Our eyes are the first thing people notice about us. However, these first impressions are not always ideal for people who suffer from puffy eyes. In many cases, puffy eyes are caused by loose skin and prolapsed orbital fat, creating tired, swollen-looking eyes in patients. Luckily, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Mehryar (Ray) Taban, MD, FACS is an expert at performing blepharoplasty, a procedure which returns the skin to its natural look and makes patients appear years younger.
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty: What’s the Difference?
As mentioned, excess skin and prolapsed fat around the eyes (either on the upper eyelid or lower eyelid) can make someone look older and extremely tired. However, there are important distinctions between the two conditions.
Upper blepharoplasty is a procedure performed on patients with puffy or excess skin in the upper eyelids. For some people, it so severe that it impairs their vision.
In some extreme cases, excessive loose skin around the upper eyelids can be combined with eyelid ptosis, or droopy eyelids, necessitating a tightening of the muscle that controls the eyelid.
Unlike upper blepharoplasty, which targets the eyelid above the eyes, lower blepharoplasty is a procedure that removes the excess skin and fat under the eyes. Typically, people who require lower blepharoplasty have dark bags and circles beneath their eyes, giving the appearance of tiredness or boredom.
Saggy, puffy eyes are caused primarily with age. As a person ages, their skin loses elasticity, causing it to sag. Fat also tends to redistribute itself around the eyes, giving a fuller, more prominent look to the eyelids. Dr. Taban specializes in ocular plastic surgery and is an expert at removing the symptoms associated with excess eyelid skin and fat, giving patients a youthful and alert look.
Blepharoplasty Surgery
Are you a candidate for blepharoplasty? If your eyes appear excessively tired, baggy, or saggy, or if your eyelids interfere with your vision, then blepharoplasty is the procedure for you.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty are both performed in a similar matter. In both cases, a patient is placed under local anesthesia. Dr. Taban then makes incisions where the natural crease is on the eyelid or hidden inside the eyelid, effectively making scars invisible. After an incision is made, excess skin and fat is removed from the eyelids, giving the patient a rejuvenated and rested appearance.
After the procedure has been performed, patients can expect a mild level of discomfort in the days following the operation. Swelling and bruising usually disappear after a week, after which patients are typically able to wear contact lenses and makeup again.
Schedule an Appointment with the Best Oculoplastic Surgeon in Los Angeles
Mehryar (Ray) TabanMD, FACS is a Los Angeles-based board-certified oculoplastic surgeon (as well as diplomat of American Board of Cosmetic Surgery). Dr. Taban performs a variety of eyelid procedures at his offices in Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Taban, or if you have any general questions about blepharoplasty, please do not hesitate to contact his office at (805) 669-9101.