Serving Knoxville, Sevierville, Knox County & Nearby Areas of Tennessee
What is a Blepharoplasty?
Very few facial plastic surgery procedures have the ability to achieve the dramatic results commonly accomplished from eyelid surgery (also called blepharoplasty). Dr. Dean Kleto will develop a customized treatment plan to address the unique ways you are impacted by signs of aging around the eyes.
Your eyes are constantly working. They must perform muscle contractions all day long as you attempt to focus on objects at varying distances, and as part of the expression of emotion. These frequent muscle contractions, along with regular sun exposure, often cause the eyes to develop signs of aging earlier than other areas of the face. If you’d like to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes in order to restore a more youthful appearance, then eyelid surgery may be an excellent solution.
You can receive individualized treatment recommendations by speaking with Dr. Kleto in person. Please call 865.524.2442 today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in the Knoxville, Tennessee area.
What are the Benefits of (Blepharoplasty) Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is an effective way to achieve a more refreshed and rejuvenated look in the eye region. You can experience beautiful, natural looking results that take years off of your appearance.
Some common aesthetic benefits associated with blepharoplasty include:
- Eliminating hollows in the eyes
- Reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes
- Removing deep folds in the eyelids
- Eliminating eye puffiness and bags underneath the eyes
- Removing excess skin which can cause droopy eyelids
- Opening up the eye region
You may also experience important vision benefits from eyelid surgery. When eyelids droop as part of the aging process, it can obstruct your visual field. By correcting this issue, you may experience a broader visual field and improved peripheral vision.
Am I an (Blepharoplasty) Eyelid Surgery Candidate?
In order to be considered a good candidate for eyelid surgery, you should be in good health and have realistic expectations for the outcome of your procedure. In addition, this procedure is ideally suited for men and women who would like to correct one or more of the following:
- Hollows under the eyes which result in the appearance of dark bags
- Drooping in the upper eyelids
- Sagging or wrinkling in the eyelid skin
- Excess skin in the upper eyelid which may result in impaired vision
- Lost natural upper eyelid crease
- Puffy deposits of fat in the eyelids which result in a tired appearance
There is no right or wrong age to undergo blepharoplasty. While the procedure has most commonly been performed on men and women in their 40s and 50s, Dr. Kleto has seen a growing number of individuals get the procedure during their mid to late 30s in order to combat these signs of aging in their earliest stages. Ultimately, the best time for you to get eyelid surgery is when you feel ready to address these signs of aging.
Keep in mind that this procedure specifically focuses on signs of aging around the eyes. If you would like to restore a more youthful appearance in throughout the face, Dr. Kleto may recommend one or more of the following procedures in conjunction with blepharoplasty:
How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Your blepharoplasty procedure will be performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Dr. Kleto will make incisions in the creases along your upper eyelid, removing excess upper eyelid skin and bulging patches of fat. He will make additional incisions along the lower rim of the eyelid in order to remove excess bags of fat. The CO2 skin laser can be used to remove excess lower eyelid skin.
Dr. Kleto will then remove excess tissue and skin before raising your eyelids and firming your skin to accentuate the natural shape of your eyes. Depending on the extent of your procedure, eyelid surgery may take up to three hours.
Please read our Questions about Blepharoplasty page for additional information.
What is the Recovery from Blepharoplasty?
Recovery from eyelid surgery is relatively quick. Following your procedure, your eyes will be lubricated and ice compresses will be applied. You should arrange for assistance for the first 24 hours following your procedure to allow yourself plenty of time to rest.
Most patients are able to resume normal activities within ten days, but you will need to take precautions during this time to help prevent complications. These include:
- Using all prescribed medication
- Keeping your eyes clean at all times
- Keeping your head elevated
- Refraining from wearing makeup
- Refraining from smoking cigarettes
Dr. Kleto will remove your stitches after five to seven days.
At that time, swelling and bruising should be greatly reduced. Swelling can be controlled with the use of cold compresses, and the results of your eyelid surgery will be apparent as soon as it subsides.
FAQ
Out of all the cosmetic procedures, blepharoplasties are considered to be one of the least painful. You may experience a bit of discomfort on the day of the procedure, but aside from that, you will have a quick recovery while also seeing results. On average, those who have eyelid surgery report that discomfort is at its worst within the first 36 hours after the procedure. Furthermore, you may also experience swelling and bruising, but there is very little pain.
Like most cosmetic procedures, there are risks involved with getting a blepharoplasty. However, the procedure itself is not high-risk for most candidates. Although extremely rare, there may also be complications involved.
Below is a list of the potential risks of eyelid surgery:
- Experiencing double or blurred vision
- Your eyes may look a bit asymmetrical
- Hematoma, which is when blood pools underneath the skin
- The scarring is noticeable
Now, we will quickly cover the potential complications:
- Undesired aesthetic effect.
- Lower eyelid drooping.
- Infection
- Hematoma.
- Allergic reaction to the anesthetic.
Although these can be problematic, these complications are incredibly rare. This is why it is important for you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dean Kleto to know if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure.
Yes, having eyelid surgery can help you regain a more youthful appearance. This is accomplished by removing the excess skin and fat around the eyes. Having sagging or drooping eyelids does contribute to an aging appearance. Receiving a blepharoplasty has been reported to take off at least five to 10 years.
The first step in preparing for your eyelid surgery is a comprehensive examination and consultation with Dr. Kleto. He will examine your eyelids and discuss what you are hoping to achieve with eyelid surgery. He will discuss how the procedure is performed, which surgical approach is best for you, and what the recovery period is like. You will also be advised to discontinue certain types of medications that may cause excessive bleeding. If you smoke, you will be asked to stop for at least two weeks prior to the procedure to ensure proper healing.
Contact our Knoxville Plastic Surgeon
Please contact Dr. Kleto using the form on this page or call 865.524.2442 today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in the Knoxville, Tennessee area