Eye bags and baggy skin under your eyes take away your youthful glow, making you look and feel old.
Removing these unwanted features may be more complex than changing a lifestyle or skincare routine. Some may need to have them removed by going under the knife.
The best solution for this dilemma is blepharoplasty, an eyelid surgery that improves the appearance of the skin around your eyes.
If you plan to get this operation, find out how the procedure works to the duration of its effectiveness in this article.
What is blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?
Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that eliminates the baggy skin on your lower eyelid and enhances the look of your upper eyelids.
It involves the reduction of excess skin and muscles as well as the repositioning of tissues around your eyes.
This operation can be done alongside other cosmetic methods, such as brow lifts and laser resurfacing.
Although it is considered a procedure that enhances your appearance, blepharoplasty is also a known solution to improve your eyesight if you have drooping upper eyelids that tend to block your vision.
How Blepharoplasty Works
Blepharoplasty starts with your surgeon assessing the skin’s condition around your eyes. Your skin expert will mark the spots that need the removal of excess skin and fat.
As your doctor reduces the baggy spots around your eyes and eyelid, your muscles may be reshaped to make your skin tighter and firmer.
What Advantages Does Eyelid Surgery Offer?
An eyelid surgery does wonders for your skin and overall appearance. Here are the benefits of blepharoplasty.
It’ll Rejuvenate Your Appearance
Your face will start becoming more relaxed with the absence of eye bags. Without those saggy skin, you will see how you become more youthful as the creases under your eyes disappear.
It’ll Improve Your Ability to See
It is difficult for people with drooping upper eyelids to see clearly as the extra skin obstructs your vision. Aside from enhancing your appearance, you’ll have better vision after undergoing blepharoplasty.
It’ll Help You Communicate More Clearly
Saggy eyelids and big eye bags may send the wrong message to other people. There are instances when people may perceive you as tired or irritated because of your weary-looking eyes. With a tightened eyelid, people recognize your pleasant mood.
It’ll Boost Your Confidence
While improving your eyelid may not be a grand cosmetic procedure that people can notice at first glance, its appearance adds self-confidence.
How does aging affect eyelids?
As you age, your skin loses the elasticity that makes it firm. Without elasticity, you will notice your skin losing its tightness.
It also causes extra skin to be more visible in your upper and lower eyelids, with wrinkles and creases.
What is Eyelid Surgery Like?
Your eyelid surgery begins with the injection of general anesthesia to avoid pain during the procedure.
Using specific surgical tools and equipment, your surgeon will remove excess skin and fats for a maximum of two hours. After removing the extra tissue, your surgeon will sculpt your eyelids to make them appear better.
The surgery only takes a maximum of four hours, depending on the amount of skin removed.
Who is a good candidate for blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?
Having eye bags is one of many qualifications for you to get clearance for eyelid surgery. Your surgeon may have to assess your overall health before undergoing the procedure.
Are you a good candidate for eyelid surgery? Here are the standard criteria for blepharoplasty.
- Must be 30-year-old and older. Candidates for blepharoplasty should be 30 years old or older and have eye bags and extra skin in their upper and lower eyelids. This age range commonly shows symptoms of aging in the skin, such as wrinkles and folds.
- Must be in good health. Before undergoing blepharoplasty, you need to get clearance from your doctor if you have existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders.
- Must not have existing eye conditions. Your eyes should be in good condition. Talk with your ophthalmologist if you have glaucoma, detached retina, or dry eye.
Is There Downtime?
Blepharoplasty does not require hospital admission. You can immediately go home after the surgery, which takes only an hour up to four hours, depending on the severity of your case. Take note that your doctor will still require you to recover at home.
You need to avoid doing strenuous physical activities such as exercise. The physician may also require you to take time off from work for complete healing.
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
Your recovery time ranges from 10 to 14 days after the procedure. While some may feel back to normal after a week, you are not advised to conduct strenuous activities for one and a half months.
What can I expect from blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?
The operation may last a couple of hours for both the upper and lower eyelids. Your doctor will create a stitch in both upper lids, which will be visible for one week.
You’ll also see swelling and bruising in some portions of both lids, but these should disappear within two weeks. A common side effect of the surgery is dry eyes which may last for two weeks.
Your specialist will prescribe over-the-counter medication to address this condition.
Before your surgery, your doctor will help you manage your expectations. While the operation will remove excess skin on your eyelids, it does not mean that your overall appearance will drastically improve.
Naturally, there are cases when the eyes are not aligned or appear to be a different size than the other. These are your face’s natural look, and blepharoplasty will not be able to change these concerns.
Are the changes with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) permanent?
The results of blepharoplasty in the upper eyelid can last from 5 to 7 years or even up to a lifetime. For the lower eyelid, you may need to go back after a few years once extra skin appears again as you age.
What Instructions Should I Follow Before My Blepharoplasty Procedure?
When you confirm your operation schedule, your doctor will brief you about pre-surgery precautionary measures to ensure a safe procedure.
Ensure that you give your doctor all the accurate information about your health.
Taking Supplements
Your doctor may prescribe you take supplements such as Arnica Montana or Bromelain, which prepare your tissues to recover faster.
Aside from taking these homeopathic products, you will also be advised to avoid aspirin and other blood-thinning medication a week before your schedule.
Preparing for Your Recovery Period
The recovery period is a crucial stage that can define the effectiveness of the surgery. You must allow a comfortable recovery period away from work and other stressful conditions that may trigger pain and inflammation.
The recommendation is to set up a recovery room in your home with all the needed prescriptions during your healing period.
Are there possible complications with blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?
Eyelid surgery is typically a safe procedure. However, as with any other operation, there are still risks involved after the surgery.
Some of the risks include the following:
- Bleeding
- Dry eye
- Inability to fully close the eyes
- Lower-lid lash line
- Loss of vision
You can reduce these risks if you seek services from legitimate surgeons and not from practitioners without a license.
Dr. Bret Johnson is a board-certified surgeon with hundreds of operations in Dallas and Plano, Texas. Book an appointment with Dr. Johnson today.
Get a fast and safe blepharoplasty procedure
To ensure a fast and safe cosmetic blepharoplasty, you need to get a board-certified surgeon to take care of your procedure.
Dr. Bret Johnson is the best surgeon in Dallas and Plano, Texas who has already conducted successful blepharoplasty procedures in the past.
As an expert in enhancing one’s appearance, Dr. Bret Johnson will create a personalized plan for your procedure to ensure you will receive the best results.
Are you ready to get rid of your eye bags and saggy skin? Book a consultation with Dr. Bret Johnson today.
