Blepharoplasty Procedure in Norwalk, CT

Dr. Laurence Kirwan. is one of the most experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Norwalk, Connecticut, and in the entire country. He is a recognized international leader in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He offers a superior level of knowledge, care and understanding to help you achieve the youthful, bright and contoured look you desire.

Conveniently Located: Every patient is a VIP. For your blepharoplasty appointment, you will see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. Our Norwalk, CT location is conveniently located in between Manhattan, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients regularly visit from across Connecticut (Stamford, Greenwich, Stratford, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Trumbull), New York ( Manhattan, NYC, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, White Plains, Harrison), New Jersey and other neighboring cities/towns for their blepharoplasty and other plastic surgery procedures. Our office is close to all of the New York Airports for patients who are coming from out-of-state or other countries.

Key Highlights

Blepharoplasty or eyelift is a procedure to remove skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids.
Upper eyelifts are focused on removing excess skin whereas lower eyelifts focus on reducing and/or repositioning fat.
Fat is removed sparingly from both the upper and lower eyelids to avoid creating a skeletal look which in and of itself, is aging,
For men, in the upper eyelid, the position of the final scar and the lower limit of skin excision, is 5 to 6 mm from the lash line. In women the final scar and the lower limit of skin excision is 9 to 10 mm above the lash line. Another difference is that in men, extra skin and wrinkles in the lower eyelid are treated with skin removal whereas in women a chemical peel is a more common treatment.
In both men and women, the upper limit of skin excision in the upper eyelid is about 15 mm below the eyebrow, to avoid pulling the eyebrow down.
Eyelift surgery leaves thin scars in the upper and sometimes in the lower eyelid. Eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and scars are usually almost invisible when completely healed.
Upper eyelid skin hooding is a feature of aging although it is also seen in younger age groups as for example in Renée Zellweger. Lower eyelid fat bags are also a feature of aging but can also occur in younger age groups.
An upper eyelift does not lift up the eyebrows. Surgery is on the eyelids only.
Upper eyelifts do not correct drooping or ptosis of the upper eyelid. This occurs when the edge of the eyelid drops over the iris and sometimes even over the pupil. The most common cause is stretching of the levator muscle tendon which lifts the upper eyelid. This requires a specific ptosis correction surgery.
Lower eyelift surgery reduces or repositions fat in the lower lid. This fat is known colloquially as bags. Fat in the lower eyelid is contained by a ligament that attaches to the bony edge of the orbit. This ligament is called the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL). Fat bulges forward, above the ORL, creating a shadow or dark circles which give a tired appearance.
Lower eyelift surgery to trim or reposition fat is often performed through the inside of the eyelid, and sometimes through the outside, with an incision beneath the eyelashes.
Extra eyelid skin in the lower eyelid causes wrinkles. This skin can be removed at the same time as a lower eyelift leaving a thin line scar under the eyelashes.
Dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of skin pigmentation rather than shadows. This usually improves with surgery or skin treatments but may not completely disappear.

Blepharoplasty for Men

Blepharoplasty is different in men. The final scar in the upper eyelid is closer to the eyelash line, 5 to 6 mm. If it is too high, it creates a more feminine look. Lower eyelid skin excess is treated with direct skin excision.

Where Did Your Eyelid Skin and Fat Go?

Upper eyelid hooding and lower eyelid bags, occur with age but are also seen in young adults. Sun damage, lack of sleep, smoking, drinking and ethnicity all contribute. Upper eyelid skin excess is common in Northern Europeans.

Middle aged men typically have hooding of the upper eyelids and bags under the eyes. Indeed, it is one of the first signs of getting older, both in men and women and because of that it is the most frequent cosmetic surgery in the early forties and fifties. These eyelid changes generally occur before facial and neck aging.

When to Consider Blepharoplasty Surgery

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure, meaning it is typically done for aesthetic enhancement. This is a highly personal decision. Because upper and lower eyelids can have extra skin or fat developmentally, surgery may be performed even in young adults. More commonly it is done in middle-age.

Surgery is often combined with other facial procedures such as Facetite, Accutite and Morpheus or facelift or neck lift surgery.

