Dear Dr. Winder:
Q. I'm only 27 years old, yet my friends and relatives are constantly telling me that I look mad, tired and "older than my age". Can you tell me what is causing this?

A. Without the benefit of being able to examine you in person, I can only guess . . . but, it's a good possibility that you have a hereditary predisposition to and/or early aging changes taking place around your eyes, the main focal point of the face. People often don't even notice these changes because they appear so gradually; it is not at all uncommon for me to see a new patient who's interested in some form of facelift when, in fact, they'll realize an even more dramatic improvement if they undergo eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery is technically known as "blepharoplasty". With an upper lid blepharoplasty, the excess skin and fatty tissue of the upper eyelid is removed through an incision placed in the natural crease of the upper eyelid; these incisions, when completely healed, are usually undetectable. With a lower lid blepharoplasty, the fat of the lower eyelid is removed, along with some excess skin, through an incision just underneath the lower lash line; this incision, too, heals wonderfully. Always performed on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art licensed surgical facility, eyelid surgery can, in many instances, be performed under local anesthetic only.

Blepharoplasty is extremely affordable and, as I said, can make the most dramatic improvement of all of the surgeries we perform. The results will make you look younger, more refreshed, pleasant and attractive.

When being considered for cosmetic reasons, we will see you for your first visit on a complimentary, no charge basis. When the excess skin of the upper lids impair your vision, health insurance may cover your surgery. For those patients who want us to undertake the approval process for insurance coverage, we bill their insurance company for the first visit.

Read more about Lower Blepharoplasty.
Read more about Upper Blepharoplasty.