All You Need to Know About Eyelid Surgery

All You Need to Know About Eyelid Surgery : Your eyes are extremely important organs from both aesthetic and functional points of view. In addition to helping you see and understand the world around you, they are an integral part of your facial harmony and beauty. Unfortunately, with age, the muscles holding your eyelids can weaken, causing the eyelids to stretch.

Consequently, excess fats and skin might gather below and above the eyelids. In addition to affecting your facial appearance, sagging skin around the eyes might even compromise your peripheral vision.

The good news is that this issue can be corrected through eyelid surgery. Here are the most important things you need to know about eyelid surgery.

What Is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that seeks to treat droopy eyelids.

In this procedure, the plastic surgeon essentially removes excess muscle, skin, and fat that causes the area around a patient’s eyes to sag. In addition to improving the patient’s appearance, eyelid surgery may be recommended to correct poor peripheral vision. But whether you want the procedure for cosmetic or functional purposes, you can expect it to rejuvenate the area around your eyes and give you a more youthful and rested appearance.

The Ideal Candidate for Eyelid Surgery

Unfortunately, not everyone with droopy eyelids can get eyelid surgery. The ideal candidate for the procedure should:

Be a non-smoker or be willing to quit smoking since smoking might lead to poor healing
Be in good health and free of any conditions that could compromise the healing process
Have no serious eye conditions
Have realistic goals and a positive outlook

During the initial appointment with your plastic surgeon, the surgeon will perform some tests, examine your medical records, and ask some questions to determine if eyelid surgery is right for you.

How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your doctor should recommend the best anesthesia for you. Once the anesthesia has been administered, the surgeon will make the necessary incisions, remove excess tissue and fat, and close the incisions using sutures or skin adhesives.

The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning that you will be allowed to go home the same day. However, you will need someone else to drive you home since it may not be safe for you to drive after being sedated for some time. Before going home, your surgeon will prescribe the medications you will need to minimize the risk of surgical site infections and manage pain and inflammation.

Eyelid Surgery Risks

Eyelid surgery is not without some risks. Some of the possible risks associated with the procedure include:

Excessive bleeding
Poor healing
Persistent pain
Blurred vision
Unfavorable scarring
Surgical site infections
Difficulty closing the eyes
Numbness of the eyelashes
Anesthesia risks

Before you can sign the consent to go for eyelid surgery, you need to talk to your doctor about these risks to understand what can go wrong and what can be done to minimize the risk of serious complications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eyelid Surgery

How Long Does Eyelid Lift Surgery Take to Perform?

Eyelid surgery will take between one and two hours. However, you may be required to rest for about an hour after the surgery before you can be allowed to go home.

When Can I Go Back to Work After Eyelid Surgery?

After the surgery, your eyelids may remain bruised and swollen for about three weeks. The appearance of your eyes will continue improving for the first three months. You may be ready to go back to work after about two weeks. As you plan to get the procedure, this is something you must keep in mind.

Can Eyelid Surgery Be Done on One of My Eyes?

If one of your eyes is naturally droopy for some reason, you may be wondering if the procedure can be performed on the affected eyelid only. The good news is that this is possible. Experts call it unilateral blepharoplasty

How Long Will the Results Last?

The results of eyelid surgery are long lasting. If you get the procedure done in your forties or fifties, there is a good chance you will never need it again.

How Should I Sleep After the Eyelid Lift Procedure?

In the early days of recovery, you will be required to sleep on your back with a couple of pillows propped under your head. This sleeping position will go a long way in helping you minimize the risk of swelling.

Can I watch TV After Eyelid Surgery?

If you like watching TV, you might be wondering if the procedure will affect your ability to enjoy your favorite TV programs. Unfortunately, watching TV can put excessive strain on your eyes, and therefore, you may be advised to avoid it for the first five days or so.

Can I Wear Makeup After the Procedure?

As mentioned earlier, your eyes will remain bruised for the first few weeks. This means that applying makeup could irritate the surgical site. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid applying makeup for about three weeks after eyelid surgery.