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A Key Component of Facial Beauty

Our eyes are a special part of our overall appearance. Naturally, our eyes change as we age over time. This change can manifest as drooping and wrinkling in the upper eyelids and puffiness or bags in the lower eyelids, which can make a person look older or more tired than they feel. Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic or functional surgery used to treat aging upper and lower eyelids. It is done by removing excess skin and, occasionally, lax muscle and fat. Other facial treatments may be combined with the eyelid lift, such as an eyebrow or forehead cosmetic procedure (Brow Lift). Patients can choose to have either an upper or lower eyelid surgery, but sometimes, having both surgeries performed simultaneously produces the optimal aesthetic result. Here’s a brief breakdown of each: 

Before and After 

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, can make a remarkable difference in one’s appearance by lifting and tightening sagging eyelids, removing puffiness, and reducing under-eye bags. This procedure brightens and refreshes the eye area, giving a more youthful, well-rested look. The subtle enhancement can create a lasting, natural improvement that leaves the eyes looking more open and alert.

Before and After of Eyelid Surgery

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Our upper eyelid surgery in Denver corrects drooping or overhanging upper eyelids. This can make you look younger and healthier, and in some cases, it can even improve your vision. Typically, the incision is placed at the natural crease in your eyelid, which works well to hide the scar. This procedure can even be done in the office under local anesthesia with or without a mild anxiolytic (a medication used to help patients relax).

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

The other type of blepharoplasty is a lower eyelid surgery, which removes excess skin that causes wrinkles and bags beneath the eyes. Sometimes, fat deposits that cause puffiness are removed. This results in a rejuvenated and more alert appearance. Traditionally, this procedure uses an incision in the lash line to remove excess skin and tighten the underlying muscle. A transconjunctival approach is a surgery that uses an incision inside the eyelid, but this permits only fat removal, with no ability to remove excess skin

Is Blepharoplasty in Denver Right for Me?

Ideal candidates for a blepharoplasty in Denver include nonsmoking, generally healthy people who have realistic facial rejuvenation expectations and a desire to improve the appearance of wrinkles, drooping eyelids, or puffy bags under the eyes. 

What are the Benefits of Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty comes with a wide array of cosmetic, functional, emotional, and social benefits, including the following:

  • Brightens the smile
  • Creates a more youthful, well-rested facial expression
  • Trims excess skin, fat, and tissue
  • Improves field of vision
  • Corrects puffiness and under-eye bags
  • Enhances self-confidence
  • Helps make a better first impression, both professionally and socially
  • Inconspicuous scarring
  • Long-lasting results
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What to Expect at Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation

Your initial consultation with Dr. Thompson at his office in Denver, CO, is a chance to make sure you feel confident and secure going forward with the procedure. For starters, a careful evaluation with Dr. Thompson is completed to determine the procedure of choice. He will listen carefully to your goals and desires, review your health history, and perform a physical exam before providing you with a personalized treatment plan that will meet your expectations. Dr. Thompson will take the time during the consultation to make sure your concerns and goals are adequately understood and also to answer any questions you have to ensure that you feel comfortable with any treatment recommendations.

What Are Complementary Procedures For Eyelid Surgery in Denver?

The blepharoplasty procedure is used to rejuvenate the eyes, but other options may be discussed during your consultation as well. The areas under the eyes and brow may be volumized using fat transfer or injection with filler to provide a more youthful appearance to the eye. Fat transfer or filler may be performed alone or in conjunction with conventional blepharoplasty. This facial plastic surgery may also be combined with other procedures like a facelift or laser resurfacing to erase the signs of aging from the upper or lower face. Patients may also consider combining the treatment of the eyelids with a brow or forehead procedure. A brow lift is used to elevate the position of the eyebrows, which can be a contributing factor to excess skin in the upper eyelid area.

The Day of Your Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Dr. Thompson typically completes upper eyelid surgery in his office in Denver under local anesthesia. The patient may elect to take a mild anxiolytic before the procedure. Lower lid blepharoplasty is completed in one to two hours at the doctor’s surgical facility or an outpatient surgical center or hospital. General anesthesia is typically used, but local anesthesia with sedation is an option for some patients. The eyelid lift incisions are placed in a concealed location in a fold of skin or on the inside of the eyelid. Depending on the patient’s concerns, a combination of excess skin, fat, and muscle can be removed. When skin incisions are performed, very fine sutures are used to close them. If the operation is done under local anesthesia in the office, Dr. Thompson will ensure patients are comfortable, in a relaxed setting, and do not feel pain during the surgery. When we have surgeries performed in the operating room, the patient will typically be under sedation or general anesthesia for approximately 1 to 2 hours. 

