Things You Should Know About Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a little workhorse in the world of cosmetic surgery. Arguably, no other option packs so much rejuvenation power into a relatively low cost, easy recovery procedure.
Considering all the media attention paid to breast augmentation, butt lifts, facelifts and other procedures popular with celebrities, you might think blepharoplasty is plastic surgery’s best kept secret. Not so! More than 150,000 patients choose eyelid surgery annually, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. In fact, those numbers have held steady since 1997, when statistics were first kept, meaning more than 2.5 million Americans have undergone the procedure in the last two decades.
Is it your turn to be thinking about eyelid surgery to revitalize your appearance? Here are some things you should know.
1.The procedure is popular with men as well as with women.
Blepharoplasty is #5 in popularity among women, following two breast procedures, liposuction and tummy tuck surgery. It is ranked #2 among men, second only to liposuction.
2.The term “blepharoplasty” applies to upper and lower lids, but treatment is different.
In a typical procedure for upper lids, plastic surgeons remove a small crescent of skin from the fold to open up the eyes. The strategy for lower lids may involve removing a small amount of redundant skin, but the main focus is most often on treating fat bulges and tear troughs.
3.Your plastic surgeon’s strategy for protruding fat pockets may surprise you.
Not too long ago, common wisdom dictated that the fat pads that cause a puffy look under the eyes should be removed. Realizing that as faces age fat becomes an asset, most plastic surgeons now consider repositioning fat as part of their surgical plans. For the right patient, moving fat from underneath the lid into a dark and depressed tear trough can work wonders.
4.A browlift may be recommended instead of or along with your eyelid lift.
Some patients who notice their eyes have become hooded don’t realize that their forehead has actually descended. These men and women may need a forehead lift instead of eyelid surgery, or they may need both.
5.Injectables may provide just the right finishing touches.
While facial plastic surgery offers the utmost in rejuvenation potential and lasts longer than injectable alternatives, there’s definitely a valuable role for less invasive treatment—even alongside surgery. For instance, a combination forehead lift and eyelid surgery may smooth the upper third of your face and brighten your eyes, but surgery may not completely banish the parallel wrinkles called “the 11’s” above the bridge of your nose. That’s a great fit for BOTOX®. You might also benefit from a dermal filler for tear troughs alongside your nose, especially if you don’t have fat to spare for transferring.
While risks and complications are possible with eyelid surgery, when you choose a board certified plastic surgeon or oculoplastic surgeon with experience, there’s every reason to anticipate good results. Recovery is usually smooth and quick, with most bruising and swelling gone within two weeks.
Not quite sure you’re ready? The best way to decide whether blepharoplasty is right for you is to arrange a consultation with one or two of those qualified plastic surgeons. A good one—one worth your trust—will help you think it through without pressure.
