Tri Valley Plastic Surgery in Oakland offers a variety of treatments that effectively make the eyes appear lifted and wider. Blepharoplasty, canthopexy, or upper and lower fat-transfer or repositioning can give you the bright, youthful look you deserve.
There are many different surgical and non-surgical options for patients who are unsatisfied with the appearance of their eyes.
Some of the procedures that we offer are:
Eyelid surgery is often combined with other procedures such as facelift, browlift, or filler injections. All available options can be discussed during your eye procedure consultation with Dr. Williams.
Request a ConsultationAs we age, the skin surrounding our eyes may begin to droop as volume and elasticity are gradually lost. Excessive skin around the eyes can interfere with our vision, as well as cause the application of makeup to be challenging and even frustrating. Such issues may also cause decreases in feelings of self-confidence and create a look that people describe as “looking tired”.
Eye procedures such as blepharoplasty and canthopexy with or without fat transfer can drastically increase the appearance of youth, compliment other areas of the face, and even expand your field of vision. Our Oakland blepharoplasty procedures at Tri Valley can give you a fresh perspective. When we look youthful, we feel youthful. Dr. Steven Williams is a highly respected Northern California surgeon, with a reputation for providing thousands of surgical and nonsurgical patients with stunning results.
Length of Surgery | 1-2 Hours, Varies |
Inpatient / Outpatient | Usually Outpatient |
Anesthesia | Usually local, sometimes general |
Duration of Results | Long lasting. Weight loss/gain, pregnancy, and age may reduce surgical results over time |
Blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess skin, fat, and muscle around the eye and can be performed on the upper lid, the lower lid, or both. This procedure instantly lifts the eyes, reduces under-eye bags, and improves peripheral vision. When performed on the upper eyelid, blepharoplasty is performed via an incision along the eyelid crease. Excess skin, fat, and muscle will be removed from this area, and the incision will be closed. In lower lid blepharoplasty, an incision will be made just below the eyelash line, or on the inside of the lower eyelid. Following blepharoplasty Oakland patients may experience bruising and swelling but these should resolve within 2 weeks. Results can, in some cases, be lifelong. Other individuals may re-experience sagging in future years.
Canthopexy is a procedure that tightens and lifts the outer corner of the eyes. It also restores the eye’s almond shape after it may have become rounded as a result of aging. Canthopexy involves the reinforcement of the existing tendon and requires a minimal amount of fat to be removed. Cathopexy also helps to prevent future hollowing of the lower eyelid.
Bruising and swelling are to be expected following canthopexy, though these conditions should subside within 7 to 10 days. Canthopexy is less involved than blepharoplasty, though it also does not offer as dramatic or long-lasting results. Canthopexy may be performed under local anesthesia and patients can expect to resume regular activity within just a few days.
Asian blepharoplasty and canthopexy can be used to create a natural-looking double eyelid, remove excess skin which may obstruct the visual field, smooth under-eye bags, or reduce other signs of aging. It is important to note that the goal of Asian eye procedures is to enhance the natural beauty of the Asian eye structure, and not to detract from it.
Fat grafting or repositioning are often included in blepharoplasty as well as canthopexy to increase volume and create a structure where needed. It is often used to treat conditions such as tear trough deformity, lower eyelid fat herniation, or periorbital hollowing.
There are many non-surgical procedures that can be done to achieve your goals.
Depending on the goals we are trying to achieve, there may also be non-surgical options for addressing eye issues. For example, Botox and Dysport are great for preventing or slowing down the formation of wrinkles. Fillers are great for plumping wrinkles around the eye area or in the cheek area close to the eye
Dr. Steven Williams is a board-certified plastic surgeon and premier Oakland provider of facial sculpting procedures, including those which address conditions around the eyes.
