ASK DOCTOR YAGODAAnswer: No. You will look like yourself, only more rested and refreshed!
ASK DR. YAGODAQuestion: I’m 54 and looking into getting a blepharoplasty in the New York City area. How long will it take to complete an upper eyelid and bottom eyelid blepharoplasty and will I need to bring someone with me?
Answer: The surgery should take approximately 2 hours and yes, you need an adult to take you home and stay with you for the first night just in case you need any assistance. Everyone deserves a bit of pampering!
ASK DOCTOR YAGODAQuestion: I’m a 49-year-old female, living on the Upper West Side and I have never been put under for a surgery. Can I undergo an eye lift without anesthesia?
Answer: You can certainly have a blepharoplasty (eye lift) without general anesthesia. But, there is no need to be a martyr and reject all anesthesia! Upper eyelid surgery can be done safely and comfortably in the office operating room under topical and local anesthetic. Lower lid blepharoplasty can be done under intravenous sedation and local anesthetic. In both cases, you will be completely comfortable and feel nothing!
Question: How long will my blepharoplasty take to heal? I’m getting married to my second husband in 6 months in NYC and I want to look spectacular. I’ll be 55 and I want to look as good as I feel.
Answer: For an event as big as a wedding, I recommend 7-10 days as a minimum, and 3 weeks to allow full recovery!
ASK DOCTOR YAGODAQuestion: I’m a 55 year-old male living in Manhattan, and my father left me with deep forehead wrinkles that never smooth out. My top eyelids also sag down more than they used to and I’m starting to develop bags… My question is, can I get a brow lift with an eyelid lift or only one at a time?
Answer: You can have them both at the same time. Or, you can have non-surgical, total eyelid rejuvenation technique using Botox/Dysport for the forehead wrinkles (provided that the brow is at or above the bony ridge above your upper eyelid) and surgery for the upper eyelids.
ASK DR. YAGODAQuestion: How fast can I return to work after getting an eye lift? I’m 55, male, and my works leaves me little vacation time. Can I come in on a Friday and return to work Monday?
Answer: You can…but you may not want to! The surgery is not painful at all, but the eyelids can feel heavy for 24-72 hours after. You will feel fine, but you will have some swelling and black and blue marks. If you are not worried about anyone seeing you in this condition, you can certainly go back to work. Just make sure there is no heavy lifting, no flying, no swimming and no carrying anything more than ten pounds for ten days after the surgery.
ASK DOCTOR YAGODAQuestion: How young is too young to get eye surgery? I’m only 28 but I’ve always had these dark circles under my eyes and my top eyelid is invisible with my eyes open. I live in the city so I’m very close to your New York office.
Answer: Unlike surgery to pin the ears back or to change the shape of the nose, there is no minimum age for eyelid surgery. (Ear and nose surgery can be safely considered only after each has respectively reached its full adult size–for the ear it is after age six, and for the nose it is after puberty). Eyelid surgery can be done safely at any age. But, rejuvenating the eye area does not necessarily require surgery! Botox/Dysport, peels, lasers and fillers can rejuvenate the eye area non-surgically. A full exam is necessary in order to assess skin elasticity and to evaluate the cause of bulging and dark circles in the lower eyelid. Make sure that you consider all of your options before you commit to a surgery that you may not need!
ASK DR. YAGODAQuestion: Is there a way to remove dark under eye circles and bags without surgery? I’m 42 and I’ve had a blepharoplasty in the past, so I don’t want to undergo surgery again.
Answer: Your question is a common one, but the answer is a bit complicated. I am guessing you mean that you’ve had lower lid blepharoplasty? If so, there should be no “bags” or bulging fat left. However, on occasion, fat may be missed in the original surgery or it may appear later in the aging process. If fat is left behind, it typically causes a bulge under the eye at the outermost part. However, if the bulge is in the center or middle portion of the lower lid, this may be a muscle ridge. A muscle ridge is caused by repeatedly squinting while in the sun. The best treatment is actually prevention: wearing sunglasses when you are outside. If it’s too late for prevention, treatment may include Botox or Dysport to soften the area of muscular prominence caused by overuse. Another option is judicious surgical excision. However, beware of aggressive removal techniques because they may leave you with a weakened lower eyelid muscle and difficulty in closing your eyes.
As for dark circles, the best treatment depends on the cause(s). When the cause is genetic (especially common in people of Mediterranean descent), it may be due to pigmentation and it can be especially difficult to treat. When the dark circles are related to allergies, nasal congestion and sinusitis, surgery of the nose and sinuses can help. When the dark circles are present in fine, pale eyelid skin, the cause may be hemosiderindeposits (a component of blood) and non-invasive laser and light therapy may be of benefit. While there are many options for treating dark circles and bulges under the eye, the best result will only occur with the right diagnosis. Make sure to visit a specialist to fully evaluate your treatment options.
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Question: My eyes always look tired and I have eye bags. I’m a 42-year-old man from Manhattan and I scar easily. Am I a candidate for an eyelid lift?
Answer: Yes, lower lid bags can easily be removed without leaving any visible scar. This is through a transconjunctival approach. In this surgery, an incision is made inside the lower eyelid and the fat is removedfrom the inside. This technique not only removes the unwanted fat bags, but it also preserves the strength and elasticity of the lower eyelid skin.
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Question: Can a blepharoplasty change my eye shape? I’m Asian American, 33, living in New York City, and one of my eyes is rounder than the other, which makes me look asymmetrical.
Answer: Blepharoplasty can change the shape of the eye, if that is the goal, but routine eyelift surgery does not change its shape. In some cases, Asian eyes can look rounder, or more Western, with incisionless double lid surgery as well.
