For many people, eyelid surgery is a way to look younger and more refreshed. But before you jump in to this type of procedure, you should know that it can be dangerous.
Eyelid lift surgery is performed in an outpatient setting under general anesthesia. The procedure takes about three hours to complete. The surgeon makes incisions in the natural creases of your upper eyelids and removes excess fat and tissue from beneath them. The surgeon then repositions the excess skin and tissue in order to give you a more youthful appearance by lifting your brows, reducing sagging skin and smoothing out wrinkles around your eyes.
Read on to learn more about Is Eyelid Lift Surgery Dangerous, Cost Of Eyelid Surgery How to Relieve Pain After Eyelid Surgery
Is Eyelid Lift Surgery Dangerous
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery is a procedure to reduce the drooping or bagging of the upper or lower eyelids. Called blepharoplasty, the procedure is often done for cosmetic reasons. It can, however, become medically necessary if the drooping skin begins to obstruct vision.
As you age, your skin changes, including your eyelids. The supporting muscles may weaken while the skin stretches. The combination allows fat to accumulate either above or below the eyes.
The result can be the appearance of bags beneath the eyes, the drooping of eyelids and eyebrows, and excess skin around the eyes. It can even make your eyes look puffy.
The eyelid lift procedure is not a dangerous procedure, but there are some risks involved. The most common side effects are bruising, swelling and numbness. These side effects will generally go away within a week.
The most severe risk of eyelid lift surgery is that the patient may have difficulties seeing for several weeks after the procedure. This risk can be minimized by using an antibiotic ointment and avoiding any strenuous activity for 24 hours after the surgery.
Eyelid lift surgery should not be performed on patients who have uncontrolled high blood pressure or bleeding disorders such as hemophilia or von Willebrand’s disease. Patients who have diabetes or thyroid disease may also be at greater risk than other patients because these conditions can cause complications during the operation itself.
Patients who smoke should not undergo an eyelid lift because smoking increases their chance of developing eye problems later on in life (such as cataracts).
Many people are concerned about eyelid surgery but it is a safe, effective procedure. The risks associated with an eyelid lift are small and very rare.
Eyelid lift surgery is a minor procedure that is performed under local anesthesia and usually requires no overnight stay in hospital. The procedure usually takes less than an hour but may occasionally take longer depending on the nature of your particular case.
Eyelid lift surgery involves making tiny incisions in the natural crease above each eye. Tissue is gently pulled forward and excess skin is removed to create a more youthful appearance. The incision sites are then closed with dissolvable sutures, which will dissolve over time without leaving any scars behind (depending on your choice).
Some patients might experience some swelling around the eyes after their procedure but this should go away within a few days after surgery. You should also avoid rubbing or touching your eyes for at least two weeks following your eyelid lift so that you don’t cause any unnecessary damage to the newly formed scar tissue while it’s healing.
While there are no guarantees when it comes to results from any type of cosmetic procedure, most patients who undergo an eyelid lift experience noticeable improvements in their appearance within just a few days after their
Cost Of Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty is cosmetic surgery of the eyelid in which excessive eyelid skin is removed with or without the removal or addition of eyelid fat.
Blepharoplasty is cosmetic surgery of the eyelid in which excessive eyelid skin is removed with or without the removal or addition of eyelid fat.
The term blepharoplasty was coined by the German ophthalmologist, von Graefe in 1818 to describe eyelid repair surgery. The word ‘blepharoplasty’ is derived from the Greek blepharon, meaning ‘eyelid’, and plastos, meaning ‘formed’.
It is commonly referred to as eyelid lift. However, the term is a misnomer as the eyelid is not actually ‘lifted’ during the procedure. Blepharoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures of the face. It is performed more often in women than in men, most commonly in their fifties.
Blepharoplasty typically costs a little over $3,000 for the surgery alone, not counting anesthesia and related hospital expenses, according to the latest data.
How can upper eyelid surgery help me?
Blepharoplasty can be done for functional reasons when eyelid folds interfere with normal vision or health of the eye or for cosmetic reasons. The indications include:
- Tired looking or baggy eyes
- Droopy eyelids
- Excess skin on the upper eyelid that interferes with vision
- Age-related cosmetic changes of the eyelid
Are there any medical alternatives to eyelid surgery?
The excess skin and fat of the upper eyelid cannot be corrected by medication. However, in patients with severe functional deficits in visual fields who are not fit for surgery, spectacles with a ptosis crutch or taping up of the excess skin may provide some temporary improvement.
Is eyelid surgery safe?
With a skilled surgeon, proper planning, and good patient selection, the surgery usually turns out to be a quick, simple and low-risk procedure. Nonetheless, like any surgery there are potential complications, including:
Bleeding
Infection
Hematoma collection of blood under the eyelid)
Loss of vision
Raised eyeball pressure
Pain
Scarring
Lid lag
Insufficient drooping correction
Diplopia (double vision)
Asymmetric or unequal eyelid creases
How to Relieve Pain After Eyelid Surgery
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs within the first few days after surgery.
Beware though, that not all pain medications are safe. Some drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, may increase bleeding and affect recovery. Don’t take any medications without your doctor’s approval.
For every hour on the night after the procedure, you may need to apply ice packs or cold compresses on your eyes. This helps reduce pain and swelling.
Makeup products, eye serums, face creams, and other cosmetics contain chemicals that may damage the skin around your eyes; Avoid them for two weeks or so. If you wash your hair, make sure to keep water, shampoo, and soap out of your eyes.
Your doctor may also recommend antibiotic ointments and eye drops. Use them as prescribed. These medications prevent infections and ensure a smooth recovery.
Give Your Eyes a Well-Deserved Break
Your body needs time to fix damaged tissues. That’s why it’s recommended to get plenty of sleep and follow a balanced diet after the intervention.
Also, take some time off from exercising and doing house chores. Your doctor will likely recommend avoiding heavy lifting, high-impact aerobics, jogging, and other intense activities for around a week.
Stop smoking and limit your exposure in the first few weeks after surgery. Don’t drive until you’re no longer taking any narcotics and/or other pain relievers.
Refrain from using the computer, reading, and watching TV for more than a couple of minutes, as your eyes will get tired easily.
Get Rid of Sagging Eyelids and Feel Like Yourself Again
Now that you know what to do after eyelid surgery, it’s time to decide whether the procedure is right for you. Discuss your options with a qualified surgeon. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so you know what to expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Pain is part of the recovery process. If you follow the doctor’s recommendations, you should feel better within a few days.