Eyelid Surgery

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the last thing you want is for your eyes to look older than you feel on the inside. Yet, the delicate skin of the eye area often leads to sagging lids and excess tissue that can give you a tired, worn appearance and cause you to look prematurely aged. Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower lids or both to restore a more alert, youthful look.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alexander Nein specializes in eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. His diverse background includes studies in engineering as well as medical training, giving him the ideal expertise for the most aesthetic cosmetic surgery results. In addition to facial rejuvenation surgery, Dr. Nein also offers a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures for body contouring and breast enhancement.

If you’re ready to learn more, please contact us online today, or call 615-327-0201 to schedule your eyelid surgery consultation at our Nashville plastic surgery practice. We have patients travel to us from all parts of Tennessee including Franklin, Clarksville, Murfreesboro and other communities.

Considering Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery is relatively minor compared to other types of cosmetic facial rejuvenation, yet the results can be equally impressive in terms of helping you look renewed and refreshed. Most eyelid surgery is performed on men and women who are over the age of 35, although droopy eyelids that are caused by genetics rather than the aging process can be corrected at any age.

The best eyelid surgery results are seen in those men and women who already enjoy good overall health and who have realistic expectations about their goals for surgery. For example, while eyelid surgery is ideal for removing fatty tissue that causes bags below the eyes and lifting saggy eyelids, blepharoplasty won’t improve the appearance of crow’s feet, the wrinkles at the outer corner of the eyes. Additionally, some patients believe they need eyelid surgery when the problem lies with a fallen, heavy brow rather than aging in the eyes themselves.

Because facial rejuvenation should be customized to your needs and preferences, Dr. Nein may recommend combining eyelid surgery with other surgical or nonsurgical procedures, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for crow’s feet or a forehead lift to correct a lowered brow line. You can see examples of the eyelid surgery results that are possible in our before & after photo gallery.

At A Glance
Procedure Length 1 to 3 hours
Anesthesia Usually local with sedation, sometimes general
In/Outpatient Outpatient
Side Effects Temporary discomfort, tightness in the eyelids or dry eyes. Temporary swelling, bruising, itching. Sensitivity to light for a few weeks.
Risks Temporarily blurry or double vision. Dry eyes. Problems closing eyes completely. Asymmetry, infection, bleeding. Possible need for revision surgery. Although extremely rare, blindness is a potential risk.
Recovery Reading in 2 to 3 days. Back to work in 7 to 10 days. Wearing contact lenses in 2 weeks or more. Back to more active exercise in 3 weeks.
Duration of Results Several years or permanent.
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Before & After Photos

Our patients share their before and after photos with you.

Planning Your Surgery

Before your blepharoplasty, Dr. Nein will talk more with you about your goals for surgery during a one-on-one consultation. During this time, he’ll conduct a physical evaluation to make sure you’re a good candidate for eyelid surgery, along with talking more about the surgical approach he plans to take and whether he feels additional procedures could better help you meet your cosmetic goals.

Dr. Nein may perform upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery or both, depending on your hopes for the procedure.

  • During upper eyelid surgery, incisions are made within the natural creases of the upper lid. Next, Dr. Nein separates skin from underlying tissue to remove fatty deposits before tightening and smoothing the lids and closing the incision with very fine sutures.
  • Lower eyelid surgery typically begins with an incision made in the lower lash line, although younger patients who require fatty tissue removal only may be good candidates for a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, during which the incision is placed inside the lower eyelid.

It’s not uncommon to perform upper and lower eyelid surgery simultaneously.

During your consultation, Dr. Nein will advise you on which type of blepharoplasty he feels is most likely to help you meet your cosmetic goals, as well as go over the risks and benefits associated with each. This appointment is a great time to ask any questions you may have about your surgery, but you should feel free to get in touch at any point before your surgery or during your recovery if any other questions arise.

Your Recovery & Results

After your eyelid surgery, Dr. Nein typically lubricates the eyes using a special ointment. At first, you may feel tightness in your lids as well as tenderness, although pain medication can help you feel more comfortable.

Keeping your head elevated for the first several days and applying cold compresses can help reduce swelling and bruising. Dr. Nein will show you a special way to clean your eyes, which may feel sticky for the first week, along with recommending eye drops to help alleviate dry eye. Some blurriness, excessive tearing and sensitivity to light are all normal sensations after blepharoplasty, but these are temporary and should pass quickly.

Most men and women return to work and their daily routine between a week and 10 days after eyelid surgery, and makeup can be used to hide any lingering light bruises at that point. Although scars may remain pink for several weeks, Dr. Nein ensures that their placement is as discreet as possible so you can feel confident about your final results.

Still have questions? See our Eyelid Surgery FAQ page.

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