The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body, and it’s easy to see why so many people are concerned about what this might mean for them. The bags, wrinkles, and folds that appear around your eyes as you get older can be quite an obstacle when it comes to feeling confident in yourself or your appearance. But even though this part of the face can seem like an uphill struggle at times, there are ways you can help boost its appearance. Eyelid surgery is one of these options. Here’s everything you need to know about getting eyelid surgery, including whether or not it’s right for you.
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that’s performed on the eyelids to remove excess fat, skin, and muscles around the eyes, as well as correct asymmetry. It’s designed to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids and can be used to treat droopy eyelids, bags, and wrinkles. There are different types of eyelid surgery procedures. The most common is an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, which is performed on the upper eyelids. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed along with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, where the lower eyelids are also corrected. An upper and lower blepharoplasty is performed to correct droopy eyelids, as well as wrinkles and bags around the eyes.
Why Have Eyelid Surgery?
It is intended to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids and can be used to treat droopy eyelids, bags, and wrinkles. Eyelid surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by cosmetic surgeons. Experts say that more than 500,000 of these surgeries are done each year in the United States alone. There are many reasons why someone might choose to have eyelid surgery. Among these are drooping eyelids, wrinkles, bags under the eyes, hooded upper eyelids, and asymmetrical eyes. Eyelid surgery can correct these issues and help you have a more youthful appearance.
Before You Decide on Eyelid Surgery
Before deciding on eyelid surgery, you should be aware of the potential risks and side effects. These include bleeding, infection, cysts, wounds that do not heal, corneal abrasions (scratches on the cornea), double vision, dry eyes, dry mouth, difficulty smiling, drooping eyelids, eye pain, eyelid discoloration, eyelid drop, eyelid numbness, eyelid re-positioning, eyelid scarring, eyelid swelling, eyelid tucking, eyelid weakness, eyelid drooping, eyelid numbness, eyelid asymmetry, eyelid curvature, eyelid droop, eyelid excoriation, eyelid erythema, eyelid hematoma, eyelid infection, eyelid malposition, eyelid necrosis, eyelid ptosis, eyelid scarring, eyelid swelling, eyelid torsion, eyelid tropia, eyelid vascular disorder, eyelid weakness, eyelid wrinkle, eyelid asymmetry, eyelid contour irregularity, eyelid crease irregularity, eyelid ectropion, eyelid entropion, eyelid lag, eyelid malposition, eyelid ptosis, eyelid scarring, eyelid swelling, eyelid torsion, eyelid tropia, eyelid vascular disorder, eyelid weakness, eyelid wrinkle, eyelid asymmetry, eyelid contour irregularity, eyelid crease irregularity, eyelid ectropion and eyelid entropion.
How is Eyelid Surgery Performed?
Once you’ve scheduled your eyelid surgery, your surgeon will make an incision above or below your eyelid, depending on the type of procedure being done. The incision will be closed with stitches. Once the incision has been made, the surgeon will remove excess fat, muscle, and skin from the eyelids. The surgeon will then re-position the eyelid by repositioning the muscles and/or ligaments. Once this is complete, the surgeon will close the incision with stitches. Your surgeon may decide to use anesthesia during the procedure, but you’ll be given medication beforehand to help you relax. During the procedure, you’ll be awake but won’t feel any pain until the anesthesia wears off. A surgeon will usually recommend eyelid surgery as a way to reduce the signs of aging around the eyes. The procedure can help lift drooping eyelids, reduce the appearance of bags and dark circles under the eyes, smooth out wrinkles, and even out the creases around the eyes. Eyelid surgery is usually an outpatient procedure meaning you will go home on the same day and should be able to return to work within a few days.
The Pros of Eyelid Surgery
There are many potential benefits to having eyelid surgery, including reduced under-eye bags and a smoother appearance of the upper eyelids, which can help you look younger. It’s important to note that eyelid surgery will not treat under-eye bags or dark circles caused by allergies, poor sleep, an iron deficiency, etc. It’s possible that eyelid surgery may also improve your quality of vision, especially if you have a drooping eyelid that’s blocking your view. Eyelid surgery may also improve your self-confidence, as it can help you feel more comfortable in social situations and in your everyday life. If you’re self-conscious about the appearance of your eyelids, eyelid surgery can help. This procedure can also prevent your eyelids from drooping over the years, which many people experience after age 40.
The Cons of Eyelid Surgery
There are risks and possible complications associated with any type of surgery, including eyelid surgery. Some of these include infection or bleeding, delayed healing, and scarring. The swelling and bruising associated with eyelid surgery may make you feel uncomfortable and affect your vision. It’s also possible that you’ll experience sensitivity to light, dry eyes, and blurred vision. If you’re considering eyelid surgery, you should be aware that the procedure may cause drooping eyelids in the short term, known as transient droop, which is the most common side effect of this type of surgery. This may cause problems with your vision and require you to wear an eye patch for a short period of time.
Final Words
If you want to improve the appearance of your upper eyelids, you may be considering eyelid surgery. This cosmetic procedure can reduce the signs of aging around the eyes, such as bags and wrinkles, while also improving your vision. When deciding whether or not eyelid surgery is right for you, you should consider your lifestyle and the amount of time you’re willing to spend recovering.