As we age, the upper eyelids can start to relax and droop, which can cause the skin to sag over the eyes. In the most extreme cases, the sagging skin can even affect your peripheral vision.
That’s where blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, can make a big difference.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes extra skin, muscle, and fat from over the eyes, so the eyes are wider and look more alert.
To decide if an upper eyelid lift is right for you, below is essential information: whether you can be wide awake during blepharoplasty. We specialize in Blepharoplasty in Houston.
Why Blepharoplasty?
Patients often consider an eyelid lift if sagging eyelid skin prevents their eyes from fully opening. Removing extra skin and other tissue from the upper lids can help you look younger and more alert.
The plastic surgeon can do a blepharoplasty on the upper and lower lids to give you a younger look.
An eyelid lift could be right for you if you have any of these issues:
- Droopy or sagging upper eyelids
- Extra skin on the upper lids makes it more difficult to see on the sides and upper part of your vision
- Extra skin and tissue on the lower lids
- Bags below your eyes
In addition, some patients have other procedures during eyelid surgery, such breast augmentation, brow lift, or BOTOX in Houston.
Most plastic surgery procedures aren’t covered by insurance, but blepharoplasty could be if it affects your vision. Talk to your surgeon if your condition is affecting your ability to see.
See Also: What Can Go Wrong in Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty Overview
If you have an eyelid lift on both eyes, the surgeon usually does the uppers first. They cut near the fold of your eyelids, remove extra skin, fat, and muscle, and suture the incisions closed.
The surgeon usually makes an incision below the lower lashes where the natural crease is on your lower lids. Or, they can make the incision inside the lower lid. Extra fat and skin is removed, and the incisions are closed.
If the upper eyelid is drooping near the pupil, the surgeon may also do a ptosis procedure that offers more support to the eyebrow muscles.
After an eyelid lift, you could have temporary blurred vision, light sensitivity, watery eyes, double vision, and minor pain and swelling.
See Also: Plastic Surgery From The Mask Up (It’s All In The Eyes).
Blepharoplasty Recovery
Recovering from this procedure doesn’t usually take as long as a facelift or browlift. After the eyelid lift, the surgical staff will put you in their recovery room. They will watch you for complications but usually send you home the same day.
It’s vital to take it easy for several days after eyelid surgery. Most patients have moderate pain and swelling, and your surgeon may prescribe prescription pain medication to reduce these issues.
It’s also important to put icepacks on your eyes for a few minutes at a time to reduce swelling. It’s common to have short-term light sensitivity and blurry vision but call the surgeon if these symptoms last more than two days.
It isn’t necessary to cover your eyes during the recovery. But the surgeon may put gauze over your eyes after surgery to be worn for a few hours.
Your surgeon will ask that you don’t engage in strenuous exercise for at least a week. Also, it’s important to wear dark sunglasses to protect the delicate eye skin as your incisions heal. If the surgeon doesn’t use absorbable stitches, they will need to be removed after about a week.
Anesthesia and Blepharoplasty
Most eyelid lifts are done under IV sedation. But a growing number of surgeons are performing this procedure with local anesthetic only.
This is for many reasons, but one of the biggest is there are always risks with anesthesia. While the vast majority of plastic surgery patients don’t have problems with anesthesia, there is a small risk of an adverse reaction.
When possible, some plastic surgeons offer procedures with local anesthesia only, and eyelid surgery is one of them.
Patients who have an eyelid lift with local anesthetic are given a sedative to make them relax during the procedure. Blepharoplasty also is done sometimes with local sedation because the recovery is faster and less problematic.
While you may not be put to sleep for this procedure, you still will need to have someone take you home afterwards.
Most patients are highly satisfied with blepharoplasty because it makes them look younger, more alert, and may give them back their full vision. Most patients’ results last the rest of their lives, but you could need another procedure if you have a long lifespan.
If you are worried about extra skin and sagging around the eyes, talk to your surgeon about blepharoplasty today.
Request a Houston Blepharoplasty Consultation
Interested in blepharoplasty in Houston? Do you have questions about eyelid surgery before and after photos? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of this popular eyelid procedure.
References
Blepharoplasty Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/blepharoplasty
About Blepharoplasty. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174#
