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blepharoplasty Atlanta

Common Myths and Facts about Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

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As successful as the latest non-surgical treatments are for reducing wrinkles and helping people look younger, there are some signs of aging and cosmetic issues that still need to be corrected surgically. Cosmetic eyelid surgery is one procedure that doesn’t have a non-surgical alternative. Technically, there are two types of eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty: upper eyelid surgery, which removes excess sagging skin above the eyes, and lower eyelid surgery, which removes “bags under the eyes.” But like most plastic surgeries, there are plenty of misconceptions and misunderstandings about these procedures. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience, I’ve heard nearly every myth around, so in today’s blog, I’m explaining the facts behind several common eyelid surgery myths.

Common Myths and Facts about Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Myth #1: Eyelid surgery will leave a noticeable scar.

Some patients are intimidated by having surgery on a very visible area (like the eyelids) because they worry that they will have a prominent scar. But the reality is quite the opposite. In fact, the scarring from eyelid surgery is very minimal. For upper eyelid surgery, the subtle scar is typically within the natural folds of the eyelid. For lower eyelid surgery, the incision is made either within the lash line or, if you don’t need any skin removed, on the inside of the lower eyelid so there is no visible scar at all.

Myth #2: Eyelid surgery can fix dark circles under the eyes.

Both “bags under the eyes” and dark circles under the eyes are common cosmetic complaints, but eyelid surgery is not typically an effective treatment for dark circles. While they vary from person to person, temporary dark circles can be caused by allergies, lack of sleep, and other factors, while long-term dark circles are typically caused by either shadowing from a lack of volume or from thinning skin due to aging. Depending on the culprit (which can be determined in a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon), either facial filler injections or minimally invasive laser treatments are generally the best treatments.

Myth #3: Eyelid surgery can give you chronic dry eye.

While this is a potential side effect of eyelid surgery, it happens when a surgeon overcorrects by removing too much skin and it’s extremely rare when your surgery is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced in eyelid surgery specifically. If you choose the right cosmetic surgeon, the chances that you’ll experience this issue are very small.

Myth #4: Eyelid surgery is unnecessary because you can get rid of bags under your eyes naturally.

Not all bags under the eyes are the same. Temporary bags can be caused by lack of sleep, water retention, and other short-term causes. Long-term bags under the eyes, on the other hand, are caused when natural fat deposits under the eyes move forward with age and the skin loses its firmness. While those temporary bags can often be reduced with home remedies and lifestyle changes, permanent bags can only be treated effectively with lower blepharoplasty.

As with any plastic surgery, learning about eyelid surgery can help you be more informed about what to expect and whether it may be the right fit for your cosmetic goals. To find out if you’re a candidate for blepharoplasty or to ask any other questions you may have about the procedure, schedule an eyelid surgery consultation. For more helpful tips and facts about cosmetic surgery, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

How Do I Know if I Need a Brow Lift or Eyelid Surgery

How Do I Know if I Need a Brow Lift or Eyelid Surgery?

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Many forms of facial aging don’t simply make us look older, but also make us look more tired or unhappy. In the case of patients who have aging throughout the upper third of their faces, this is often their true concern. Between sagging skin, forehead lines, and other signs of aging, they may look like they’re either unfriendly or exhausted, even when they’re feeling cheerful and energetic. For this reason, patients often ask me, are these problems better treated with a brow lift or eyelid surgery?

Most patients think they can kill two birds with one stone by getting a brow lift, because it can make their eyes look more open while also rejuvenating their forehead. The problem, though, is that patients underestimate the difference between the severity of a brow lift and an eyelid lift. To learn about the approach I typically take to give patients the best balance between results and recovery time, check out my recent video below:

Every plastic surgery patient would love to just fast forward to their results, but the path to your best results starts long before your surgery. The first step is to find a board-certified plastic surgeon you can trust and identify the ideal procedure to fit your needs. To get started on this journey, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John LeRoy in Atlanta. For more plastic surgery tip, informational videos, and more, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. LeRoy Why Do So Many Patients Have Eyelid Surgery with a Facelift

Ask Dr. LeRoy: Why Do So Many Patients Have Eyelid Surgery with a Facelift?

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Aging isn’t a straightforward process. It happens to each man and woman at different rates and in different ways. For instance, as a double board-certified plastic surgeon for over twenty years, I see some patients who have primarily aged around their jawline, others around their eyebrows, etc. However, people don’t age solely in one area. That’s why every plastic surgery procedure I perform is tailored to the patient’s individual needs. In many cases, this means combining multiple procedures into one to produce comprehensive yet natural-looking results, and one of the most popular combinations includes eyelid surgery and a facelift (or minimally invasive alternatives).

