Your eyelids undergo gradual stretching with aging. This stretching renders their muscles weak and may result in fat deposition in the eyelids. The fat deposition causes your eyebrows to become saggy, and you may develop eye bags. To fix this eye condition, you need blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is a surgical operation done to fix droopy eyelids by removing excess muscles, skin, or fat. It is also known as eye eyelid surgery. It is one of the most popular forms of plastic surgery, and it is associated with multiple benefits.
In some cases, blepharoplasty is done together with other facial procedures, including skin resurfacing, face-lift, and brow lift. For instance, if you have droopy eyelids that hinder proper functioning of the pupil, you may also undergo ptosis during blepharoplasty. Ptosis involves providing the muscles of your weak eyebrows with additional support.
Although it is done for cosmetic purposes, eyelid surgery is also helpful in treating impaired vision. If it is done to fix impaired vision, it can be covered by insurance. On the other hand, the procedure may not be catered for by insurance if it is done for cosmetic purposes.
Additionally, proper preparation for eyelid surgery is important in ensuring satisfactory outcome. You may need to make certain changes to your lifestyle as part of the preparation. For instance, it is advisable to stop smoking a couple of weeks before the procedure. This will ensure quick recovery after the procedure. You also need to avoid taking blood-thinning herbal supplements and medications, including ibuprofen and aspirin, which may trigger excessive bleeding. Be sure to meet your surgeon and discuss your expectations in advance. This will ensure satisfactory outcome.
Eyelid surgery may be a suitable option if you have one or more of the following eye conditions:
- Too much lower eyelid skin
- Too much upper eyelid skin that hinders proper peripheral vision
- Bags under the eyes
- Sagging upper eyelids
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
Although improper eyelid surgery may involve certain risks, a properly-done blepharoplasty will benefit you in many ways. The benefits of this procedure include:
Youthful Appearance and Confidence
Although eyelid surgery can treat certain eye conditions, it is also done for cosmetic purposes. One of the goals of blepharoplasty is to remove excess skin from the area around your eyes. Sagging eyelids are part of aging. The skin of your eyelids stretches with aging, causing fat pockets in your eyelids to bulge and become more noticeable. Although aging is a natural process that cannot be avoided, eyelid surgery may make you look younger than your actual age. Cosmetically, sagging eyelids deprives your eyes of attractiveness, leading to an older look.
When you have sagging eyelids, you tend to lose confidence and self-esteem when mingling with your friends in the workplace and public places. No one wants to look older than his age. A youthful look will boost your confidence when in public places and make you enjoy comfort when addressing people. For celebrities, the ability to appear younger is one of their greatest assets because they want to appeal to their fans. Additionally, self-esteem and confidence will reduce your chances of developing mental disorders, such as stress, depression, and anxiety. These mental issues may deprive you of healthy sleep, which is essential for the proper functioning of your body.
Blepharoplasty Reduces Fine Lines
Also known as expression lines, fine lines are part of the common signs of aging. Although you may not completely get rid of your fine lines because aging is a natural process, blepharoplasty has the potential to make these lines less noticeable. The procedure reduces fine lines by lifting the skin around your eyes. What is left after the procedure is a tight skin with less wrinkles, creases, and fine lines.
Better Vision and Comfort
Droopy and heavy upper eyelids may not just be a cosmetic concern. They can also be a hindrance to your normal vision. Since eyelid surgery involves the removal of excess skin or fat deposits, it leaves you with lighter eyelids. The procedure also fixes impaired vision by lifting the saggy eyelids.
When you have droopy eyelids, you may have to constantly use the muscles of your eyebrows to lift your upper eyelids for proper vision. As a result, you may experience discomfort in your forehead. Since eyelid surgery will fix the impaired vision, you will not have to strain your brow muscles anymore. Hence, blepharoplasty restores comfort to your forehead.
Prevents Vision-Related Migraines
A migraine is a disorder that causes moderate or severe headaches, which are felt in one side of your head. Although migraines can result from other health conditions, sagging eyelids can also cause migraines. Too much skin and fat deposits cause migraines by exerting excess weight on your eyelids. If you undergo eyelid surgery, the excess skin will be removed from your eyelids to reduce the weight. This will lessen the episodes of migraines. However, since migraines may symptomize other conditions, it is important to seek medical treatment when the headaches persist after eyelid surgery.
Although eyelid surgery may involve certain risks, the good thing about it is that it can be risk-free if it is done properly by an experienced plastic surgeon. Whether you need eyelid surgery for cosmetic or medical reasons, finding the best plastic surgeon should be your priority.
Dr. Weber is a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and owner of Weber Facial Plastic Surgery, PC located in Denver, CO. Dr. Weber’s practice is focused on cosmetic facial surgery, facial reconstruction, laser resurfacing and facial injectable treatments.
