What Is an Eye-Lift?
An eyelid lift or blepharoplasty is a simple, safe, and effective cosmetic surgical procedure. If you have drooping eyelids that make you look prematurely aged, you may want to consider an eye-lift. The surgery is also beneficial to seniors with sagging eyelids that obscure their vision as it can help get rid of that skin and correct their eyesight as a result.
An eyelid lift is an independent procedure that is often supplemented with laser resurfacing, a brow lift, and filler injections.
How Do the Eyelids Age?
You skin loses its natural elasticity with age. The lack of elasticity and the pull of gravity results in excessive skin being deposited on the upper and lower lids of our eyes. When excessive skin accumulates on the lower eyelids, wrinkles and bulges are the result.
You may develop an extra fold of skin on the upper eyelids that hang over your eyelashes and prevents you from seeing properly. Bulges in the lower and upper eyelids can also be a function of fat that cushions the eyeball from the skull. There is a thin membrane in place that holds this fat until age loosens it to fall forward on your eyelids.
Two Types of Eyelid lift Surgeries
Generally, the eyelid lift refers to an upper eyelid surgery which eliminates excess skin and fat and works to tighten any weakened muscles in the treatment area.
The lower eyelid surgery is less common. It is carried out to remove bags under the eyes. In older individuals, the fat is redistributed instead of removing them completely from the area, so their under-eye doesn’t appear hollow, as happens with age.
Both procedures provide patients with excellent results and they are performed on an outpatient basis.
The Eyelid Lift Procedure
Local anesthetic may be administered for an upper eyelid surgery. The surgeon will mark the area of the eyelid that he intends to operate on. The incisions will be made within the natural folds of the eyelids to hide any resulting post-surgical marks.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
After the surgery is completed, patients may experience minimal bruising and swelling, but these are temporary and expected to subside quickly. It is recommended that you arrange someone to drive you home after the procedure to ensure you get home safely.
You may need to take one to two weeks off work to properly rest and recover while you are healing. It’s important that you refrain from straining your eyes too much and that you take it easy during this time. This means staying away from strenuous activities that may affect your eyes.
Bruising and swelling may be worse in some candidates as compared to others. However, neither lasts for more than a couple days. The sutures are removed three to five days after the surgery and you can go back to applying makeup like you used to after about a week.
You should ice your eyes regularly in the 24 hours following the surgery to keep the swelling in control. Consider applying topical lubricants or eye drops and taking antibiotics to ease your discomfort and prevent any chance of infection.
Contact Parker Plastic Surgery to Schedule Your Consultation in Watkinsville
An eyelid lift can bring back your youthful look, making you appear more vibrant, awake, and welcoming. It can also help eliminate any vision problems caused by the excess skin in the eyes. If you’re interested in learning more about the surgery, contact Parker Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation today.