Ask Dr. LeRoy Why Do So Many Patients Have Eyelid Surgery with a FaceliftWhile both eyelid surgery (called blepharoplasty) and a facelift have the goal of making a patient look younger and more refreshed, they complement each other so well because they each focus on different areas. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the lower eyelids (to remove “bags under the eyes”), the upper eyelids (to address “hooded” eyelids caused by sagging skin under the eyebrow), or both. A face lift, on the other hand, is designed to address skin laxity and other aging facial tissue throughout the lower half of the face, such as the cheeks, jawline, and in some cases, under the chin. The areas around the eyes and throughout the mid and lower face are both highly common problem areas, so for many patients, combining eyelid surgery with a facelift can address their two primary concerns in one surgery. This offers them more comprehensive results as well as less recovery time than if the procedures were completed on two separate occasions, because they can heal from both at the same time.

If you want to improve the appearance of both your eyelids and your mid or lower face but are concerned that undergoing both surgeries may be more than you need, you might be a candidate for a less invasive version combining a Band Aid Mini Facelift and Band Aid Blepharoplasty. I developed the Band Aid Facelift and other Band Aid cosmetic surgeries specifically for patients who want a lighter way to achieve more natural-looking results. These procedures use minimally-invasive techniques to produce skillful surgical results with half the cost and half the recovery time of traditional plastic surgeries, all performed in my comfortable office setting using gentle numbing (and conscious sedation if desired) rather than general anesthesia.

Whether the combination of eyelid surgery and a facelift sounds like an ideal remedy for you, or you’re looking for a way to address other concerns like a sagging brow line or excess fat under the chin, schedule a plastic surgery consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy. Or, for more helpful cosmetic surgery information and health news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Combining Other Plastic Surgeries with a Facelift

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As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has been specializing primarily in facial rejuvenation for over twenty years, I have developed both a comprehensive understanding of the aging process and a keen eye for how to address each patient’s unique concerns. Thanks to genetics, lifestyle habits, and other factors, everyone ages in their own way, which means that despite the common misconception, facelifts aren’t a one-size-fits-all way to turn back the clock. For many patients, getting the best results means combining either a face lift or my minimally invasive Band Aid Mini Facelift with other procedures, like eyelid surgery, facial liposuction, or a brow lift. In the case of my Band Aid Facelift, even a combination of surgeries may be able to be performed in-office using gentle numbing. My video below offers a more detailed explanation of these options.

The technique of performing multiple plastic surgeries in one operation is sometimes misunderstood as being less safe. But the truth is that as long as you’re under the care of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, you’ve completed all of the necessary health screenings and other pre-surgical preparations, and you’re committed to your post-surgical care, these procedures can be an effective and manageable way to maximize your cosmetic surgery results. To discuss how I can help you be your most confident and beautiful self, schedule a pre-surgical consultation. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and helpful information, follow me, Dr. John L. L.eRoy, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

The Beauty of Blepharoplasty

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In his 22 years of surgical experience, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy has witnessed many patients come in feeling discouraged by not being able to correct the progression of aging eyes that tend to affect the entire appearance of the face or even functionality in eyesight.

Eyelid SurgeryEyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a procedure that revives the alert, aware appearance of your most rested state. The eye area is revitalized by removing excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids. With eyelid surgery, patients see results that are subtle to the outside appearance, but beyond effective to the beholder.

Those with bags under the eyes, sagging upper eyelids, a puffy appearance, or obstructed vision due to any of these concerns are likely candidates for either traditional blepharoplasty of Dr. LeRoy’s specialized Band Aid version of the rejuvenating procedure. Band Aid Blepharoplasty is performed in-office with local anesthetic and typically requires less time to complete than  traditional eyelid surgery. Dr. LeRoy gently removes excess fat and sagging skin around the eyes while smoothing out the remaining skin. Combined, these approaches effectively rejuvenate troublesome areas of the eyes for a more youthful, refreshed appearance that doesn’t necessitate an excessive downtime.

Eyelid lifts are not limited to either gender or being performed alone. Dr. LeRoy performs eyelid surgery on both men and women who are interested in facial anti-aging or relieving eye sagging. He also frequently combines the procedure with other minimally invasive procedures like Band Aid Browlift or forehead lifts.

Don’t settle for looking older and more fatigued than you actually are. Let your outer appearance reflect the youthful vibrancy radiating inside of you. With innovative blepharoplasty methods, your entire facial appearance can adopt results that look both beautiful and natural.

To schedule your consultation, contact his office. Stay updated on the latest minimally-invasive anti-aging treatment options by connecting with Dr. LeRoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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