How To Avoid Eyelid Surgery Complications
Whether we’re counseling them online or visiting with them in our consultation room in New York, eyelid surgery patients are always concerned about the risks involved in this cosmetic procedure. It makes perfect sense. Healthy eyes are critical to just about every facet of our lives and most of us take steps to protect them. But as one of the body’s most prominent features, the eyes are also central to our appearance. And, as it happens, they are one of the first parts of the body to show signs of aging.
Enter eyelid surgery, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures every year for both men and women! More than 100,000 Americans elect eyelid surgery annually, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
If you’re considering surgery for your upper lids, lower lids or both, you will want to educate yourself about possible complications and how best to avoid them.
Eyelid Surgery Complications
Blepharoplasty, the medical term for eyelid surgery, does pose a few risks. Most are minor, including swelling, bleeding and even black eyes. Some can have more impact, like infection, unexpected scarring and allergic reactions. Others are serious: inability to close the eyes and even blindness.
There’s no need to be overly worried about possible complications, however. They range from rare to extremely rare. In the hands of a highly experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, you can look forward to great results.
Minimizing Eyelid Surgery Risks
Here are some steps you should be prepared to take to minimize risks of blepharoplasty. We talk these over with every patient seeking eyelid surgery in New York with us.
• Visit your eye doctor for a pre-op exam. Talk with him or her about whether blepharoplasty is a good idea for you. Some men and women, such as those with very dry eyes and people with prominent or bulging eyes, may be less ideal candidates than others.
• Be ready to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions exactly. You may be asked to use eye drops, antibacterial treatment, cool compresses and so on. Steps like these minimize the chances of undue discomfort, extra swelling and infection.
• Know when to contact your plastic surgeon about an issue. Post-op problems to watch out for include discomfort that gets worse in time rather than better, a feeling of increasing pressure, sudden blurred vision or even loss of vision. Situations like these require an immediate discussion with your doctor and perhaps a visit to the emergency room.
• Choose a board certified plastic surgeon or board certified oculoplastic surgeon for your procedure. Make sure they have hundreds of successful surgeries to their credit. Visit at least two plastic surgeon candidates before making your decision, and take a list of questions to ask them about their training, experience, philosophy and more.
Return on Investment
No matter how much the media enjoys sensationalizing tragic results of blepharoplasty, such as the 2011 case of a woman in New Jersey whose eyelid surgery left her unable to fully close her lids, the procedure is generally very safe. In addition, we often think of it as a procedure with a wonderful return on investment as it costs less than some other cosmetic surgeries, poses a relatively easy recovery and usually makes a big impact on the appearance and self confidence. Want some evidence? Read this real patient eyelid surgery story about an actress we treated.
Ready to learn more about eyelid surgery in New York for you? Give us a call at 212-570-6080 today.
