At LA Plastic Surgery in Bradenton, FL, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Melinda Lacerna specializes in blepharoplasty—a transformative eyelid surgery that revitalizes your youthful appearance while potentially improving peripheral vision. The delicate skin around our eyes often reveals the first signs of aging, with excess skin, puffy bags, and drooping eyelids making you look tired and older than you feel inside. Blepharoplasty effectively addresses these concerns by removing excess fat and skin, tightening the surrounding muscles, and creating a more alert, refreshed appearance that better reflects your inner vitality. Dr. Lacerna’s skilled techniques ensure natural-looking results that can dramatically enhance both your confidence and quality of life by aligning your outer appearance with your youthful spirit.
Blepharoplasty in Bradenton, FL
Blepharoplasty, often referred to as eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyelids. This procedure can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, depending on your specific needs and aesthetic goals. The blepharoplasty surgery involves carefully removing excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat that can cause drooping upper lids and puffy bags under the eyes. For many patients, especially those with severely sagging eyelids, blepharoplasty can also improve peripheral vision that may have been obstructed by the drooping skin.
Upper eyelid surgery addresses excess skin and fat that can create a hooded appearance over the upper eyelids. This procedure is particularly beneficial for patients who experience sagging eyelids that make them look tired or sad, excess skin that may interfere with vision, or difficulty applying makeup due to overhanging skin. During upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Lacerna makes precise incisions along the natural eyelid crease, allowing for minimal scarring. She then removes or repositions excess fat, tightens the underlying muscles as needed, and removes drooping skin before closing the incisions with fine sutures.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty focuses on reducing puffiness and bags under the lower eyelids while addressing loose skin. This procedure is ideal for patients with under-eye bags or puffiness, excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelids, or a tired or aged appearance. For lower blepharoplasty, Dr. Lacerna may use either a transcutaneous approach with a small incision just below the lash line or a transconjunctival approach with an incision inside the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scarring. The appropriate technique is determined based on your specific anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Quad blepharoplasty combines both upper and lower eyelid surgeries for comprehensive rejuvenation of the entire eye area. This option is perfect for patients seeking an overall refreshed appearance of the upper or lower eyelids in a single surgical session. By addressing all four eyelids, quad blepharoplasty procedures can dramatically rejuvenate your appearance, making you look more rested, alert, and years younger.
A drooping brow can contribute significantly to a tired, aged appearance. Our scarless forehead lift utilizing advanced endoscopic technology allows Dr. Lacerna to lift and reposition the eyebrows through tiny incisions hidden within the hairline. The procedure employs a small camera (endoscope) that enables Dr. Lacerna to visualize the underlying tissues while making precise adjustments with minimal scarring. This approach provides natural-looking elevation of the brows, opening up the eye area for a more refreshed appearance.
For patients seeking additional skin tightening without more extensive plastic surgery, Renuvion J-Plasma technology offers remarkable results. This cutting-edge treatment combines the unique properties of cold helium plasma with radiofrequency energy to instantly contract tissue and stimulate collagen production. When used as an adjunct to blepharoplasty, Renuvion can enhance skin tightening around the eyes and forehead, providing a more comprehensive eyelid transformation with minimal downtime.
For patients looking for more extensive facial rejuvenation, combining blepharoplasty with a facelift can address multiple signs of aging in a single session. A facelift complements eyelid surgery by addressing sagging skin in the mid and lower face, jowls, and neck.
Non-surgical options like Botox can complement blepharoplasty by relaxing the dynamic wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet) and between the brows. Meanwhile, dermal fillers can address volume loss in the tear troughs and temples, further enhancing the rejuvenating effects of eyelid surgery.
Your journey begins with a thorough consultation with Dr. Lacerna where she carefully evaluates your facial anatomy and listens to your aesthetic concerns. During this important first step, she will take detailed measurements and photographs to document your current appearance and create a precise surgical blueprint. Together, you’ll review potential outcomes and develop a customized surgical plan tailored specifically to your unique facial structure and desired results.
You’ll receive comprehensive instructions regarding medications to avoid or discontinue in the weeks leading up to your procedure to minimize bleeding risks. Our team will guide you through important pre-surgery protocols including eating, drinking, and smoking restrictions that help ensure optimal surgical outcomes. You’ll also learn about preparing your recovery space with necessary supplies like ice packs, prescribed medications, and comfortable pillows for elevation.
On the day of your procedure, our anesthesia team will administer either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia based on the complexity of your surgery and your personal comfort level. The carefully selected anesthesia ensures you remain comfortable throughout the entire procedure without any awareness or sensation of pain. Dr. Lacerna monitors your comfort level throughout the surgery, making adjustments as needed to maintain your safety and well-being.
With meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Lacerna creates precise incisions that follow your natural eyelid creases and contours to ensure any resulting marks blend seamlessly with your natural features. The strategic placement of these incisions allows for optimal access to underlying tissues while minimizing visible scarring after healing. Each incision is carefully measured and marked before the first cut to ensure perfect symmetry between both eyes.
With the incisions made, Dr. Lacerna carefully removes excess skin that contributes to a tired or aged appearance around your eyes. She then precisely excises or repositions fat deposits that cause puffiness or bags while preserving the right amount of volume for a natural look. Finally, underlying muscles may be tightened as needed to create a smoother, more youthful contour that still allows for natural expressions and movement.
Once the desired modifications are complete, Dr. Lacerna meticulously closes each incision using ultra-fine sutures selected specifically for the delicate eyelid tissue. These specialized sutures are placed with precision to ensure minimal tension on the skin, which helps reduce scarring and promotes optimal healing. The closure technique is designed to create virtually invisible scars that hide within your natural eyelid creases once fully healed. Cold compresses will be applied to reduce swelling, and you’ll receive detailed instructions for your at-home care regimen.
On surgery day, you’ll experience mild discomfort, tightness, and swelling around your eyes. We recommend applying cold compresses regularly to reduce swelling and resting with your head elevated to minimize fluid buildup. During this period, you’ll begin using prescribed eye drops or ointments as directed, and experience peak swelling and possibly some bruising on days 2-3. Light activities are permitted during this phase, but avoid bending or heavy lifting which can increase pressure in the eye area.
Between days 4-7, your sutures will typically be removed unless dissolvable ones were used, and you’ll notice swelling and bruising beginning to subside. Many patients feel comfortable making short trips outside the home during this time, and you’ll begin gentle cleansing of the incision sites as directed by Dr. Lacerna. From days 7-14, you can usually return to non-strenuous work and social activities, and makeup can typically be applied to conceal any remaining bruising.
During weeks 2-4, you can resume normal activities including light exercise as your healing progresses. Some residual swelling may persist during this phase but is typically not noticeable to others. Incision sites may appear pink or slightly raised, which is a normal part of the healing process as your body continues to repair the surgical area.
Between months 1-3, your final results begin to emerge as all swelling completely resolves and your tissues settle into their new position. Scars continue to fade and flatten during this time, and you can resume your full range of activities without restrictions. Beyond 3 months, your scars will continue to mature and fade over the next 6-12 months, becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
You may be an excellent candidate for blepharoplasty if you:
During your consultation, Dr. Lacerna will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if blepharoplasty is the right choice for you, or if alternative treatments might better address your concerns.
Blepharoplasty offers significant physical improvements, beginning with the removal of excess skin that may obstruct peripheral vision, creating a clearer field of view. The procedure effectively reduces puffiness and under-eye bags while creating smoother, tighter eyelid skin that appears more refreshed and youthful. Patients also experience a more comfortable eye area with less heaviness, reduced fine lines around the eyes, and an enhanced ability to apply makeup on the upper eyelids.
The cost of blepharoplasty in Bradenton, FL typically ranges between $3,500 and $7,000, with the final investment depending on whether you choose upper, lower, or comprehensive quad blepharoplasty. At LA Plastic Surgery, this price includes all essential components of your surgical journey: the procedure itself performed by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Melinda Lacerna, professional anesthesia services, state-of-the-art surgical facility fees, all pre-operative consultations, and thorough post-operative care to ensure optimal healing and results. We offer flexible financing solutions through trusted healthcare lending partners, allowing you to achieve your aesthetic goals with manageable monthly payments that fit your budget.
When you choose LA Plastic Surgery for your blepharoplasty, you’re placing your trust in the hands of Dr. Melinda Lacerna, a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon with specialized training and extensive experience in facial reconstructive surgery and cosmetic procedures. Our customized approach recognizes that each patient’s facial anatomy and aesthetic goals are unique, allowing us to tailor your procedure to achieve natural-looking results that enhance your inherent beauty without the telltale signs of surgery. Your care takes place in our state-of-the-art Bradenton facility, which features the latest technology and adheres to the highest safety standards, while our dedicated team provides comprehensive, attentive support from your initial consultation through your complete recovery. We believe in empowering you through education and transparent communication, ensuring you feel confident and informed about your procedure, which contributes to the high satisfaction levels reported by our patients with both their healing process and final results.
Take the first step toward rejuvenating your appearance with blepharoplasty at LA Plastic Surgery. Contact our Bradenton office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Melinda Lacerna and discover how eyelid surgery can help you look as vibrant and youthful as you feel.
