Question:
My eyes have problems on both the top and bottom. I am fair skinned with blue eyes, and that seems to make the bags under my eyes more noticeable. I also have hooded eyes – is that just too much skin below the eyebrow? I would like blepharoplasty to remove the bags and drooping skin. How long does this procedure take? Are my eyes covered afterwards or will I be able to see?
Answer:
Thank you for your very complete description of your eyelids. From your description it sounds as if an upper and lower lid blepharoplasty would be necessary. The upper eyelid surgery would be to address the excess skin and some fat of the upper lids. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty would be to reduce the bags that you can see in your lower eyelids. The procedure for both upper and lower eyelids will depend largely on the amount of work that will need to be performed on your lower lids. Upper lids will take around 45 minutes to repair, while lower lid blepharoplasty can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 or 2 hours. Following surgery you will be asked to use cold compresses on your eyes for about 20 minutes every hour. This is to reduce the swelling of your eyelids following blepharoplasty. I typically do not cover the eyes following blepharoplasty and other than some swelling, you should be able to see following your surgery.
Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld