Is There a Minimum Age for Upper Eyelid Lift Surgery?

Is There a Minimum Age for Upper Eyelid Lift Surgery? : An upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) removes excess skin and can help the eyes look less “tired.” Because it’s often performed to correct changes that happen over time, many people think blepharoplasty is only for people over a given age.

But that’s just not true. Younger patients seek upper blepharoplasty for a variety of reasons, both cosmetic and medical.

Let’s discuss upper blepharoplasty, how it’s performed, and why more young patients are seeking this life-changing procedure.

Upper Blepharoplasty for Cosmetic Reasons

Patients of any age can seek upper blepharoplasty for a variety of cosmetic reasons. These include:

The eyes look too droopy
The eyes look “tired” because of excess skin
The excess skin simply looks undesirable to the patient

Upper Blepharoplasty for Medical Reasons

Aging isn’t the only reason for excess, drooping skin on the upper eyelids. Medical upper blepharoplasty benefits include::

Correction of ptosis (droopy eyelid) that partially covers the iris, impairing vision
Repair of a functional deficit caused by trauma
Repair of surgery from a tumor or other medical issue
Thyroid eye disease (TED)

Upper Blepharoplasty for Preventative Reasons

There’s a third reason people seek upper eyelid surgery, and it’s becoming a much more common one: patients have blepharoplasty as a “preventative procedure.”

In other words, if a patient sees very early signs of sagging upper eyelids, especially if they have a family history (genetic predisposition), they may seek blepharoplasty at an earlier age to prevent the problem from developing or worsening.

How Upper Blepharoplasty Is Performed

Every patient is different, and so is every upper blepharoplasty procedure. However, you can expect the following:

You will have your surgery performed on an outpatient basis unless there are extenuating medical circumstances. (Ask your doctor.)
You will be made comfortable on your back on the operating table.
You will be given anesthesia. Most upper blepharoplasty patients receive general, or “sleeping,” anesthesia. You may or may not be given medication to relax first before you receive your general anesthesia.
The plastic surgeon will cut along the fold of the eyelid.
The surgeon will remove skin, muscle and may remove fat from the area.
The incision area will be closed.
A thick ophthalmic ointment will be applied to your eyes to keep them moisturized and to prevent infection. (Note: this will make your vision blurry once you’re awake.)
You will gently be awakened.

How to Prepare for Your Upper Blepharoplasty Procedure

Before your upper eyelid lift, you will probably be asked to do the following:

Have a complete eye exam that includes vision testing, tear production testing, photographs and measurement of the eyes, including the eyelids.
Have a discussion with your plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, your current health, drug or alcohol use, and your family medical history.
Quit smoking, if you do smoke. (You will probably be asked to stop smoking at least two weeks in advance of your blepharoplasty surgery.)
Stop taking certain drugs that increase your risk of bleeding, including aspirin and Warfarin.
Arrange for transportation to and from your upper eyelid surgery. (You will not be able to drive yourself home from the procedure.)

Recovery After Your Blepharoplasty

Recovery from upper eyelid surgery is similar to any plastic surgery procedure.

The general timeline for blepharoplasty recovery is:

Day One: You will notice bruising and may be groggy or nauseous from your general anesthesia. However, your surgeon will probably ask you to walk very short distances, such as a walk across the room, as long as it is safe to do so.
Days Two-Five: Pain may increase during this time as the effects of the general anesthesia wear off. Your doctor may have prescribed medication to address this issue. You will notice more bruising and swelling of the areas that were operated on. Your surgeon may have placed gauze over your eyes. If not, and you are able to see, your vision will likely be blurry.
Days Six-10: Your pain will probably begin to go down during this time. Your vision should be much better, though you may be advised not to strain your vision. For instance, you may be told not to read or use electronic devices such as your computer or phone for long periods. Swelling and bruising should begin to go down by the end of this time period.
Two to Three Weeks After Your Surgery: You may be able to return to work now. Make sure you have your doctor’s approval before doing so. Swelling should be down significantly, but some bruising will probably remain. Bruising will begin to fade quite a bit after this time. Your vision may be normal or nearly normal once again, but your eyes may still fatigue quickly.

Four to Six Weeks After Your Surgery: You will begin to see the final results of your upper blepharoplasty. If you are healing normally, all restrictions will be lifted, and you will be able to go back to your regular activities, including exercise.

Seeing a Whole New You

Upper eyelid surgery can be life-changing. You’ll not only look better, but your vision can be improved, depending upon your situation.

If you’ve been worrying about your upper eyelids, know that there is no age limit for upper blepharoplasty. Call a qualified plastic surgeon and set up a consultation to find out whether you’re a candidate.

If you choose upper eyelid surgery, be sure to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions exactly. Doing so will ensure that your upper eyelid surgery is everything you’ve hoped it will be.