A blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure for drooping eyelids. During this procedure, surgeons remove or redistribute unwanted skin, muscle, and fat. The muscles that support eyelids weaken as you get older. Excess fat causes drooping eyelids, which can reduce peripheral vision.
Purpose
The removal of excess tissue from your upper eyelids makes vision improvement possible. You can get young and alert eyes by getting a browplasty. Eyelid surgery also helps increase your confidence.
Eye lifts will not get rid of under-eye darkness, laugh lines, or other wrinkles in the face. Surgeons may perform blepharophasties simultaneously with filler injections, browplasties, rhytidectomies, or skin resurfacing.
Preparation
Before programming your eyelid surgery, you will talk about your medical history and expectations with a plastic surgeon and an ophthalmologist.
Prior to your blepharoplasty, you will get a physical exam, vision exam, and eyelid photography.
Below are some tips doctors will tell you to follow.
- Cook meals in advance and ensure that you have all the necessary things.
- To ensure the surgery goes smoothly, you should stop taking warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. They can increase bleeding risk. Only take medications your surgeon approves. Acetaminophen can be used to manage pain.
- Stop smoking so you can increase your healing ability after the blepharoplasty.
- Ask a family member or friend to transport you to and from surgery.
Procedure
A face lift is generally done on an outpatient basis. The surgeon will complete the blepharoplasty in two hours if the upper and lower eyelids are done at the same time. He or she will start with the upper eyelids. Once the upper eyelids are complete, the surgeon will do the lower eyelids. Local anesthesia is typically used for eye lifts. In some cases, general anesthesia is used.
Recovery
Unlike other surgery types, the recovery time of 1-2 weeks is shorter. After the surgery, you will get gauze to protect the area of the incision wound. You should also clean this area by washing it. Do not rub your eyes. Place ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes each hour the night following surgery. The next day, apply ice packs over your eyes four to five times daily.
You cannot use contact lenses for two weeks after a blepharoplasty. Prescription glasses can be an alternative for contact lenses during your recovery period. Furthermore, the use of dark-tinted sunglasses is recommended since you might experience light sensitivity.
Risks
Bleeding, bruising, and infection can be the risks of any surgery.
Other blepharoplasty risks include:
- Abnormally colored eyelids
- Blood clots
- Damage from too much sun exposure
- Eye dryness and irritation
- Blurry vision or potential vision loss
- Scarring
- Trouble closing eyes
If you experience any of these complications, tell your doctor immediately. Knowing the risks of the procedure can help you decide if it is right for you.