Dr. Adam Weinfeld is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, Texas, who provides eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) with top-level care and compassion.
Am I a Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
You may be a candidate for eyelid surgery if you struggle with droopy upper eyelids, under-eye bags, or hollows. However, since nicotine use can increase the risk of complications, you should be willing to quit or not smoke for at least one month before surgery and one month after surgery. You must also be committed to following all Dr. Weinfeld’s instructions.
Learn more about eyelid surgery, and find out if you’re a candidate by calling (512) 253-2845 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Weinfeld.
What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is one of the unsung heroes of facial plastic surgery and offers several benefits, including:
- Enhanced eyelid contours: By tightening lax eyelid skin and muscles, blepharoplasty can restore a smoother, youthful contour to the upper and lower eyelids.
- Significant reduction or elimination of eyelid hooding: Sagging upper eyelid skin, known as hooding, can impair vision and contribute to a tired or aged appearance. Eyelid surgery can correct hooding by removing excess skin and tissue.
- Improved vision: Eyelid surgery can enhance vision by tightening the upper eyelid to eliminate drooping and hooding.
- Reduced Puffiness: Eyelid surgery can effectively remove excess skin and fat deposits, reducing puffiness and bags under the eyes.
- Improved Confidence: Improving the appearance of the eyes can significantly impact self-esteem and confidence.
- Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles in upper and lower eyelids
- Long-lasting results: While aging continues over time, the results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting, providing enduring improvements in eyelid appearance and contour.
How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Any successful surgery includes at least two steps: the consultation and the procedure itself.
Your Blepharoplasty Consultation
Before undergoing eyelid surgery, a consultation with Dr. Weinfeld is essential. During the consultation, he will listen to your aesthetic concerns and goals, evaluate your overall health, and check for any underlying eye conditions.
Dr. Weinfeld will also perform a comprehensive examination of your eyelids and facial anatomy, assessing skin elasticity, muscle tone, and fat distribution to determine the surgical technique best suited to achieve your desired results.
The consultation is an opportunity to ask questions, address any concerns, and gain a clear understanding of the surgical process and expected outcomes. At the end of your consultation, you will receive an inclusive cost estimate for your eyelid surgery.
Eyelid surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference and the extent of the surgery. The surgical technique varies depending on whether the procedure targets the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.
The Procedure – Upper Eyelid Surgery
Our surgeon makes discreet incisions along the natural creases of the upper eyelids to minimize scarring. A small amount of fat is sometimes removed from the inner corner of the upper eyelids, and other fat is repositioned to create a smooth, convex, and full (almost “pillowy”) youthful upper eyelid. The management of fat in the upper eyelid is customized for the patient. Removing too much fat can create a hollow or old appearance. Not removing enough fat can leave the eyelid looking as if there is still a large fold. Most patients need no or only a small amount of fat removed in the inner corner of the eyelid near the nose. Patients with very full and heavy-appearing eyelids require more fat removed across the entire eyelid length. Care is always taken to leave behind a natural and youthful amount of fat. Excess skin and tissue is then removed to create a softer, tighter, more youthful eyelid contour.
Our surgeon is also experienced in oculoplastic surgery, allowing him to perform ptosis correction. Ptosis is when the eyelid is positioned lower than usual and differs from loose eyelid skin.
THE PROCEDURE – LOWER EYELID SURGERY
Open / Subcilliary: For lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Weinfeld will make incisions along the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival approach) to access the underlying tissues. Most excess fat deposits are not removed but are repositioned to restore youthful contours. Usually, a minimal amount of fat is reduced on the part of the lid closed to the nose and the part closest to the ear if it is predicted that the fat would otherwise leave the appearance of a small back. Just like the upper lid, fat modification in the lower lid is customized to the patient, and in general, most is left behind but repositioned to create a youthful, natural appearance with a blended and smooth lid cheek junction. A minimal amount of excess skin is removed. Our surgeon takes care to ensure that the lower eyelid transitions into the upper cheek youthfully, and he often includes some components of an upper cheek lift during his lower blepharoplasty procedures.
Transconjunctival: This approach is used when the biggest issue is fat pads, and there isn’t a lot of excess skin. The incisions for this are performed in the inner part of the lower eyelid, not on the outer skin. The fat is then repositioned and potentially reduced, as discussed above. If the lower eyelid skin has a small amount of excess or fine wrinkles, these can be addressed with a skin pinch lower lid blepharoplasty, as described below.
Skin pinch: A skin pinch blepharoplasty involves using forceps to identify excess skin on the lower lid by pinching it. Then, scissors are used to trim the excess skin. This technique addresses a small amount of excess skin and/or fine lines in the lower lid skin. A skin pinch lower lid blepharoplasty can be combined with a transconjunctival blepharoplasty if fat pads need to be addressed. The scar from a skin pinch is difficult to see once it is fully healed.
Combined Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
In some cases, both the upper and lower eyelids may be addressed to achieve comprehensive rejuvenation of the entire area, which would include the steps of both procedures.
Incisions for one or both surgeries are meticulously closed with fine sutures, and protective ointment or dressings are applied to promote healing.
Combining Other Cosmetic Procedures With Eyelid Surgery
- Brow lift surgery: to improve the eyes and upper face comprehensively
- Facelift surgery: to address the mid-to-lower face for complete facial rejuvenation
- Fat transfer: to enhance the cheek and midface areas
What Results Can I Expect From Eyelid Surgery?
The results of eyelid surgery are typically visible once initial swelling and bruising subside, with the final outcome becoming apparent as the tissues settle into their new positions.
Patients can typically expect:
- Smoother, more youthful contours to the upper and lower eyelids.
- Reduction or elimination of puffiness, bags, and wrinkles around the eyes.
- Improved symmetry and balance between the eyes and surrounding facial features.
- Long-lasting improvements in eyelid appearance and overall facial harmony.
By following post-operative instructions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of complications and enjoy the benefits of eyelid surgery for years to come, feeling more confident and refreshed in your appearance.
Your Austin Eyelid Surgery Expert
Dr. Weinfeld takes a meticulous approach to upper and lower eyelid surgery in Austin, Texas. Call (512) 253-2845 to schedule a consultation with our well-respected, board-certified plastic surgeon.
Get In Touch
Patients respond to Dr. Weinfeld's expertise and caring patient focused approach. If you have any questions about a procedure or are ready to schedule a consultation, please call or fill out the form below.
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This facility is only for cosmetic and non-insurance based procedures. If you seek insurance based treatments or reconstructive procedures, please search for Dr. Weinfeld in his other facility.
Phone: 512-559-1376
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