Eyelid Surgery in Fredericksburg, VA
The upper and lower eyelids are areas that are often overlooked when men and women are considering cosmetic procedures. Dr. R. Shane Palmer often recommends eyelid surgery for his patients from Washington DC, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Richmond, Charlottesville, and the surrounding areas of Virginia.
What is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is recommended for patients who have loose skin and extra fat in the upper eyelids. It may also be recommended for correcting lower eyelids that sag. These issues give the eyes a tired appearance, and may cause eye fatigue.
View Eyelid Surgery Before and After Pictures
What is the Cost of Eyelid Surgery in Fredericksburg, VA?
Upper eyelid surgery starts at $2,772 and lower blepharoplasty starts at $3,696. Each patient has different needs for eyelid surgery, so the cost varies. We can discuss your price after the consultation. Surgical Arts of Virginia accepts cash, personal check, money order, credit card, and financing through CareCredit®, United Medical Credit and Prosper™ Healthcare Lending.
What Are the Benefits of Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty rejuvenates the eyes to give them a more open appearance. Lower blepharoplasty may also help with lines under the eyes.
Is Eyelid Surgery Right for Me?
Some signs that you may be a good candidate for blepharoplasty are:
- Tired eyes
- Upper eyelids that hang over the eyeball
- Lower eyelids that sag, possibly revealing the soft pink tissue inside the eyelid
- Lines under the eyes
How is Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed?
The upper eyelid skin becomes lax with age and can actually interfere with your eyesight as the skin droops over the lids. Women often complain that they can no longer effectively apply eye shadow because of the laxity.
To address skin laxity of the upper lid, Dr. Palmer uses a CO2 laser to excise the excess skin so that the natural crease of the lid is preserved. The underlying muscle is tightened by using the same laser before closing the skin with fine sutures. Rarely, there are fat pads that need to be addressed, but it is crucial that this step be added sparingly to avoid a hollowed out appearance. The scar is typically imperceptible. The entire procedure takes less than an hour and can be performed with local anesthetic only, although Dr. Palmer highly recommends adding IV sedation to prevent anxiety.
How is Lower Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Bulging fat beneath the lower lids leads to a tired, aged appearance, with the lid cheek junction appearing too obvious. The lid skin itself also often develops fine lines and wrinkles.
To address changes of the lower lids, Dr. Palmer performs transconjuctival blepharoplasty, which leaves no visible scar. An incision is made inside the eyelid with the CO2 laser and excess fat is removed from the three compartments typically involved. No suture is necessary. If lower lid skin laxity is also present, then the CO2 laser can be used to resurface the skin. It is rare than any skin needs to actually be removed.
What is Blepharoplasty Recovery Like?
Any surgery on your eyes will affect your ability to perform daily tasks, such as reading, using your devices, and watching television. You will need to avoid these activities until Dr. Palmer determines that the eyelids are healed. Swelling, dry eyes, and bruising are all common. Because you will have a limited ability to see, we recommend that you have someone at home who can help with anything that you need.
Have you considered how your sagging eyelids make you look older? Find out more about eyelid surgery at Surgical Arts of Virginia. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation. We serve patients in Washington DC, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Richmond, Charlottesville, and the nearby communities in Virginia.
