Preparing for the Blepharoplasty
Persons with dry eye, diabetes, and glaucoma may not be suitable candidates for eyelid surgery.
When too much skin is removed, the function of the eyelids may be compromised. Patients who have skin shortages after upper eyelid blepharoplasty frequently complain of their eye or eyes appearing too open, and experiencing discomfort when blinking. They also claim that when they sleep, their eyes do not close.
Most surgeons perform blepharoplasties using a local anaesthetic containing a vasoconstrictor agent (e.g., epinephrine). The incidence of permanent vision loss after blepharoplasty is 0.04%.
Complications in blepharoplasty are uncommon and, when they occur, they are usually mild and transient, such as hematomas and chemosis. However, sometimes they can be severe, such as blindness, or they might require surgical correction, such as ectropion.
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.
The results of a blepharoplasty can be dramatic – in some cases, a slight change in eye shape is observed. When the eyelid has been weighed down with excess or wrinkled skin, the eyes can appear more closed or squinted, often causing you to look tired, angry, or upset.
Once the puffiness under the eyes is reduced, it often never returns. It is important to remember, however, that every patient is different. Should someone develop recurrent puffiness under the eyes after several years, a revision blepharoplasty can help to restore their original results.
The eyes look different
Most people's biggest fear from surgery is having two eyes that don't match. This is a mistake that can occur from blepharoplasty. It can occur due to the natural changes in the way each eye heals following surgery. Everyone has a degree of facial asymmetry.
Additionally during blepharoplasty or cosmetic eyelid surgery, the deeper tissues of the eyelids are manipulated. Sometimes as the deeper tissues heal, scar tissue forms which tethers the eyelid and prevents it from closing. The technical term for this deeper tissue is the orbital septum.
If the amount of skin that is removed is too much or too little, it can cause the shape of the eye to become distorted, giving you an unnatural look. Your eyelids look asymmetrical. This can affect the symmetry of your overall face and give you an unsatisfactory appearance. Difficulty opening and closing your eyes.
Be Prepared for Swelling
Swelling is to be expected after your surgery. It might be very dramatic, particularly at first, and your eyes might look worse before they look better.
Eyelid surgery is not recommended for people with hypothyroidism, Grave's disease, dry eye syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma or retinal detachment. Your surgeon will evaluate any excess skin or fat around your eyelid area, the position of your eyebrows and the muscles around your eyelids.
Some patients are ready for eyelid surgery in their 30s, while others won't need it for a few decades more. There is no upper age window for blepharoplasty. Patients in good health can get eyelid surgery even in their 60s, 70s, or 80s.
While most men and women may consider eyelid surgery in their 30s and 40s, there are no rules as to when you can get one. The right age is any age you feel your eyelids need tightening and refreshing.
A blepharoplasty can improve the appearance of the eyes, but it does not reposition the eyebrows. Alternatively, a brow lift surgery lifts the eyebrows and improves the appearance of the upper eyelids without removing any skin and fat from the eyelids.
If too little skin was removed, it is quite simple to remove more. It is uncommon to have too much skin removed from the upper eyelids but if it happens then addition of skin in the form of a skin graft is necessary which may leave unsightly scars.
It cannot make your eyes bigger than they naturally are, but by removing excess skin and fat, it can make them appear larger. It will rejuvenate your eyes and give you the youthful look you've been dreaming of.
Blepharoplasty: Can It Be Redone? A patient may require a redo of their blepharoplasty for a variety of reasons, but the majority of the time, they opt for this procedure because they are dissatisfied with the results of earlier plastic surgery.
One of the serious problems of this procedure is to lose the ability to close the eyes, this normally occurs when too much skin is removed. Unfortunately, this condition is often hard to rectify, therefore choosing a qualified surgeon is essential.
These can raise your blood pressure and cause bleeding at your surgical sites. Avoid bending at the waist or lifting items heavier than 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) for 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery. Talk with your surgeon before going back to your usual activities, such as lifting and exercise.
After eyelid surgery, most asymmetry is temporary, and it is usually due to the fact that one eye ALWAYS heals at a different rate that the other.
Here are a few tips that will help you recover faster from a blepharoplasty: Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and discomfort. Take all the medications prescribed by your doctor on time. Use eye drops regularly.
2-3 weeks following surgery: Swelling and bruising around the eyes begins to fade away. Most patients can begin wearing eye makeup and contact lenses. Patients can participate in more strenuous exercises and activities (except for contact sports).
Answer: After eyelid surgery, for the first few days it is ideal to sleep on your back, with your head elevated in order to decrease swelling, however, if you accidentally turn over during the night, and lie on your side, you are very unlikely to have any negative side effects from this.