Blepharoplasty
Drooping eyelids and bags under your eyes can make you look much older than you feel and even interfere with your vision.
Dr. Peter Brownrigg performs blepharoplasty to remove sagging skin for improved peripheral vision and a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.
So why do patients turn to eyelid surgery by Dr. Brownrigg in Ottawa, Canada, K1Z 8R9?
Blepharoplasty Can Enhance Your Features & Your Confidence
Reduce Signs of Aging
Removing sagging skin and bags under the eyes can help you look the way you feel, boosting your self-confidence and impacting the way others view you.
Improve Peripheral Vision
If your upper eyelids droop significantly, it can be difficult to see your surroundings clearly. Removing this excess tissue can improve your vision.
Comprehensive Treatment
Dr. Brownrigg can combine eyelid surgery with other cosmetic procedures, such as a facelift or rhinoplasty, to create even more dramatic results.
A Brief Overview of the Procedure
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure that can typically be completed in one to two hours. It is a highly personalized form of cosmetic surgery designed to produce natural-looking results.
To ensure your comfort during surgery, blepharoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. During the procedure, our surgeon will create tiny, discreet incisions around the upper or lower eyelids, remove excess fat deposits and skin, and tighten the remaining skin, giving you smoother, more youthful contours around the eyes. In most cases, patients can go home to begin their recovery immediately after the procedure.
Eyelid surgery is one of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures, and it is increasing in popularity. This is partly because there are various types of eyelid surgery that address a wide range of needs. Upper eyelid surgery, for example, is highly effective in correcting the “hooding” and puffiness of the upper eyelid and inner corner of the eyelid. Upper eyelid surgery restores a more youthful, alert appearance, and can also be used to enhance the upper eyelid crease. Lower eyelid surgery targets the bulging fat of lower eye bags. There is also a type of eyelid surgery called transconjunctival blepharoplasty that is suitable for people with more elastic skin. In this procedure, no skin is removed, just fat.
Blepharoplasty Is a Consistently Popular Treatment
Sagging, Wrinkles, & Other Signs of Aging
Wrinkles & Puffiness
Wrinkles and puffiness around your eyes can make you look significantly older. By tightening loose skin, your doctor can restore more a vibrant, youthful look.Sagging
Drooping of the upper eyelids can interfere with your ability to wear makeup, make you look older, and interfere with your vision. Sagging of the lower eyelid can expose the white portion of the eye under the iris, which can lead to other complications.Lack of Expression
Sagging eyelids can affect your range of expression, causing you to look tired, angry, or sad. This can also take a toll on your self-confidence.
Do Heavy, Puffy Lids Block Your Field of Vision?
Blepharoplasty is a highly sought-after cosmetic surgery because it not only improves your appearance, but can also improve your field of vision. Patients with drooping skin on their upper eyelids often have difficulty seeing compared to those with tighter lids. For these patients, upper eyelid surgery can be absolutely life-changing, helping them see more clearly.
We Maintain Patient Safety & Comfort
You may be apprehensive about undergoing surgery on such a delicate part of your body. However, you can rest assured that Dr. Brownrigg follows the strictest standards of care when performing your surgery, and will provide support throughout your recovery.
Pain is also a common patient concern. Local anesthesia will be used to numb your eyelid during surgery and sedation will be administered to keep you relaxed and comfortable throughout the entire process. After surgery, pain medication can be used to manage any discomfort.
Refined Techniques Result in Minimal Scarring
Modern blepharoplasty involves making incisions in the natural tissue creases around the eye, resulting in scars that are virtually unnoticeable. Dr. Brownrigg is a highly trained cosmetic surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery. He uses the most refined techniques to provide flattering results that look as natural as possible.
Preview Your Results with 3D Facial Imaging
Dr. Brownrigg is one of the only surgeons in the country who uses 3D facial imaging to help patients preview their results. Our Ottawa practice is equipped with the VECTRA® 3D system. This technology allows us to create high-resolution, 3D images of our patients, which can then be uploaded to a 3D simulator that creates a realistic representation of what you could look like after surgery. This helps you "try-on" your results and feel confident that you are undergoing the right treatment.
