In Seattle, legendary for the alert-and-alive beverage of Starbucks fame, there’s no excuse for baggy, weary-looking eyes. They look unattractive, and they may even interfere with vision.
Whether genetics or aging is responsible for dragging your eyelids downward, help is just one outpatient visit away. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is one of the lowest-impact surgeries Dr. Gottlieb performs. It’s safe, and the recovery is short compared to most other surgeries.
The result offers more attractive and alert eyes and can spike your self-esteem in surprising ways.
The Surgery
We perform eyelid surgery either at Swedish-Providence Hospital or at the Seattle Surgery Center. You’ll experience little pain, and you’ll go home the same day. (Someone will have to drive you home.)
One of our board certified anesthesiologists will keep you comfortably sedated during the procedure. You’ll be in the operating room for approximately 1-1.5 hours. When you wake up, you’ll have bandages on your eyes and they may feel tight.
As your anesthesia wears off, you’ll have pain medication to control any discomfort.
At Home
For the first several days after your procedure you’ll need to sleep with extra pillows (to keep your head elevated) and apply cold compresses. This will reduce any swelling.
Dr. Gottlieb will remove your stitches 3 to 6 days after surgery. Once they're out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you'll start to look and feel much better.
After the First Week
You will be asked to avoid strenuous activities for about 3 weeks. It's especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports. You should avoid alcohol, too, since it causes fluid retention.
Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for 3-6 months or more after surgery. Eventually, though, they'll usually fade to a thin, nearly invisible line.
Your New Look
It will all be worth it when you see the final result: an alert and youthful look in your eyes that you may not have seen for years.
