An eye lift is a type of cosmetic surgery that is used for removing excess fats and skin from the eyelid, in order to treat puffy eyes and drooping eyelids. Find out more about the various aspects of this surgery, including the procedure, and its cost, benefits, and side effects, in this article.
The eye lift surgery, which is also known as eyelid surgery and blepharoplasty is a cosmetic plastic surgery, employed for removing the excess skin and fat from the eyelids, in order to give a fresh and younger look to the face.
People with droopy or sinking upper eyelids can benefit from this procedure. It can prove beneficial for puffy eyes as well. Puffy eyes, as well as drooping eyelids are mainly caused by aging. Aging causes the skin to lose its former elasticity, due to which it becomes loose, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
The Procedure
The entire procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. Sometimes, general anesthesia is also used. The procedure usually takes about one to three hours. The surgeon typically makes incisions along the crease of the upper eyelid. For the lower eyelid, incisions are made just below the eyelashes. These incisions can sometimes reach the outer corner of the eyes as well.
After making the incisions, the excess fatty tissues, as well as the muscles are removed surgically from the eyelid. Excess skin is also removed, but only when it is necessary. Instead of this conventional procedure, one can also opt for the laser eyelid surgery. The laser eyelid surgery generally causes less bleeding and swelling, as compared to the conventional eye lift surgery. Many times, an eye lift is carried out along with the facelift surgery, in order to give the entire face a younger and fresh look.
Aftercare
After the surgery, one needs to follow certain precautions to ensure fast healing. Generally, people can get some redness and swelling around the stitches after the surgery. But once the stitches are removed, such swelling and bruising decrease gradually. In the meantime, one should strictly adhere to the instructions given by the physician. The eyes should be cleaned in the way suggested by the surgeon, and the use of contact lenses, as well as eye makeup should be avoided during this period.
To alleviate the irritation and swelling, a cold compress can be used, if the surgeon permits. Lubricating eye drops can also be used to prevent the eyes from drying out. Be sure to apply the prescribed ointments on the stitches regularly to ensure quick healing. It is important to avoid certain activities, like watching television and using the computer during the first week following the surgery.
Recovery Time
Though the stitches are removed within a week, it can take several weeks for the area to heal completely. The bruising and redness usually persist for about 10 days, and then gradually subside. During this period, one should avoid the activities that can strain the eyes. If the instructions given by the physician regarding the post-operative eye care are followed properly, then one can expect faster recovery. With proper eye care and adequate rest, it may become possible to resume the normal activities about 10 days following the surgery.
Complications
The most common complications of this surgical procedure are redness, swelling, bruising, excessive tearing, and burning and itching of the eyes. Some people can get dry eyes, double or blurred vision, and an increased sensitivity to light as well. These discomforts are likely to persist for several days. In addition to these, difficulty in closing the eyes while sleeping, and ectropion (a condition where the lower eyelid turns outward) may be experienced by some people in rare instances. Other possible complications include, infections and scarring.
Most of these complications can be avoided by following the instructions given by the surgeon. The cost of the surgery typically includes, the fee of the surgeon, the anesthesiologist’s fee, as well as the fee for the operating room and the products. The cost can vary considerably depending on the locality, as well as the complexity of the surgery. So, it is better to have a talk with an experienced plastic surgeon, regarding the cost and complications of the procedure before opting for it. This will help you compare and evaluate the cost, benefits, and the risks associated with this cosmetic procedure, and make your decision accordingly.
