The word ‘blepharoplasty’ may sound intimidating coming from a medical professional. It is not as scary as it sounds; in fact, it is a simple procedure that helps a person correct an issue on his or her eyelid. The word can be traced back to a Greek word called Blepharon; this means ‘eyelid,’ and the procedure should be considered a cosmetic procedure.
Why is the Blepharoplasty Procedure Useful?
Many people seem to have the idea that any cosmetic procedure must deal with vanity; though they are making a mistake by assuming that. Does a cosmetic procedure improve one’s appearance? Yes, cosmetic procedures do improve a person’s image. This helps restore confidence, youth, and self-esteem, just to name a few benefits.
Of course, people who experience these benefits are likely to lead healthier lives. Depression, low self-esteem, and other negative feelings are connected to the eyes and are likely to trigger the over-production of cortisol. Cortisol is the stress-hormone that is produced by the brain. Excessive amounts of this hormone have been associated with high blood pressure and other physical ailments.
It should be noted that this procedure can also help fix the loss of peripheral vision due to slacking upper-eyelid skin. In essence, the skin is drooping a little too much over the eye and affecting the patient’s peripheral vision. This could effectively stop a person from driving, walking down the street safely, or something as simple as reading a book.
Of course, these are just some of the reasons why someone might consider the procedure, though there are a lot more.
What Takes Place During the Blepharoplasty Procedure?
A lot occurs before, during, and after the procedure. The patient’s doctor will likely go through all of this in detail, but it is always good to be informed just in case. One of the first things that a plastic surgeon will do is go through a patient’s medical history to see if he or she had other surgeries. This allows the doctor to prepare for the patient he or she is dealing with. It also allows the doctor to learn about any possible allergies and such.
The doctor will also perform a thorough examination of the patient’s facial structure but most importantly the eyebrow, cheek, and nose area. This will allow your doctor to know whether the procedure is right for you. It should be noted that generally anyone who wants the procedure is likely to quality, so this is mostly a formality, though it is still necessary.
Remember that the procedure is a surgical procedure, which means that there will be some incisions on the eyelids. Still, this is not something to be concerned about, especially with a plastic surgeon of considerable skill and experience. The procedure does require some type of anesthesia, though. This is usually specific to the patient. Some of the types of anesthesia used are just general anesthesia, local anesthesia, and sedation.
Once the patient is ready, the doctor will start making small incisions on the natural skin lines. These lines are sometimes called creases and exist on the top and bottom eyelid. Making incisions here ensures that the minimal scarring remains hidden after the procedure is done, and the patient has recovered.
It is important to mention that patients with darker skin tones might need the transconjunctival blepharoplasty technique. The technique is simply referring to a procedure that does the incisions under the eyelid. This is necessary because the scars left from the external incisions are usually white, which will be visible should the patient have darker skin tones.
The procedure could take one to three hours, though it does depend on the patient and the kinds of correction needed. The doctor will place sutures when the procedure is complete. These sutures will be removed three to five days after the procedure.
You should know that there is some risk involved, since this is a surgical procedure. The risks are rare, especially with an experienced doctor, but it is still important to know them before deciding to go ahead with the procedure.
One of the risks is excessive bleeding, though your doctor will take precautions for that. This is the reason why it is important to disclose medicines you might be on as some might be blood-thinners. Observing your diet is important, too. For example, garlic is considered a blood-thinner and intake should be reduced before surgery. Other risks include ectropion, permanent numbness, and even blindness.
It is clear to see that the procedure is not as complicated as the word might sound.
What Happens After the Procedure?
It is normal to be eager about the results, which should be noticed quickly after the surgery. Still, there are a few questions that most patients will have before, during, or after the procedure. These questions have to do with what happens after the procedure has concluded. You already know that there will be some follow up appointments, especially one to remove the sutures.
It is important to note that the recovery process is going to take about two weeks; you will still not be in perfect condition yet. You will be able to re-assume normal activities in two weeks, like going to work. Still, a person should not try rigorous work or exercises within four to six weeks of the surgery. Those who undergo the procedure might see some swelling or bruising, though this should go away within a month. There may be some discomfort due to the swelling as well, but these symptoms are normal.
Any questions that you might have about the procedure should be answered thoroughly by your doctor. Do not worry about being too inquisitive. You want to go into the procedure with eyes wide open, knowing what to expect from it. If you need the procedure, do not think you are being vain for bettering your life. Go ahead, you are only a few steps away from seeing a whole new “you” in the mirror.