Functional Upper Lid Blepharoplasty in St. Louis, MO

What Is Functional Upper Lid Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is also known as eyelid surgery, and there are several types. Functional Upper Lid Blepharoplasty is a procedure that is medically necessary to removes excess skin from the upper lids. This may limit your peripheral vision and prevent you from seeing properly. If a person’s vision is affected, health insurance usually covers the surgery.

If you have excess skin that inhibits your vision,  you should schedule a consultation. The eye exam will check for any eye conditions such as dry eye, which could limit or alter the surgical plan, or be a concern after your procedure. Before the procedure, we must also have photographs and visual field tests.

The Functional Eyelid Surgery Consultation

When you arrive, you will need to provide your medical history. This way we can be aware of major illnesses and problems such as heart disease and hypertension.

Preparing For Your Functional Blepharoplasty

Before facial surgery, knowing medications or supplements that thin the blood should be made known. All over-the-counter pain/fever reducers (except Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are off limits the week before eyelid surgery. Herbal medications such as ginkgo biloba, St. John’s Wort, or high doses of fish oil, flax seed oil, or vitamin E must also be avoided.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Upper Lid Blepharoplasty In St. Peters?

Our team has knowledge of many eye diseases and concerns. Our team is often referred to as one of the best facial and cosmetic surgeons in the area because of this expertise. Our team will ask you about what aspect of your eyelids bothers you most and how you want it changed. Eyebrow position is particularly important in relation to upper eyelid surgery.

How Much Pain Should I Expect from Blepharoplasty Surgery?

Your blepharoplasty procedure will be performed with appropriate anesthesia, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery. This outpatient procedure is often performed using only local anesthesia, which is administered via injection into the skin around the eyes. You may also receive some sort of sedative, but you’ll be awake during your treatment. So while you may not feel pain, you may have some sensation of the doctor working on an area of your face. You could think of it as similar to having dental work done; you’re not in pain but you’re aware of something happening.After your blepharoplasty, you may experience mild to moderate soreness and tenderness. Overall, the physical sensations of blepharoplasty recovery are less than the cosmetic side effects like bruising and swelling. Your post-operative instructions will outline how to manage pain using pain medication, lubricating eye ointment, and cold compresses.

Will the Shape of My Eyes Change After Upper Blepharoplasty?

The blepharoplasty procedure trims and tightens the skin that covers the top of the eye. Doing this inevitably changes eye shape, but only subtly. That said, blepharoplasty can dramatically affect your overall appearance. This can be especially true for you if your procedure is determined to be necessary to improve visual function! Because your upper eyelid tissue has become so significantly loose that it’s drooping into your field of vision or over your lash line, the removal of excess skin will very likely make your eyes look larger, brighter, younger, and will enliven the energy of your face!

How Much Time Do I Need to Take Off Work for Upper Blepharoplasty?

Your recovery from functional upper blepharoplasty should be relatively short. You may feel well enough to return to work as soon as the day after your procedure. That is if you work from home or don’t mind being seen with bruising and some minor swelling around your eyes. These side effects should be massively improved after one week, which is about the amount of time that most people set aside for their blepharoplasty recovery. If your job is physically demanding, you may be advised to take more time off than others. This is because you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks.

Can I Combine My Functional Upper Blepharoplasty with Lower Blepharoplasty?

It’s not uncommon to combine upper and lower blepharoplasty to achieve a more balanced, youthful appearance. Many people do this for the ultimate cosmetic benefit without additional downtime. Talk to your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of combining the two procedures into one surgery. While your insurance may only cover some or all of the costs associated with the functional upper blepharoplasty, your overall cost may be less than it would be if you waited to have your lower eyelids rejuvenated at a later time.

Eyelid Surgery Patient Testimonial

“I could not be happier with the results of my eyelid procedure. And equally, I can’t speak highly enough about the office and staff. From consultation, to procedure, to follow ups, everyone has been so kind and professional. I chose Dr. Holds because eyes are his specialty and I could rest easy knowing his particular expertise. Dr. Holds has a great demeanor and I knew I would be in good hands.”

Recovery From Functional Upper Lid Blepharoplasty

After the procedure, some bruising, swelling, and soreness may develop afterwards. Usually the sutures are removed in the office 6-8 days after surgery, although dissolving sutures may be used. You can take pain medication, if necessary, and you will be asked to sleep with your head elevated and apply ice packs to your eyes periodically to keep the swelling down.

The bruising normally won’t last more than two weeks, but it is possible. You should be able to return to work after a week to ten days, and you can cover any remaining bruises with makeup.

Cost of Eyelid Surgery

If your upper eyelids affect your ability to see well, you may be eligible for fully covered Functional Upper Lid Blepharoplasty in St. Louis. However, insurance companies require that the vision is impaired to a specific degree before covering the cost of the surgery.

Schedule A Consultation

If your vision has been impaired by drooping upper eyelids, call our office now at 314-567-3567 to find out if you’re a good candidate for Functional Upper Lid Blepharoplasty.