Ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are healthy individuals without medical conditions that hinder healing, who don’t smoke, and who possess a positive outlook. They should also have realistic goals and not suffer from serious eye conditions.
We’ll discuss these topics in this blog:
- What is Eyelid Surgery?
- How to Qualify for Eyelid Surgery
- Do You Qualify For Eyelid Surgery?
- Preparing Yourself For Eyelid Surgery
- What are The Risks of Eyelid Surgery?
- Faq’s
What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery fixes problems with how the upper or lower eyelids look and work.
When the upper eyelids droop too much, it can cause vision problems and make someone look tired or older. Surgery for this is called upper eyelid surgery.
Lower eyelid surgery is done to remove puffy bags under the eyes. It usually involves taking away extra skin and fat from below the eyes.
How to Qualify for Eyelid Surgery
To be eligible for eyelid surgery, patients should be healthy, not smoke, and have no medical issues that might make surgery risky. It’s especially important not to have serious eye problems that could be worsened by surgery. If you have thyroid, heart, circulation, or diabetes issues, eyelid surgery might not be safe for you.
Most people getting eyelid surgery are between 40 and 80 years old and have good skin. Remember, this surgery can help with droopy eyelids and bags under the eyes, but it won’t fix wrinkles, lines, or eyebrow drooping.
If you wear contact lenses, you can still have eyelid surgery. But you might need to switch to glasses for a week or more after the surgery while you recover.
Do You Qualify For Eyelid Surgery?
Let’s break down who might be a good fit for eyelid surgery and who might not:
You might be a good candidate if:
- Your eyelids droop, making it hard to see or causing vision problems.
- You have puffy bags or dark circles under your eyes.
- Your eyes look older, even if you’re younger.
- You don’t smoke and are generally healthy.
- You understand that recovery takes time and have realistic expectations.
You might not be a good candidate if:
- You’re mainly worried about wrinkles around your eyes, not drooping.
- You have ongoing eye issues like dry eyes.
- You smoke and aren’t in great health.
- You can’t take time off for recovery after surgery.
During your consultation, we’ll check your eyelids and talk about what you want from surgery. Depending on what you want, we might suggest combining eyelid surgery with a brow lift for better results.
Preparing Yourself For Eyelid Surgery
Getting ready for your surgery is important for a smooth recovery. Here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Quit smoking and cut back on alcohol before your surgery.
- Talk to your doctor about any medications you’re taking, like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, both before and after your surgery.
- Stock up on groceries and arrange for someone to help you at home after your surgery, so you can focus on resting.
After your surgery, most people don’t feel much pain. Your doctor will give you instructions and medicine to help you feel comfortable while you heal. In a few weeks, any bruising and swelling should go down, and you’ll start to look more refreshed.
You’ll probably see the full results of your surgery after about a month. And if you need both upper and lower eyelid surgery, you can often have them done at the same time without making your recovery longer. Here’s a timeline of what to expect during your eyelid surgery recovery.
What are The Risks of Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery, like any surgery, has some risks, such as eye infections or reactions to anesthesia. But with a skilled surgeon, these risks are low.
Should I Get Other Treatments with Eyelid Surgery
You might want to consider other procedures, like a brow lift, along with eyelid surgery. A brow lift tightens the skin on your forehead and lifts your eyebrows, reducing wrinkles and making your face look younger. You can talk about this with your surgeon when you first meet.
Is Eyelid Surgery Permanent
People often wonder if they’ll need another eyelid surgery in a few years. While eyelid surgery can make a big difference, it doesn’t stop aging. So, as you get older, you might need more surgery if your eyelids droop again.
Talk to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Thinking about eyelid surgery can be overwhelming, but with a skilled surgeon like Dr. Donath, you can trust that you’ll get good results. Don’t wait any longer. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alexander Donath today and take a step toward making your eyes look younger again!
Faq’s
Q1. What are the criteria for eyelid surgery?
A1. To be considered a suitable candidate for eyelid surgery, you should have
- Drooping or sagging eyelid skin that affects your vision.
- Puffiness, bags, or dark circles under your eyes.
- Visible signs of aging, which can include drooping might be hereditary and affect younger patients.
Q2. How can I qualify for eyelid surgery?
A2. Patients seeking eyelid surgery must meet certain criteria. They should be physically healthy nonsmokers with no underlying medical conditions that could pose risks during or after surgery. Patients mustn’t have serious eye conditions that could worsen due to the stress of surgery.
Q3. What makes eyelid surgery medically necessary?
A3. Eyelid surgery becomes medically necessary when conditions such as ptosis (weakening of the eyelid muscle) or dermatochalasis (excess skin and fat) impair your field of vision. Both of these conditions can lead to functional issues, making eyelid surgery a viable option.
Q4. Who is not a suitable candidate for eyelid surgery?
A4. Individuals who suffer from chronic dry eye, hypertension, circulation disorders, thyroid disorders, diabetes, or heart disease may not be ideal candidates for eyelid surgery. It’s also important for those with glaucoma to consult with their doctor beforehand to determine the safety of the procedure.
Q5. Is eyelid surgery high-risk?
A5. While cosmetic eye surgery is generally safe, like any surgical procedure, it carries risks such as infection, bleeding, or scarring. Adhering to pre-an post-operative instructions provided by your care team and maintaining open communication about any concerns during recovery can help mitigate these risks.
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