The area around the eyes is often one of the first to show signs of aging in both men and women as it begins to give the appearance of being tired and/or sad. This occurs as the skin of the upper eyelids stretches, the fat pushes forward, and the brow fat pad descends downward. Like all other plastic surgery procedures, there is no one size fits all approach and each patient is treated on an individual basis.
At our Miami practice, we use Blepharoplasty to treat these issues and restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance. To learn more about this treatment and to find out if you’re a good candidate, please keep reading below!
BEFORE & AFTERS
Peruse Dr. Ruslan Zhuravsky’s patient photo gallery to view his work and artistry on facial procedures like Rhinoplasty, Facelift, and more.
before
after
Also called Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Surgery focuses on rejuvenating the upper eyelids by removing extra skin and improving contours from fat bulging or drooping.
The DETAILED answer:
Upper Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the upper eyelids through a well-hidden incision in the upper eyelid crease. Removing excess skin in a very precise manner is the general idea of the surgery, however, there are some additional nuances that must also be addressed in order to get the most ideal results. Dr. Zhuravsky preserves the muscle underneath the very thin skin to help improve contours and function. The fat pocket above the inner corner of the eye tends to bulge with time and should be reduced gently, while the fat over the central portion is usually best preserved to avoid the sunken eye appearance. Lastly, the brow fat pad tends to create a heaviness over the outer portion of the eye and can be suspended for a smoother appearance.
Dr. Zhuravsky evaluates each patient very carefully to determine the best course of treatment for their individual needs. The result of a blepharoplasty is a rejuvenated, well-rested, and more awake appearance.
Anyone that is bothered by the appearance of their eyes, whether from looking older or fatigued, may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery.
The DETAILED answer:
The eyes are a complicated region and it is difficult to simply summarize who would be a good candidate, especially since there are several variations in what can be done for the upper eyelids. To be a great candidate for Blepharoplasty, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Mild excess upper lid skin may not always be an aesthetic issue as long as the eye has a smooth appearance to it. When the excess skin starts to fold over, wrinkle, get in the way of eye makeup, cover the whole upper lid, or even cover the eye, then it might be time to consider blepharoplasty. When there is a bulge above the inner corner of the eye, this is usually excess fat from the medial fat pocket pushing forward, and thus can be reduced. When the brow fat pad over the outer eye appears heavy, it may be improved by a brow fat pad suspension suture that we perform during blepharoplasty in some cases, however, it might also require a browlift in conjunction with the procedure.
Each candidate is different, and Dr. Zhuravsky aims to develop a successful plan that is individualized for every kind of patient. Additionally, it is important to remember that this is elective cosmetic surgery, and patients should be in adequate health to avoid unnecessary complications. We evaluate each patient’s medical health history as there are certain conditions that pose an increased risk, and these are never worth it for a cosmetic result. Such medical issues include but are not limited to uncontrolled blood pressure, bleeding disorders, uncontrolled glaucoma, or the requirement for anticoagulant medications.
There are not many adequate alternatives to upper eyelid blepharoplasty in our opinion as it often requires the removal of skin. Some possibilities are to use energy like radiofrequency to shrink or contract the skin. Although we love and frequently use minimally invasive energy-based devices like acutite and morpheus8 in other areas, they do not offer much advantage over blepharoplasty. The results are less predictable and usually fall short of surgery, while the downtime from swelling and bruising is relatively the same, and in some cases maybe more. It is important to keep in mind that just because something is “minimally invasive”, does not always mean it has less potential downtime or risks when compared to a surgical option.
This is the same procedure but the cuts in the skin are made with a laser instead of a scalpel. Other surgeons prefer to use a radiofrequency-based device. The choice is based on surgeon preference as some feel these devices help close vessels while cutting skin.
It does NOT mean that a laser is used to magically perform the surgery without the need to do the actual surgery.
Eyelid Surgery is a great procedure with a short recovery time that improves the appearance of your eyes, and for some patients, has even helps reduce obstructed vision.