Dr. Williams and the team of expert medical and aesthetic professionals at Tri Valley Plastic Surgery provide the Bay Area with exceptional patient care and beautiful results. If you would like to learn more about improving your quality of life with any of the eye procedures or related treatments available at Tri Valley Plastic Surgery, please contact our office during regular business hours to schedule your consultation.
Blepharolpasty procedures should be performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon. Blepharolpasty complications are infrequent and usually minor. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is commonly performed and generally safe. The possibility of complications arising depends on each patient‘s anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities. As with any surgery, the outcome is not predictable.
Side effects as a result of blepharoplasty are inevitable though they will vary from patient to patient, as with any surgical procedure. Blepharoplasty side effects can include:
Blepharoplasty risks and complications may include an unexpected reaction to the anesthetic, excessive bleeding, infection, or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). Antibiotics may be needed to help prevent infection.
Complications that can occur specifically after blepharoplasty include:
If you have any concerns or worries about the blepharoplasty procedure and the risks and side effects involved, ask your surgeon to explain how they may apply to you.
The blepharoplasty surgery operation is usually done as a day case procedure. You may go under local anesthesia, which numbs the area around your eyes. You'll be awake during the surgery but relaxed, and will not be sensitive to pain. Some patients may prefer general anesthetic, which means that you would be asleep during the operation. You may need to stay overnight in the hospital or clinic after your eyelid surgery.
STEP 1 – ANESTHESIA
Your face will be swabbed with disinfectant and draped in sterile sheets. The blepharoplasty surgeon will measure the exact amount of skin to be removed and mark this on the skin on your eyelids and around your eyes. The surgeon will then admister local anesthesia starting at the outer aspect of the eyelids and continuing towards the inner eyelids.
STEP 2 - THE INCISIONS
STEP 3 – THE SUTURES
STEP 4 – THE RESULTS
Blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery) is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes fat deposits, excess tissue, or muscle from the eyelids to improve the appearance of the eyes. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eyelid and can be done to correct ptosis (sagging eyelids), remove fatty bulges around the eyes, and eliminate hanging skin from the eyelids. For people who feel that their eyes seem ‘hooded’, old or tired, Blepharoplasty is a highly effective procedure that can restore a more youthful appearance.
Many people seek cosmetic eyelid surgery because during the ageing process the region around your eyes shows the effects of ageing much sooner than other areas. Blepharoplasty is a procedure usually performed on otherwise healthy patients who may have excess skin, muscle, and fat around the eyelids that they feel makes them look older than they are.
If you are considering an eyelid operation, you will have an initial consultation with a Blepharoplasty surgeon. Your surgeon will ask about your general medical history and any previous eyelid surgery. He or she will also ask about any possible thyroid or kidney disease as these can produce swelling of the eyelids, and about any history of eyelid conditions and dryness of the eyes. Your surgeon will also discuss with you the results you can expect from your eyelid operation, the inherent limitations and the positioning of the scars.
Eyelid surgery may be performed in a clinic, or in the hospital. It's usually done on an outpatient basis and rarely requires an inpatient stay. The operation takes one to two hours, or less if just the upper or lower lids are being done. Your surgeon may use either conventional or laser techniques.
When you go in for your Blepharoplasty procedure, the surgeon will begin by deciding whether excess skin, fat deposits, or muscle looseness are at fault. While you are sitting upright, the surgeon will mark where the incisions will be made on your skin. Reputable Blepharoplasty Surgeons will take care to hide the incision lines in the natural skin folds above and below the eye. This helps to minimize scars. The patient then receives injections of a local anesthetic to numb the pain. Many surgeons also give the patient a sedative intravenously during the procedure.
For the upper eyelid surgery, the incision is made in the creases of the upper lids. For the lower eyelid surgery, the incision is made just below the lashes. If you are only having an upper eyelid surgery or a lower eyelid surgery, only upper or lower eyelid incisions will be made. If you have laughter lines (“crow’s feet”) that you would also like removed, your Blepharoplasty Surgeon may extend the incision to the outer corners of your eyes in order to reduce their appearance.
