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Blepharoplasty in Newport Beach and Beverly Hills

About eyelid surgery

For individuals who are bothered by droopy upper eyelids or puffy under-eye bags, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can help.

Aging changes of the eyes can make you look older than you are, tired, and even interfere with vision. Dr. Rami Batniji of Newport Beach, California, is a board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon with particular expertise in blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, removes excess fat, muscle and skin from the upper and lower eyelids for a firmer, more youthful-looking eye area. The surgery may be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both as indicated.

I am a 68 year old woman and have been recommended by my surgeon to get a lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Are there any risks with this procedure of which I should be aware? I am a bit nervous about having incisions so close to my eyes. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a wonderful procedure for rejuvenating the lower eyelid complex. Specifically, the procedure can remove fullness (“bags”) underneath the eye, fill in hollows/creases between the eye and cheek, and can remove excess/wrinkled skin. Prior to endeavoring upon the blepharoplasty procedure, I would obtain a full medical history to make certain you are healthy for this procedure. As well, I would request an EKG as well as some blood tests to further evaluate your overall health. If your health precludes you from undergoing surgery, then I would recommend my lower lid non-surgical procedure, which includes filler augmentation of the lower lids with or without laser skin resurfacing. If you are healthy to undergo the lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery, rest assured that the incisions are made in specific areas that are very safe and heal very well. Potential risks of the eyelid surgery include, but not limited to, bleeding, infection, rounding of the lower eyelid contour, dry eye, and corneal abrasion.
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Upper blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess, sagging skin of the upper eyelids which may lead to hooding of the eyelids as well as a tired or aged appearance. In some cases, the skin of the upper eyelids may sag to such a degree that vision becomes obstructed. In these cases, upper blepharoplasty may be covered in part or whole by insurance. Learn more about upper eyelid surgery.

Lower blepharoplasty

Lower eyelid surgery addresses fullness of the lower eyelids as well as excess skin and hollowness. Stubborn eyelid bags are a problem for many people. These bags can cause you to appear unnaturally aged and fatigued. Unfortunately, cosmetics and spa treatments are only temporary fixes. However, the blepharoplasty procedure can restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance to the lower eye area. Lower eyelid surgery can be combined with other procedures, such as Botox or skin resurfacing, to address lines, wrinkles and sun damage. Learn more about lower eyelid surgery.

Deciding on Blepharoplasty

Have you noticed chronic puffiness or eyelid bags beneath your eyes? Do sagging upper eyelids make you appear sleepy, angry, or older than you would like? Are you not getting the results you want from non-surgical treatments, or would you like a long-lasting solution? Then eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is likely the answer for you.

The procedure is brief and almost never requires a hospital stay. Plus, you’ll be receiving treatment from Dr. Batniji, a renowned facial plastic surgeon and leader in his field.

Good Candidates for Blepharoplasty

Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty suffer from sagging skin in the eyelids that’s degrading one’s youthful look and obstructing one’s vision. Many of the patients who undergo eyelid surgery are around 35 years of age or older.

How to Prepare for Blepharoplasty

Before undergoing the blepharoplasty surgery, you will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Rami Batniji. During this time, you will need to discuss your full medical history to ensure that you are in good health. He will also talk to you about your expectations to make sure you understand what’s possible with the procedure.

As part of the pre-operation preparation, Dr. Batniji will also perform an eye examination and take a few pictures of the eyes to closely study the treatment area. This will help him develop a customized treatment plan for your needs.

You will also be given pre-operative instructions that you will have to adhere to in the time leading up to the blepharoplasty surgery. These instructions will require you to stop smoking if you are a smoker and to stop taking certain medications such as aspirin a few weeks before the procedure. These factors can disrupt the healing process and increase the chance of complications.

Blepharoplasty Cost

Eyelid surgery is not an overly expensive procedure. However, insurance does not cover the costs of cosmetic surgery. In some cases, insurance will cover a blepharoplasty if the procedure is deemed medically necessary. In most instances, this means that the eyelid surgery is primarily done to remove obstructions to your visual field. Such obstructions are most commonly caused by upper eyelid ptosis, or drooping.

If your procedure is not medically necessary, the cost will depend on the exact procedure desired and any complications that may arise. Talk with our friendly staff, and we’ll be happy to discuss the financial aspects of your care.

Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery Results

It is important to realize that you won’t see optimal results from your eyelid surgery immediately. First, the healing process needs to take place. Once the swelling subsides and your eyelids have an opportunity to fully heal, you will be able to appreciate your new, rejuvenated appearance.

Eyelid surgery can make a dramatic difference in your look, but the procedure does not permanently halt the aging process. You can expect the results from an upper blepharoplasty to remain most favorable from five to ten years after surgery. However, lower blepharoplasty results can last a lifetime.

Recovery After Blepharoplasty

After undergoing the blepharoplasty procedure, you may experience some swelling and discomfort in the treatment area for a couple of weeks. These issues will subside as you heal, but it’s important that you take care of yourself and take some time to rest and recover to make it go away faster.

During the recovery period, you should use ice packs to soothe the swelling and discomfort, limit your physical activities, take some time off work, and protect the eyes from excessive sun exposure. We’ll provide you with a detailed list of instructions that you can use to make sure that you heal quickly and obtain the best possible results.

