|
Eyelid
Surgery. Eyelid surgery (also called an eye lift
or blepharoplasty), reduces bagginess
from lower eyelids and removes excess
skin from the upper eyelids.
This surgery is usually done for
cosmetic reasons. It's also an effective
way to improve sight in older people
whose sagging upper eyelids get in the
way of their vision.
An eye lift will not eliminate dark
circles under the eyes, crow's feet, or
other facial wrinkles. It is often done
along with other procedures such as
laser resurfacing, filler injections, or
forehead lifts. |
|
|
|
The Eyelid Aging Process. As skin ages, it gradually loses its
elasticity. A lack of elasticity plus
the constant pull from gravity causes
excessive skin to collect on the upper
and lower eyelids.
Excess skin on the lower eyelid causes
wrinkles and bulges. On the upper
eyelids, an extra fold of skin can hang
over the eyelashes and get in the way of
seeing.
The fat that cushions the eyeball from
the skull can also cause bulges in the
upper and lower eyelids. The thin
membrane that holds the fat in place
weakens with age, letting the fat come
forward into the lids. |
|
|
|
Who Is a Good Candidate For Eyelid
Surgery? The best candidates for an eye lift are
people who are in good health and who
have realistic expectations. Most are 35
years or older, but if baggy eyelids or
droopy eyelids run in your family, you
may decide to have the surgery done
sooner. Eyelid surgery can enhance
your appearance and help build your
confidence. However, it may not result
in your ideal look or alter your facial
structure. Before you decide to have
surgery, think about your goals and
discuss them with your surgeon. |
|
|
|
Will the Results of Eyelid Surgery Be
Permanent? Upper eyelid surgery can last at least
five to seven years. Lower eyelid
surgery rarely needs to be repeated. Of
course, your eyes will still age after
the procedure. If your lids sag again, a
forehead lift rather than another eye
lift is often the proper procedure. |
|
|
|
How Should I Prepare for Eyelid
Surgery? You will need to arrange for another
person to drive you home after your
surgery. You should also have someone
stay with you the night of the
procedure. |
|
|
|
How Should I Prepare for Eyelid
Surgery? continued...Expect and plan to stay home from work
and limit your activities for several
days after surgery while your eyelids
heal. Some people have dry eyes after
surgery, but that rarely lasts more than
two weeks. If you have dry eyes lasting
more than two weeks, contact your
doctor. |
|
|
At home, you should have the following
items ready:
•Ice cubes
•Ice pack (or you can use freezer bags
filled with ice, frozen corn, or peas)
•Small gauze pads
•Eye drops or artificial tears (ask your
doctor to recommend the proper type to
meet your particular needs)
•Clean washcloths and towels
•Over-the-counter painkillers (which
your doctor can recommend) |
|
|
|
Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Aleve, and
aspirin should not be used due to the
increased risk of bleeding. |
|
|
|
How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed? An eyelift usually takes about two hours
if both upper and lower eyelids are done
together. Your doctor will most likely
use local anesthesia (a painkiller
injected around the eye) with oral
sedation. If you are having the
procedure done at a hospital or surgical
center, you will most likely receive IV
sedation.
If you're having all four eyelids done,
the surgeon will probably work on the
upper lids first. The surgeon will
usually cut following the natural lines
of your eyelids. Through these cuts,
your surgeon will separate the skin from
the underlying tissue and remove the
excess fat, skin, and muscle. Next, the
surgeon will close those cuts with very
small stitches. The stitches in the
upper lids will stay for three to six
days. The lower lids may or may not
require stitches, depending on the
technique used.
Surgery on the lower eyelids may be done
using one of several techniques. In one
method, your surgeon makes a cut inside
your lower eyelid to remove fat. That
cut won't be visible. Your surgeon can
then soften fine lines in the skin using
a C02 or erbium laser.
Another method involves making a cut
along the eyelash margin. Through that
cut, your surgeon can remove excess
skin, loose muscle, and fat. The cut
line fades after a short time. After
either of these procedures, your surgeon
may recommend laser resurfacing. |
|
|
|
What Is Recovery Like After Eyelid
Surgery? After eyelid surgery, you will have
stitches in both lids that will remain
for as long as a week. It is common to
have swelling and, occasionally,
bruising, but your eyelids should look
normal within a week or two. |
|
|
What Are the Possible Complications
From Eyelid Surgery? Complications and unwanted results from
an eye lift are rare, but sometimes they
do occur. They can include:
•Bleeding
•Infection
•Dry eyes
•Abnormal coloring of the eyelids
•Eyelid skin that folds in or out
abnormally
•Not being able to fully close your eyes
•A pulled-down lower lid lash line
•A possible loss of vision |
|
|
|
If you have any of these complications,
contact your doctor as soon as possible. |
|
|
|
Does Insurance Cover Eyelid Surgery?
Health insurance companies typically
don't cover cosmetic procedures. |
|
|
|
If you're getting eyelid surgery. For a
medical reason (for instance, because
your eyelids are drooping so much that
it affects your vision), and if a vision
test confirms that, your insurance
company may cover it. Check on that
before you get the surgery so you know
exactly what you will pay. |
|
|
| |
|
Read more:
http://www.webmd.com/beauty/eyelid-surgery/cosmetic-procedures-eyelid-surgery
|