A small, semi-circle shaped section of eyelid skin is removed, and then the surgeon will gently tease out the little pockets of fat that have collected in the eyelids. If muscle looseness is also a problem, the surgeon may trim tissue or add a stitch to pull it tighter. Then the incision is closed using very fine sutures. Your Blepharoplasty Surgeon will then apply an ointment to your eye area to stop it from drying out and use sterile paper tape to support your eyelids.
If a patient only has fat deposits in the lower eyelid, the surgeon may carry out transconjunctival Blepharoplasty surgery. In this procedure the surgeon makes no incision on the surface of the eyelid, but instead enters from behind to tease out the fat deposits from a small incision. The advantage of this procedure is that there is no visible scar.
Depending upon whether you are having an upper blepharoplasty, a lower blepharoplasty or both upper and lower lids done, the surgery will last between one and three hours. If you are having other cosmetic surgery procedures done at the same time, you may be in surgery even longer.
Your blepharoplasty surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for eyelid surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Listening to this advice and following these instructions will help your surgery to go more smoothly and will help to reduce the risk of possible blepharoplasty side effects and complications.
Insurance coverage is not typically applicable to cosmetic procedure costs. However, there is a possibility of coverage if one of these procedures is performed to address an obstructed field of vision. As the lower lid does not usually contribute to a loss of peripheral vision, lower lid blepharoplasty is rarely covered.
Blepharoplasty recovery times will vary patient by patient and by the extent of the eyelid surgery performed. Healing time after eyelid surgery depends on a patient's physical and emotional health and their response to surgery. Patients with a history of medical problems such as scarring or circulation problems, and patients who smoke may experience a longer or more arduous healing time after blepharoplasty. The rate of recovery also depends on the quality of a patient's after care, and whether or not any complications are experienced.
To increase your rate of recovery and lessen you risk of complications arising from blepharoplasty surgery, it is important to discuss your medical history, use of medications, supplements, recreational substances, and other psychological and physical health concerns with your surgeon prior to having a blepharoplasty procedure.
Eyelid swelling and bruising under the eyes are common post-operative blepharoplasty side effects in the first few days after eyelid surgery, though these can last up to two weeks. A rest regimen, sleeping with your head elevated and using ice compresses, applied with pressure, can all speed up the healing process.
You will be able to wear make up again after about two weeks, and return to sports and physical activities after three to four weeks. It is very important to avoid strong sunlight during your eyelid surgery recovery time, as the skin around the eyes will be even more sensitive than usual. Wear a sun cream with a very high SPF, sunglasses and hats for six to eight weeks after a blepharoplasty procedure.
Important things to remember for a faster blepharoplasty recovery:
The majority of patients who seek out eye procedures such as a blepharoplasty or canthopexy are in their 40’s and 50’s. However, patients with naturally hooded eyes may choose to have such a procedure done in their 20’s or 30’s.
A blepharoplasty operation may be suitable for you if you are bothered by:
Blepharoplasty may be suitable for you as long as you:
However, there are some reasons why some people are not good candidates for blepharoplasty, even if they fulfill some of the criteria above. There are some medical conditions which increase the risk of complications from eyelid surgery. Those at risk include people with:
Your plastic surgeon will ask you about your health during the consultation. Make sure you tell him or her about any medical condition you have so that you and your blepharoplasty surgeon can make the best choice prior to an eyelid operation. If you are considering eyelid surgery but are being treated for or are concerned that you may be suffering from any of the conditions above, discuss your concerns with your own doctor beforehand.
11820 Dublin Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568
Tri Valley Plastic Surgery in Dublin provides expert plastic surgery with great results and minimal downtime. We are leaders in breast enhancement, body sculpting, and facial cosmetic surgery, serving the entire San Francisco Bay area. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are coming in from out of town, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on your path to your new self. Schedule a consultation with us today to take the first step towards realizing the look you’ve always wanted for yourself.