The first signs of aging often show up around the eyes. For some, crow’s feet are the primary concern, but puffy, drooping eyelids can also take a toll on a patient’s appearance. Fortunately, eyelid surgery, referred to in medical terms as blepharoplasty, can tighten and tone the eyelids, giving you results that will last for years. It’s one of the many treatments offered by Salas Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL.
How Long Does a Blepharoplasty Last?
Eyelid surgery can give you youthful results that you will enjoy for years. This surgery, which can be performed on either the upper or lower lids, offers especially long-lasting results when performed on the lower lids. Patients who have their lower lids treated rarely need to have their results touched up. When performed on the upper eyelids, the results often last about seven years. It’s not uncommon for patients to have both eyelids treated!
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
By tightening up the skin on and around the eyelids, this surgery opens up the eyes and rejuvenates your appearance. It can improve the look of the eyelids themselves by getting rid of puffiness and dropping. Blepharoplasty can also eliminate skin hanging above the upper lid that is hiding the eye’s upper crease or interfering with the eyelashes. And if you have bags of fat that have developed beneath the eyes, this surgery can help with that as well.
This treatment also has the ability to offer completely natural results, so you won’t have to worry about looking as though you just underwent a cosmetic treatment.
How Quickly Will I See Change in My Eyelids?
Although you’ll notice changes in your eyelids as soon as your treatment is over, it may take as long as six weeks for your final results to develop. This is because the skin and tissue in the eye area will need time to settle and heal after surgery.
Can I Do Anything to Preserve My Results?
To get the most out of your results, it will be important to avoid sun damage on your face, particularly around your eyes. Wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are important steps to take. Keeping your skin healthy and elastic with a good skincare regimen that includes washing, moisturizing, and occasionally exfoliating your face is another way to maintain your results.
How Is Blepharoplasty Performed?
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under anesthesia or sedation. Depending on whether you’re having your upper or lower eyelids treated, we’ll make small incisions in either the crease above the eye or just below the lower lashline. Any extra fat or tissue that is contributing to puffiness is then removed, and the skin on the lid is tightened.
How Uncomfortable Is This Treatment?
Given the tight contours and delicate skin in the eye area, many patients ask about how uncomfortable this surgery will be. The good news is that this treatment is very tolerable. You’ll be sedated during surgery, so you’ll feel nothing as we work. And patients only experience minimal discomfort while recovering. Your eyelids may feel tight and itchy, but compared to some other cosmetic treatments, eyelid surgery is surprising easily.
How Long Will My Recovery Be?
For most patients, about one week of rest and recovery is recommended. Some activities, such as exercise and wearing contact lenses, won’t be allowed for two weeks. Patients are asked to take some precautions while recovering, including sleeping with their head elevated and taking extra care while bathing. Some patients also find it helpful to limit their time on the computer immediately after surgery, as their eyes tire quickly.
How Likely Am I to Have Visible Scars?
Scars are not something you have to worry about with this treatment. The incisions we make will be tiny, won’t penetrate the skin very deeply, and they’ll be hidden in the crease behind your eye or beneath your lower lashes. Even if you do have small scars, they won’t be visible.
Will This Treatment Help Me Address Circles Under My Eyes?
Depending on what is causing the dark circles, eyelid surgery may be able to help. If the dark circles are essentially being created by shadows cast by folds beneath the eye, blepharoplasty can help because it gets rid of those folds. If the circles are the result of something else, such as hyperpigmentation, another treatment may be the better way of getting rid of them.
What Causes Eyelids to Become Puffy?
Drooping eyelids develop most often as part of the aging process as our skin becomes thinner and less elastic. And because the eye area is constantly in action each day, signs of aging often show up there first. Genetics also play a role. In fact, some individuals have naturally droopy eyelids that have not developed as part of the aging process.
Are There Other Treatments That Can Help Aging Eyelids?
Eyelid surgery is unique in that it directly tackles the eyelids, but our practice offers other treatments that can improve the eye area. Brow lifts are another popular offering. A brow lift is a surgical procedure that targets the eyebrows and everything above. It can ease forehead creases and restore drooping eyebrows to their natural position. Some patients opt to have eyelid surgery performed in combination with a brow lift.
In addition, we offer a similar treatment called brow pexy. While a brow lift usually lifts the entire eyebrow, a brow pexy focuses on elevating the outer sides of the eyebrow. If you’re unhappy with the look of your eye area, but you aren’t sure which treatment is best for you, we can help. Once we’ve had a chance to evaluate your facial structure, we’ll be able to make a specific treatment recommendation for you.
What Advantages Does Eyelid Surgery Offer?
It’ll Rejuvenate Your Appearance
The change won’t be drastic, but once you’ve had blepharoplasty performed, you’ll look more rested and relaxed. You’ll appear younger, although your friends and family won’t be able to pinpoint exactly what’s different about you.
It’ll Improve Your Ability to See
Sagging eyelids can do more than take a toll on your appearance. In some cases, they can interfere with your ability to see. If you struggle to see from beneath puffy eyelids, this surgery can help. Some patients even have eyelid surgery performed solely for its ability to restore their vision.
It’ll Help You Communicate More Clearly
Do you sometimes look angry or tired when you really aren’t? Drooping eyelids can sometimes send the wrong signals about how you’re feeling. Once you’ve had this treatment performed, your eyelids will rest in their natural position, and you won’t have to worry about sending incorrect signals.
It’ll Boost Your Confidence
Even though the results this surgery offers are subtle, they’ll be enough to boost your self-confidence and help you feel great about yourself.
How Can I Tell if I’m a Good Candidate?
You’re Unhappy With Your Eyelids
If you’re bothered by sagging eyelids or bags under the eyes, eyelid surgery may be just what you’re looking for. Many of our patients have tried serums and eye creams with little success and can finally get the results they want with eyelid surgery.
You’re Willing to Invest in Your Appearance
Unless they are being performed to correct your vision or for some other medical purpose, the treatments we offer for the eye area usually are not covered by insurance. Eyelid surgery candidates usually view the cost of this treatment as an investment in themselves.
You’re Healthy
It helps if you’re in good general health and free of any serious underlying health conditions.
You Understand the Likely Outcome
Good candidates for this surgery are emotionally healthy, understand this surgery, and have expectations about the results it can achieve. This surgery won’t shave decades off your appearance, but it can restore your eyes to their natural shape and improve the contours of your face.
I’m Interested. What’s the First Step?
If you’re interested in eyelid surgery and want to find out if you’re a good candidate, the first step is to schedule an initial consultation with our practice. We’ll use this appointment to talk with you further about the treatment. We’ll also review your medical history, evaluate your face, and determine if this treatment can offer the results you’re looking for. After that, it’s just a matter of scheduling your surgery.
Are You Ready to Wake Up Tired Eyes?
If you’re frustrated with drooping, sagging eyelids and are ready to completely refresh your appearance, it may be time to consider blepharoplasty. This easy treatment can brighten your eyes and even make it easier for you to see. And best of all, the results are long-lasting. Don’t wait any longer. Call Salas Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL, and get yourself scheduled for a blepharoplasty consultation today.
