Interested in eyelid surgery or another cosmetic procedure? Get in touch with our office today to schedule a personalized consultation
What Is a Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, a cosmetic procedure that is performed to improve the appearance of droopy eyelids. Don’t be fooled by the term “cosmetic procedure.” While this surgery can be performed for aesthetic purposes, blepharoplasty is also used to help thousands of people see clearly. For these reasons, the procedure is commonly broken into two categories: functional and cosmetic.
Functional
Over time, droopy eyelids can block a patient’s sight, including their peripheral vision. A functional blepharoplasty is used to repair or remove the excess eyelid skin that impairs a patient’s vision.
Cosmetic
Where functional eyelid surgeries correct a medical complication, cosmetic eyelid surgeries are performed for primarily aesthetic reasons—typically to provide patients with a younger appearance.
How Does Blepharoplasty Differ From Other Procedures?
Blepharoplasty is one of many procedures that can give the gift of a more youthful appearance, so it’s no surprise that there’s some confusion when it comes to this surgery and others. People may occasionally confuse blepharoplasty with a brow lift, or even with a facelift. The three surgeries are quite different, sharing minimal similarities.
Facelifts
A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that repairs the visible signs of aging in and around the face, including the neck. This surgery tackles more than just the skin around your eyes, targeting the forehead, cheeks, jawline, and neck instead.
Brow Lifts
A brow lift is used to reduce the appearance or prominence of wrinkles in the forehead and raise sagging brows that may be “leaning” over the eyelid.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
You’ll be happy to know that blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’re in and out in the same day. The surgery itself only takes a few hours, if that, but you’ll be monitored before and after to ensure success.
As we mentioned earlier, eyelid surgery removes excess skin, fat, and muscle that gathers above and below the eyelid, resulting in sagging brows, drooping lids, and under-eye bags. While genetics can cause these effects in anyone, they are primarily brought on by age.
This procedure can be performed on upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both—it all depends on what you’re in need of and the treatment plan developed by the surgeon.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery Tips & Risks
There are inherent risks associated with any surgery. Those risks can be minimized by working with a board-certified plastic surgeon and following post-operative instructions carefully.
To that end, here are a few general risks and eyelid surgery recovery tips to help you better understand the blepharoplasty process:
Risks
Typical complications include asymmetry, blurred vision, scarring, and numbness. Following pre-operative instructions and maintaining good relative health can help you avoid some of the rarer complications. If you notice any side effects outside the norm, contact your surgeon immediately.
Recovery
Good things come with time. While you may see bruising and swelling right after surgery, those side effects should dissipate within two weeks. We recommend ice packs to help numb the pain and swelling that immediately follows surgery. After a few days, a moist, warm towel may be used to help alleviate bruising.
Most people return to normal activity about a week after eyelid surgery, but it may take weeks or months for your new appearance to come into focus. In the meantime, avoid rubbing your eyes, remember to use your prescriptions in full, and sleep at an incline for a few days following your procedure. Follow these eyelid surgery recovery tips to return to good health in next to no time.
Ready to revitalize your look? Call us at 804-294-1777 or Schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons today to learn more about the benefits of blepharoplasty.