At Belmont Plastic Surgery, we believe the best result is the one nobody can point to. They won't see the work. They will only see you. Good surgery is when your friends say you look well rested instead of, what have you had done? It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul- let that vibrant energy shine through.
The eyes are usually the first place people notice aging. Heavy lids, puffiness, and shadows can make you look tired or unhappy when you feel neither. There are two ways to address this: eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, and nonsurgical treatments. Each procedure is unique, and the right choice depends on what is actually causing the change.
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your face, so it can show aging early. Over time, skin stretches and loosens (laxity), the small pads of fat that cushion the eye can bulge forward, and fullness in the cheek slips downward, leaving a hollow or dark groove beneath the lower lid. The brow can also sink (gravity), which pushes extra weight onto the upper lid. Identifying the right one is step one, since every case has its own solution.
Blepharoplasty removes extra skin and the tissue that is causing the problem. On the upper lids, the surgeon takes out excess skin and sometimes a small amount of fat,. The incision is placed in the natural crease so it is hard to see once healed. On the lower lids, the surgeon can remove or reposition bulging fat and tighten loose skin, often working from inside the lid so there is no visible scar at all.
Surgery is the only option that physically removes extra skin and fat. That is why it can produce a change that nonsurgical treatments can't match, and why the results tend to last for many years. Upper lid results often hold for a decade or longer.
Recovery is fairly short. Most patients have bruising and swelling for the first week or two and feel comfortable returning to work and social events at about that point, with subtle swelling continuing to settle over the following weeks.
Nonsurgical options work by relaxing, filling, tightening, or refreshing rather than removing. Depending on your concern, they can include:
Injectable treatments that relax the muscles causing lines around the eyes, and in some cases lift the outer brow slightly.
Fillers that soften hollows and dark grooves beneath the lower lids by restoring lost volume.
Laser treatments, including fractional laser resurfacing, that improve fine lines, crepey texture, and mild looseness by stimulating your skin to build new collagen. Some lasers can also help even out pigment and tone around the eyes.
Radiofrequency treatments that gently heat the deeper layers of skin to tighten mild laxity.
Microneedling, which encourages the skin to renew itself and can improve tone and texture.
Most of these involve little or no downtime, though laser treatments vary. Gentler settings mean a day or two of redness, while stronger resurfacing can mean several days of peeling as the skin heals. They carry a lower upfront commitment and let you make gradual changes. They are a strong fit for early aging, for patients who aren't ready to have surgery, and as a way to maintain results after surgery.
The limits of nonsurgical treatment are just as important. None of them can remove excess skin or bulging fat. If the real problem is a hanging upper lid or a true bag beneath the eye, an injection or a device may give a modest improvement or none at all, and in some cases it can make things look worse. Fillers placed under an eye that is already puffy can add to the puffiness. Nonsurgical results are also temporary, so the cost of repeat treatments over the years can add up.
Surgery, on the other hand, is a bigger step. It involves anesthesia, a recovery period, and the usual surgical risks, which Dr. Feledy and the team will review with you.
If you choose eyelid surgery, you have made an investment in yourself, and at Belmont Plastic Surgery we want you to protect it. Surgery changes the structure around your eyes, but it doesn't stop your skin from aging. Once you're fully healed and Dr. Feledy has cleared you, a regular skin care routine, including treatments such as microneedling and deep cleaning, helps keep the skin around your eyes fresh and supports your results over time.
Before anything else, Dr. Feledy wants to know what you want. What do you notice when you look in the mirror? Do you want to look less tired, soften one thing that bothers you, or refresh your whole eye area? We will always listen. Then he will examine your eyes, your brow, and your cheeks, explain what is causing the change, and tell you honestly whether surgery, a nonsurgical treatment, or a combination will serve you best. Sometimes the best answer is the simpler one.
If you are thinking about eye lift surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Feledy at our Chevy Chase, Maryland office, which serves the greater DC area, or at our Northern Virginia office in Stafford, Virginia.
At your consultation, Dr. Feledy will discuss what you would like to achieve with your eyelid lift, give you a thorough examination in relation to the procedure, and review his recommendations. The team at Belmont Plastic Surgery will answer all of your questions about the surgery, including the financing implications.
Schedule your consultation today
The surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help you take the next step on your aesthetic journey. Whether you want to restore what has been lost or improve upon what you already have, our surgeons will help you make the best possible choices for your care and deliver excellent results. Every day is an opportunity to live a more beautiful life. Seize your opportunity today with a consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery.
5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 814, Chevy Chase MD 20815
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