The DETAILED answer:
Our Miami Blepharoplasty patients have utilized this surgery to help them look younger, happier, and rested while also increasing their confidence. These results can even go as far as positively impacting patients’ quality of life. Some of the other benefits that this procedure offers are:
Before undergoing blepharoplasty, you must first schedule a consultation with Dr. Z. During this time, he will perform an initial examination of your eyes and ask you about your medical history to help determine if the surgery is an appropriate option for you.
Dr. Z will also provide you with pre-operative instructions that you must follow to achieve the best results. These instructions will require you to stop smoking, consume alcohol, and take certain medications in the time leading up to the procedure and for some time after. Avoiding these can help decrease the chance of complications arising during the surgical process and help facilitate a faster recovery
Upper and Lower blepharoplasty can be performed either awake with minimal medication for relaxation purposes, or under general anesthesia. Most of Dr. Z’s patients choose the “awake” option and tolerate it very well.
The DETAILED answer:
During the awake blepharoplasty, patients are given medications that help reduce anxiety and pain. Dr. Z then numbs the entire eyelid by injecting the area with a very small needle (same as botox). Patients then relax comfortably through the entire procedure as Dr. Z works to rejuvenate their appearance.
The amount of skin to be excised and the design of the incision is measured and marked off very carefully before any injections and with the patient sitting upright in order to get the most accurate amount of skin. Once the patient is numb, the incision is made with a very fine scalpel (or in some cases a laser, more below). The very thin skin of the upper lid is then gently peeled from the underlying muscle, like the skin of a grape. Dr. Zhuravsky makes sure to preserve the muscle for aesthetic and functional purposes. A small incision is then made through the muscle without removing it, and the medial fat pad is located. This fat pad is gently reduced, meaning we take only what bulges and leave the rest in place to avoid hollowing. The muscle can then be further entered to examine the middle-fat pad and the lacrimal gland (tear gland). It is usually best to preserve this fat pad to achieve a nice smooth eyelid. Over-hollowing results in an aged look and makes the eyeball look like a ball-in-socket. In most cases, Dr. Z then places several brow fat pad suspension sutures. These do NOT give a brow lift, but rather support the fat pad upward in order to give a more open appearance. Lastly, small sutures (stitches) are used to close the skin. The way that the skin is closed is less important than making sure the skin is matched up properly.
You will be able to recover at home and should be able to return to work within four to seven days.
The DETAILED answer:
This varies depending on the extent of surgery. Generally, patients can expect to have bruising and swelling around the eyelids that tends to fade over 1 week. A vast majority of patients describe the pain to be very minimal and they take regular Tylenol the day after surgery. The inflammation can sometimes make the eyes watery and as a result somewhat blurry during the first several days. The incision lines are closed with a very thin suture (stitch) that is removed 1 week after surgery. Patients are asked to keep the incision line clean and apply an antibiotic ointment 2-3 times daily. These are some of the major post-surgical expectations. During the consultation, Dr. Z discusses these and any other expectations that he feels are pertinent to each patient.
While most patients are advised to take 1 week off after a blepharoplasty, some may return to work after just 4 days. Those that work from home may even be able to resume work on day 2, providing that they take frequent breaks, avoid eye strain, and follow all instructions.
Dr. Zhuravsky has performed blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) for various age groups of men and women throughout the East Coast, and even for those that fly in from more distant locations. Patients choose and appreciate Dr. Zhuravsky for his dedication to high-quality surgery that achieves beautiful and natural results.
PATIENT GOALS: The younger and refreshed appearance of the eyes
PROCEDURE LENGTH: 1 hour
RECOVERY TIME: 1-2 Weeks
PAIN LEVEL: Mild/low
ANESTHESIA / SURGICAL LOCATION OPTIONS:
SURGICAL GOALS:
The cost of a blepharoplasty surgery in Miami varies from patient to patient and depends on their individual needs. Dr. Z will develop a specialized treatment plan to accommodate your unique aesthetic goals and discuss the associated costs. As with everything else, prices increase over time, however, we try to keep our costs reasonably fair for the level of quality and care provided.
The area around your eyes heavily influences your overall appearance. Dr. Zhuravsky is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and strives to deliver the best Blepharoplasty in Miami. Contact Dr. Zhuravsky to see how he can help you achieve your desired appearance.