Contact Our Office

Dr. Batniji and staff will happily discuss the blepharoplasty procedure, and your individual needs, with you. Please contact us today or give us a call at 949-650-8882, we’d love to hear from you.

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Frequently Asked Questions

What type of doctor is best for eyelid surgery?

Whether it’s for cosmetic or medical reasons, if you’re in need of eyelid surgery, then you’ll want to see an Ophthalmologist to get the job done. They’re well-versed in a broad range of techniques regarding eyelid surgery and can consult you on the best course of action based on your needs. Focusing on a broad range of medical and cosmetic issues such as Ptosis correction, blepharoplasty, ectropion repair, and more, an Ophthalmologist’s skillset is vast.

Although they primarily focus on medical conditions, a licensed Ophthalmologist can handle cosmetic surgeries as well. Considering the sensitive nature of the eyes and surrounding areas, such as the eyelids, surgeries in this area of the body require a significant amount of patience, expertise, and precision. Nevertheless, by the time an Ophthalmologist is licensed and able to practice, they already have years of experience in textbook and hands-on medical education.

How do I know if I need eyelid surgery?

There are a few aspects of the appearance of your eyelids that can be an indicator that you need eyelid surgery. This will look different from person to person and may be an indicator of either a medical or cosmetic condition.

Some of the key indicators that you may need eyelid surgery include:

  • Heavy and prominent eyelid bags
  • Sagging eyelids under the brow
  • Puffiness of the eye
  • Excess fatty tissue above or under the eye

These are just a handful of the common reasons why someone may want to look into eyelid surgery. Of course, if these complications are causing a medical issue, it’s vital to seek a consultation before your situation gets any worse. Cosmetic reasons are also viable but may not pose as much of an issue to your health. An eyelid doctor will be able to point you in the right direction for what you’re trying to accomplish. Before surgery is scheduled, your Ophthalmologist will always perform a physical examination first.

Can you reverse eye bags?

With the help of blepharoplasty and other eyelid procedures, it’s entirely possible to reverse the appearance of eye bags. This can be done in numerous ways, one of which is by tightening lower eyelids so that done droop down as much. A handful of home remedies can help reduce the significance of eye bags, but if you’re looking for a more substantial fix, seeing an Ophthalmologist can make a huge difference.

Although there is a broad range of treatments available, looking into blepharoplasty is likely to be your best choice. This procedure includes making an incision under the bottom lashes, excess fat is removed, and then the incision is closed. The surgery can vary based on the patient’s needs, but that’s the general procedure.

What causes eyelid bags?

The formation of bags under the eyes can be caused by many natural factors, but there are also lifestyle choices that can add to the equation. Natural aging is guaranteed to make eyelid bags look more prominent, but it’s something that can affect people of all ages. People dread eyelid bags because they come with a puffy and swollen appearance, and they can be a challenge to get rid of on your own.

Some causes of eyelid bags include:

  • Smoking tobacco
  • A lack of sleep
  • Wearing makeup

Natural factors that are harder to avoid pertain to allergies and the potential to inherit the condition from family members. It’s also possible for fluid to pool in this area of the face and eventually lead to swelling, which will only enhance the appearance of eyelid bags. In some circumstances, it’s possible for eyelid bags to cause pain, redness, and even itching, which is a clear sign that you need to go see an Ophthalmologist.

How long do eyelid lifts last?

The results from an eyelid lift are pretty generous, as they can last anywhere between five to seven years. At that point, it’s common to need a follow-up procedure, but this timeline can look different based on age, lifestyle choices, and the quality of the surgeon. There’s also a difference in the outcome for upper and lower eyelid lifts.

Upper eyelid lifts are known to require follow-up procedures, whereas lower eyelid lifts have the potential to provide permanent results. Once again, age and lifestyle choices can significantly affect the outcome of your surgery. There’s plenty you can do to help maintain the results of your eyelid lift.

Following these steps can drastically improve the longevity of your eyelid lift results:

  • Using sun protection
  • Apply makeup gently
  • Avoid tugging, rubbing, or pulling at your eyelids
  • Stay properly hydrated

Overall, you want to protect your eyelids to the best of your ability during and after the healing process. It’s a sensitive area of the body, and it doesn’t take much to have an adverse effect on its appearance. Your Ophthalmologist will also provide many suggestions you can use to protect your results, but lifestyle can carry a lot of weight in the look of your final results.

What is a good age for blepharoplasty?

Due to the somewhat invasive and cosmetic nature of the procedure, blepharoplasty is only suitable for anyone that’s 18 years or older. However, your Ophthalmologist may recommend holding off on the procedure until you’re 30 or older due to safety precautions regarding your health. It’s not something you want to rush unless you’re experiencing some kind of medical emergency related to this area of the body.

When it comes to age affecting your eyelids, older individuals are great candidates for such a procedure. As we age, drooping eyelids and bags under our eyes become much more apparent, and this is where blepharoplasty can be pretty helpful.

Then again, these cosmetic or medical complications can affect people of all ages. It really comes down to a blend of your personal needs and the suggestions from your initial consultation with your eyelid doctor. If issues related to your eyelid and surrounding areas are bothering you, it never hurts to talk with an expert about your options.

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