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Robert S. Hamas, M.D.
8345 Walnut Hill Lane
Suite 120
Dallas, TX 75231
(214) 363-1073
(214) 890-7844 (fax)

When you talk with someone, you look at their eyes. And they look at your eyes! If what they see looks old and tired, they will think of you that way. That is why the appearance of your eyes is so important in making a good impression.

Since people look at your eyes while they talk to you, your eyes need to look rested, youthful and alert. Droopy eyelids with dark, puffy circles make you look bad, no matter how good you feel inside.

In today’s business world, the emphasis is on youth and energy. This is why so many men and women have their eyelids lifted to look their best at work and in social situations. Eyelid lift is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures.

The eyelids tend to show changes from aging even before the face. As a result, an eyelid lift is often done as a separate procedure before a facelift. Also, sometimes only the upper eyelids or just the lower eyelids need lifting depending on their appearance.

When is it time for an eyelid lift?

Upper eyelid lift should be considered when there is extra skin sagging or wrinkling in the upper eyelid folds and skin hanging on the sides. Women may notice that their eye shadow smears on their lashes or their mascara smears on their skin. There also may be small, bulging fat pockets in the corners near the nose.

Lower eyelid lift should be considered when puffy bags of fat in the lower eyelid areas create dark circles and shadows. There also may be a small amount of extra skin that is sagging or wrinkling.

Does eyelid lift change the way you look?

A well-done eyelid lift should leave you looking rested and very natural. The shape of your eyes should not look different. The pulled or drawn look can be avoided by not pulling the tissues too tight or removing too much skin. You should look younger, more awake, more alert and refreshed.

Eyelid lift may be done on someone as young as in their early 20s if they were born with extra skin and puffy fat in the upper eyelids or puffy bags of fat in the lower eyelids. These problems are not related to aging and can be corrected when they become bothersome, regardless of age.

Much more common are changes due to aging which begin in the late 30s and early 40s. There are significant differences between individuals in the degree and timing of aging changes. Usually, this depends on genetic factors, environmental factors and loss of elasticity from sun exposure. Repeated bouts of lower eyelid swelling due to allergies or smoking tends to make bags and laxity show at an earlier age.

When forehead tissues relax because of aging or stretching, the eyebrows droop and push extra skin down onto the upper eyelids. This can be mistaken for extra upper eyelid skin. This is why it is so important to evaluate the position of the eyebrows before deciding if upper eyelid skin needs to be removed. In some cases, an eyebrow lift may be a better choice instead of an upper eyelid lift. In other cases, both procedures are needed and complement each other to make the eyes looks their best. For information on eyebrow lift click here..

The procedure is usually done under a light general anesthetic so you are totally unaware of the procedure.

For upper eyelids, I mark the extra skin before surgery when you are sitting upright and fully awake. In this way, a precise determination of the amount of extra skin can be made. It is removed through incisions that are in the depths of the eyelid folds and extend slightly into the smile lines. A small pocket of fat near the nose may be removed. Sometimes a layer of fat within the eyelids is removed to better define and deepen the eyelid folds.

For lower eyelids, the incisions run just beneath the lash lines and extend slightly into the smile lines. Excess fat is gently teased from fat compartments beneath the skin. A very small amount of eyelid skin may be removed. It is important to be conservative with lower eyelid skin and fat removal to avoid a sunken appearance.

Your eyes are not bandaged shut so you may read or watch TV. Cool compresses and keeping your head elevated help to reduce swelling. There is very little pain following an eyelid lift.

Upper eyelid stitches are removed on the third or fourth day. Lower eyelid stitches are dissolvable and do not need removal. Women may begin wearing make-up by about the fifth day.

By nine or 10 days, your bruising and swelling usually have resolved enough that you can comfortably go out in public and back to work. By 14 days, you may resume full athletics without restriction.

Some aspects of eyelid lift are permanent, such as the removal of bulging fat from the lower eyelids. Though the aging process continues, eyelid lift lasts up to 12 or 15 years.

As the forehead tissues age and relax, the eyebrows may droop and can make it look like there is excess upper eyelid skin. If this occurs, an eyebrow lift is needed to correct the problem.

Some of the risks include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, dryness or tightness of the eyelids. Detailed information will be provided during your consultation.

Cosmetic surgery is done in my own accredited office operating room facility. Click here for more information.

Is there financing?

You may wish to use your VISA or MasterCard to pay for your surgery. Should you desire a personal loan, your own bank or credit union is your best source since they are already familiar with your credit history. If you prefer, the office will recommend a source for financing your cosmetic surgery.

For more information, or to schedule a personal consultation, call 214-363-1073

Robert S. Hamas, M.D.
8345 Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 120
Dallas, Texas 75231

Certified
American Board of Plastic Surgery

A Complete Guide to Cosmetic Surgery