Eyelid Lift

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is the technical name for an eyelid lift, which is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the appearance of your eyes by addressing excess skin, muscle laxity and fat deposits around the upper and lower eyelids. Patients looking for cosmetic eye surgery along the North Shore and Chicago choose blepharoplasty by Dr. Terrasse for the dramatic but natural results and minimal downtime associated with this procedure.

A blepharoplasty procedure can address multiple concerns and areas at once, including the following:

• Excess skin 
• Hooding
• Puffiness
• Bags under the eyes

Understanding Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

Upper and lower eyelid surgeries are available to patients depending on their concerns. Each approach addresses unique concerns in distinct ways, and many patients find a combined approach to be most effective and efficient. 

Upper Blepharoplasty

The chief concern regarding the upper eyelid area typically involves excess skin that can create a hooded appearance or drooping toward the lash line, obstructing vision in more severe cases. This redundant tissue can make you appear older, tired or even bored. 

Upper eyelid surgery removes this excess skin through precisely placed incisions hidden within the natural creases of your eyelids. Dr. Terrasse may also address weakened muscles and reposition or remove fatty deposits that contribute to a heavy, puffy appearance in the upper lid area.

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower eyelid issues often present as puffiness, bags or dark circles beneath your eyes. These problems are due to normal fat that has shifted or become more prominent, along with skin that has lost elasticity and begun to sag. When it comes to eye bag removal, North Shore area patients want long-lasting solutions that can eliminate the puffiness without extensive downtime.

Lower eyelid surgery addresses these concerns by repositioning or removing excess fat and tightening loose skin. Depending on your anatomy and specific needs, Dr. Terrasse may place incisions just below the lash line or inside the lower lid, where they remain completely invisible. In some cases, fat grafting or fillers may be recommended to address hollowing beneath the eyes, creating a smooth transition between the lower lid and cheek.

The Dual Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

One reason our team and our patients love blepharoplasty is its ability to make functional and aesthetic improvements at the same time. 

Cosmetic Benefits of Blepharoplasty

By removing excess skin and repositioning or reducing fatty deposits, Dr. Terrasse’s eyelid surgery approach restores a more youthful and refreshed look. Your resting expression will be brighter and more vibrant, and people around you may take notice without being able to pinpoint exactly what changed. 

Functional Improvement

Not all blepharoplasty patients come to us with obstructed vision, but for those more severe cases that do, this procedure can make daily life safer and more comfortable. From reading and going about your daily chores to driving and working, opening up your peripheral vision with blepharoplasty empowers you to take on these tasks and more with greater confidence and ability. 

The Eyelid Surgery Experience

Your Consultation

Every patient at Terrasse Aesthetic Surgery starts with a comprehensive consultation. In this initial appointment, Dr. Terrasse will examine the skin, muscles and fat around your eyes, assess the degree of excess tissue and discuss your aesthetic goals. He’ll explain which surgical approach will produce the best results for your unique anatomy and may recommend combining eyelid surgery with other facial procedures like brow lift, facelift or skin treatments for comprehensive rejuvenation.

The Procedure

Eyelid surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of your procedure and your preferences. The surgery typically takes one to three hours, depending on whether you’re having upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both treated.

For upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Terrasse creates incisions along the natural creases of your eyelids, where scars will be virtually invisible once healed. He then removes excess skin, tightens weakened muscles and repositions or removes fatty deposits as needed before closing the incisions with fine sutures.

For lower eyelid surgery, incisions are typically placed just below the lash line or, in some cases, inside the lower lid where they remain completely hidden. Through these incisions, Dr. Terrasse can remove or reposition fat deposits and tighten loose skin to eliminate puffiness and bags.

Recovery and Results

What to Expect During Recovery

Following your eyelid surgery, you can expect some swelling, bruising and mild discomfort around your eyes. These effects are temporary and can be managed with cold compresses and prescribed medications. Your eyes may feel tight or dry, and you might experience temporary sensitivity to light or wind.

Most patients can return to work and light activities within 7 to 10 days, though you should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that could raise blood pressure for about two weeks. Any residual bruising can typically be concealed with makeup once your incisions have healed to a certain point.

Dr. Terrasse will provide detailed post-operative instructions and monitor your healing progress through follow-up appointments to confirm you’re recovering as expected.

When Will I See Results?

While you’ll notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of your eyes once the initial swelling subsides, your final results will gradually emerge over the following weeks as residual swelling resolves and your tissues settle into their new contours. Within two to four weeks, you should see the full benefits of your eyelid surgery.

How Long Do Results Last?

The results of blepharoplasty are long lasting and, in many cases, permanent. While your eyes will continue to age naturally, the excess skin, fat and muscle laxity that were removed or corrected will not return. Most patients enjoy their results for 10 years or more, and some never require additional surgery. Protecting your delicate eye area with sunscreen and quality skincare can help maintain your results for years to come.