Dr. Craig is a board-certified plastic surgeon and trained in aesthetic procedures at Yale Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where her techniques were refined to provide the most natural, aesthetic results.
Dr.Craig have learned the newest techniques directly from leading cosmetic surgeons around the world such as from Dr. Timothy J. Marten to achieve a refined and rejuvenated result.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a common procedure that corrects sagging eyelids by carefully eliminating excess baggy skin, as well as fat, and muscle that accumulates as you age. As Houston men and women get into their 40’s and beyond, their eyelids stretch and lose elasticity. Also, the supporting muscles become weaker over time. The combination of these factors causes excess fat to collect under your eyes and in your upper lids. When the upper eyelids are affected, your eyebrows are pulled down which makes it difficult to see properly. Upper eyelid surgery addresses the abundance of excess skin and tissue on and around your eyelids that interfere with your field of vision. Blepharoplasty offers men and women living in the Houston area long-term results, drastically improving their appearance just a few weeks after surgery
At What Age Should I Consider Getting Blepharoplasty?
While many men and women in their 30s have eyes that appear tired, puffy, or wrinkled, non-surgical treatments such as Botox and injectable fillers can be effective in rejuvenating the eyelid area for younger men and women. Blepharoplasty is most effective for people that are older and are experiencing more significant problems with their eyelids. The fatty deposits under the eyelids cause baggy puffiness that makes you look tired all of the time. Although blepharoplasty surgery is effective at targeting these concerns, non-surgical facial rejuvenation such as fillers, peels, and Botox can also be used as an adjunct to eyelid rejuvenation based on your age and precise concerns. Patients who decide to have blepharoplasty on the lower eyelids usually do so for cosmetic purposes, and it usually isn’t covered by insurance.
Consultation Details
For Dr. Fusi and Dr. Craig to proceed with your surgery, you will be asked a series of questions followed by an examination. During this comprehensive process, it’s necessary for you to be completely honest with your surgeons. It’s in your best interest to be forthcoming – not only to ensure you receive optimal results, but so you don’t put yourself at risk for complications.
You’ll be asked about any optical conditions you may have such as glaucoma or diabetes, what types of medications you take, if you drink alcohol, and if you’re a smoker. You will also have the opportunity to receive personalized advice regarding blepharoplasty from our doctors where they’ll provide you with detailed information based on your aesthetic ideals.
Following your in-depth conversation, your surgeons will examine your eyes and test your vision. You can expect to undergo a physical examination which focusses primarily on the skin on and around your eyelids as well as the distance between your eyebrows and eyes, and to what degree your vision is impaired. After your consultation, you will gain a better understanding of the procedure and have a tailored treatment plan to achieve ideal results.
What Happens During Blepharoplasty Surgery?
Houston patients who are appropriate candidates and have decided to have blepharoplasty on their upper or lower lids, or both, will first have the targeted areas marked preoperatively. Dr. Fusi and Dr. Craig will then inject medicine to numb the eyelid area. Patients are often quite anxious about any surgical procedure, and even though blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, people may feel especially nervous about having their eyelids worked on. There is no need to worry because all eyelid surgery patients receive intravenous medication which makes you feel fully relaxed throughout the entire procedure.
For patients who chose to have blepharoplasty on both their upper and lower eyelids, our doctors will typically work on the upper lids first. Using techniques which require precision and expertise, they make an incision in the crease of the eyelid so they can remove the excess skin and muscle. If your eyelids are drooping too closely to your pupils, they will include a procedure that adds more support to your eyebrow muscles.
If you’ve chosen to have blepharoplasty performed on your lower eyelids, your surgeons will make a delicate incision directly beneath your eyelashes or possibly on the inside of your lower eyelid. From there, our doctors will either remove or relocate the excess fat, muscle, and any droopy skin. Finally, the incision is delicately closed using techniques that minimize scarring.
Recovering from Surgery
A typical blepharoplasty procedure usually lasts only a few hours. Immediately following surgery, you will be closely monitored in a recovery room and, assuming you don’t encounter any complications, you will get to go home later in the day with the assistance of a driver. After returning home from surgery, you will need approximately 5-7 days to heal during which you may experience some discomfort and pain. Some Houston blepharoplasty patients have temporary problems such as double vision, swelling, bruising, irritation, and tearing eyes.
Caring For Yourself at Home
A feeling of tightness due to swelling is normal at this point, and patients should, therefore, limit activities that strain their eyes such as reading, watching TV, or using a computer until these symptoms subside. Drs. Fusi and Craig will provide you will detailed instructions on post-surgical care which may include:
- Using cold packs as directed the day after your surgery.
- Using the prescribed eyedrops or other medications as directed.
- Making sure that you clean your wounds with gentle cleansers that your surgeons will suggest.
- Not smoking.
- Avoiding vigorous exercise.
- Elevating your head while you sleep.
- Avoiding sunlight and wearing sunglasses if you do go outside.
- Using cold packs to reduce swelling.
Make sure you show up for all of your follow-up exams so your doctors can make sure you are healing properly.
When Will I See Results?
Your results will become apparent within the first month or two after surgery. Bruising and swelling should subside after two weeks but following that you will start to feel better and you’ll love how alert you look. Most men and women are thrilled with the aesthetic results they get as the result of their eyelid surgery and especially happy that they can finally see the world around them without droopy, sagging eyelids that were annoying and inhibited their ability to enjoy life fully. Unlike non-surgical facial rejuvenation such as fillers and Botox, blepharoplasty provides long-lasting eyelid rejuvenation and can last several years. If you are missing out on all of the joys that clear eyesight offers and are fed up with saggy eyelids, blepharoplasty can change the way you look at life.
For men and women who want their eyes to look bright and refreshed, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our doctors to discuss further what blepharoplasty can do for you. Call our office in Houston today at (713) 346-9909.