Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery

Eyesight is one of the most important senses for our elderly population. Good eyesight allows them independence and freedoms to drive themselves to activities and appointments as well as to read, sew, do puzzles or watch television. When eyesight deteriorates with age, so does their independence.

Eyesight is one of the most important senses for our elderly population. Good eyesight allows them independence and freedoms to drive themselves to activities and appointments as well as to read, sew, do puzzles or watch television. When eyesight deteriorates with age, so does their independence. Not all eyesight loss is unavoidable and a procedure called blepharoplasty can help. As people age, three major changes in the body contribute to sagging, wrinkles and the like. First, the skin loses a fair amount of its elasticity. This means that your skin is less able to bounce back after it is stretched. Second, fat fills in the space left by the loosened skin. Third, your muscles may be weakened. They, too, sag once they have been weakened enough.

The skin around the eyes is the most delicate and naturally thin. As we age, this skin stretches and the eye muscles weaken. This process happens slowly for some and doesn't affect every day life. For others, the situation is more serious. Drooping eyelids can compromise vision by up to 50% or more. Some blepharoplasty patients claim that before eyelid surgery, their eyelids felt heavy and they felt tired even after eight or more hours of sleep. Many never realized that their vision was compromised until having an eye exam.

Eyelid surgery is designed to improve this condition and to restore the youthful, alert appearance of the eyes. It can have a negative psychological effect on a person, as many people feel lethargic and downright depressed the first week or two after the surgery, and is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, unless you are having multiple procedures performed such as a facelift or a brow lift.

The Surgery

Eyelid surgery should only be performed at a fully-accredited surgical facility. Anesthesia for the procedure is usually a combination of intravenous sedation and local anesthetic. When the procedure is performed in conjunction with facelift or brow lift, general anesthesia is used, administered by board certified anesthesiologists.

During the procedure, the redundant skin is marked and removed along with underlying excess fat. Lower eyelid fat and skin is also removed using an incision beneath the lash line or an internal incision (for fat removal only).

The Recovery

Patients can generally go home same the day as the procedure, though a responsible adult should stay with them the first night. Patients undergoing this procedure at the time of a brow lift or facelift will generally stay 1 or 2 nights at a post-operative facility. Ambulation is encouraged the night of surgery, but any strenuous activity should not be avoided for at least 2 weeks following the procedure. Though it typically takes at least 2 weeks for most of the swelling and bruising to resolve, many patients see an overall improvement in appearance after 5 to 7 days. By two weeks patients generally feel that they appear more rested and more attractive.

When eyelid surgery is considered necessary to restore vision, Medicare and most insurance companies will cover the costs associated with the procedure. However, if you choose to have other cosmetic procedures at the same time, like a brow lift or facelift, you will be solely responsible for those costs.

Read About Hair Care also Read about Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery and Botulinum Toxin