General5 Things To Consider Before Getting Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available in the market nowadays because of its ability to restore the youthfulness of one’s facial features. This procedure repairs loose skin around the eyes commonly caused by weakening muscles and excess fat that comes as the skin ages. The loosening of the skin makes eyebrows and upper eyelids sag, while eye bags look more pronounced. To counter these signs of aging, eyelid surgery removes the excess skin, fat, and muscles on specific areas around the eyes.

However, as with any other surgical cosmetic procedure, there are some factors that you need to think about before getting eyelid surgery. To help you decide if this type of surgery is right for you, here are some points you can consider:

1. Who Can Have Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty, also called eyelid surgery, is recommended for those with the following conditions:

• Excess skin on the upper or lower eyelid
• Sagging or droopy upper and lower eyelids
• Prominent bags under the eyes

Your surgeon would also check if you’re at an optimal health level that’s required to make you suitable for the procedure. Also, surgical procedures and treatments you previously had will be taken into consideration.

2. Preparation For Treatment

Before setting a schedule for the actual surgery, your doctor may require you to do the following:

• Disclose your medical history including procedures you’ve had in the past and medications you’ve taken
• Discuss your expectations about the surgery
• Undergo physical and visual examination including eyelid photography
• Stop taking certain medications that could increase bleeding
• Quit smoking several weeks before the procedure as it could intervene with the healing process

Aside from the above, you may also need to enlist someone’s help when going home and recovering on the first few days after the surgery if you’re planning to have an outpatient procedure. This is to ensure your safety and full recovery after surgery.

3. Pain Level

To prepare you for eyelid surgery, the surgeon will inject numbing medications into the eyelids. Aside from this, an intravenous medication may be administered to help with any pain or discomfort as needed. As eyelid surgery is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, the pain level is generally within manageable proportions.

The surgery can be done either in an inpatient or outpatient setting. It usually lasts around two hours depending on the complexity of the procedure.

4. Aftercare And Recovery Period

After surgery, you may experience some of the following:

• The eye area feels tight or sore.
• The eye/eyes get watery and sticky
• Eyes feel dry and itchy
• Heightened light sensitivity
• Blurred vision a few days after the procedure

Your surgeon will prescribe medication to help with pain and discomfort. Meanwhile, you’ll need to take extra care of the area where the procedure was done. For instance, you’ll need to follow the doctor’s instructions for cleaning the eye and avoid rubbing it with your hands.

Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, the stitches may be left to dissolve on their own or they can be removed three to five days after the surgery. Within the first three weeks, the eyelid may be bruised and swell in some places. As such, you may need to rest at home until the swelling subsides. However, the appearance of the eyelid is expected to improve after one to three months.

5. Costs

Based on the 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the cosmetic eyelid surgery average cost is around USD$4000. The quoted price is solely for the surgical procedure. On top of the said price, there would be other fees for clinical facilities, surgeon’s fees. anesthesia, and miscellaneous items. Aside from this, other expenses would include prescription medications and relevant medical examinations.

While eyelid surgeries may come at a premium price, many cosmetic centers offer financing plans that could help make payment more convenient for clients. These financing offers may include discounts or deferred payment schemes.

Conclusion

Getting eyelid surgery can help significantly improve your appearance. Additionally, this procedure can help improve vision if the sagging skin limits the mobility of your eyelids. However, it may be important to note that while blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess skin, it won’t be able to eliminate wrinkles in the eye area.

Also, it’s important to select the right doctor and cosmetic clinic before you undergo any kind of procedure. Aside from having the right credentials and expertise, you also need to consider whether you have a good relationship with your doctor and if you’re able to address important issues with them. The aesthetic clinic or hospital should also be accredited by regulatory boards in your area to ensure that they’re complying with health and safety standards.