Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of your eyes. It removes excess skin, fat, and muscle from the upper eyelid area. This results in a more awake and youthful-looking appearance. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, eyelid surgery also offers functional benefits. If the skin on your upper eyelid hangs low, it can impact your vision and make daily tasks much more difficult. Basic activities like driving, reading, and working are more challenging with sagging upper eyelids. The first step in moving forward with eyelid surgery is setting up a consultation. Below, you will find how to qualify for eyelid surgery.
How to Qualify for Eyelid Surgery
The benefits of eyelid surgery are clear. Moving forward with the procedure requires meeting with a skilled eyelid surgeon. They can assess your eyes to determine if you are a good candidate for upper blepharoplasty.
Good Overall Health
To qualify for eyelid surgery, you must be in good physical health and have realistic expectations about the surgery. Your eyelid surgeon will assess your physical health. Several conditions can increase your risks during surgery. Common conditions include heart disease, diabetes, or bleeding disorders. They are not a complete bar to surgery. However, it is important to discuss all of your health conditions with your eyelid surgeon. Chronic conditions need to be well-managed before you can move forward.
You should also have realistic expectations about the surgery. It offers so many benefits, including aesthetic and functional. Sharing your goals with your eyelid surgeon is important. It is helpful to be on the same page before moving forward with surgery. Be sure to ask questions at your consultation so you fully understand the process.
Non-Smoker
Candidates should be non-smokers or willing to quit before and after surgery. It is best if you are a non-smoker due to the harmful effects it can have on your health. However, if you do smoke, it is important to let your surgeon know. You should smoke at least six weeks before and after surgery. Abstaining from smoking can be difficult if you are a regular smoker, so be sure to prepare for the process in advance. Avoid any nicotine products, as you should not be using patches or gum either.
Smoking impacts the healing process and the results of your eyelid surgery. It reduces the amount of blood flow to the surgical site and leads to poor wound healing. It also increases your risk of infection. Investing in your appearance with eyelid surgery offers so many benefits. Quit smoking for good to ensure the longevity of your eyelid surgery results.
Good Eye Health
Having healthy eyes is important if you want upper eyelid surgery because the surgery is performed so closely to your eyes. If you suffer from eye conditions, it can compromise the safety of the procedure and the success of your outcomes. Conditions such as dry eyes or glaucoma can increase your risk of complications during and after surgery.
Due to the risks, your eyelid surgeon will perform a thorough eye exam before moving forward with the procedure. An eye exam is necessary to determine the health of your eyes and determine whether precautions need to be taken. Eye conditions are not a complete bar to surgery. However, your condition has to be well-managed before moving forward.
Excess Skin or Fat on Your Eyelids
The purpose of eyelid surgery is to remove excess skin or fat around your upper eyelids. Excess skin occurs due to natural aging and certain lifestyle factors. As you age, the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin weaken, leading you to form fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Additionally, fat deposits can form on your upper eyelids and make your eyes look puffy and large. If you have excess skin or fat on your upper eyelids, you are a good candidate for upper eyelid surgery.
Eyelid surgery also involves the removal and tightening of the muscle in your upper eyelid. The levator muscles are responsible for lifting the upper eyelid. This muscle can stretch over time and lead to upper eyelid sagging. Eyelid surgery involves removing excess muscle that has become loose and tightening it. This process positively impacts the appearance of your eye. It leaves you looking younger and more refreshed.
Scheduling Your Consultation
The first step in moving forward with eyelid surgery is setting up a consultation. A skilled and experienced eyelid surgeon can determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure during your consultation. It is helpful to note down any questions you have before the consultation so you can be fully informed before moving forward.
During your consultation, the eyelid surgeon will examine your eyelid structure and the condition of the skin around your eyes. They will assess your eye health to determine if there are any unmanaged issues. Be sure to share your medical history and any current medications you are taking. Sharing this information is important to ensuring you have a successful procedure and recovery period. You should also share if you smoke or use any nicotine products.
Once the eyelid surgeon has assessed your medical history and performed any physical exams, you can discuss your goals and expectations about the procedure. You should use this time to ask any questions and share any additional information that could impact your procedure or recovery. If you are a good candidate, the eyelid surgeon will discuss the procedure, risks, recovery time, and costs. Once it has been determined that you are a good candidate, you can move forward with the procedure. Follow the pre-surgery instructions your eyelid surgeon provides.
Combining Eyelid Surgery Procedures
Upper eyelid surgery is popular due to its safety and effectiveness. The results leave you looking younger and more refreshed. To optimize your results, many patients consider combining upper eyelid surgery with other procedures.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat around your under eyes. For those who have under-eye bags, this is a great procedure. It leaves your under-eye refreshed and gives you a more awake appearance. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin without looking overly done. Upper and lower eyelid surgery are commonly performed together. They result in a comprehensive improvement in the appearance of your eyes.
Eyebrow Lift
An eyebrow lift is a cosmetic procedure that raises sagging eyebrows. It smoothes out the appearance of the forehead and leaves the eyes looking more open. This results in a more youthful and awake appearance. There are several techniques to achieve a naturally improved look, including traditional or endoscopic incisions. Both are highly effective and depend on the state of your brows and your aesthetic goals. Combining an eyebrow lift with upper eyelid surgery results in a more open and refreshed look. Upper eyelid surgery cannot improve the appearance of your brows, which is why it is such an effective combination.
Eyelid and Facial Fat Injections
Natural aging causes fat loss in your face and can leave you looking gaunt or deflated. Specifically, you may face skin sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Many people get regular synthetic fillers to address this issue. However, a fat transfer is highly effective and looks very natural. It is also permanent, so you do not have to continue getting injections. Combining upper eyelid surgery with fat injections can take years off of your face.
Who May Not Be A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?
Many patients who want eyelid surgery have no issues qualifying for the procedure. However, there are some instances when it may not be a good fit. Common issues include lifestyle factors or medical conditions. While many of these can often be worked around, unmanaged issues can increase your risk for complications during and after surgery. Consider the following and consult with your eyelid surgeon during your consultation. They can assess your risk and let you know what needs to happen before you are eligible for eyelid surgery.
Uncontrolled Diabetes
Diabetes impacts millions of Americans. Uncontrolled diabetes increases your risk for infection. It also makes wound healing much more difficult. Upper eyelid surgery involves small incisions in your eye area. Because of this, your blood sugar levels must be stable. Your eyelid surgeon may suggest working with your primary care provider to manage your diabetes before clearing you for eyelid surgery.
Dry Eye Syndrome
If you suffer from dry eyes, eyelid surgery can exacerbate the issue. Eyelid surgery involves removing the skin from around your eyes, which may impact your blinking if you suffer from severe dry eyes. A skilled and experienced surgeon can perform eyelid surgery to reduce the risk of this. However, it is important to consult with your surgeon and take special precautions to avoid further issues.
Chronic Skin Conditions Around Your Eyes
Some skin conditions impact the area around your eyes. These include eczema, psoriasis, and chronic eyelid infections. Eyelid surgery can make these conditions worse. While they are not a complete bar to surgery, they do need to be under control before you are cleared for surgery. Consult with your eyelid surgeon about what you can do to improve the condition of the skin around your eyes.
Eyelid Surgeon
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your eyes, contact the team at Taban MD Oculoplastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation!