This procedure also helps to remove excess fatty deposits that appear as bags under the eyes and work to eliminate fine wrinkles. Most successful candidates are healthy, non smokers, with no conditions such as glaucoma or dry eye.

The Consultation:

High risk individuals should consider undergoing lab testing and a medical evaluation with their primary physician before the surgery. During the consultation, discuss with the doctor your desired results. Before the procedure, most doctors instruct you to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements for some weeks before because these drugs can increase bleeding. The doctor will also show the patient other ways to prepare the night before.

The Procedure:

Before the procedure, the doctor administers drugs so that the individual feels minimal pain. The doctor will cut incision lines in well concealed areas, such as within the natural structures of the eyelid region, along the lash line or within small creases of the lower lid. Depending on the desired results, the doctor will position fat deposits, tighten muscles and tissue, or remove excess skin. When sutures are used to close the incision, they are invisible to the eye if performed properly. Under normal conditions, eyelid surgery can take from one to two hours and should be performed in a doctor's office or hospital.

What to Expect After:

The recovery time usually is about one week and the pain is minor compared to other plastic surgery procedures. Immediately after the surgery has been completed, the surgeon may apply tiny sterile bandages, ointments or eye drops. A certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal and cold compresses will usually enhance healing and relieve discomfort. Your surgeon may also prescribe medication for discomfort.

For a week and a half following, surgeons will require patients to clean the eye area. The surgeon will also discuss activities and environments to avoid in the weeks immediately following surgery.

If used, permanent stitches are usually removed within three to five days after the procedure and self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their own. Since the healing process is gradual, individuals must wait at least several weeks to get an accurate picture of the final results. Incisions will fade over a number of months until they become unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Years after the eye lift, the skin will continue to age however and skin laxity along the fine wrinkling of the eyelid area may, at some point, return. Even though the aging process continues, many patients are usually happy with their appearance for many years following eyelid lift surgery. Some patients find that they want to make additional improvements to other areas at a later time.