Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is the name given to a group of surgeries that treat the eyelids and surrounding areas. These surgeries can drastically alter the shape of the eyes for either aesthetic or medical reasons. Below, we cover the operational benefits of eyelid surgery.
Knowing some of the primary benefits of these procedures can help you decide whether or not they would work for your aesthetic needs and desires. This can help you decide whether it would be worth shelling out for an expensive surgery.
If you’re thinking about receiving some type of eyelid surgery, take a look at this article, which describes some of the operational benefits of these types of surgeries.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a medical term that refers to eyelid surgery. Under this umbrella, there are several different types of blepharoplasty that one can receive, depending on the overall goals one has in mind for their procedure. A successful blepharoplasty has the potential to give a patient exactly what they’re looking for in terms of an update to this part of their body.
Most interested patients who want to receive this type of procedure will be approved for treatment, though some who have serious chronic health issues will have to go to additional medical evaluations to ultimately be approved. Some of the conditions that may complicate the procedure include:
- Thyroid disorders
- Eye disease
- Cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Cancer
Operational Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty has many different benefits, which may vary to some degree depending on whether the operation is performed for aesthetic or medical reasons.
If a patient suffers from a medical condition of the eyes, such as ptosis, a successful blepharoplasty has the potential to eliminate this issue and give an individual a fully restored sense of sight.
For those who receive this treatment for aesthetic reasons, a successful blepharoplasty can give a patient the following benefits:
- More confidence
- Higher sense of self-esteem
- Looking younger
- Feeling more rested
Depending on your personal situation, the result from your procedure can have a variable lifespan. Some patients may find that they’re results last only a few months, while others may find that their results last a lifetime. You’ll be able to discuss with your physician how they expect your own recovery to play out.
What Occurs During Eyelid Surgery?
The exact specifics of your surgery will have much to do with the type of blepharoplasty that you undergo. The primary types of blepharoplasty include upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty. Regardless of the type, there are some steps that occur regardless, including the following:
- The physician makes cuts along the fold of the eyelid
- The surgeon removes excess skin, muscle, and fat and manipulates it to the specifications of the procedure
- The physician makes the medical or aesthetic modifications to the surgical process
- The incisions are closed, and the initial recovery process begins
Preparing for Blepharoplasty
You may be advised to take some preparatory steps to maximize the potential for a successful surgery. Some of the common preparatory advice that is dolled out include the following steps:
- Receive a medical evaluation from your physician
- Adjust your medication intake for either prescription or over-the-counter medications
- Cease taking anti-inflammatories such as aspirin
- Receive a medical evaluation, depending on your personal medical situation
You may also have to make special arrangements for a friend or family member to help you get home from the hospital on the day of surgery. This is due to the fact that you’ll be somewhat disoriented from the impact of anesthesia and the surgery.
Recovering From Your Procedure
The initial recovery period from the blepharoplasty process should take about 10-14 days. This is the amount of time that it takes for the swelling and pain from the procedure to go away. In addition, you should take care to keep track of the following side effects and complications, which may indicate that you should return to your doctor:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Abnormal discoloration
- Excess scarring
- The inability to close your eyes
- Vision loss
The above complications are rather rare. That being said, it isn’t impossible for you to experience them. Not acting on these may have dire complications, so you should take care to contact your physician should you experience any.
Your Best Bet for Eyelid Surgery
Advanced Eye Medical is one of the most highly regarded eyelid surgeons in Southern California, so if you’re interested in receiving eyelid surgery and aren’t sure where to start, contact our eye care center in Orange County today to set up an appointment.