Blepharoplasty Near Birmingham, AL

The eyes are one of the most beautiful and prominent facial features, often being the first thing a person notices about you and providing important visual queues when you're speaking or interacting with others. Patients with an abundance of skin above or under the eyes - which may occur naturally or develop as a result of the aging process - often feel self-conscious about their appearance and may even experience functional issues, like decreased peripheral vision. Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Young H. Choi offers eyelid surgery (known as blepharoplasty) at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center in Vestavia Hills, AL to lift and tighten the lower or upper eyelid, creating a younger and refreshed facial appearance.  

Upper or lower blepharoplasty is a facial cosmetic enhancement that is popular for both women and men. During your private consultation, treatment options will be explained by Dr. Choi based on your conditions that need to be addressed. Most often, ideal candidates have:

• Excess, hanging skin and folds on the upper eyelid
• Wrinkled eyelids
• Puffy skin below the eyes
• Bags and/or circles under the eyes

Any of these may cause functional difficulties that can get in the way of everyday activities, while also becoming a cosmetic nuisance that can impact your self-image. If you have excess skin around your upper or lower eyelids and/or bags under your eyes, blepharoplasty can provide a softer, rejuvenated appearance while improving your overall comfort and confidence.

Some people turn to nonsurgical treatments to reduce wrinkles and folds on their skin. However, these procedures only offer minimal results and are not long-lasting. Blepharoplasty produces more dramatic, longer-lasting, and life-changing results by permanently removing excess skin and fat on the eyelids and around the eyes. Surgery can also eliminate the embarrassment often associated with puffy eyes and dark circles. Some of the most compelling benefits of blepharoplasty surgery include: 

• Can correct hooded eyes
• Lifts and tightens wrinkled eyelids
• May expand field of vision
• Creates a more youthful overall appearance around the eyes
• Can be used to address concerns on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both
• No visible scarring
• Results can last for years or decades

Depending on the type of eyelid surgery performed, some form of either local or general anesthesia will be provided. Local anesthesia numbs the treatment area to prevent pain or discomfort and leaves you awake for the procedure. General anesthesia puts you to sleep for the procedure. Blepharoplasty may be done on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or a combination of both upper and lower eyelids. In the majority of cases, both eyes are treated to ensure as much symmetry as possible.

• Upper eyelid lift:
  Upper blepharoplasty aims to address hooded eyes, hanging upper eyelids, wrinkles, and loose skin. The upper blepharoplasty incision is placed within the natural crease of the eye to minimize visible scarring. 

• Lower eyelid lift:
  Lower eyelid surgery is performed to reduce puffy and bulging skin and fat beneath the lower eyelid. In most cases, an incision is made within the lash line, allowing access to remove excess tissue and skin, and the remaining skin is delicately lifted and tightening for a softer, smoother look. In some cases, a nonsurgical laser procedure may be performed to assist with discoloration.

Blepharoplasty typically takes up to two hours to complete and is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home after your surgery.

After surgery, you should plan about a week to rest and recover. A cold compress can help reduce discomfort, swelling, and bruising. For any possible pain or discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Often the stitches will dissolve on their own, but Dr. Choi will schedule a follow-up to check your recovery and remove the stitches if necessary. Two weeks after blepharoplasty, many patients still have some swelling and bruising but feel good enough to go out in public. After six weeks, you'll start to see the final results of your eyelid surgery. Full recovery will continue over the next 4 - 6 months. The results from blepharoplasty may last years, and while they are long-lasting, the aging process does not stop.

If hanging skin is compromising your vision, your insurance may cover some of your eyelid lift. Please talk to Dr. Choi during your consultation if you are considering applying for an insurance claim. A team member at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center will help you get the needed paperwork and information to your provider to process your claim. Generally, you will need a diagnosis from an ophthalmologist that an eyelid lift is medically necessary to improve your vision.

How much does eyelid surgery cost?
Blepharoplasty costs can vary depending on whether you have an upper eyelid lift, lower, or both. When your treatment plan is created in your consultation, Dr. Choi can talk to you about estimated costs. To get results that look natural and last for many years, it is better to concentrate on choosing a skilled ophthalmologist you trust, like Dr. Choi, rather than looking for the cheapest place. To help you afford a great eyelid lift, Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center accepts several payment methods, including low-interest medical financing.

Can I use insurance to pay for my eyelid surgery?
When hanging skin affects your sight, your insurance may cover some of your blepharoplasty. Please tell Dr. Choi during your consultation if you are considering applying for an insurance claim. Someone at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center will help you get the required paperwork and information for your provider to consider your claim. Generally, you will require a letter from an ophthalmologist or optometrist that blepharoplasty is medically necessary to improve your vision.

Is eyelid surgery painful?

Among the various types of cosmetic surgeries, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is one of the least painful. There is only minor discomfort on the day of your procedure (post-surgery), and recovery is fast, with many patients getting back out into the public after about two weeks. A cold compress and over-the-counter pain relievers will help relieve any possible discomfort you may feel.

What are some other benefits of an eyelid lift?
Eyelid surgery not only helps to rejuvenate your face, but it can also improve other aspects of your life. You may discover your field of vision expanding when loose, hanging skin on your upper eyelid is gone. It is also much easier to put on eye makeup once your upper eyelid is smooth. Getting rid of fine lines, paper-thin skin, puffy bags, and dark circles on your lower eyelid may make your eyes appear fuller and brighter without cosmetics.

Will an eyelid lift fix wrinkles and Crow's feet?
Wrinkles on your forehead and the corners of your eyes (Crow's feet) might be better treated with a brow lift or facelift as the improvements of blepharoplasty are limited to the eyelids only. Eyelid surgery can be performed with a nonsurgical treatment, which can smooth wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes. An injectable filler may help to add volume to hollow areas for a smoother appearance. During your consultation, Dr. Choi will create your personal treatment plan based on your goals.

What about nonsurgical treatments instead of eye surgery?
Skin tightening without surgery and injectable wrinkle treatments may give you some improvements. Although, if you have moderate to severe sagging skin or want results that last a long time, eyelid surgery would be better than nonsurgical treatment. When you have talked to Dr. Choi about your needs and goals for your eyes, he will give you his suggestions for a surgical or nonsurgical treatment plan.

If you are having a hard time seeing due to excess skin on your upper eyelids, or you suffer from puffy bags under your eyes, then blepharoplasty at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center may be the answer for you. This surgery can help you look youthful and awakened while addressing your vision impairment concerns. We encourage you to get in touch with our office in Vestavia Hills, AL (near Birmingham) to make a consultation with Dr. Choi.