Dr. Thompson creates a very fine incision either in the upper eyelid crease, under the lashes of the lower eyelid, or behind the lower eyelid. A variety of techniques can be used to address skin, fat, muscle, and sagging of the eyelid during the procedure and are customized to each patient based on their concerns. He closes the incisions with very fine sutures. If permanent suture is used, it is removed in approximately 5 to 7 days. If an absorbable suture is used, it will dissolve over time without needing removal. Upper eyelid surgery typically has little, if any, bruising or swelling. Mild bruising and swelling are experienced with lower eyelid surgery and may last for about one week or longer.

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Are There Any Alternatives to Blepharoplasty in Denver?

It can be difficult to achieve the same dramatic results produced by blepharoplasty non-surgically, but depending on the degree of aging in the eyes, there may be a few short-term options to explore. Dermal fillers are non-invasive and are often used to improve the appearance beneath the eyes, correcting hollowness and discoloration.

Light therapy, microneedling, and chemical peels can also help rewind the clock on aging in the upper face. If you are interested in learning more about alternatives to eyelid surgery, speak with Dr. Thompson in Denver during your private consultation.

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Recovery and Results After Eyelid Surgery in Denver

Patients are given aftercare instructions detailing how to care for the incisions. They are also advised on the application of ice and the need to maintain head elevation while sleeping for the first few nights. Everyone’s healing process varies, though blepharoplasty recovery normally takes about 5-7 days. Patients typically resume normal routines within a day after surgery, but this excludes strenuous activity. Upper eyelid surgery has little associated bruising or swelling, but your eyelids may feel tight or sore.

For lower eyelid surgery, you may experience additional symptoms, but these usually resolve in several days. Bruising will begin to fade in 1-2 weeks, and you should be able to return to work when stitches are removed in 5-7 days. Any strenuous exercise should be avoided for about two weeks. Patients typically find that Tylenol can treat post-surgical discomfort, but additional pain medication is always made available if needed. Typically patients are usually very pleased with the more energetic and youthful appearance they achieve with blepharoplasty. If other options or recommendations discussed during the consultation are performed, they often enhance and complement the overall result.

How Much Does Blepharoplasty in Denver Cost?

Unlike fillers, eyelid surgery produces lasting changes, making blepharoplasty a cost-effective anti-aging solution in the long run. Pricing is based on several key factors, including the surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and others. At Thompson Facial Plastics in Dever, bilateral upper blepharoplasty (in-office procedure) will run $4,900, while bilateral lower blepharoplasty will run $5300 (and may incur additional OR-related costs.) Dr. Thompson and his knowledgeable team will discuss pricing with you as part of a comprehensive consultation process, answering all questions in depth. 

Eyelid Surgery FAQ 

How long will my results last?

Are there any risks?

Will it be covered by insurance?

What can I expect at my consultation for eyelid surgery?

How long will my results last?

While eyelid surgery results are long-lasting, the eyes will continue to age over time. Upper blepharoplasty changes can last as long as a decade. The lower blepharoplasty procedure typically only needs to be performed a single time.

Are there any risks?

All surgeries come with inherent risks, such as bleeding, infection, and scarring. However, choosing an experienced, credentialed surgeon such as Dr. Thompson can help minimize these risks. Complications from surgery are rare, but may include:

  • Dry eyes
  • Eyeball discoloration
  • Poor aesthetic results
  • Problems fully closing the lids
  • Lowering of the lower lid lash line

Will it be covered by insurance?

For eyelid surgeries that have a functional purpose of improving vision, it is likely that insurance will cover all or part of the procedure. For purely cosmetic surgeries, it is unlikely that insurance will pay for it. Lower lid surgery, for instance, is rarely on the list of covered treatments.

What can I expect at my consultation for eyelid surgery?

Dr. Thompson will conduct a thorough review of your medical history and will perform a detailed physical evaluation of the upper face. He will then answer your questions and present his thoughts on treatment. During your consultation, you will gain a better understanding of what blepharoplasty can and cannot achieve, its recovery time, benefits, and expected results. Dr. Thompson will also go over pricing and financing with you.

Let Us Be Your Guide

Simply put, at Thompson Facial Plastics in Denver, your aspirations for facial rejuvenation are met with personalized care and expertise. We are dedicated to enhancing eyelids with the utmost precision and artistry. Dr. Thompson's unwavering commitment to personalized care ensures that every aspect of your journey is infused with warmth, understanding, and the highest standard of excellence.

When you choose Dr. Thompson as your facial plastic surgeon, you can rest assured that you are in good hands. He is dedicated to providing his patients with personalized care and helping them achieve their aesthetic goals. 

So please reach out today to schedule your consultation and discover how eyelid surgery in Denver can help you enjoy a newfound radiance and confidence. 

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