The best candidates for eyelid surgery are healthy, do not smoke and do not have serious eye conditions. It is important that the patient has specific goals for improvement in their appearance and realistic expectations for what eyelid surgery can achieve.

Common complaints of patients who undergo eyelid surgery include:

• Sagging skin of the upper eyelid that creates folds that hide natural contour of the upper eyelid (and hide the eye shadow space)

• Having a tired appearance

• Bags under the eyes

• Drooping of the eyelids that shows the white of the eye below the iris

• Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid

Dr. Derderian will take a detailed history and perform a thorough examination of the eyelids and the surrounding structures. He will discuss your specific goals in detail at and will develop a surgical plan tailored to your anatomy.

The upper eyelid incision is placed within the natural crease on the eyelid. When the eyes are open the upper eyelid creases (and scars from upper eyelid surgery) are covered by a fold of skin. This completely conceals the scar from surgery. This incision allows for removal or repositioning of fat deposits, tightening of muscles and removal of excess skin. The eyelid skin typically heals very nicely with a barely noticeable scar.

The lower eyelid may be corrected with many different techniques. If there is excess skin, an incision is placed just below the lower lash line. The eyelashes effectively cover the resulting scar that typically heals with a very faint and fine scar. Through this incision, excess skin in the lower eyelid is removed. Again, the excess fat can be repositioned or removed.Occasioanlly patients do not have much excess skin and have mostly excess bulging of fat in the lower eyelid. In these patients an incision is made on the inside of the lower eyelid allowing fat to be removed without visible scarring. Eyelid incisions typically are closed with sutures that are removed in 5-7 days. Your surgeon may also suggest use of a laser or chemical peel to reduce discoloration of the lower eyelids or improve in fine wrinkles in the eyelid skin.

There is usually is minimal pain after eyelid surgery. There is typically visible swelling or bruising for 10-14 days. Most patients are presentable to the public in 10-14 days. Patients usually return to work in 7-10 days. Make up can be worn 2 weeks after surgery.

The final result is usually appreciable by 3-6 months after surgery. The results of eyelid surgery are long lasting.

Cost include:

• Anesthesia fees – cover the anesthesiologist, their staff and medications

• Hospital or surgical facility costs – covers the operating room, staff and equipment

• Surgeon’s fee

Dr. Derderian trained had extensive training in eyelid surgery during his plastic surgery training at New York University and the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH). After completing his residency, Dr. Derderian did a fellowship in craniofacial surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the faculty at UT Southwestern in Dallas in 2011. Dr. Derderian is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He frequently performs eyelid surgery in his practice in Dallas.