Blepharoplasty – The Do’s and Don’t’s
Blepharoplasty, a surgical procedure to create a younger look to the eyelids, has long had an important place in facial rejuvenation. Others make significant judgements about us based on the appearance of the eyes and surrounding tissues.
If we have too much skin on the upper lids we are “tired”; the same goes for heavy fat pads or “bags” under our eyes. Never mind these are just anatomic variants and we aren’t tired — that is how we are perceived. If the eyes look wide we are “happy”, narrow and we are “angry”, and this goes on and on.
It’s no wonder Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) is so common. Some of us are born with these looks, others find them occurring with age, but in any case who wants to look tired or angry when we aren’t?
Blepharoplasty Do’s & Don’ts
- Do determine the right treatment plan for you
- Do plan appropriately for recovery
- Don’t do vigorous exercises or activities during the initial healing period
- Do feel able to be in public and socializing once you are comfortable
- Don’t ignore the doctor’s recovery and care orders
- Don’t think blepharoplasty is only for women
Eyelid rejuvenation can consist of removal of excess skin and excess fat in both the upper and lower lids, tightening of the lower lids, and even nonsurgical reduction of fine lines around the lower lids and crow’s feet with laser therapy, chemical peels and judicious use of Botox and substances known as fillers.
During your consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon in Portland you will have a thorough evaluation of all the tissues around the eyes and recommendations for a treatment package to maximize your results.
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, sometimes done with local anesthesia and sedation but more commonly in recent times with a general or asleep anesthesia. It takes up to two hours and patients are able to be discharged home with an adult driver about 90 minutes after surgery is complete.
Patients generally comment on how little pain is present in the days after surgery, but the final improved look may not be apparent for 10-20 days depending on the individual patient’s bruising and swelling. The lower lid healing often takes longer than the upper lids.
Patients are asked to avoid any vigorous exercise or strenuous activities for 1-2 weeks until the swelling is gone and to sleep in a head elevated posture during that time to also aid in rapid resolution of swelling and bruising.
Most patients are able to be out in public after about a week. Women patients are more likely to be comfortable with makeup, which can be worn after 7 days.
Each patient is individual and unique, and your doctor will give you recovery and care instructions specific to you and your needs. Heed all recommendations, and call your doctor if there is any confusion or questions.
Both sexes benefit from the procedure and the reasons for the surgery are surprisingly similar. In both cases they wish to look more energetic and less tired is a major factor. The other common factor we are seeing in the recent past has to do with competing in the job force where appearing more energetic and relaxed is helpful.
Our patients find the results of Blepharoplasty help them to look the way they feel: happy, energetic, rested and youthful. View our patient gallery to see before & after photos, and contact our office with any questions or to schedule a consultation!
