Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty (Eye Lift) Los Angeles, Torrance, South Bay How do the eyelids age? As we age, so do our eyelids. The natural tendency of the upper eyelids is to descend vertically downwards while the lower eyelids tend to have a “bulging” of the fat surrounding the eye itself (leading to “bags under the eyes” appearance). The lower eyelid skin also becomes stretched out because of the fat protruding thus thinning out the skin even further (leading to the crepe-like appearance of the lower eyelids). What can be achieved with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty and who is a good candidate? One of the most commonly performed procedures in the plastic surgery arena, yet one of the most detailed and complex surgeries to be performed correctly is eyelid blepharoplasty (also known as eyelid lift, cosmetic eye surgery). Droopy eyelids make people look tired, old or sad. Upper blepharoplasty is a proven surgery that has little down time that can help men and women bring back a younger, more vibrant and awaken look that better reflects how they feel on the inside. Since the eyes are the central point on the face, this minimally invasive surgery can improve a person's appearance substantially. Excessive skin folds can also create an unwanted heavy feeling around the eyes and make it hard to apply eye makeup smoothly. Sometimes there is so much loose skin sagging down from upper lids that it may also impair one's vision. Therefore upper eyelid blepharoplasty can also help improve a patient’s vision. Whatever the reason for the surgery, Dr. Liu's blepharoplasty patients comment on how satisfied they are of their natural, refreshed, and awakened appearance. Dr. Liu makes the incision in the natural crease of the eyelid which makes it unnoticeable when healed because it follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid. What types of procedures may be combined with Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty? During your consultation, Dr. Liu will assess the amount of excess skin/fat you may have in your eyelid areas, the position of your eyebrows and the condition of the muscles around your lids to decide whether or not you are an ideal candidate for surgery on upper blephoraplasty, lower blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), or a browlift. If Dr. Liu deems that your brows have descended enough to contribute to the problem, he may suggest getting a brow lift to tighten the sagging brow. Many patients elect to have their eyelid blepharoplasty in concurrence with other facial procedures such as a facelift and rhinoplatsy as to recover from healing all at the same time. What type of anesthesia is used for this procedure? The surgery is performed under light sedation with local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes to an hour to perform. It is a relatively shorter surgery without need for general anesthesia (unless combined with other procedures such as a facelift). What is the recovery like? Most patients experience minimal discomfort after the procedure. Discoloration is minimal. Majority of the swelling will generally improve over 5-7 days, but it will take several weeks for all the swelling to resolve. Most individuals will be able to return to work and social activities within 7 days although some swelling will still be present. Why should you choose an Oculoplastic Surgeon? Although many (plastic, dermatological, cosmetic, oral-maxillary, otolaryngologist) surgeons today perform facial surgery, very few actually limit their practice to specialize in the eyes and surrounding face. Dr. Liu limits 100% of his facial plastic surgery to this area. This is why Dr. Liu was voted (Daily Breeze, BestofLA) one of the top Oculoplastic and cosmetic surgeons. Dr. Liu has a global patient base, attracting patients from all over the country and internationally. I am interested! What do I do next? If you are considering this procedure we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Liu. During this visit he will listen to your concerns and discuss your options. He will tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure and inform you of the potential risks of the procedure. There is a great variety in eyelid shapes and features and each procedure must be custom tailored for the patient to get the best possible result. You will also have a chance to view before and after photo albums of his patients who have undergone procedures similar to what you are considering. To view before and after pictures of Dr. Liu's patients, please click Eyelid/Eyebrow Before and After Photos and Asian Blepharoplasty. Helpful Links to learn more about the blepharoplasty procedure: www.wikipedia.org www.emedicine.com