Information for Kirwan Plastic Surgery Patients

The best decisions are informed decisions. Dr. Kirwan can help you learn more about Blepharoplasty or eyelifts. Dr. Kirwan can also discuss other treatment options and provide more personalized answers based on your individual needs. You can schedule a consultation for various types of cosmetic surgery in Norwalk with Dr. Kirwan.

Preparing for the Procedure

After making your decision and choosing Dr. Kirwan, the next step is a consultation. Be prepared to discuss:

Your reasons, goals, and expectations for surgery
Your medical history – including illnesses, conditions, allergies, treatments, previous procedures, and other risk factors that could affect the outcome of your procedure
Use of any medications, vitamins, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
Any questions or concerns about the procedure – come prepared with a written list
Plastic surgery risks and potential complications

During your consultation, Dr. Kirwan will examine you. He will take photos to review with you, and to help you understand the possible benefits of surgery. Dr. Kirwan will also show you examples of before and after results of his own patients.

What Happens During Blepharoplasty Surgery

Surgery is normally performed under conscious sedation with local infiltration anesthesia. Dr. Kirwan will perform the surgery as discussed in your consultation.

Liposuction Procedure Options

Dr. Kirwan may perform one of several techniques, such as:

Upper eyelift alone

Ideal for patients who have no other associated problems.
Surgery can be done under local anesthesia with no sedation or with a sedative by mouth.
Incisions are made in a gentle curve in the upper eyelid, and the extra skin is removed.
Fat is trimmed from the inner third of the eyelid and sometimes the mid-part of the eyelid.
If the lacrimal gland is prominent or prolapsed, it is lifted up with internal stitches. Fat above the bony orbit can also be trimmed.
Outcome: removal of upper skin excess and heaviness.
Length: 1 hour.

Lower eyelift alone

Best method for patients with bags under the eyes and dark shadows, with or without wrinkles or extra skin.
Surgery is done under local anesthesia with conscious sedation.
A Transconjunctival incision is made on the inner aspect of the lower eyelid. Sometimes an external approach or subciliary incision is used, just below the eyelashes.
The fat in the outer third, is trimmed. The ORL is detached and inner third and central fat are moved into the space created over the bone below the release of the ORL. This area, between the lower eyelid and the side of the nose, is called the tear-trough. Releasing the ORL and moving orbital fat into the tear-trough, eliminates shadows formed by bulging fat. It also fills in the hollow below the lower eyelid, recreating the ogee curve of the youthful lid/cheek junction.
If there is extra skin or wrinkles in the lower eyelid, extra skin is removed.
Sometimes a lid tightening procedure or canthoplasty is performed at the same time.
Outcome: the lower eyelid is smooth. Shadows are eliminated and the tear-trough is filled.
Length: 1 hour.

Upper and lower eyelift together

Ideal for patients with extra skin and / or fat in both upper and lower eyelids.
Outcome: improved upper and lower eyelid appearance.
Length: 2 hours.

Additional procedures such as Fat injection, Facetite, Accutite, Morpheus, Facelift or Neck lift

Recommended for patients with additional areas of concern.
Fat Injection to the upper eyelids, lower eyelid/cheek junction and cheeks.
Fat injection is helpful when there is loss of fat around the eye.
Upper and lower eyelifts are often combined with other antiaging surgery such as minimally invasive Facetite, Accutite and Morpheus or facelift or neck-lift surgery
Length varies depending on the number of additional areas.

Male Blepharoplasty Results and Recovery

It may take some time to fully recover and see your results. However, many patients can return to work in a few days and resume other activities (like playing sports and working out) in approximately three weeks. Wearing sunglasses hides surgical tape, stitches and bruising. That’s what Tom Hanks did after his apparent blepharoplasty.

After surgery, there is swelling and bruising. Dr. Kirwan recommends that you keep your head elevated and apply ice packs for the first 48 hours. Dr. Kirwan will give you eye exercises to reduce swelling and optimize healing and recovery after surgery. Stitches in the upper eyelid are removed after 5 days. There are no stitches on the inside of the lower lid. Stitches in the lower lash incision, if there is one, are also removed at 5 days. You may have some blurry vision for the first few days. You will see changes soon after surgery, but it can take up to 6 months to see the final result.

Be sure to follow any instructions provided by Dr. Kirwan and his staff before and after your cosmetic surgery to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.

SEE THE TRANSFORMATIONS & BEAUTIFUL RESULTS