Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure designed to improve the appearance of the eyelids and eyes. It is an incredibly popular procedure among people who feel that their eyelids make them look older than they feel. It is also popular among individuals who feel that they look heavier than they really are or more tired than they feel. We offer blepharoplasty at Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD due to its efficacy.
Note, regardless of how popular a cosmetic procedure is, you must think carefully before deciding whether it is right for you. To help you determine whether blepharoplasty is a good fit for you, today, we’re taking a closer look at what results you can expect from the procedure. We will also answer some of the other most frequently asked questions we get about this procedure.
What Should You Expect From Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery?
The results you can expect from cosmetic eyelid surgery depend on your cosmetic and medical goals and the scope of the procedure. For example, you can expect different results if you opted for only upper blepharoplasty, rather than a combination of upper and lower blepharoplasty. You can generally expect the following benefits from this treatment:
- A small amount of fat removal
- Excess skin removal
- Loose skin tightening
- Loose muscle tightening
- Improved vision from skin tightening
- A younger look
- A more alert look
Other Frequently Asked Questions Answered
How Long Does Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Take?
We can advise you on how long you can expect your cosmetic eyelid surgery to take during your initial consultation. Sometimes, this procedure can be completed in a mere 45 minutes. On the other hand, it can take closer to two hours if you have concerns about your upper and lower eyelids.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
An initial consultation is required to determine whether you are a good eyelid surgery candidate. If you are worried about the appearance of your upper or lower eyelids, there is a good chance that you will be deemed a good fit for upper or lower blepharoplasty. However, we can’t say for certain that this procedure is appropriate for you until we have evaluated your cosmetic concerns and health.
It is important to be healthy to qualify for this procedure because certain chronic conditions can affect the safety of the procedure. For example, this procedure may not be safe for you if you are pregnant or taking daily blood-thinners due to heart disease or a similar condition. Similarly, this procedure may not be appropriate for you if you have difficulty with blood clotting. Also, breastfeeding may preclude you due to affecting your recovery.
How Should I Prepare for My Procedure?
If you are deemed a good eyelid surgery candidate, we will provide you with a complete list of preparation instructions during your initial consultation. One of the most important preparation steps to take is to ensure that you have someone to drive you home after your procedure. To keep you calm during your procedure, you will be given a sedative before the procedure starts. It is not safe to drive within 24 hours of waking up from the sedative.
How Long Can I Expect My Recovery To Take?
Most relatively healthy people can expect to recover from blepharoplasty in four to six weeks. The length of your recovery time depends on numerous factors, including the scope of your procedure and how well you care for yourself following your surgery. The more dedicated you are to resting and fueling your body, the sooner you will be recovered fully.
How Much Sleep Should I Get During My Recovery?
During your recovery period, it is important that you sleep as much as you can. Ideally, you should get at least nine hours of sleep per night and nap whenever you feel the need to nap. If you feel you need to sleep but force yourself to stay awake, you will only prolong your recovery. Note, it is ideal to sleep straight through the night to ensure you spend as much time as possible in the REM stage of the sleep cycle.
If you usually have trouble sleeping through the night, take a moment to consider why you wake up. Do the birds that nest outside your window wake you up in the morning? Try noise-canceling earbuds to help you sleep until your circadian rhythm tells you it is time to awaken? Do you usually rise when the sunrise seeps into your room? Try blackout curtains.
An Additional Word About Sleep
It is crucial that you sleep on your back with your head elevated during the first couple of weeks of your recovery. If you don’t usually sleep on your back, practice in the weeks leading up to your procedure. This will help you fall asleep faster when it matters most, in the early stages of your recovery. You may find that you need to buy a mattress pad to increase the firmness of your mattress, so your spine stays aligned and supported properly.
If you don’t want to buy a firm mattress pad, you can help to keep your spine supported and aligned properly by putting a pillow or rolled towel under your lower back. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable sleeping with your head elevated by two pillows, you may want to sleep in a recliner for the first couple of weeks post-op.
How Much Time Will I Need To Take Off From Work?
You may only need to take three to five days off from work if you only get lower eyelid surgery. However, you may need to take a couple of weeks off from work if you get upper and lower eyelid surgery. How long you will need to take off from work also depends on other factors, like the nature of your work. It is important to rest your eyes as much as possible by minimizing the amount of time you look at screens.
If you file paperwork, you may not need to take as much time off from work as someone who has to look at a computer monitor for eight hours per day. Similarly, people with a sedentary job will probably be able to go to work sooner than someone with a physically strenuous job. It is important to not elevate your blood pressure too much during the early stage of your recovery, so you can’t get vigorous exercise.
How Long Will the Results of My Procedure Last?
If you get upper blepharoplasty, you can generally expect your ideal results to last for five to 15 years. The younger you are when you get your eyelid surgery, generally, the longer the results will last. If you opt for lower blepharoplasty, you can feel confident that your ideal results will last a lifetime. The reason lower eyelid surgery results usually last forever is that the procedure is usually used to remove excess fat, and your body can’t grow fat cells.
Can I Extend the Longevity of My Upper Eyelid Surgery Results?
Yes, it is possible to extend the longevity of your upper eyelid surgery. You can’t do much to prevent the constant pressure of gravity from causing your muscles to sag. However, you can take steps to slow the rate at which your skin sags. One of the most effective steps you can take is to protect your collagen from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Other effective steps include:
- Staying hydrated
- Minimizing alcohol consumption
- Eating nutritious meals
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
The results you can expect from cosmetic eyelid surgery depend on your goals and the scope of your procedure. You can generally expect a little fat loss, the removal of excess skin, and the tightening of sagging skin and muscle tissues. In some cases, your fat distribution may be manipulated. Also, you can expect your vision to improve if your eyelid sagging was so severe that your field of view was impaired pre-op.
If you think you could benefit from upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or both, there is a good chance you will qualify. However, an initial consultation is required to find out for sure. If you are in the Columbia or Annapolis area, contact us today at Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD to schedule your initial consultation. Regardless of your cosmetic or medical concerns, we can help you safely and effectively.
