Upper Eyelid Surgery in Langhorne, Bucks County, PA

Upper eyelid surgery (also called blepharoplasty) is designed to remove unsightly excess skin from the upper eyelids and to re-contour the shape of the eyes for a younger appearance. Dr. Alan Brackup of Cosmetic Surgery Specialists in Langhorne, Bucks County, PA is a double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon. Dr. Brackup is both an ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeon, which gives him an advantage when working on the delicate skin around the eyes during upper eyelid surgery. Upper eyelid surgery can eliminate puffiness that makes your face look tired or sad. An upper eyelid lift by Dr. Brackup can refresh and rejuvenate your eyes for a more awake and youthful appearance.

The most common problem with the upper eyelid is excess skin that droops and hangs, causing difficulty with makeup application and producing a tired, aged look. Dr. Brackup will create an incision along the natural fold of the eyelid and any excess fat and tissue will be sculpted to remove any bulges. Once done, excess skin will also be trimmed and the incision will be closed with fine sutures.

For some individuals, nonsurgical eyelid rejuvenation is a better choice than an operative procedure. Factors such as individual anatomy, health, lifestyle and finances may all lead one to this approach rather than surgery. Fortunately, we can often achieve astounding results using nonsurgical alternatives. There are multiple approaches we take, tailoring a treatment plan to each individual patient.

Fillers

• For many patients, the dark hollows above the eyes are their most objectionable concern. This is a tell-tale sign of aging that most patients will not even recognize. We frequently use fat or hyaluronic acid fillers to achieve immediate and dramatic improvement, with no downtime. Don’t believe it? Check out our before and after gallery.

Botox and Dysport

• Frequently, we will add Botox or Dysport under the brows and in the crow’s feet to give an ‘eyelid lift’ and soften lines. Either by themselves, or in concert with fillers, the results can be remarkable. A natural softening of the appearance of aging.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

• The use of lasers has been an important addition to our armamentarium of nonsurgical eyelid enhancement over the past 20 years. The multiple lasers we use can achieve significant tightening of eyelid skin, with resultant improvement in wrinkles as well. A very high-tech solution to a difficult problem, again without any surgery involved.

Some patients may be candidates to have the upper lids corrected in our in-office surgical suite. On average, it takes less than one hour to complete the operation. We will provide you with a medication to relax you and you will be given local anesthesia before the procedure begins. You may also choose to have the procedure in our accredited facility under monitored sedation. General anesthesia is not required. You will be able to recover at home. For the first few days, there may be swelling and discoloration around the area. It is advised that your head is elevated for the first few days. Although postoperative discomfort is minimal, pain medications will be prescribed post operatively. We will also provide you with a regimen of vitamins and supplements to take pre and post operatively to reduce the incidence of bruising and swelling. Strenuous activities must also be restricted for the first 2 weeks after surgery.

Eyelid surgery, whether upper or lower, generally does not cause visible scarring. This is because Dr. Brackup takes great care to ensure that the incisions are made within the natural lines and folds of the eyes. Once the surgical healing has passed, the incisions will not be noticeable even to the naked eye.

Complications and irritations after surgery are rare. It is critical that the correct amount of skin is removed during surgery. Dr. Brackup has performed thousands of these procedures, and you can rely on his expertise and experience to remove the “right” amount. You should adhere to care instructions prescribed by Dr. Brackup and staff to minimize any risks as the eyes can be sensitive after surgery. Patients must always take precaution of protecting the eyes from the sun during the first few weeks of recovery.

Blepharoplasty not only corrects a cosmetic issue, but a functional one as well. Many patients with excess hanging skin on their upper eyelid are able to regain normal vision after surgery. For many, simply applying makeup without maneuvering around the excess skin is refreshing in and of itself.

Recontouring is the key to a successful result. For the upper lids, this most often involves removing the excess skin that is drooping down and removing some of the puffiness in the orbital area. We describe the results as a “crisper, cleaner, neater” look.