Ask Dr. Man - Blepharoplasty

Dear Dr. Man, I just turned 60 years old and I am an attorney in Boca Raton. I have a beautiful wife who looks like she’s half my age. I feel that my saggy eyes make me look older than I am. I’m considering surgery to correct this, but I’m wondering if men typically get this kind of plastic surgery and if it can look natural. Also, what can I expect from surgery with regards to recovery?

Both men and women alike often opt for eye lifts in order to appear younger and more energetic. A blepharoplasty is the medical term for an eye lift, which is used to reduce the appearance of saggy eyes. Eye lifts are also used to treat ptosis, a medical condition that causes drooping eyelids and can sometimes impair vision, due to poor muscle tone or nerve damage.
More and more men are opting to have plastic surgery An increasing number of men today are having cosmetic surgery to help them look younger and more attractive. Like women, men have discovered the benefits of cosmetic surgery, both personally and professionally. Men are recognizing that wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, droopy eyelids, baldness and double chins may make them look old and tired, and appear less competitive on the job and in their personal lives.
As we age, our skin loses elasticity, and thus eyelids and the area under the eye can begin to sag, aging our appearace drastically. An eyelid lift can help improve this condition drastically. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon first makes an incision in the eyelid, and then removes fatty tissue from inside the eyelid. Next, the surgeon will pull the skin to a tighter position and reattach the skin. Surgery typically lasts from 2-3 hours.
After surgery, your surgeon will provide you with a list of ways to care for your eyes and a list of rules for what to do and what not to do. He or she will also prescribe an antibiotic in order to prevent infection, so be sure to let the doctor know if you have any medication allergies. Your surgeon will also prescribe you with lubricating eye drops in order to keep your eyes from becoming too dry or irritated. While recovering, you should refrain from wearing contacts or eye makeup, reading or watching television, or drinking alcohol. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter pain killers. Any substantial pain should be reported to your plastic surgeon.

Patients can usually return to work in 7-10 days and resume full activities in about 3 weeks. Candidates for a blepharoplasty include both men and women who are unhappy with the effects of aging on their appearance, but are otherwise physically healthy. People who have certain eye conditions, including glaucoma, may be ineligible for a blepharoplasty, and should consult with their surgeon before undergoing this, or any other type of surgery.

Dr. Daniel Man is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dedicated his life’s work to helping people look younger and improve their appearance through cosmetic surgery. He is a noted author, artist, inventor and educator. Dr. Man has been featured on major television networks, as well as national and local magazines and newspapers for his work as both a plastic surgeon and an artist. Dr. Man has a private practice in Boca Raton, FL.