Upper Eyelid Lift
The upper eyelid rarely needs surgical correction before the patient reaches their late 40s and 50s. Rather, it is the aging and falling of the heavier eyebrows and forehead that causes the deceptive appearance of extra eyelid skin. It is Dr. Ptaks firm belief that the approach to the upper eyelid needs to be fully evaluated along with the position of the upper brow and the volume deflation that occurs with aging around the entire orbit which starts much earlier in life than the stretching of either upper or lower eyelid skin. Sometimes a combined approach of fat grafting around the orbit, minimal brow lifting, and minimal upper eyelid “pinch skin removal” gives a more complete treatment of this area.
Lower Eyelid Lift
Dr. Ptak has long recognized that the lower eyelid is an integral part of the entire midface, which includes the bone and soft tissue of the cheek and the nasolabial fold. Dr. Ptak also feels that this entire facial unit needs to be addressed both functionally and cosmetically. Since 1993, this has been Doctor Ptak's philosophy when he felt that all of the lesser more "purely cosmetic" procedures were yielding less than satisfactory results and would sometimes even create a more aged, unnatural, or hollow (surgically corrected) lower eyelid. His innovative reconstructive approach scientifically addresses the aging process with volume restoration as well as surgical lifting, giving a more functional, natural, youthful, and long-lasting as well as appearance.
Who is a Candidate?
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who have excessive sagging or wrinkled upper or lower eyelid skin, have excess upper eyelid skin that interferes with vision, have lost their natural upper eyelid crease, or have puffy pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids that create a tired or aged appearance.
Procedure Information
The operation is easily done as an outpatient and often under minimal local sedation in the office setting, or can be performed under deeper anesthesia per the patient's comfort level. The incisions are made where the natural crease should be in the upper lids and below the lash line in the lower lids. The herniated orbital fat is rarely removed and is usually repositioned. Tightening of the lid margin, correction of sagging cheek fat pad, and removal of excess skin completes the procedure in the lower lid.
Postoperative Healing
All sutures are usually removed within 5-7 days. Initial mild discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Bruising and sensitivity to light last at least a week or two. Swelling progressively disappears over several weeks. Eye makeup can be used shortly after sutures are removed. Contact lenses can be worn when comfortable–usually within 1-2 weeks.
Other Options
Additional procedures that may enhance the result are: