Rejuvenate Your Eyes with Blepharoplasty

You feel young, but your eyes begin to betray you as the skin starts to sag, bags form under the eyes, and lines and wrinkles show up out of nowhere. An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) in Ocean County, NJ, is a great surgical procedure to restore your eyes to the way they looked in the past. Dr. Small’s approach to eyelid surgery is to give you a natural look without the procedure itself being detectable. An eyelid lift can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. It corrects drooping upper or lower eyelids, puffiness, and undereye bags.

Everything you Need To Know Eyelid Lift Overview

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Meet Dr. Stephen E. Small Accentuating Your Natural Beauty

Dr. Small began his journey into aesthetic medicine as a small boy when he underwent plastic surgery for a serious burn accident. From that day forward, he knew he wanted to provide specialized treatments that could help restore peace of mind and quality of life for others. Today, Dr. Small has over 18 years of expertise and delivers natural-looking, customized outcomes for those in and beyond Ocean County, New Jersey. His respectful, holistic approach means that every patient receives personalized attention and a one-of-a-kind treatment plan that meets their needs. He believes that every individual is unique, and it is his job to accentuate and celebrate their timeless beauty.

Dr. Small is a board-certified plastic surgeon who excels in the realm of reconstructive, laser, and cosmetic procedures. After obtaining his medical degree with honors from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), he continued his training with a competitive 5-year general residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford. To further hone his skin and artistry, Dr. Small pursued an intensive one-year burn and reconstructive fellowship at New York Medical College, Valhalla, and served as a resident and chief resident in plastic surgery for several years at Ohio University, South Pointe Hospital-Cleveland Clinic Health System.

Blepharoplasty Procedure Overview

Scope:

Eyelid surgery restores a more alert, youthful countenance and a brighter smile by removing excess skin, fat, and tissue from the upper and lower lids.

Anesthesia:

Local anesthesia with sedation is used.

Treatment Time:

Blepharoplasty typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.

Recovery:

Patients usually take several weeks off from work and may resume strenuous exercise after 4-6 weeks.

Blepharoplasty Before & After

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty, more commonly called eyelid surgery, is performed to restore a rested, attractive appearance in the upper face and to improve peripheral vision impacted by low-hanging upper lids. After eyelid surgery, patients enjoy a brighter, more alert facial expression and experience enhanced confidence and peace of mind. Upper blepharoplasty addresses loose, sagging skin in the upper lids, while lower blepharoplasty combats puffiness, eye bags, and drooping in the lower lids.

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What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, performed with precision by Dr. Small in Ocean County, comes with a wealth of transformative benefits, including the following:

  • Trims excess drooping skin
    Eradicates puffiness, fat deposits, and eye bags
  • Restores a rested, energized facial expression
  • Creates a more youthful, attractive smile
  • Restores proper vision
  • Enhances self-confidence
  • Long-lasting, natural-looking improvements
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Who Is a Candidate?

The best way to determine if you’re a good candidate for an eyelid lift is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen E. Small in Toms River and Stafford Township, NJ. During your consultation, Dr. Small performs an assessment of your eyelids and your overall facial features and asks about your medical history to determine if an eyelid lift is the best choice for you. Ideal candidates are in good physical health and have realistic expectations.

The Eyelid Lift Procedure

Blepharoplasty is usually performed with the patient under sedation and a local anesthetic rather than general anesthesia. Like most cosmetic surgeries, it’s an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day. Dr. Small customizes every eyelid lift to give you optimal results. For an upper eyelid lift, he places the incision in the eyelid crease where it will be hidden. Excess skin and fat are then removed for a younger, naturally tighter look.

For a lower eyelid lift, Dr. Small might place the incision inside the lower eyelid or right at the line of the eyelashes. Either way, no one will be able to see the scar. If there is excess fat in the form of an eye bag, he removes that tissue and tightens the area, if necessary, to make your eyes look younger. If your case isn’t too complex, both lower and upper blepharoplasty can be done in as little as an hour.

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Recovering from an Eyelid Lift

Your eyes will be dry, but you might also experience some tearing. You will experience some soreness, bruising, and swelling for a week or two. You can take pain medication and use cold compresses to ease the discomfort, and keeping your head elevated will also make your recovery time easier. You will be given eye drops as well to speed healing.

Dr. Small will keep a close watch on your progress and will tell you everything you need to know to heal fast and well. This will include avoiding certain things like alcohol, contact lenses, hairdryers, curling irons, and exercise for a little while. You will also need to sleep on your back for a couple of weeks. Stitches used in eyelid surgery usually dissolve on their own.

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Eyelid Lift Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Ocean Plastic Surgery P.A. and Laser Center today to find out more about how an eyelid lift can help you look younger. At our Toms River and Manahawkin locations, we serve patients from all over the New Jersey Shore and beyond, including Stafford Township, Barnegat, Lacey, Berkeley, Dover Township, Brick, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Jackson, Howell, Wall, Freehold, Manalapan, and Point Pleasant.

How Much Does an Eyelid Lift Cost?

The cost of an eyelid lift in Ocean County, NJ, varies from patient to patient and depends on the extent of correction involved. The average price is $3,000-$8,000. Dr. Small will develop your unique surgical plan and discuss the associated costs during your consultation.

Can Blepharoplasty Be Combined With Other Procedures?

If you also have signs of aging on the lower third of your face, you may wish to also have a facelift to better match the younger look of your eyes. A brow lift may be done concurrently or in place of an eyelid lift if the eyebrows have begun to sag or if you have forehead creases. Dr. Small also sometimes recommends injectables such as Botox or dermal fillers like Juvederm shortly after an eyelid lift to take care of any remaining fine lines.

Is Eyelid Surgery Painful?

The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and sedation, so you will feel no pain or discomfort during the treatment process. Afterward, mild tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the targeted areas may occur. These side effects fade quickly, however, and can be well-managed with prescription and over-the-counter pain medications. Get plenty of rest, and stay properly hydrated.

How Long Until I See Results?

Mild swelling in the eyelids can temporarily keep you from viewing your final results. Over the next few months, as the swelling dies down, your new, refreshed appearance will gradually emerge. You will look more rested, and your smile will be brighter.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

With upper blepharoplasty, scars are well-hidden with the fine creases of the upper lids. With lower blepharoplasty, Dr. Small makes incisions inside the lower lids or along the lower lashline, where they are hidden from view.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Eyelid Surgery?

Patients are encouraged to wait 4-6 weeks before resuming strenuous exercise, as this can prevent placing undue pressure on the incisions. However, every individual is unique, and Dr. Small will provide a customized schedule for resuming normal activities.

What Are the Risks Associated With Eyelid Surgery?

Dr. Small is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 18 years of expertise. He adheres to the most stringent safety protocols to safeguard your health and well-being. Despite this, all cosmetic procedures come with some degree of risk. For eyelid surgery, risks include the following:

  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Infection
  • Dry eyes
  • Irritation
  • Issue opening or closing the eyelids
  • Poor scarring
  • Eye muscle injury
  • Nerve injury
  • Skin discoloration
  • Temporary blurred vision
  • Poor reactions to anesthesia
  • Poor aesthetic outcome

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Schedule a Private Consultation in Ocean County, NJ, Today!

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Small’s innovative approach to eyelid surgery in Ocean County, Toms River, & Stafford Township, contact us today to schedule a private and informative consultation. Our offices are conveniently located along the beautiful coastline of New Jersey, providing patients with a tranquil, restorative setting for their cosmetic journey. Dr. Small provides cutting-edge aesthetic solutions for the face, skin, breasts, and body, tailoring your treatment plan to reflect your unique goals, comfort levels, and vision for improvement. Call today to get started.

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