Do you have droopy eyelids that make you look older and tired? Then you may want to consider an eyelid lift to make you look more awake.
Also called blepharoplasty, an eyelid lift can remove extra skin, fat, and muscle from the upper eyelids. The result is subtle, but you will be impressed with how much younger and refreshed you look.
To help you decide if an eyelid lift is for you, below is more information.
Why Have An Eyelid Lift?
According to Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham, “You may want an eyelid lift if sagging, and drooping eyelids prevent your eyes from opening completely. Removing extra tissue from the upper lids can enhance your vision and make you look more alert. You also may look younger, which my clients love.”
This procedure may be a good choice if you see:
- Sagging and drooping skin in your upper eyelids
- Extra skin in the upper lids that obscures part of your vision
- Extra skin on the lower lids
- Puffy bags under the eyes
Some patients also have other procedures during their eyelid surgery for even more dramatic results.
For example, a brow lift will remove sagging skin from the brow, making you look angry when you aren’t. A facelift will lift skin in the mid and lower face and can make you look up to 10 years younger.
Eyelid Lift Procedure
Your plastic surgeon can perform the procedure on your upper and lower eyelids simultaneously, if necessary. Based on the findings at your consultation, your surgeon will determine how much skin, fat, and muscle to remove the upper and/or lower lids.
The steps for an eyelid lift are:
- Your plastic surgeon will put markings to indicate where extra tissue will be removed on the upper lids.
- On the upper lid, the surgeon will make the incision within the natural fold of the lid so the scar will be almost invisible.
- If you have surgery on the lower lid, the incision will be right under the lashes. If extra fat is being taken out, the incision may be placed inside the lower eyelid.
- The surgeon will take out tissue through the incisions with a scalpel, scissors, and perhaps a laser.
- Fat may be moved in the lower lids to reduce puffiness under the eyes.
- The surgeon will put sutures or glue to reposition tissue around the lids and eyebrows.
- The surgeon will remove less tissue if you have dry eyes because exposing more of the eye to the air will worsen the condition.
Eyelid Lift Recovery
Your plastic surgeon will explain when you can go back to your regular activities after the procedure. For the best and shortest recovery, have the following items available when you get home:
- Cold packs or freezer bags filled with ice, peas, or frozen corn. You’ll use this to apply cold to the eyes 20 minutes at a time for the first two or three days
- Artificial tear drops to keep your eyes lubricated
- Clean towels and washcloths
- Your doctor will prescribe pain medication, but you can take Tylenol after you stop taking the prescription drugs. However, you shouldn’t take Advil, Motrin, Aleve, or aspirin because they can increase bleeding
- Plan to be home from work and limit exercise for a week or so
After you get home from your surgery:
- Your eyes may be sensitive to light at first. Also, excessive tearing and double vision right after the surgery are normal.
- The incisions will be visible and red for the first few days, and the eyelids will be puffy and numb, too.
- You will have swelling and bruising for at least a week that will resemble black eyes.
- Your plastic surgeon will probably tell you to put cold packs on your eyes to reduce swelling.
- Most patients have mild pain, but your doctor may prescribe pain medication. You also can take Tylenol.
- If the surgeon uses stitches, they will remove them after four or five days.
If you have significant pain, swelling, or redness after surgery, call your surgeon; he can tell you if your symptoms are typical or not.
Some additional recovery tips:
- Sleep with your head elevated for one or two weeks to reduce swelling and pain.
- Your eyelids will probably feel tight for a while, but this will fade after a week.
- Don’t do anything strenuous for two weeks. This includes lifting, straining, running, or aerobics.
- You may notice that your eyes get tired quickly for the first three or four weeks, so you should take naps. However, don’t engage in activities that lead to dry eyes, such as reading, watching TV, or wearing contacts.
- Wear dark sunglasses when outside for the first two weeks after surgery.
- You can usually return to work and regular activities after 10 days or so.
An eyelid lift can make you look younger and more awake, and the scars are virtually invisible, so talk to your surgeon about this procedure today.
