Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Before & After Photos

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

At Macleod Trail Plastic Surgery, we perform eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in Calgary to correct sagging, puffy eyelids and help patients appear more youthful and rested.

This procedure is very popular due to its ability to achieve remarkable results with reduced discomfort and downtime. Our Royal College-certified plastic surgeons often combine eyelid surgery with other cosmetic procedures to help patients from Calgary, and other Alberta cities achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

If you would like to know if blepharoplasty can help you look and feel better, request a consultation online to meet with one of our surgeons or call us at (403) 452-7953 to schedule an appointment.

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Is Eyelid Surgery Right for You?

Eyelid surgery adjusts fat, skin, and muscle to restore smooth eyelids and create a more open and alert eye appearance. This procedure is effective if:

Redundant skin covers the natural fold of your upper eyelids or your lash line
Puffiness in your upper and lower eyelids makes your eyes look tired and aged
Deep grooves under your eyes make you look tired

Eyelid surgery is typically considered a cosmetic procedure, but it may be medically necessary if sagging eyelids affect your vision.

Your Eyelid Surgery Options

Blepharoplasty can be performed on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. In most cases, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area, and sedation is administered to keep you comfortable throughout the surgery.

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper eyelid surgery corrects the drooping or sagging skin on the upper eyelid. Your surgeon will carefully evaluate your underlying musculature, bone structure, and other physical factors before beginning the procedure. Incisions along your lids' natural creases and folds ensure that scars are undetectable. The surgeon removes excess skin and fat, makes any modifications to underlying muscles, then closes the incisions.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Lower eyelid surgery is an excellent solution if your primary concern is puffiness under the eyes, which causes a tired look. Bags under the eyes are caused by excess fat in this area, which can be addressed with lower lid blepharoplasty. An incision made just below the lower lashes is used to remove and reposition fat and skin. As with upper eyelid surgery, the incision is inconspicuous. For patients concerned about a hollowed appearance under the eyes, we may restore volume with fat from another part of the body or with a dermal filler.

Another option for lower eyelid surgery is transconjunctival blepharoplasty, in which the incision is made inside the lower lid. This is an excellent approach when skin excision isn't required.

Recovery

Upper blepharoplasty is usually completed within an hour; lower lid procedures can be more involved and may take longer. After the process, it is not uncommon for the eyes to be sensitive to light and wind; excessive tearing is common. Your surgeon will provide detailed post-op instructions for you to follow while recovering.

Discomfort is usually quite manageable with over-the-counter analgesics. However, some swelling and bruising are expected and can be soothed by applying ice packs and eye drops. Contact lenses may not be worn for two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

If bags or puffiness under the eyelid are present, lower eyelid surgery is the right choice.

For the upper eyelids, it's a bit more complex, because it depends on whether the cause is a droopy brow, excess skin above the upper eyelid (upper blepharoplasty), or both. A simple test you can perform at home: Try gently lifting your forehead skin up toward the scalp. This simulates the effect of a brow lift and can help you decide.

Of course, your surgeon will be happy to help you understand which procedure(s) will be right for you during a consultation.

For the majority of eyelid surgery patients, the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is not likely to cover the procedure. Cosmetic surgery is not covered unless it is deemed "medically necessary." For a blepharoplasty, this would require the patient to demonstrate significant visual impairment from sagging skin.

Your surgeon can recommend that the surgery be performed to improve your vision, but please understand that this is not a guarantee that AHCIP will cover the procedure.

Contact Macleod Trail Plastic Surgery

Our staff at Macleod Trail Plastic Surgery in Calgary is dedicated and available to answer any questions you may have about our practice and the plastic surgery procedures we offer. Fields marked with * are required.