Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, reconstructive surgery, involves the removal of excessive skin from the upper or lower eyelids. This procedure also may entail removing or contouring fat around your eyes for the best appearance. The goal is to make you look younger by refreshing the tissue around the eyes and making you look more rested.
Eyelid surgery is a serious cosmetic procedure, so it’s important to review everything about it before deciding to go ahead. Below are the most important things to know about eyelid surgery.
UPPER OR LOWER EYELID SURGERY
A blepharoplasty can involve the upper and lower eyelids or both:
- Upper eyelid surgery: For those who have excess fat over the eyes that make them look older.
- Lower eyelid surgery: For patients who have puffy, droopy bags under the eyes that make you old tired all the time.
Your board certified plastic surgeon will check your eyes and upper face and recommend either upper and lower eyelid procedures.
ALL EYELID SURGERIES ARE DIFFERENT
It’s important to understand that everyone’s eyes are different, so no two upper eyelid surgeries are the same. Many patients wonder if they qualify for eyelid surgery. Your plastic surgeon will customize your blepharoplasty according to your goals and eye features to obtain the best results.
Doing this surgery successfully means the surgeon needs to understand what the ‘ideal eye’ looks like while considering gender and ethnic differences. Your surgeon also must understand eyelid function and architecture. So, it’s crucial to choose a plastic surgeon with a medical history and high skill and experience in this procedure.
WHAT EYELID SURGERY ENTAILS
Upper and lower eyelids surgery, depending on the complexity, can be done in the office or operating room. It’s typically done with mild sedation or local anesthetics.
Before the upper eyelid procedure, your plastic surgeon will mark your eyelid crease and outline and measure the skin to then remove excess fat to be cut away. After giving you a local anesthetic, he will cut with a fine scalpel and electrocautery to carefully remove the extra skin.
He will remove enough skin to provide a natural and youthful appearance, remove excess but not too much could lead to the eyelid closing.
With the lower eyelids, your surgeon will make small incisions to take out or reposition fat to make a more natural contour under the eyelids. Sagging skin may be removed, and/or the lower eyelid muscles may be tightened.
After making sure the eyes are symmetrical, he’ll close the incisions with dissolvable sutures.
RESULTS TO EXPECT
Results vary, but you should see tighter, brighter, more open eyes in the mirror. The results are often subtle but striking. You’ll look natural but more rested and alert and younger.
You will probably see a difference in your eyelids after surgery. But swelling and bruising could hide the outcome. Most patients go back to work within one or two weeks, and it can take a month or more for the swelling to fade. Final results typically are seen four to six weeks later.
LASER OR SCALPEL CAN BE USED
Some surgeons choose to use a scalpel, while others opt for a laser. The results of your eyelid surgery don’t depend on the instrument but on how skilled the surgeon is with it. Assuming his skill level is the same with both devices, you can expect the same results.
Many surgeons choose a traditional fine scalpel with electrocautery to reduce bleeding.
RISKS TO EYELIDS SURGERY
Any surgery has risks, but eyelid surgery is recognized as safe and effective. Some of the minor side effects you may experience are:
- Temporary double or blurred vision
- Temporary swelling and bruising around the upper eye
- Small bumps along the incisions
These side effects are part of the routine healing process after the procedure and will resolve in a few days on their own. But more serious complications include:
- Dry eyes
- Asymmetry
- Trouble closing the eyes
The more experienced and skilled your plastic surgeon, the less likely you will have serious complications from plastic surgery.
RECOVERY PROCESS
Recovery after eyelid surgery is relatively easy. You could experience swelling and bruising, but few people experience significant pain. You can reduce these issues by using icepacks and raising your head. Doing these things will reduce your swelling and speed your recovery.
Light activity and no heavy lifting are recommended for 14 days after the procedure, but most people can go back to work in two or three days.
SEEING AFTER SURGERY
After eyelid surgery, you will have temporary blurred vision from mild corneal swelling and the eye lubricants your surgeon provides. But your vision will return to normal in two or three days. You don’t need patches over your eyes after this procedure.
SCARRING
You can expect some scarring, but eyelid surgery only needs small incisions in the creases of lower lid of your eyelids. So, the scars will be barely noticeable after you’ve healed. You may experience redness around your incisions after surgery, but this will fade in about a week.
LONG-LASTING RESULTS
The results of eyelid surgery are long-lasting. But over time, you can expect your eyelid skin, elasticity and quality of the facial muscles to change as you age. Protect the skin around the eyes with sunscreen and moisturizer to keep your results as long as you can.
IDEAL CANDIDATES
The most common candidates for this procedure are women or men who notice aging in their face, including drooping eyelids or bags under the eyes. Some candidates are more genetically likely to have drooping eyelids and bags under the eyes that make them look aged or tired.
So, there’s no exact age when this procedure is performed. You should be in good health and a non-smoker.
The surgery is worth it for people who want to look younger and better rested in and around the eyes. The results are subtle but dramatic, and recovery is minor with little pain reported.
Questions and Answers
How much does upper eyelid surgery cost?
The average cost of cosmetic eyelid surgery is $4,120, according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
How painful is eyelid lift surgery?
Typically, an upper lid blepharoplasty is a relatively painless procedure, and patients generally experience minimal discomfort during the recovery period. The nature of the surgery is quite mild, resembling a skin excision, and the eyelid itself is not known to cause significant pain. Consequently, patients often require only a minimal amount of post-operative pain medication to manage any discomfort.
How long does it take to recover from eyelid surgery?
Following the surgery, it is normal for your upper eyelids to exhibit swelling and bruising, which may persist for a period of 1 to 3 weeks. The overall appearance of your eye will continue to improve gradually over the course of 1 to 3 months.
Typically, individuals feel comfortable returning to their daily routines, including work and public outings, within approximately 10 to 14 days. However, the timeline for resuming activities may vary depending on the nature of your job and your personal preference regarding disclosing information about the surgery to others.
BOOK YOUR DALLAS EYELID SURGERY PROCEDURE TODAY
Once you’re ready to take the next step and book your consultation, there’s no turning back. The results you’ve dreamed of are within your grasp.
Stop delaying, and schedule an eyelid surgery procedure with Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Raja Mohan today.
You won’t regret your decision!
REFERENCES
8 Things To Know About Eyelid Surgery. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty/8-things-to-know-about-eyelid-surgery