All About Eyelid and Brow Lift Surgery – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Worried about skin around your eyes gettingsaggy, baggy or wrinkled?

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If so, you may have already done yourresearch that shows aneyelidliftorbrowliftcan be a quick,easy fix for these problems.

That may be true, but bear in mindbefore deciding on any surgery its important to consider all the facts.

Ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeonJulianPerry, MD, answers common questions about the difference betweenbrowlifts andeyelidlifts, and ifyou should have these procedures done.

Most people consider aneyelidorbrowliftfor cosmetic reasons,as there are many benefits.

Eyelidandbrowlifts can brighten your eyes and help you look more youthful and alert.

Andfor those also wondering if abrowliftoreyelidlifthelps hooded eyes? Yes, these procedures can help take care of this problem as well, Dr.Perrysays.

But he also adds that drooping skin in the eye area can be more than just a cosmetic concern.

It can happen at any age, butyou may start to notice heavy skin and tissue on your uppereyelids. Sometimes you can even see or feel it resting on your eyelashes, Dr.Perrysays. This can cause eye fatigue and many cases itcan alsointerfere with your vision.

If youve been having vision problems and you think youreyelids maybe the problem,use your finger to hold youreyelidand eyebrow up.Look around in all directions.Iflifting the skin seemsto improve your vision, then drooping skin is likely the culprit andeyelidandbrowsurgerieswillhelp correct it.

Some insurance companies may evenhelp with the cost in cases where vision is impaired.Justremember toconsult firstwith your insurance company and your doctor to understand specifics of your coverage terms before you choose any surgery.

For aneyelidliftyoucanconsidereyelidsurgery or what medical professionals refer to asblepharoplasty. There are two types.

Abrowliftis a slightly different procedure. When performing abrowlift, the surgeon makes incisions just above thebrowtoliftand tighten the skin above your eyes. This procedure leaves small but visible scars. Typically, incisions made in the hairline can make the scars less visible.

In my career Ive performed over20,000eyelidand eyebrow procedures, Dr.Perrysays. Yes, they are extremely safe.

As for any risks fromeyelidliftorbrowliftsurgery, theyre primarily cosmetic. For example, some procedures may result in asymmetrical results, excess tissue thats left behindor results that may not go far enough in correcting the problem.

Browlifts can also leave visible scars or skin discoloration but weve developed new techniques to minimize these scars, Dr.Perrysays.

Major risks such as blurred vision or loss of eyesight, bleeding, infection, nerve damage or other problems are rare.

As with any surgery, you want to consider the general risks associated with surgery in general, including reaction to anesthesia and blood clotting.

I always tell patients that the results of these surgeries last a lifetime, but the aging process will always continue, Dr.Perrysays. In other words, your face just like the rest of you will keep getting older and aging will likely begin to show at some point.

But Dr.Perrysays, Many patients enjoy good results from eyelifts andbrowlifts for decades.

He also adds that additionalsurgery down the road canalways bean option, too.

Dr.Perrysays that most people are good candidates foreyelidandbrowlifts, with just a couple of exceptions:

If youve already had upper blepharoplasty but have started feeling droopy again, you may not have any uppereyelidskin left to remove. In this case, abrowliftmay be a better option.

Also, if youre on blood thinners and arent able to stop taking them before surgery, the surgical plan might need to be modified.

If surgical solutions arent for you, there arenon-surgical waysto brighten your eye area:

If youre thinking its time to take action against bags and wrinkles around your eyes, you can consult with a plastic surgeon and weigh all of theoptions, Dr.Perryadds.

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All About Eyelid and Brow Lift Surgery - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic