What is Hooded Eye Surgery? Your Definitive Guide
Hooded eye surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to correct drooping, sagging, or hooded eyelids. In some instances, hooded eye surgery is strictly for cosmetic purposes. But in other cases, droopy eyelids from aging can restrict vision.
The eyes are the window to the soul. But they’re also the window displaying a person’s full age. Because the skin surrounding the eyes is some of the thinnest on the entire body, this area tends to show the first signs of aging, often giving the appearance of hooded eyes.
The good news is there’s an outpatient surgery that can reverse the signs of aging that hooded eyelids can cause.
So, if you’re wondering how to fix hooded eyes with surgery, you’ve come to the right page.
In this definitive eyelid surgery guide, we’ll cover all there is to know about surgery for hooded eyes, from the procedure itself to price ranges and recovery time.
Eyelid Surgery to Remove Excess Skin from Hooded Eyelids
Sometimes referred to as an eyelift or eyelid lift, blepharoplasty is meant to reshape the upper eyelid and lower eyelid’s appearance and remove bags and excess skin.
In most cases, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon will perform the eyelid lift surgery on both the upper and lower eyelids. But they can also perform the surgery on just the upper eyelid or lower eyelid exclusively.
Your plastic surgeon will remove excess skin and tissue from the eyelid area and adjust the underlying eye muscles to treat droopy eyelids. The end result is the removal of sagging skin and puffiness from the eyes and a smoother eyelid area.
Patients who undergo hooded eyelid surgery appear more alert, awake, and younger.
Different Types of Blepharoplasty
Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty can undergo two different types of surgery for hooded eyes — functional and cosmetic.
Patients looking to get hooded eyelid surgery will be tested with a Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFV). The HFV determines how much drooping eyelids impact your field of vision and whether your surgery will ultimately be functional or cosmetic.
- Functional eyelid surgery — Functional blepharoplasty removes the excess skin obscuring vision, and this type of eyelid surgery may be deemed medically necessary. Medically necessary eyelid surgery is often covered under insurance.
- Cosmetic eyelid surgery — A surgeon will perform cosmetic blepharoplasty on the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both. For lower eyelid surgery, excess skin is either removed entirely, or excess fat is removed or redistributed. Cosmetic surgery usually isn’t covered under insurance.
Whether functional or cosmetic, Hooded eyelid surgery is an incredibly popular cosmetic procedure. However, while the surgery can dramatically improve the eyelid’s appearance, it does not alter the face like a nose job or fillers would.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Patients in overall good health who do not smoke make good candidates for hooded eyelid surgery. In addition, candidates must not have a serious eye condition.
They must also have healthy facial skin and muscles to be considered a good candidate for a surgical eyelift.
What’s the Procedure for Hooded Eye Surgery?
Hooded eyelid surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, requiring a local anesthetic and sedation.
For both eyelids, the surgery will take approximately an hour. However, for patients who are only having an upper blepharoplasty or lower blepharoplasty, such cosmetic surgeries take about 30 minutes.
Blepharoplasty for Upper Eyelids vs Lower Eyelids
Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)
For the upper eyelid surgery, an incision is made along the natural creases. Excess eyelid skin and fat deposits are removed during upper blepharoplasty.
Your upper blepharoplasty surgeon may also remove a piece of the muscle surrounding the upper eyelids, called the orbicularis oculi muscle. Removing a strip of this muscle in an upper blepharoplasty can deepen the lid crease and give the eyes more definition.
Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)
In lower eyelid blepharoplasty, your surgeon will incise either directly below the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid. Excess skin in the lower eyelid is removed depending on where the incision is made, and excess fat is removed or redistributed.
Once the procedure is complete, the incisions are closed with either surgical tape, skin adhesive, or removable sutures.
What Is the Recovery Like for Droopy Eyelid Surgery?
Swelling, bruising, dry eyes, and irritation are likely to occur right after the procedure. For most patients, these side effects are mild and generally clear up within two weeks after surgery. Patients are also advised not to wear eye makeup or wear contact lenses for two weeks post-op.
Your surgeon will remove the stitches on either the third or fourth day after the surgery.
You may need to wear dark sunglasses for about two weeks after the procedure to protect your eyes from wind, sun, and debris. Patients should also avoid rubbing their eyes after surgery.
Patients must forgo exercise and strenuous activity for two weeks after the surgery but may resume work within a few days after the procedure.
What Are the Eyelid Surgery Risks?
Although it’s generally a well-tolerated procedure, nothing in life is risk-free, including droopy eyelid surgery.
Fortunately, complications are uncommon. But, they may include the following:
- Infection
- Granuloma
- Double or blurred vision
- Reactions to anesthesia
- Skin discoloration
- Eye muscle injury
In the rare case of complications from surgery, patients may need to undergo additional surgical procedures to correct blepharoplasty complications.
Scarring
Whether you’re getting surgery on the upper eyelid skin, lower eyelid skin, or both, your surgeon will need to make an incision. Scars from these incisions are minimal and easy to conceal and will fade over several months.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Most patients are delighted with the results of their eyelid surgery, enjoying a more rested, alert appearance and youthful-looking eyes.
The results of blepharoplasty last a lifetime for many patients, depending on how old they were when they got the surgery. But in some cases, drooping eyelids may come back after the surgical procedure.
How Much Does Hooded Eye Surgery Cost?
Your location dramatically impacts how much any cosmetic surgical procedure will cost. But on average, patients with hooded eyes pay between $4,000 and $5000.
This average cost for blepharoplasty includes the plastic surgeon’s fee, facility costs, anesthesiologist’s fee, and post-operative care.
Contact VIDA Today
Are you ready to say goodbye to drooping eyelids and puffy eyes?
Contact VIDA today for your FREE consultation with our plastic surgeons on hooded eyelid surgery.
Dr. Alejandro Quiroz
Dr. Quiroz is our board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIDA Clinic in Tijuana. He specializes in Facial Rejuvenation, Neck lift, Buttock Augmentation, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring and more. He is member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, San Diego Plastic Surgery Society, the Mexican Society of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and the Mexican Council of Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, to mention a few.