Do your eyelids look and feel heavy? Do their drooping and sagging appearance make you appear tired and older than you really are? If either of these statements applies to you, you could be a good candidate for blepharoplasty.
The skin around our eyes is extremely thin and sensitive. As we get older, our natural production of collagen and elastin, the components that help keep our skin soft, supple and taught, slows down. Our skin is not able to retain its same level of smoothness, and the effects of sun damage, pollution, and other environmental factors cause our skin to sag and wrinkle. Nowhere is this more obvious than on our face, as the delicate tissues around our eyes quickly show signs of age-related damage.
It can be frustrating to look older than you feel. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery, and in this case blepharoplasty, enables us to turn back the clock and present a rejuvenated and more youthful appearance.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the term used to describe a cosmetic surgery procedure that addresses sagging skin on either the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing it and tightening up the area so that the patient enjoys a more youthful appearance.
The majority of patients who have their candidacy approved for blepharoplasty have problems including:
Sagging lower eyelids that pull down to reveal too much of the eye
Sagging upper eyelids, sometimes they may be so severe that the sagging skin impairs the patient’s vision
Moderate/large bags under the
Excess skin around the eyes
The procedure itself is fairly short and is performed under general anesthesia for approximately an hour and a half for upper eyelids. If upper and lower eyelids are being treated then the procedure time will be doubled.
Wherever possible, Dr. Clark will make small incisions along the natural folds of the eyelid or just inside your lower eyelid, as this will help ensure that any scars are well camouflaged. Excess skin is removed along with a small amount of muscle and the incisions are then closed using sutures.
Recovery from blepharoplasty
Although blepharoplasty is a fairly minor procedure compared to some types of cosmetic surgery, you still need to ensure that you allow yourself adequate time to rest and recover. We recommend that you take off from work for a week since you will be unable to drive for several days.
Bruising and redness
Most patients find that they can manage their discomfort using over-the-counter pain medications. You will need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind and should avoid activities like swimming and wearing contact lenses until Dr. Clark gives you approval. Please ensure that you follow the recovery advice provided by our surgical team, as doing so will reduce the likelihood of any post-operative complications and help you to make a quick recovery.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of the skin around your eyes and would like to know if you are a suitable candidate for blepharoplasty, our team would be delighted to schedule your consultation.
Call our office today at 469-675-3659.
