Why Should You Consider Eyelid Surgery?
The eyes are "the windows to the soul," a primary tool for communication, and are a main focal point of the face. Loose upper eyelid skin and dark circles under the eyes can cause an old, tired look. Under-eye bags can contribute to a look of tiredness. Upper-lid drooping can also give you a sleepy appearance and can even interfere with a clear field of vision.
If you want to gain a more youthful, rested look around the eyes you may consider eyelid surgery in Austin, TX.
Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
If your upper eyelids have become loose, saggy, heavy, or puffy, you may be an excellent candidate for blepharoplasty. We can help you make a confident decision about surgery by providing you with detailed information based on your unique skin and objectives.
How Should I Prepare for Upper Eyelid Surgery?
There isn’t a lot of preparation required for these surgeries with Dr. Fisher or Dr. Ehanire. You’ll need to stop smoking for at least two weeks prior to and after your surgery, as smoking constricts the blood vessels and inhibits healing. Also, you’ll need to stop taking aspirin, blood thinners, and anti-inflammatory medications one week prior to your surgery. These can cause excessive bleeding and more subsequent bruising.
You should prepare a place to lay low for a few days, although eyelid surgery recovery is not difficult. Still, get your bed ready. We’ll provide you with a cold compress. Diligent use of this will keep your swelling to a minimum.
This surgery is done with you under general anesthesia, so you’ll need to arrange someone to drive you home after your surgery.
Will My Results Be Permanent?
Blepharoplasty trims excess skin to achieve long-lasting improvements. Surgery does not stop future age-related changes to the skin and fatty tissue around the eyes. However, most people never need to repeat their blepharoplasty procedure.
How Do I Hide Blepharoplasty Scars?
You won't need to try and hide your upper blepharoplasty scars. That is one of the benefits of this procedure! To redefine the shape of your upper eyelids, Dr. Ehanire makes an incision in the natural crease of each upper eyelid. Being in the crease, the tiny scar that results from surgery will be completely out of view when your eyes are open. When your eyes are closed, to see your scars, one would have to be looking for them from up close. Initially, your upper blepharoplasty scars may look like a thin red line across the natural crease. They may remain somewhat colored for six to eight weeks. As time progresses, the line fades to a neutral flesh tone. The tissue also flattens to make the scars even more imperceptible. While you can expect to regain confidence in your appearance within weeks, your blepharoplasty scars can take up to a year to fully heal.
Are You Awake During Blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty surgery is often performed while the patient is awake, yes. This conservative plastic surgery procedure is made to be completely painless through the use of a local anesthetic administered around the eyes. You may also receive a mild sedative to help you relax. During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss the use of anesthesia, what to expect, and how our team will keep you comfortable throughout your procedure.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Take?
If you are having upper blepharoplasty alone, your procedure may take one to two hours. If you are having upper and lower blepharoplasty at one time, the surgery may take about three hours. If you are combining your eyelid rejuvenation with other surgical procedures, your doctor will inform you about the expected duration of your surgery.
How Long After Blepharoplasty can I Wear Makeup?
Your eyes will be more sensitive than usual after your blepharoplasty procedure. As a result, wearing eye makeup too soon could lead to unnecessary irritation. You may be advised to avoid wearing makeup for two to three weeks to allow the incisions to fully recover without disruption.
Can I Combine Eyelid Surgery with Other Procedures?
Upper eyelid surgery does not create a difficult recovery, but it is surgery, so you won’t feel like running out to a dinner party the next night. That said, Dr. Fisher and Dr. Ehanire often combine facelift surgery with blepharoplasty. They can also tighten the brows and forehead area in conjunction with your eyelid surgery. These options create a wider area of rejuvenation that solely focusing on the eyes.
If you’re interested in expanding this surgery, let’s discuss what would work together in your consultation.
Where Are the Incisions Made in Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Dr. Fisher and Dr. Ehanire make the incisions in the natural crease of the upper eyelids. This effectively makes the scars invisible, as they are hidden in these natural creases.
What Is the Best Way for Me to Maintain the Results from My Upper Eyelid Lift?
The changes created with upper eyelid surgery are permanent. When Dr. Fisher removes excess sagging, loose skin and tightens the levator superioris muscles that control upper eyelid movement these improvements will be there for the remainder of your life. Your upper eyelids will never sag and loosen to the same degree again.
That said, of course you will still have some slackening with ongoing aging. To try and minimize this you’ll want to protect your upper eyelids from sun exposure. This means wearing sunglasses whenever you’re outside in the bright Austin sun. It means wearing hats to also shade your eyelids. Smoking also ages the upper eyelids, so if you smoke it would be wise to give it up.
Will Upper Eyelid Surgery Fix My Vision in any Way?
These procedures have nothing to do with the eye or the function of the eye, meaning they will not in any way change refractive errors in your vision that make you either far-or nearsighted. It won’t correct astigmatism. These procedures only deal with the upper eyelids.
However, if the sagging in your upper eyelids is extreme enough to where the sagging skin is beginning to intrude on your field of vision, removal of the loose, sagging skin and tightening the eyelids will reverse that.
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
Possible risks of eyelid surgery include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Dry eye irritation
- Difficulty closing one or both eyes fully
- Skin discoloration, noticeable scarring
- Injury to the eye muscles
It is important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing eyelid rejuvenation surgery. Proper training and experience enable a surgeon to hone their skills that reduce the risks of complications.
Is the blepharoplasty procedure painful?
Blepharoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure using appropriate anesthesia. Both local and general anesthesia techniques inhibit the transmission of pain signals from the body to the brain. Patients are completely comfortable during their surgery. Prescription pain medication helps maintain comfort after the procedure.
How Long Will the Results from My Upper Blepharoplasty Last?
The changes made to your upper eyelids by Dr. Fisher and Dr. Ehanire are permanent. You will look more alert, less tired, and your upper face will look rejuvenated by as much as 10 years. This is because the eyes are the focal point of the face. Of course, you can’t stop the march of time, but any aging that occurs in your upper eyelids moving forward will start from a far younger point. You will enjoy your results from upper blepharoplasty for the rest of your life.
When Can I Begin Exercising after this Surgery?
After just a few days you can walk and do some light exercise, but you need to avoid anything strenuous for your first week, especially lifting or anything that increases blood pressure to the face. Most patients can return to their regular exercise regimen in 2-3 weeks, but Dr. Fisher or Dr. Ehanire will discuss this with you because different patients heal at different rates.