Do your friends always ask you if you’re tired, stressed, or sad? If so, you may be a good candidate for blepharoplasty, colloquially referred to as eyelid surgery. At Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD, we offer this highly advanced procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, helping you look younger, happier, and more refreshed. Read on to discover the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Whether you’ve always disliked the way your eyelids look or you have grown frustrated with their appearance due to the aging process, there is a good chance that you will qualify for blepharoplasty. This anti-aging procedure is the perfect solution for people with “permanent” bags under their eyes. It is also the longest-lasting way to lift and tighten droopy, sagging upper eyelid skin.
Even better, it can be used to eliminate any excess skin, fat, or muscle tissue causing problems. However, you need to be in fairly good health to determine whether you qualify for this procedure. Therefore, you must come in for an initial evaluation so we can assess the skin around your eyes, discuss your cosmetic goals, and learn about your health history and current health.
What Conditions May Preclude Someone From Blepharoplasty Candidacy?
Unfortunately, there are a number of medical conditions that may preclude someone from qualifying for this procedure. For example, you will not qualify if you have a heart condition that requires you to take blood thinners daily. This is because anyone who undergoes this procedure must stop taking blood thinners for several days pre-op and post-op to prepare for the procedure and ensure a swift recovery.
You also may not qualify for this procedure if you are sick. It is important to wait at least 14 days after infection to undergo this procedure because your body needs a lot of energy to recover from infections while fighting off other potential illnesses. Also, you will need to postpone your procedure if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Why Have My Eyelids Started to Droop and Sag?
Among the factors that cause your eyelids to droop and sag over time are sun damage, hereditary traits, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, and diet.
Skin Changes
The eyelids are among the first places to show the signs of aging because eyelid skin is so delicate and thin. As a matter of fact, your upper eyelid skin is one of the most fragile regions of your body. As you age, the fibers and proteins in your skin weaken significantly.
Also, UVC rays emitted by the sun cause these supportive fibers and proteins to degrade further. As they weaken, your fragile eyelid skin grows inelastic and loose. Eventually, the force of gravity is enough to force your eyelids to droop and sag.
Changes in Your Muscles and Other Tissues
Your skin tissue isn’t the only tissue to change as you age. The fat and muscle tissues in your eye region also change as time progresses. The orbital septum is a thin membrane that separates your eyelid skin from the layers of fat and muscle tissues. Unfortunately, your orbital septum weakens with age, and your eyelid muscles tend to weaken with age, too.
As your orbital septum weakens, the fat under your eyelids shifts. This shifting fat leads to the development of under-eye bags that do not go away despite plenty of sleep, a healthy diet, and a solid skincare routine. Also, fat shifting can occur above the eyes, making the upper eyelids look puffy.
How Should I Prepare for Blepharoplasty?
To reiterate, it is very important that you do not take any drugs or supplements that can thin your blood, including ibuprofen and fish oil supplements, for a few days pre-op. However, there are other things you will also need to do to prepare for your procedure. For example, it is also essential that you do not drink alcohol or consume tobacco products in the days leading up to your procedure.
These substances contain chemical compounds that elevate your blood pressure, potentially affecting your procedure. The chemical compounds in these substances will also slow your recovery significantly.
Will I Need to Fast Before My Procedure?
We will advise you on whether you need to fast before your procedure during your initial consultation. If you opt for a local anesthetic that only numbs the eyelid area, we can give you a sedative to keep you calm throughout the procedure, and you will not have to fast beforehand. You will only need to fast before your procedure if you opt for general anesthesia.
General anesthesia is a drug used to both numb the entire body and put you to sleep. However, you must fast prior to receiving general anesthesia to ensure your procedure goes smoothly. Specifically, you must not eat anything in the eight hours leading up to your scheduled procedure. During this time, you may drink clear liquids, like coconut water and water. Two hours before your procedure, you may not have anything to drink.
How Can Upper Blepharoplasty Benefit Me?
Upper blepharoplasty can be used to reverse puffiness in the upper eyelids by removing excess fat tissue in the area. It can also enhance the appearance of your eyes by removing excess skin and muscle tissues above the eyes and lifting and tightening loose, sagging skin and muscle tissues. All of this is accomplished through tiny incisions made into the folds of your upper eyelids.
Therefore, nobody will be able to see your incisions as they are healing, and you don’t need to worry about scarring. After excess tissues have been removed and your skin and muscles are tightened, the incisions will be closed with sutures. Finally, we will apply a healing ointment to your eyelids and bandage them.
How Long Will My Recovery Process Take?
How long your recovery process will take depends on several factors, including the scope of your procedure and how well you take care of yourself during your recovery process. The larger the scope of your procedure is, the longer it will take you to recover.
However, you can shorten the duration of your recovery period somewhat by taking very good care of yourself. While individual recovery times vary, most people recover from their blepharoplasty in a week or two.
How Exactly Can I Shorten My Recovery Period?
We will advise you on how exactly you should care for yourself during your initial consultation. We will review these instructions again once your medicine has worn off following your procedure.
However, some of the most important things you can do to recover as quickly as possible include wearing sunscreen, wearing a brimmed hat to further protect your eyelid region from sun damage, and staying hydrated. It is also very important to sleep with your head elevated above your heart.
How Quickly Will I See the Final Results of My Procedure?
You won’t be able to see the final results of your blepharoplasty immediately. Rather, you need to wait patiently as your eyelids heal. Fortuitously, the healing process doesn’t take too long, and you should start to see an improvement in your appearance within 14 days of your procedure. Typically, final results become apparent within half of a year.
How Long Will the Results of My Procedure Last?
The results of this procedure are incredibly long-lasting. For example, if excess fat is excised during this procedure, it will be gone forever. However, the length of your procedure results really depends on the scope of the procedure. If you opt for lower blepharoplasty, you will not need a follow-up procedure. If you opt for upper blepharoplasty, you may need a follow-up procedure 10 to 15 years after your first procedure.
Find Out Today Whether This Procedure Is Right for You
If you’re concerned about the appearance of your eyelids, there is a very good chance you will qualify for eyelid surgery. However, an evaluation of your health is required to know for sure whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
To verify that you are healthy enough to undergo this procedure and find out whether it will help you reach your goals, schedule your initial blepharoplasty consultation at Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD today. We are proud to serve Severna Park, as well as other nearby communities, like Columbia and Annapolis, and can’t wait to help you achieve all of your beauty goals.
