Dr. Paul Vanek on eyelid surgery

“What I love to hear from my Cleveland eyelid surgery patients after their procedure is, ‘My eyes look so much more refreshed. Even though I have some bruising and swelling, I can see that the things we discussed during our consultation are going to be true,’” says Dr. Paul Vanek, a board-certified general and plastic surgeon. “And then a week later when their sutures are taken out, they are even happier. Their friends are telling them that they are looking more open-eyed and more refreshed. And they look like their more youthful, less tired self.”

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure designed to create a more youthful, rested, and open appearance around the eyes. Generally, there are two groups of patients who come see Dr. Vanek for eyelid surgery consultation: patients with mechanical issues and patients with cosmetic issues.

“Some patients have mechanical issues that cause visual field obstructions, and if so, we can do an assessment that enables me to have their eyelid surgery covered by their insurance,” explains Dr. Vanek, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. “The patient who is aesthetically dismayed with their upper or lower lids can be comfortable knowing that their surgery will be expertly performed and that the risk of mechanical problems after surgery is low.”

Eyelid surgery can be performed on either the lower lids or upper lids, or both at the same time. During your consultation with Dr. Vanek, your needs will be individually assessed. “I do not take a cookie-cutter approach to surgery,” says Dr. Vanek.

What is the difference between Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty?

For eyelid surgery, there are distinct techniques for the upper and lower lids. “Particularly with lower lid surgery, I can often offer my patients ligament tightening, which is something that a lot of surgeons don’t undertake because of the complexity of the procedure,” says Dr. Vanek, who studied the art and science of blepharoplasty at the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan. “A good ‘bleph’ is not just tightening the skin – it’s a matter of three-dimensionally assessing the eyelid: its muscle layer, its skin layer, and its supportive tissue layer. And then those layers need to be rejuvenated in a single procedure for a natural-looking result.”

“The upper eyelid blepharoplasty technique sometimes simply involves extra skin removal. Sometimes it involves skin and extra fat removal that is tastefully done and not over-resected. Sometimes it also involves removing the minimum amount of skin and muscle. It all just depends on the individual person’s needs. If they have problems with their levator muscle, I have enough oculoplastic experience to make their levator muscles more functional and create a more awake and alert appearance, as long as the healing process goes as we hope.”

What are some other sorts of Eyelid Rejuvenation?

In some cases, Dr. Vanek may suggest volume enhancement rather than surgery. “Sometimes the rejuvenation of the upper face can be facilitated without eyelid surgery. Patients who are lacking volume in their upper face can see tremendous improvement from a liquid lift,” says Dr. Vanek, named one of ‘America’s Top Physicians’ by the Consumer’s Research Council of America. “For patients who had eyelid surgery performed elsewhere and feel dissatisfied, improvements can be made in a revision involving fat transfer and volume-enhancing injectables that give them a less ‘operated-on’ appearance.”

What to expect during your Blepharoplasty Consultation

In Dr. Vanek’s experience, great outcomes begin with the consultation. During your consult, Dr. Vanek will educate you on the risks and benefits of any procedure and empower you to make an informed, medically sound decision. Your individual anatomy and your aesthetic goals will create a series of surgical options for Dr. Vanek to review with you.

Your outcome will be based on sound principles of anatomy and surgery. “Give us a call,” says Dr. Vanek. “ I’d love to talk with you and help you celebrate your beauty.” Contact us to schedule your consultation today.