Our eyes have been called the “Windows to our soul”. So what happens when your “windows” are looking tired, droopy and not reflecting your inner-self?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a way to improve your appearance of upper and/or lower eyelids, giving you an invigorated appearance around your eyes making you look youthful and rested. Eyelid surgery can specifically treat loose or sagging skin that can disturb the natural look of the upper eyelid, take care of excess fatty deposits and/or bags under the eyes, and work on getting rid of excess skin and on the lower eyelids. If you are considering an eyelid procedure it is important to disclose any eye health issues you may have with your doctor.
The procedure can take up to 1 to 3 hours for both eyelids and is normally an outpatient surgery. Patients may experience temporary tightness of the eyelids, swelling, bruising, burning, dryness, itching and excessive tearing up and sensitivity to light for the first few weeks. Giving yourself ample time to heal and regain normalcy is an important part of recovery. Talking with your doctor and understanding the expectations of healing is an important part of the surgery process.
Your eyelids may feel tight and sore and normal activities such as reading, wearing contacts or strenuous activities may take a few days or weeks, however any pain and discomfort can be controlled with oral pain medication, cold compresses and ointment. Risks can include temporary blurred or double vision, swelling and dry eyes. Make sure your doctor explains all risks associated with the procedure.
Being a healthy individual with realistic expectations and goals in mind is essential before deciding on Blepharoplasty. Asking questions with your surgeon and making sure you schedule adequate recovery time is important for the surgery to be a success. Recovery is a process and can take several weeks until fully healed. During the consultation it is important to work with your doctor and point out specifically where you see the trouble spots around your eyes and in detail, ask the doctor to explain what can be done to fix the problems.
Whn you and your doctor have the same expectations before surgery it makes the process less nerve-racking for you, and helps the doctor know exactly what you are wanting out of the procedure. And remember, eyelid surgery can correct certain conditions permanently; but you will continue to age naturally as we all do. Making sure you use sun protection including the use of sunscreen and sunglasses will help to maintain your results.
This can be your opportunity to help you reconstruct the beauty that’s already there, underneath the bags and years of life. Open the windows to your soul, and take a step to looking like the youthful person you are!