area for an overall rejuvenated appearance.

Dr. Egozi offers eyelid surgery in Clearwater for those experiencing these symptoms, so you can face the world with bright, animated eyes once again. 

Who Is A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?

While there are no traits that guarantee your candidacy for blepharoplasty surgery, you may be a strong candidate if:

• You are in overall good health
• You have given thought to your goals and are going in with realistic expectations
• Baggy eyelids or droopy eyelids run in your family
• Your confidence is suffering as the result of your tired-looking eyelids, and you are considering eyelid surgery to build self-esteem 

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

1) Reduce fine lines and wrinkles

By lifting the eyelids and removing excess skin, blepharoplasty can reduce the number of fine lines around the outer corners of your eyes and lower lids. Additionally, if your upper eyelids feel weighed down and are compromising your vision, blepharoplasty can remove that extra weight, in turn eliminating the brow-furrowing habit, common in patients who struggle to see better. Since brow-bunching causes forehead wrinkles, these too are reduced by blepharoplasty.

2) Look Younger

With age, your eyes can become rounder and more laterally narrow. Skin can become looser and heavier with pockets of fat, causing stretching to occur where the eyelids are joined. The result: you look older than you are. While this is a fairly common phenomenon, some people are genetically predisposed to drooping eyelids. A lower eyelid lift can help remove the extra weight, while an upper blepharoplasty is the best way to eliminate excess skin. Together, they give your eyes a younger, more alert appearance overall.

3) Improve Field of Vision 

In some cases, sagging eyelid skin is so severe that it falls in front of the eyes and impairs your field of vision. This usually happens gradually, so the issue may not be noticeable at first. Tip: if you can push your eyebrows up with your thumbs and find you have an improved field of vision, you may be a suitable candidate for upper eyelid surgery.

4) Boost Confidence

A compromised physical appearance can wear on your confidence. Suppose you feel self-conscious or even socially awkward about looking older or tired all the time due to your eyelids. In that case, blepharoplasty surgery can lift a weight, making it easier to relax and enjoy life.

Blepharoplasty Risks & Safety

Whether to undergo blepharoplasty is a personal choice. It’s up to you to decide if the potential benefits are worth the potential risks. Complications are rare, but it’s always best to be well-informed! The risks of eyelid surgery include:

• Irritated or dry eyes
• Bleeding and infection
• Difficulty closing your eyes
• Discolored skin
• Visible scarring
• Injury to the eye muscles
• Temporary blurred vision or rarely, loss of sight
• Reaction to anesthesia and blood clots
• A need for follow-up surgery

These and other risks will be thoroughly discussed during your consultation.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost on Average in Clearwater?

The average eyelid surgery cost in the US typically falls between $3500-$6500. Still, since every patient’s needs are different, it’s impossible to say your final cost before your needs are assessed. Schedule a consultation today to find out more!

How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

If you are undergoing surgery on your upper and lower eyelids, Dr. Egozi will work on your upper eyelids first, cutting along the fold of the lid to remove excess skin, muscle, and fat before closing the incision. On the lower eyelid, a cut is made in the natural crease just beneath the eyelashes or inside the lid. Excess fat, sagging skin, and muscle are removed or redistributed before the incision is closed.

What are the Different Types of Blepharoplasty?

During your consultation, your goals will be discussed thoroughly to determine the best blepharoplasty option for you. The types of eyelid surgery offered at Egozi Plastic Surgery include:

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper eyelid surgery addresses upper eyelid sagging and the ‘inflated’ look resulting from excess fat tissue. After excess skin and fat tissue are removed, the remaining skin is lifted and pulled taut for a healthier, more youthful look. The incision is usually hidden in the eyelid’s upper crease to reduce the chances of visible scarring.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Typically performed in tandem with upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery addresses puffy or sagging lower eyelids, along with stubborn fat deposits. An incision is concealed under the lower lashes, excess skin and fat tissue are removed, and fat is redistributed more evenly as needed. 

Double eyelid surgery

In reference to Asian eyelids, the term ‘single eyelid’ refers to an upper lid without a lid crease. Since only about 30% of the Asian population have a naturally occurring upper eyelid crease, double eyelid surgery, also known as Asian blepharoplasty, has become increasingly popular. The goal is to create an upper eyelid with a symmetrical crease that divides it into two distinct parts. 

Why Choose Dr. Egozi for Your Eyelid Surgery Surgeon?

Dr. Egozi has been running a respected practice for 15+ years. With his expertise in a wide range of aesthetic procedures–from noninvasive to surgical, you’re always in great hands. Egozi Plastic Surgery facilities are state-of-the-art, and we are proudly counted among the foremost Surgical Centers in Clearwater.

