Our eyes help us to connect with others, so when age begins to cause conditions that hide our eyes such as sagging skin and puffiness, that can create a problem. Many men choose to undergo an eyelid lift to maintain their youthful appearance and preserve their ability to connect with their eyes.
Goals of an eyelid lift
An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) is an anti-aging surgery performed on either the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The eyes are one of the very first places to show signs of age because the delicate skin around them is especially vulnerable to environmental and lifestyle factors. When the skin begins to sag or become puffy, it can distract from the clarity and beauty of the eyes, leaving only an expression that appears sad, angry, or exhausted. However, eyelid surgery has the ability to rejuvenate the eyelids by removing excess or sagging skin to “open them up” again. This not only helps the eyes look larger, brighter, and more awake; it can also help improve impaired vision from drooping eyelid skin. The result is an overall appearance that is more attractive and inviting.
What eyelid surgery can accomplish
- Removes drooping skin and puffiness of the eyelids
- Corrects under-eye bags and dark circles
- Softens fine lines around the eyes
- “Opens” the eyes back up that have been hidden by excess kin
- Corrects orbital fat that is bugling beneath the eyes
- Removes excess skin that is impacting vision
- Delivers a more youthful, awake, friendly appearance
- Corrects lower eyelids that show white under the iris
The eyelid lift procedure
Blepharoplasty is performed under general anesthesia, or under local anesthesia with mild sedation. The procedure takes approximately two hours.
There are two types of eyelid lift surgery: upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. These can be performed separately or together, depending on your goals. Whether you need one or the other or both will be decided during your consultation with Dr. Maercks.
Upper blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery is performed specifically to improve sagging skin that is either obscuring the eyes, impacting the vision, or both. Excess, puffy skin can also be reduced with upper eyelid surgery. During the procedure, Dr. Maercks will create an incision in the natural crease of the eyelid to remove or re-adjust fat, remove excess skin, and tighten the muscles. The incisions are closed with sutures.
Lower blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery is performed to specifically improve under-eye bags, eyelids that appear to be pulled down, and fat beneath the eyes. During the procedure, Dr. Maercks will create an incision either under the eyelash line or within the lower eyelids. A minimal amount of fat is then removed, with great care being taken not to remove too much. The incisions are closed with sutures.
Recovery and results
Patients can go home a few hours after the procedure. Approximately one week of recovery time is required, and sutures are typically removed after one week at a follow-up appointment.
Common side effects include blurred vision, redness, swelling, bruising, dry or tired eyes, and/or mild discomfort. Those who wear contacts will need to stop wearing them for two weeks. Results will be visible around six weeks after surgery.
Why choose The Maercks Institute?
If you’re ready to appear healthier, more awake, alert, and younger, an eyelid lift can maintain your masculine features while still improving the signs of age around your eyes. Dr. Rian Maercks will assess your face, areas of concern, and personal aesthetic goals to design the ideal treatment plan just for you. He utilizes his attention to detail, artistic vision, and experienced judgement to carry out successful procedures with natural-looking results in the safest manner possible. As a board-certified cosmetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery specialist in Miami, Dr. Maercks finds it very rewarding to see how happy his patients are with their results. Since founding The Maercks Institute in 2009, he has changed the lives of thousands of patients. They come to him with an issue, and he determines the best way to go about solving it. To schedule your eyelid lift consultation, we welcome you to contact us.
