As a plastic surgeon, it has been very encouraging over the last decade to meet with so many patients who come into their consultation having done their own research. After all, knowledge is a powerful tool for prospective plastic surgery patients. But with this said, it’s understandable if some people are still unsure which cosmetic procedure will best help them achieve the new appearance they desire and reach their aesthetic goals. That’s why I wanted to take some time to break down two common procedures intended to treat the upper portion of a person’s face: eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery.
Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery is intended to refresh the face and treat tired-looking eyes that can make someone look old before their time. During the procedure, excess skin and fat deposits are removed from the eyelid and the muscle tissue is adjusted to restore a more youthful look. Depending on the patient’s needs, I am able to perform eyelid surgery on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. Good candidates for blepharoplasty include people with sagging skin and/or excess fat in their eyelids. Some candidates may have prominent upper eyelid hooding that can impact their vision. Other symptoms that eyelid surgery can help include bags beneath the eyes, fine lines, wrinkles, and puffiness in the eyelids.
As opposed to eyelid surgery which focuses on the area around the eyes, brow lift surgery is meant to address the eyebrows and forehead. During the procedure, the forehead and brows are carefully elevated to rejuvenate the appearance of the face. The result is a smoother forehead and brows that appear more lifted and natural. Good brow lift candidates should experience severe forehead wrinkles, upper eyelid hooding that is caused by sagging brows, or a distinct drop in the forehead or brows over time.
For some people, the most helpful course of action might be combining these two procedures into one surgery. It is most common to combine a brow lift with upper eyelid surgery. However, not every patient is a good candidate for this approach due to health reasons or other potential concerns.
During pre-surgery consultation appointments, I take time to discuss all of the available options, review before and after photos, and offer visual representations of potential results, before helping to guide each patient to the most beneficial surgical plan. For more information on how to rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes with cosmetic surgery please contact me, Dr. David Whiteman at Southern Plastic Surgery, to schedule a complimentary plastic surgery consultation. We offer financing with CareCredit® for patients who prefer this payment option. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for additional plastic surgery tips, news, updates, and more.