Ask Dr. Elliott: Fully Understanding Eyelid Surgery

Our eyes may be small, relative to some of our other features, but they can still have an outsized impact on our appearance. And no matter how careful you are to maintain your appearance and protect yourself from the sun, the eyes are just one of those areas that are naturally susceptible to premature signs of aging. This is part of the reason that eyelid surgery is so consistently popular with both male and female plastic surgery patients. Today, I wanted to answer a few commonly asked questions about eyelid surgery in the hopes of helping patients better understand this cosmetic procedure.

Question #1: Can undergoing eyelid surgery affect my vision?

There is no risk of long-term vision loss or damage associated with eyelid surgery. While some patients may experience some mild blurriness in their vision immediately following the procedure, this will only be temporary. In fact, undergoing eyelid surgery can often help improve the patient’s vision by removing sagging skin around the eyes that can negatively affect peripheral vision for some people.

Question #2: How long should I wait after a rhinoplasty procedure before undergoing eyelid surgery?

Obviously, it’s of critical importance to allow your face to fully heal and for post-surgery swelling to reduce considerably following one cosmetic procedure before pursuing another. However, I sometimes perform procedures like rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery together in one surgery session. Doing so allows my patients to achieve the comprehensive facial rejuvenation they desire, while also cutting back on overall recovery time and surgical costs.

Question #3: Are eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery interchangeable procedures?

No. While it’s true that both brow lift and eyelid surgery can be used to help address common signs of aging in the upper portion of the face, they are actually intended to treat different areas.I perform eyelid surgery to help patients who experience loose skin and/or pockets of fat in the upper and/or lower eyelids. A brow lift is more focused on rejuvenating the area above the eyes, specifically around the forehead and eyebrows, as well as overall brow placement. These procedures can be performed together in many cases.

I’m always happy to take time to answer questions like these from patients. Being able to offer honest and helpful answers to questions relating to the procedures that I perform is a big reason why I’ve been named a Top Doctor in Atlanta for over 20 years, an honor that I do not take lightly. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook and Twitter for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.