As you age your skin looses the elasticity it once had during youth, causing bags to develop beneath the eyes. These fatty deposits can make you look old and haggard, even if you don't feel that way on the inside. Blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, can rejuvenate a tired look, giving you back the former sparkle of youth.

Eyelifts can be performed on either or both the lower and upper lids. While surgery on the lower is most often for cosmetic reasons, sometimes excessive drooping skin on the upper can impair vision, making the procedure a medical necessity.

Another reason for this procedure is the desire to create a "double eyelid." Those born of an Asian ethnicity often lack an extra crease, which can be created with blepharoplasty.

During the procedure, incisions are made near the lash lines or crease so any scarring will blend in naturally. On the upper lid, the loose skin and fat is cut away and in some cases crow's feet around the outside corner will also be lifted and tightened.

The procedure for the lower lid is similar. Excess fat and skin is removed and the remaining is stretched smooth and sutured back into place.

After surgery the area will be tender and there may be slight discoloration and redness. Full recovery will take between one and two weeks. Your surgeon will most likely send you home with drops and instructions to keep your head elevated and how to gently keep the area around your eyes clean as they heal.

You may experience tearing or blurry vision; although this can be a common reaction after surgery, any excessive discomfort or difficulty seeing should be alerted to your doctor immediately.

As with any surgery, the complications and risks involved should be assessed and discussed with your doctor before choosing to undergo the procedure.

The most severe complications, and fortunately rare, are long-term difficulty closing the eyes and prolonged vision problems. If too much skin or muscle is removed during the surgery, the lids will lose the ability to properly close, which will affect sleep and can cause problems with excessive tearing. This normally can only be corrected with a follow-up surgery.

Another risk to consider is the rare, but possible temporary or permanent vision abnormalities. Occasionally, hemorrhaging may occur, causing blindness or double vision and intense pain. Sometimes these problems can be corrected with emergency surgery, but there is always the chance that the damage is permanent.

The eyes are the focal point of your face and saggy lids can make you look tired and diminish your confidence. Some people may think they need a more drastic procedure to bring life back to their complexion, but a smaller procedure like an eyelid lift can make a large impact that is still subtle and natural. People won't notice that you had surgery, but they will notice that you look brighter and more refreshed.