People who get eyelid surgery are usually in their mid-30s at least. This is because the aging process visibly affects the eyelids in most people by this time. However, if you are at least 18 years old and concerned about the appearance of your eyelids, this procedure may be right for you.
You can have a blepharoplasty at any time. But if you're seeking one due to aging, you'll usually get the best results after age 40. People who are advanced in age should generally avoid the procedure because of the risks of surgical complications.
The surgery is worth it for people who want to look younger and better rested in and around the eyes. The results are subtle but dramatic, and recovery is minor with little pain reported.
An eyelid lift can produce significant results by tightening the skin around the eyes, removing wrinkles or puffiness, and providing a younger appearance.
After the completion of a blepharoplasty, the aging process does not stop. For that reason, the area around the eye will change overtime, but the eyes will always look better than if the patient did not have the procedure. For this reason, the improvement from the blepharoplasty is permanent and long lasting.
People who are not ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are those who suffer from chronic dry-eye, hypertension, circulation disorders, thyroid disorders, diabetes or heart disease. Individuals who have glaucoma are advised to speak with their doctor before considering the surgery to find out if it is safe for them.
After blepharoplasty surgery, the eyelids will be bruised and swollen for one to three weeks. However, most patients say their eyes look normal and better than before after one to three months.
Eyelid surgery can occasionally result in: temporary blurred or double vision. your eyes looking slightly uneven (asymmetrical) a pool of blood collecting under the skin (haematoma) – this usually disappears on its own after a few weeks.
The results of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) are generally long lasting. It's not uncommon for the longevity of results to vary slightly between patients, but you can expect the results of upper eyelid surgery to last about 5 to 7 years, and lower eyelid surgery results are essentially permanent.
Your eyelid may be swollen and bruised for 1 to 3 weeks after surgery. The appearance of your eye may continue to get better for 1 to 3 months. Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work in about 10 to 14 days. This may depend on your job and how you feel about people knowing about your surgery.
The cost of eyelid surgery varies drastically based on your location, experience and expertise of the surgeon, and the facility. On average, the procedure can cost from $6,000 to $13,000 AUD.
Eyelid surgery is among the least painful cosmetic procedures. Aside from minimal discomfort on the day, you'll have a quick recovery and see the results swiftly. So the procedure isn't very painful, but you may have other questions.
Upper-eyelid surgery can produce beautiful and natural-looking results. The key is to not remove too much tissue so that the results don't look overdone. It is also important that the incisions used for the procedure are precisely made along the natural creases at the top of the upper eyelids.
Medicare Benefits for Blepharoplasty
Because blepharoplasty is generally an outpatient procedure, it may be covered by Original Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), or Medicare Advantage (Part C). If the eyelid surgery is for cosmetic purposes, Medicare recipients do not have coverage.
The surgery itself usually lasts between one and three hours. To keep you comfortable during your procedure, you will be given local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs the eyelid and surrounding area, while keeping you sedated but awake during surgery.
Your eyes may look swollen and bruised after your surgery. The eyelid swelling is usually worse early in the morning and will get better during the day as you sit or walk around. You may also have swelling on your cheeks and jawline. This will start to get better 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery.
Eyelid lift surgery can improve a person's vision and appearance. There are different forms of eyelid surgery so it's important to identify your goals. While eyelid lifts are expensive — the average cost was $4,120 in 2020 — there are ways to pay for them over time.
If you only have slight hooding, or if you aren't ready to commit to surgery, you may want to start with a BOTOX brow lift. Injections of BOTOX in the brow and forehead relax the muscles pulling them downward. This allows the brows to naturally lift upward, making the tissues above the eyes a bit tauter.
The results of your blepharoplasty become more visible as side effects, like swelling and bruising, subside. Most patients love their outcomes and do not seek repeat treatments. While future aging may cause your eye bags to return, this ultimately depends on your age, skin condition, and lifestyle choices.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery and your appearance
Getting a blepharoplasty definitely changes the appearance of your face.
Thankfully, you can now lift your eyelids without surgery using minimally invasive methods that require no large incisions and involve minimal downtime, low cost, and no hospital stay.
A blepharoplasty is recommended for patients that specifically want to address sagging, heavy eyelids and a brow lift is recommended for patients with lower or sagging brows. If the drooping of the eyelid goes away when your brows are raised, then a brow lift may be the procedure you are looking for.
The appearance of the eyes can be dramatically altered by the removal of excess skin or puffy bags under the eyes. Eyes that are weighed down or crowded by aging skin or puffy bulges may seem smaller or narrower. Once this skin is removed, the eye can appear more open, rounder, and awake.