Recovery Process After Eyelid Surgery

While it’s understandable to want to return to your daily routine right away, it’s important that you give your body enough time to heal. Initially, it’s normal to experience swelling, bruising, irritation, itching, or dry eyes as you heal. These symptoms can all be controlled with medication or ointment as instructed by Dr. Egozi.

A few tips for optimal healing:

1) Don’t Ice it Directly

Although it may be tempting to apply ice to your incisions, experts warn against using it directly on the skin, as this can interact adversely with numbing medication, even causing frostbite. Instead, use cool compresses to reduce any post-op swelling and discomfort.

2) Keep Your Head Up

For the first one to two weeks post-op, it’s important to get a lot of rest. Sleep with two or three firm pillows propping your head up–or use a large wedge-shaped pillow. Try not to turn your head too much to either side to avoid unwanted friction or irritation.

3) Don’t Wear Cosmetics on Your Incisions

Certain ingredients in skincare products can irritate your healing incisions, and the pigment in makeup can leave permanent, discolored marks in open skin. For best results, be patient and avoid wearing makeup or skincare products on your incisions until Dr. Egozi clears you.

4) Don’t Scratch

After blepharoplasty, sensory nerves can take weeks to recover. As they heal and regrow, it’s common to feel itching, electrical ‘zings,’ or something crawling on the skin. Do your best to resist scratching because this can disrupt healing and cause infection. A bit of gentle pressure often provides relief.

5) Don’t Hesitate to Call Us with Questions or Concerns

The blepharoplasty recovery process varies widely from person to person, so it is important to show up at follow-ups with Dr. Egozi as instructed. If you have questions or concerns between appointments, never hesitate to contact our office.

6) How Long Will the Recovery Period Last?

Although bruising and swelling is typically at its worst the day following surgery, it fades quickly. Thin bandages are typically placed over the incisions and removed after several days, while stitches are removed after about a week. Most patients go back to work and regular activities after 7-10 days. Most swelling is typically resolved within two weeks. However, it can take months for minor residual swelling to fade away, so don’t judge your final results prematurely!

Schedule Your Clearwater Eyelid Surgery Surgery

To learn more about your options for eyelid surgery in Clearwater, schedule a consultation with Dr. Egozi today! Our clinic is conveniently located for residents of Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, Pinellas Park, and Palm Harbor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Can You Not Do After Eyelid Surgery?

After eyelid surgery, avoid harsh light and wear sunglasses when you are outside. Don’t wear contact lenses for at least two weeks post surgery. Avoid activities that involve heavy lifting, bending at the waist, and intensive exercises for about two weeks. While you can take showers from the neck down, don’t take full showers until Dr. Egozi tells you it’s safe–this is about five days post-op. Dr. Egozi will provide you with a complete list of guidelines for optimal healing post-op.

Does Eyelid Surgery Hurt?

Eyelid surgery does not involve any deep cuts to the eyelid. Only the surface of your skin will be affected. During surgery, patients are typically put under general anesthesia and do not feel pain. Post-surgery, any minor pain can be mitigated with cool compresses and OTC pain relievers like Tylenol.

Is Eyelid Surgery Permanent?

While blepharoplasty will not stop your eyes from aging naturally, the results of eyelid surgery are long term. Upper eyelid surgery can last anywhere from five to seven years–or an entire lifetime, while lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated at all.

What Is the Best Age to Have Eyelid Surgery?

There is no ideal age to have upper eyelid surgery, but most patients will begin to seek out this procedure in their late 30s-early 40s. It is best to seek out this surgery when you experience drooping and excess skin around your eyelids that causes you to look tired and older than you are. Many patients will also wait until their 50s or 60s to get a blepharoplasty paired with a facelift for optimal, youthful results.

Which Factors Should I Consider When Deciding to Get a Blepharoplasty?

The most important factors to consider when you think it’s time to have a blepharoplasty performed on your eyelids include:

• If the treatment is within your budget.
• If your concerns are severe enough to be addressed.
• The risks involved with the procedure.
• The recovery time.

Will I Have Scars After My Blepharoplasty Procedure?

There will be scars, but the eyelids heal better than any other part of the body. Since scarring is related to the thickness of the skin, this is why eyelid scars heal very quickly. However, a blepharoplasty is typically performed via incisions made near the ears that can easily be covered by hair or a hat while they heal. Once healed, they are barely visible.

How Can I Tell If I Need a Blepharoplasty?

If the hooding of your eyelids extends beyond your inner corner, you may require an eyebrow lift instead of a blepharoplasty as the effect is occurring above the eyelid. If your eyebrows have a nice arch and are located above the eye socket but you still have trouble with drooping and excess skin around and on the eyelids, you may want to seek out a blepharoplasty.

Can I Wear Eyeglasses After My Blepharoplasty Procedure?

Yes, eyeglasses can be worn directly after your eyelid surgery, and it is common for patients to wear sunglasses to mask any swelling they may have following their blepharoplasty.