3 Types of Surgeries
Upper
If your eyes constantly look tired or if your lids are blocking your visual field, you may be a good candidate for upper eyelid surgery. During this procedure, Dr. Brownrigg will create an incision along the crease of the upper lid, remove excess skin, and tighten the surrounding tissue.
Lower
If you have permanent bags underneath your eyes, you may be a candidate for lower eyelid surgery. During this cosmetic procedure, Dr. Brownrigg will create discreet incisions just below or inside the lower lids. He will then remove excess fat, creating smooth, rejuvenated contours.
Combined
Blepharoplasty patients sometimes combine their eyelid surgery with other procedures, such as facelift surgery or an endoscopic brow lift, for more dramatic results. As a face and neck surgery specialist, Dr. Brownrigg is skilled in determining which procedure or procedures will allow you to achieve your goals.
How to Prepare for Your Upcoming Procedure
The first step in preparing for surgery is to schedule a consultation. Be prepared to discuss your goals, medical history, and prescriptions with Dr. Brownrigg so he can ensure you are a good candidate.
If you are approved for cosmetic surgery, you will prepare by:
- Adjusting medications that could increase the risk of surgical complications
- Quitting smoking
- Arranging for a friend or loved one to accompany you to surgery
- Taking time off work
You will also be given a detailed list of pre-op instructions to follow in the days before your surgery.
What to Expect during Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty takes about one hour per eyelid.
Day of Procedure
Dr. Brownrigg specializes in facial plastic surgery.
What to Expect after Your Surgery
Dr. Brownrigg and his team will explain what to do and what to avoid during the healing period to ensure the smoothest recovery possible. The recovery time from eyelid surgery is relatively brief and takes about seven to 10 days. During this time, you can expect some level of discomfort, including:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Dry eyes
- Irritation
You can alleviate discomfort using a cold compress, eye drops, or pain medication prescribed by Dr. Brownrigg. He might also prescribe antibiotics to minimize the chance of infection.
To reduce the risk of bleeding, avoid strenuous exercise until cleared by our Ottawa team. Most patients can return to work within a week of their surgery. Although the incisions are discreetly placed within natural folds of the eyelid, visible scarring can take several months to fade.
The Typical Recovery Timeline
First Few Days
You should plan to take time off work and spend time relaxing at home while keeping your head elevated as much as possible.
1 to 2 Weeks
You will have some bruising, swelling, and soreness. These side effects can be alleviated with cold compresses and head elevation.
2 Weeks
Most patients are ready to go back to work and return to most of their normal activities. Do not exercise until cleared to do so by your surgeon.
4 Weeks
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities that could trigger bleeding from your incisions until cleared by Dr. Brownrigg.
A Dramatic, Yet Natural-Looking Transformation of the Eye Area
Life after Eyelid Surgery
Your final results should be visible within a few months of your surgery. Following an eye lift, you can expect to look more refreshed, energetic, and rejuvenated. If Dr. Brownrigg corrected drooping in the upper eyelids during surgery, you may even be able to see more clearly.
Although your skin will still be subject to the effects of natural aging, there are many ways to keep your results looking as good as possible. Avoid excessive sun exposure or wear protective eyewear, such as wraparound sunglasses. Also, refrain from smoking, since smoking causes premature skin aging and other damage.
A 5-Star Review by a Blepharoplasty Patient
"Had my eyes done by Dr. Brownrigg and the results are terrific. Wonderful staff and results. 5 star experience." Jean W.
Our 3-D Imaging Technology Brings Your Results to Life
Our Ottawa surgery practice is one of the few surgical practices to offer 3D facial imaging using the VECTRA 3-D Imaging System. Using this advanced technology, we can:
- Take a high-resolution photo of your features
- Build a realistic representation of your results
- "Try on" multiple procedures to help you decide which is best
The technology at our Ottawa practice can help you feel confident about eyelid correction before committing to surgery.
Reclaim Your Youthful Look with Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty targets droopy eyelids and excessive skin around the eyes which makes a person look older than he or she is.
Blepharoplasty vs. Non-Surgical Treatment
For patients who are not quite ready to undergo eyelid surgery, our Ottawa practice has non-surgical treatments available. BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal fillers can also address wrinkles around your eyes, and are a more affordable option for many patients. However, these treatments must be touched-up every few months and cannot correct sagging or excess skin. If these are your primary concerns, a surgical eye lift is typically your best option.
