Information on Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

A relatively minor surgical procedure able to make patients look years younger, is cosmetic eyelid surgery, with the more formal name, blepharoplasty. As a person grows older a typical sign tends to be bags under the eyes and sagging upper eyelids, it is in fact often one of the first signs. If you feel this is bringing you down and is hurting your self-confidence, cosmetic eyelid surgery might be something to consider.

During a cosmetic eyelid surgery excess skin and small pockets of fat are removed, both from the upper and lower eyelids. This can, potentially, drastically change the look of older, droopy eyes, and give a new, more youthful and energetic appearance of the face.

To accomplished a balanced and more finished result, many patients combine eyelid surgery with additional, complimentary procedures, such as a brow lift, designed to improve the appearance of drooping eyebrows.

The Procedure

It is possible to perform cosmetic eyelid surgery using traditional or laser surgery techniques. It can be performed on either the upper or lower lid, or, often, on both lids.

In upper eyelid surgery the surgeon will remove excess skin, which will lift the lid and make it look younger and less droopy, as well as, sometimes, improve vision.

In lower eyelid surgery the surgeon will again remove excess skin, but also small pockets of fat will be removed. This combination will help eliminate the bags under the eyes, again achieving a younger, fresher looking face.

A special type of eyelid surgery is Asian eyelid surgery. About half the people of East Asian descent does not have a fold in the upper eyelid. This procedure creates a fold, leaving the eyes looking larger and more round.

Risks of Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery carries the same risks as most minor surgical procedures, these include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Swelling
  
• Reaction to anesthesia

For a surgical procedure the pain after eyelid surgery is relatively minor. As the anesthesia wears off, most patients will feel some discomfort. To ease this pain and discomfort, your surgeon can prescribe medication.

Around the areas where the surgeon made incisions, there will usually be swelling after the operation, this can be minimized by keeping the head elevated, as well as, carefully, applying cold compressions. The amount of scarring after the procedure should be minimal, and will fade in time to become almost undetectable.

To avoid complications, painful recovery and adverse side effects, the most important thing is to choose a skillful surgeon.

Downtime and Recovery

As always the downtime required after surgery varies across patients, as a general guideline, most are able to return to work and normal activities after about ten days. To make the recovery as smooth as possible, be sure to follow all instructions.

After surgery the head should remain elevated, bandages are applied to protect the eyes and ointment is used to soothe the skin.

Considerations Before Deciding on a Procedure

Before you decide on whether cosmetic eyelid surgery is for you, you need to ask yourself a few questions. The procedure is, as all cosmetic procedures are, best suited for patients in good physical health. Since many patients looking for an eyelid surgery are a bit older, this is an important consideration.

Also, while the procedure can produce significant improvement, patients need to have realistic expectations about the results. It is not a fix-all, miracle cure. To be sure you get the right idea of what you can expect, make an effort to establish good communication with your surgeon.

Most people who receive cosmetic eyelid surgery are older than 35, but some who have inherited droopy eyelids undergo the procedure at a younger age.

While many undergo the procedure for cosmetic reasons, eyelid plastic surgery can also achieve improved vision for those who have had their view obstructed by drooping lids.

Conditions that can make candidates for cosmetic eyelid surgery unsuitable include insufficient tear production, high blood pressure, diabetes, circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and thyroid disease.

Conclusion

Eyelid surgery can accomplish both a younger, smoother looking face, as well as an improved vision. To achieve a happy outcome, be sure to choose a competent, skillful surgeon and keep your expectations realistic. The procedure often offers significant improvement at a minimal level of intrusiveness.