For many people in Charlotte, the eye area, particularly the upper eyelids, may be some of the first areas of the body to show signs of aging. This is because eyelids can droop and sag over time. In some cases, people may even have their vision hindered if the skin of the eyelid begins to cover the eye itself. In other cases, you may simply want to regain the youthful, resilient appearance of your eyes and upper lids.
An upper eyelid lift, or an upper lid blepharoplasty, may be a great solution for you. At Queen City Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Enam Haque can work with you to reshape your upper eyelids to reflect a natural, youthful image.
How Does anUpper Eye Lift Procedure Work?
During an upper eye blepharoplasty, your plastic surgeon will remove skin, muscle and/or fat in the upper eyelid area that is causing the skin to droop or sag, restoring a firm, youthful look to the area. You can receive this procedure on an outpatient basis in Charlotte at Queen City Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Haque will provide you with a detailed plan to meet your individual needs, which can include raising a sagging eyelid, removing excessive deposits of fat, raising the tear glands or resetting the fold of your eyelid. In most cases, you will only need local anesthesia for your plastic surgeon to complete the procedure. The specific details will depend on your anatomy and desired goals. Dr. Haque will make a small incision in the upper eyelid area to remove excess skin. This incision will be made along the natural curves and lines of your upper eyelid to minimize or eliminate potential scarring. In some cases, this may be combined with removing muscle and fat or moving them to other areas of the eyelid to redistribute the tissue in the area. After completing the removal of unwanted skin, he will close the incision with stitches that may remain in place for up to one week. In most cases, you can expect to see long-term results of upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Dr. Haque may also combine this procedure with other treatments to improve the appearance of the eye area, including non-surgical options like Botox or dermal fillers or surgical options like a brow lift.
What is Recovery Like After an Upper Eye Lift?
Upper eyelid surgery carries a relatively quick recovery time, with a full recovery in ten days to two weeks in most cases. Immediately after the procedure, we will care for you in the Queen City Plastic Surgery office before you can return home on the same day. Make sure to get rest after your procedure, because you may experience some swelling following the surgery. You can expect swelling and pain to go away in one to two weeks, and Dr. Haque will provide you with detailed information about how to best support your recovery. You may be asked to use pillows or other soothing options to prevent bruising and allow any edema to drain.
In some cases, you go home with gauze covering the incisions. You can gently wash the area and keep it clean. Dr. Haque will see you again shortly after the surgery to review the outcome of the procedure, remove any sutures if needed and ensure that you are recovering well. During your recovery period, you may wish to refrain from using your smartphone, reading or watching TV in order to protect your eyes from strain.
If you normally wear contact lenses, Dr. Haque will provide you with guidance about when you can resume wearing them. In the meantime, make sure to have an extra pair of glasses on hand for your recovery period. Our team at Queen City Plastic Surgery will provide you with detailed advice and guidance for a successful, comfortable recovery.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Upper Eye Lift?
If you are an adult in North Carolina who is in generally good health but wants to improve the appearance of your upper eyelids and restore a youthful look, upper eyelid plastic surgery may be a good option for you. Because this can be a helpful anti-aging procedure, most people opt for an upper eye lift after the age of 35. However, if you are unhappy with the appearance of your upper eyelids or know that your family often deals with eyelid sag, you may wish to explore the procedure earlier in life. If you have had LASIK surgery, you generally must wait a year to have the procedure. Similarly, if you have Graves’ disease or another thyroid disorder, special safety precautions may be necessary. Dr. Haque will provide you with a detailed medical recommendation for your personal situation.
Request an Upper Eye Lift Consultation in Charlotte
If you are unhappy with the changing appearance of your upper eyelids due to age or your particular anatomy, please contact Queen City Plastic Surgery via our online form or call our conveniently located office at 704-372-5685 to make an appointment for an initial consultation. Dr. Haque will review your medical history and make individualized recommendations for an upper eyelid procedure to meet your needs.