Eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that can improve the appearance of the eyes and forehead. Dr. Kian Eftekhari is a board-certified subspecialty surgeon who performs eyelid surgery, also known as oculoplastic or eyelid plastic surgery. It can also be used to correct droopy eyelids or a low-hanging forehead.
There are several reasons why people choose to get eyelid surgery, including:
- To improve the appearance of the eyes. Eyelid surgery can make your eyes look larger, more naturally awake, and more youthful.
- To reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Eyelid surgery can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes. If you have very thin – crepey – skin, ask Dr. Eftekhari about ways to treat this at the same time as surgery. He may recommend an eyelid chemical peel or full-face peel.
- To lift and rejuvenate the skin. Eyelid surgery can lift and rejuvenate the skin around the eyes. The goal is to achieve a naturally-appearing result to where you notice a difference, but the people around you may not know you had anything done.
- To correct a medical condition. In some cases, eyelid surgery may be necessary to correct a medical condition, such as a droopy eyelid. Please see our blog post on when insurance may cover eyelid surgery for more details.
Eyelid surgery is a relatively safe procedure, but there are some risks associated with it, such as:
- Bleeding. There is a risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. With routine eyelid surgery, this risk is about 1 in 3,000, so very rare. Make sure to be attentive to what medications to stop before surgery.
- Infection. There is also a risk of infection. Fortunately, this is also quite rare.
- Scarring. There is a risk of scarring, especially if the incisions are not made in a hidden location. This is uncommon and may depend on skin type and individual risk factors. Should you get noticeable scarring after surgery, there are some in-office treatments afterwards that we offer to help.
The cost of eyelid surgery varies depending on what specific procedure is performed, and also whether insurance will be able to cover a portion of the surgery. At the time of your consultation with Dr. Eftekhari, we will give you detailed pricing information.
The recovery time for eyelid surgery varies depending on the severity of the procedure. In general, you can expect to be able to return to normal activities within a few days. Bruising and swelling can last 2 weeks, so it’s best not to plan surgery before a family event or an in-person meeting where you need to be looking your best, because you can’t use makeup until two weeks after surgery.
If you are considering eyelid surgery, it is important to consult with a qualified surgeon to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure. The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS.org) is the specialty society of eyelid surgery, and Dr. Kian Eftekhari is an active member of the society. Call the Eyelid Center of Utah at 801-685-3398 to schedule an appointment, or fill out our online form below.