Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery • Dr. Raymond J. Haigney II • 9727 Northcross Center Ct. Huntersville, NC 28078 • (704) 987-3132
9727 Northcross Center Ct. Huntersville, NC 28078 • (704) 987-3132
Eyelid Surgery (also known as blepharoplasty)
Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure that is performed to improve the aesthetic appearance of eyelids. There are a range of cosmetic features that can be addressed, including excessive sagging skin or wrinkling, puffy bags that form under the eyes, or a general appearance of fatigue. In addition to the cosmetic improvements, sagging skin can also negatively impact vision, especially peripheral vision. By removing this excess skin, patients can both improve their overall aesthetic appearance and improve their vision.
At Lake Norman Oral & Facial Surgery, we offer a full range of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures, specializing in facial reconstruction, facial surgery, corrective jaw surgery, obstructive sleep apnea, and wisdom tooth removal. If you would like to learn more about our services, or schedule an appointment for eyelid surgery, contact us today. New patients are welcome and a referral from another doctor is not required.
Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
To determine if you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery, your doctor will review your health history and perform a thorough examination of your facial regions, assessing the position of your eyelid and its tone, any fatty deposits, the laxity of the skin, and the brow position.
In addition to passing a health screening, it will also be important to discuss your personal goals and expectations for eyelid surgery, as doing so will help your surgeon better understand what results you are hoping to achieve, which can inform where the incision sites will be made and what techniques might be used.
Types of Eyelid Surgeries
Patients who have concerns about their eyelids can schedule a consultation to determine what type of eyelid surgery would best suit your particular needs and personal goals.
Following this consultation, the following treatment options may be scheduled:
- Lower Blepharoplasty: This procedure is performed to improve wrinkles and bags that have formed under the eyes. Dermal filler treatment is commonly used with this procedure which helps improve and rejuvenate volume loss, dark circles, or bags.
- Upper Eyelid Surgery: This procedure is performed to improve issues that develop in the upper eyelids, such as droopy, excess skin, which can create an appearance of being older, upset, or tired. In severe cases, this excess skin can also create issues with your vision.
- Double-Eyelid Surgery: This procedure involves making a crease in the upper eyelid for individuals who do not have this fold and prefer this aesthetic appearance.
The Eyelid Surgery Process
Prior to beginning your procedure, you will need to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled professionals, during which we will discuss what issues you would like to address. Following this conversation, an evaluation will be performed to determine what options are available to you and which approach best aligns with your specific goals.
If it is determined that eyelid surgery is the best approach for you, the procedure will begin with administration of a local and/or general anesthetic, depending upon whether or not you are having multiple procedures performed and the severity of your case. If you are having surgery performed on both lids, the surgeon typically begins with the upper lids. An incision will be made in the creases of the lower and upper eyelids, as this tends to yield the least noticeable scars. Next, excess muscle tissues, fat, and skin are removed and any skin that is sagging is tightened and the incision will be closed. For the lower lid, the excess muscle tissues, fat, and skin will either be removed or redistributed before the incision is closed. This procedure can typically be performed in one to two hours.
Nonsurgical Options
There are certain issues related to the eyelid that can be addressed without performing eyelid surgery, including issues like textual concerns, wrinkles, fine lines, and/or volume loss. For these concerns, treatments like laser skin resurfacing or cosmetic injectables can make dramatic improvements. However, for issues like excess skin, the only method for trimming this away is to have eyelid surgery.
Our staff is committed to ensuring that you are aware of every option available to help you achieve your desired result, so be sure to ask any questions you may have when debating on whether or not to have this surgical operation or not.
Recovery from Surgery
After this procedure, patients will often experience dry eyes, which can be addressed with ointments or eye drops. It is also common for patients to experience some bruising or swelling, though this will typically go away within a few days. Although any discomfort you experience will typically be mild, this pain may be managed by OTC pain-relieving medications.
It will be important to avoid intense physical activities or strenuous exercises for several weeks following your procedure to optimize the healing process. Contacts can typically begin being worn again once the swelling and bruising have resolved. Patients are typically able to return to work once they have discontinued the use of narcotic medication, if applicable.
Cost of Eyelid Surgery
The average cost of eyelid surgery is around $3,000, but the cost of your procedure will be determined by a variety of factors, such as whether you are having surgery on the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both, as well as any unique health issues you have that may complicate the procedure, and what type of insurance plan you have. Our office will file your claim, handle the paperwork, and ensure you maximize your insurance reimbursement. The remaining balance following your insurance coverage will be your responsibility.
Prior to performing the procedure, we will discuss the expected cost, as well as payment plan options that are available to you, such as Lending Club and Care Credit, which offer 6 and 12 month interest-free payment plans.
For your convenience, we accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
Schedule Your Appointment
At Lake Norman Oral and Facial Surgery, we are committed to treating our patients the way we would expect to be treated. Because Dr. Haigney is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, you can be confident you will receive care that implements the latest dental advancements and is informed by current research and best practices, resulting in you achieving the results you deserve.
To schedule an appointment or consultation, contact our staff at (704) 255-5888 or request an appointment online.