Eyelid surgery (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

What Are the Advantages Eyelid Surgery?

1. Enhanced Appearance: Blepharoplasty can provide a refreshed and alert appearance, imparting a more youthful look.
2. Improved Vision: In cases where sagging skin obstructs vision, blepharoplasty can lead to improved eyesight by removing excess skin and allowing for a clearer field of vision.
3. Reduction of Sagging Skin: One of the primary goals of blepharoplasty is the removal of excess, sagging skin around the eyes. This reduction not only contributes to a more youthful appearance but also eliminates the heaviness associated with drooping eyelids.
4. Elimination of Eye Bags: Blepharoplasty addresses puffiness or bags under the eyes, typically caused by herniated fat. By removing or redistributing this fat, the procedure eliminates under-eye bags, resulting in a smoother and more rejuvenated eye contour.
6. Long-lasting Results: While the natural aging process continues, the positive effects of blepharoplasty endure, contributing to sustained improvements in appearance for 10-15 years.
7. Not very painfull process: Eyelid surgery typically involves minimal pain. In the majority of cases, the procedure is conducted under local anesthesia, supplemented with oral sedation. The primary sensation of discomfort is often associated with the administration of the anesthesia shot.

What are the disadvantages of Eyelid Surgery?

1. Long-time downtime period. You will require a downtime of 4-7 days, mainly attributed to bruising and swelling, which prompts patients to avoid social interactions.
2. Excessive removal of upper eyelid skin can impact the ability to fully close your eyes, while an overreduction of lower eyelid skin may result in a pulling down of the eyelids.
3. Common side effects include swelling, bruising, and dry eyes. Dry eye or irritation may persist beyond the initial recovery period. It's essential to notify your blepharoplasty surgeon if you have a pre-existing issue with dry eyes.
4. Sensivity to light is common in the initial days following blepharoplasty. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding bright lights can help manage this sensitivity until it resolves.

How Successful eyelid surgery?

92%

Can anyone get eyelid surgery?

1. If you're over 30, in good health, and bothered by your upper or lower eyelids, you might be a good fit for this cosmetic surgery. Most people who are really interested in this surgery are usually 40 or older.
Around this age, the skin around the eyes loses some elasticity, making it prone to drooping.
2. For lower eyelid surgery, ideal candidates often have puffy under-eye areas or bags caused by fat pads in the lower eyelid. This can be due to genetics or aging. Also, common concerns include loose skin, wrinkles, or crepey texture.
3. Good candidates for upper eyelid surgery may have heavy, hooded eyelids or droopy eyelids caused by extra skin.
4. Changes in the forehead, eyebrow, and eyelid can all contribute to eyelid hooding. It's important to figure out this combination before planning any corrective measures.
5.Sometimes, patients choose to have both upper and lower eyelid surgery along with a brow lift or non-surgical options like injectable fillers. This helps restore volume and lift the forehead.
6. In your first meeting, your healthcare provider will go through your medical history.
7. It's crucial to share any medical conditions you have, such as glaucoma, dry eye, a detached retina, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Grave’s disease, or other thyroid disorders.
8. Sharing this information gives a complete picture of your health and helps create a safe and tailored treatment plan.

How should you prepare for a Eyelid Surgery?

During your initial consultation, you will address your concerns and goals related to your eyelids, seeking clarification from your surgeon on any queries you may have.
Your medical team will furnish you with specific pre-operative instructions to adequately prepare you for your blepharoplasty procedure. These may include:
1. Consulting your primary care physician for blood work or a medical evaluation to ensure your overall health aligns with the elective nature of blepharoplasty surgery.
2. Undergoing a comprehensive eye examination to assess baseline vision and eye health.
3. Completing a visual field test.
4. Capturing eyelid photos from multiple angles to assist your provider in planning the procedure and supporting insurance claims.
5. Adjusting your medications at least two weeks before surgery and discontinuing certain supplements or drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, and naproxen sodium, known to increase bleeding and bruising.
6. Abstaining from smoking, vaping, and using nicotine products for at least one month preceding eyelid lift surgery.
7.Obtaining prescribed medications required for the immediate post-operative period.
8. Arranging for a friend or family member to provide transportation to and from your surgery, stay with you on the first night, and accompany you to the post-operative appointment the following day.

How painful is Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty is one of the least painful cosmetic procedures. You may have some slight discomfort on the day of surgery, but you should feel better quickly.

How long it take the Eyelid Surgery?

45 min. - 2 hours procedure

How long will your Eyelid Surgery results last?

The outcomes of blepharoplasty can endure for 10 to 15 years, and occasionally even longer.
As your skin undergoes natural aging and begins to sag, there may arise a need for a subsequent procedure. The objective is not to halt the aging process but to roll it back somewhat, restoring your eyelids to a more youthful appearance.

Is undergoing Eyelid Surgery a worthwhile decision?

Eyelid surgery boasts an impressive 92% Worth It Rating, with many reviewers dubbing it the ""best decision"" of their lives.
Negative feedback from those who deemed it ""Not Worth It"" often pointed to uneven or dissatisfactory results.
The worthiness of eyelid surgery for you hinges on your aesthetic objectives and the extent of aging signs in your eyelids or eye bags.
To optimize your eyelid surgery experience, exercise careful selection of your surgeon. Prioritize credentials, experience, positive patient reviews, and a compelling gallery featuring before-and-after photos of eyelid surgery.

What are the risks and side effects of eyelid surgery?

Blepharoplasty, generally safe, involves risks like anesthesia reactions, infection, swelling, bruising, and rare complications such as dry eyes or difficulty closing eyes if excess skin is removed. A 2013 Journal of American Medicine Association Facial Plastic Surgery study highlights potential post-surgery dry eye issues, manageable with eye drops. Discuss potential complications, disclose medical conditions, and undergo pre-surgery tests for dry eyes. Smoking cessation one month before surgery is advised, and chronic health conditions like diabetes can impact healing. Be aware of risks, weigh them carefully, and discuss openly with your healthcare team.

Are there alternatives to eyelid surgery?

Achieving a significant eyelid lift without surgery is challenging, but some nonsurgical treatments offer mild improvements:
1) Resurfacing laser, like erbium or CO2, tightens skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles with a healing time of 3-7 days.
2) Thermage FLX, an FDA-approved radiofrequency treatment, tightens skin safely around the eyes, suitable for mild to moderate sagging.
Sofwave, using ultrasound energy, is newly indicated for eyebrow lifts, subtly lifting upper eyelids.
3) Fillers, such as Juvéderm or Restylane, strategically placed, elevate brow corners and camouflage under-eye bags.
Nonsurgical under-eye treatments suit those with mild hollowing or bags and tight skin. However, they come with risks, requiring experienced providers for potential complications.
4) Injectables, like Botox or Dysport, temporarily raise eyebrows by relaxing muscles pulling them down, lasting 3-6 months.