As you age, the skin around your eyelids starts to sag and droop, giving you a tired or rundown appearance. At Novomed, our skilled plastic surgery team can use blepharoplasty to help reduce the symptoms of aging around the eyes and improve your vision by giving you more open and rested-looking eyes. Although it is best to speak with our specialists to determine if this procedure is right for you, here are some things you should know if you are considering blepharoplasty.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of the eyelids by removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids. It is usually performed as a same day procedure under local anesthesia and mild intravenous sedation, and the length of the recovery period depends on the complexity of the surgery.
There are three types of blepharoplasty:
- Upper blepharoplasty: This procedure can give your upper eyelids a more alert, smoother look. It can also relax some of the lines on your forehead where your muscles are straining to keep your heavy upper lids open.
- Lower blepharoplasty: This procedure targets the “bags” of fat under the eyes and the wrinkles that form around them as a result of stretched or lax skin. It can produce smoother and tighter skin, providing a less worn-out, younger appearance.
- Double blepharoplasty: Treating both the upper and lower eyelids at the same time is an effective way to rejuvenate the top half of the face, giving the eyes a wider and more youthful appearance.
Before deciding which is best for you, consult with your plastic surgeon about which will meet your requirements the most.
Who is a suitable candidate for blepharoplasty?
A person in good overall health with reasonable expectations for the procedure’s results is a suitable candidate for blepharoplasty. Ideal candidates are usually older than 35 and have excess skin or fat on their eyelids, impairing their vision or making them look older than they are.
How do you get ready for blepharoplasty?
You must prepare for the surgery by completing any necessary exams. Additionally, you must ensure that you have a means of transportation to and from the procedure. It will be simpler for your surgeon to do the procedure if you don’t wear makeup on the day of the surgery and dress comfortably.
What are the risks of blepharoplasty?
The risks of blepharoplasty are the same as those of any surgical procedure. These may consist of bruising, infections, scarring, issues with eyesight, and complications from anesthesia. It is crucial to go over these risks with your surgeon before deciding whether to have the procedure.
At Novomed, we have a large team of plastic surgeons, but refer our blepharoplasty to only a few of them who did thousands before, hence their excellent results and low complication rates.
How is blepharoplasty performed?
Blepharoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. During blepharoplasty, incisions are made along the eyelids’ natural creases to reduce scarring. After removing any excess skin, muscle, or fat, the wounds are stitched up.
How is the recovery process?
It’s advisable to rest for a week after the procedure. Recovery times vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, but most patients can return to work and normal activities in 7 to 10 days.
Following surgery, swelling and bruising are common, but these side effects usually go away in a few days and can be covered using sunglasses or our professional make-up artist.
Are the results of blepharoplasty quick to appear?
The results of blepharoplasty are immediately noticeable, but some of the advantages might be hidden by the dressings and swellings. The post-surgical swelling may take several weeks to go down, so your results will likely improve gradually during this time.
It may take up to six months for blepharoplasty to produce its desired results.
Are the results of blepharoplasty long-lasting?
Eyelid surgery has long-lasting results because the excess skin and fat are permanently removed. Although the results can last for many years, the aging process does not stop after the procedure. Additional surgery might be needed to maintain your results if the skin around the eyes starts to sag again with time.
How much does blepharoplasty cost?
The extent of the procedure, the surgeon’s qualifications, and the facility’s location all affect the cost of blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty is precision surgery. The surgeon must carefully assess how loose or how lax the eyelid skin is (snap test). Taking even one millimeter more than allowed can create a scleral show or ectropion that can affect eyesight and can be very difficult and very expensive to fix.
Out of a dozen of plastic surgeons working at Novomed, we only refer blepharoplasties to a few very experienced surgeons, thereby giving great natural results with very rare if any complications.
In conclusion, blepharoplasty can be a very efficient method to enhance the appearance of your eyelids, reduce aging symptoms, and boost your confidence. If you’re considering blepharoplasty, talk through your choices with a qualified and experienced surgeon so they can help you choose the best course of action for your needs.
To learn more about blepharoplasty and book a consultation, click here.
