One kind of surgery, called blepharoplasty, involves removing extra skin from the eyelids. As we age, the muscles that support our eyelids weaken and they stretch. This can lead to an accumulation of fat and extra skin above and below your eyelids. This may result in bags beneath the eyes, droopy upper lids, and sagging eyebrows. In addition to ageing, significantly drooping skin around the eyes can impair peripheral vision or side vision, particularly in the outer and higher regions of the visual field. These eyesight issues can be lessened or eliminated with blepharoplasty. Additionally, the procedure might give eyes a younger, healthier appearance.
Reasons for Getting Blepharoplasty
If you have bags under your eyes, excess skin on your lower eyelids, droopy or baggy upper eyelids, or excess skin partially obstructing your peripheral vision, you may consider blepharoplasty.
Stages of Blepharoplasty
Pre- Blepharoplasty Stage
You will consult with a healthcare professional before arranging blepharoplasty. You might consult with a plastic surgeon, an ophthalmologist, an eye specialist, or an ophthalmologist who specializes in oculoplastic surgery or plastic surgery around the eyes. Your healthcare professional will inquire about prior procedures. Inquiries on past or present medical conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, allergies, circulatory issues, thyroid issues, and dry eyes may also be made by your provider. Your healthcare professional will also inquire about your usage of alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, herbal supplements, and illegal drugs.
Setting the foundation for a successful outcome will involve talking about your goals for the procedure. You and your healthcare professional will talk about how probable it is that you will benefit from the surgery. You should have a thorough eye exam and physical examination prior to your eyelid surgery, which may involve measuring various portions of your eyelids and checking tear production. To check for blind spots in the corners of the eyes, a visual field test is performed (peripheral vision). To support an insurance claim, this is required. Eyelid photography is also performed because various viewpoints aid in surgical planning and provide documentation of any medical justifications which may be needed to bolster an insurance claim.
Furthermore, your doctor will probably advise you to cease using aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), naproxen sodium (Aleve, etc.), naproxen (Naprosyn), warfarin (Jantoven), and any other medications or herbal supplements that may worsen bleeding. Find out from your doctor how long you should stop taking certain medications before surgery. Use only medication that your surgeon has approved.
Give up smoking a few weeks before surgery. Smoking can hinder the body’s capacity to recover from surgery. If you are having outpatient surgery, make arrangements for a driver to take you to and from the procedure. When you go home from surgery, make arrangements for someone to remain with you the first night.
Blepharoplasty Stage
Typically, blepharoplasty is performed in an outpatient environment. Drugs may be injected into the eyelids to cause numbness and administered intravenously (IV) to induce relaxation. When operating on top lids, the surgeon makes incisions along the eyelid’s fold. The surgeon cuts away some extra muscle, fat, and skin. The surgeon then seals the incision.
The surgeon creates an incision inside the lower lid or just below the lashes in the natural crease of your eye on the lower lid. The surgeon cuts away or reallocates sagging skin, extra muscle, and fat. The surgeon then seals the incision. Should your upper eyelid droop near your pupil, your surgeon can do a blepharoplasty in addition to a ptosis operation (pronounced “TOE-sis”). Ptosis is intended to eliminate extra skin from the eyelid and raise the eyelid.
Post- Blepharoplasty Stage
Following surgery, you stay in a recovery room where personnel monitor for any issues. Later that day, you are free to go home and recover. Lubricating ointment-induced impaired vision, watery eyes, light sensitivity, double vision, puffy, numb eyelids, swelling and bruises resembling black eyes, and pain or discomfort are all possible side effects.
Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, follow some of the basic measures to aid in your recovery from surgery. The night after surgery, apply ice packs to your eyes for ten minutes per hour. Apply cold packs to your eyes four or five times during the day the next day. Apply cool compresses to minimize swelling, sleep with your head higher than your chest for a few days, and use the suggested eye drops or ointments. If necessary, take acetaminophen (Tylenol, among other brands) to manage pain, and wear dark sunglasses to shield the skin on your eyelids from the sun and wind.
For a week, refrain from any vigorous activities such as heavy lifting, swimming, jogging, or aerobics. Avoid smoking, rubbing your eyes, wearing contact lenses for about two weeks, and using medications or herbal supplements that can worsen bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.), naproxen sodium (Aleve, etc.), naproxen (Naprosyn), and others. If necessary, go back to the care provider’s office as directed to have any sutures taken out.
Potential Risks of Blepharoplasty
Blood clots and anesthetic response are risks associated with surgery. In addition to these, uncommon concerns associated with eyelid surgery include bleeding and infection, dry, itchy eyes, trouble closing the eyes or other issues related to the eyelids, visible scarring, damage to the eye muscles, skin discoloration, momentary blurriness, and, very infrequently, loss of vision.
If you experience any of the following symptoms: bleeding, vision issues, significant new eye pain, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat, get medical help right once.
Final Words
Many blepharoplasty patients report feeling more confident in themselves and that they appear younger and more rested. The effects of surgery can extend a lifetime for certain people. For some, drooping eyelids may come back. Swelling and bruises usually go down gradually over the course of 10 to 14 days. It can take months for the surgery wound scars to go away. Be careful not to expose the sensitive skin on your eyelids to the sun.
