Eyelid Surgery
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Frederick H Watkins, MD
Plastic Surgeon & Cosmetic Surgeon located in Rockville, MD & McLean, VA
If you’re troubled by drooping, sagging eyelids or undereye bags, eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and restore normal eyelid shape and function. Frederick H. Watkins, MD, is an experienced cosmetic surgeon offering eyelid surgery to men and women in Rockville, Maryland, and McLean, Virginia. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about the procedure and how it can change the look and function of your eyelids. You can book a visit online or over the phone.
Eyelid Surgery Q & A
What is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses sagging or drooping eyelids. In the hands of a skilled surgeon like Dr. Watkins, eyelid surgery greatly improves the way your eyelids look and how well they function.
As you age, the skin of your upper and lower eyelids begins to stretch. At the same time, the tiny muscles supporting your eyelids begin to weaken. The combined effect is extra fat both above and below your eyelids, which pulls the stretched skin downward.
Is eyelid surgery cosmetic or medically necessary?
The answer depends on the extent of sagging and how your eyelid positioning affects your vision. In many cases, drooping or sagging eyelids is an aesthetic concern, and makes you look older than your years.
In other cases, sagging eyelids interfere with your vision by obstructing your peripheral vision. When your eyelids alter your sight, blepharoplasty is often deemed medically necessary.
What happens during eyelid surgery?
Dr. Watkins begins by making a small incision along the fold of your upper eyelid. That allows him to access the underlying muscle and fat tissue. He removes any excess tissue and then carefully removes excess eyelid skin before closing the incision.
If you also have your lower eyelids done, Dr. Watkins makes an incision just under your eye or inside your lower eyelid. He removes or redistributes excess muscle, fat, and skin before closing the incision.
Incisions are placed where the thin scar is hidden in your skin’s natural folds or creases. Once the healing process is complete, your scars are nearly invisible.
What should I expect after eyelid surgery?
Once the effects of your anesthesia wear off, you can return home. You may experience the following temporary effects:
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Watering eyes
- Blurry vision
- Numbness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Discomfort
It’s unlikely you’ll experience more than a few of these effects, which subside in the days following your procedure. Dr. Watkins provides detailed post-operative instructions to help the healing process move forward.
If you’d like to learn more, schedule an appointment with Dr. Watkins online or over the phone.
