When aging eyelids droop they can impair vision and lead to misinterpreted facial expressions.

Excess skin or fatty deposits in the eyelids can be hereditary or the natural results of aging. They are not, however, something you must put up with.

Modern procedures for cosmetic eyelid surgery can treat loose and sagging eyelid skin, excess skin hanging from the upper eyelids and impairing vision, puffiness from excess fatty deposits, bags under the eyes, lower eyelid droopiness and excess skin and wrinkles in the lower eyelids. Firmness around the eyes can give you a more youthful and more energatic appearance

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are healthy persons without life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions that could impair healing, who don't smoke and have a positive attitude about life and specific goals to result from eyelid surgery. Since other medical conditions can be problematic in eye surgery, it is essential that you consult with an experienced surgeon that you can trust.

Click this link for before-and-after photos of Dr. Brueck's eyelid lift work.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BLEPHAROPLASTY

Q: What is a blepharoplasty?
A: A blepharoplasty is a procedure that can be performed on either the upper or the lower eyelids. Many times we do them jointly in that we will do an upper lid bleph in conjunction with a lower lid bleph. Basically an upper lid blepharoplasty requires or involves the removal of excess skin which in some cases can impair vision. Surgery on the lower lids usually involves removing a fat pad which causes bulging and dark circles under the eyes. In some cases we also remove loose skin from the lower lids.

Q: Will insurance cover the procedure?
A: In cases where the upper lid skin is so excessive that it impairs the vision, insurance will cover it but they will require visual field studies to be done in order to determine that it is a medical necessity. Each insurance company has its own visual impairment guidelines so you may want to check with them before having this procedure performed. Also check to make sure this is a covered benefit on your insurance plan contract.

Q: Will there be post operative pain?
A: Surprisingly enough there is no pain associated with an upper and lower lid blepharoplasty. The post operative course is very simple and I instruct the patient to do 2 things. The first is to keep the head elevated above the heart and secondly apply ice on their eyes as much as they can in the immediate post op period which is the first 4 days. This will greatly diminish and decrease the amount of swelling and bruising. I do give patients pain pills but 99% of the patients do not require the pain pills post op.

Q: How long is the recovery time?
A: The recovery from an upper and lower lid bleph is very minimal. I have patients showering and shampooing their hair the very next day. Most of the time the stitches can come out in as little as 3 to 4 days and the patients can put on make up to cover the areas of bruising that may exist.

Q: Can I have other procedures done at the same time?
A: Many times patients will have a blepharoplasty performed in conjunction with a face and or neck lift. One can do multiple procedures during the same course or same operation.

Q: When can I wear my contacts?
A: Most patients can wear their contacts after 3 to 4 days. A lot however depends on the amount of bruising and swelling they have post operatively. It is imperative to keep ice on the eyes as much as possible during the first 3 to 4 days to minimize the swelling and this will allow the individual to resume the normal wearing of contact lenses.

Q: When can I wear eye shadow and mascara?
A: Many of my patients will start wearing eye shadow and mascara 3 to 5 days post operatively. I think the sooner they get back to a more normal routine the better they will feel about the surgery.

Q: When can I shampoo my hair?
A: Many of my patients can shampoo their hair the very next day, I warn them to get a baby shampoo so if it does get into the eyes it will not burn and they won't have to rub their eyes and irritate the sutures.

Robert Brueck, MD, FACS is a board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon with 28 years of experience in plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. He has been named one of the top plastic surgeons in Southwest Florida (Northport to Marco Island) for four consecutive years, including 2007, by Gulfshore Life magazine.


In his dedication to beautiful results in plastic and cosmetic surgery and to provide the highest quality patient care, Dr. Brueck, currently serves as a surgeon with Associates in Cosmetic Surgery's office in Fort Myers.

Associates in Cosmetic Surgery is a state-of-the-art plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery facility incorporating the most advanced technologies and the latest treatment therapies to provide patients with the very best in surgical and non-surgical results.

Dr. Brueck and his highly trained staff are dedicated to providing patients with the finest in cosmetic and plastic surgery in a responsive and comforting manner.

While eyelid surgery is a primary cosmetic surgery procedure offered by Dr. Brueck, he also provides a wide variety of additional plastic and reconstructive services to patients throughout the Fort Myers, Naples and Marco Island area of Southwest Florida.

Dr. Brueck also performs liposuction, breast augmentation, breast reduction, face lift and forehead lift. Non-surgical procedures include laser hair removal, Lipodissolve, laser resurfacing, Obagi, Botox and Restylane.

You may contact Dr. Brueck by telephone at 239-939-5233, through email or through his Aesthetic Coordinator, Judy.