Questions you need to ask Before and After Eyelid Surgery - Dr.Kitto

If you have saggy or droopy upper eyelids, excess skin on the upper eyelid that interferes with your peripheral vision, excess skin on the lower eyelids, or “bags” under your eyes, you may benefit from a procedure call Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery.

Your eyelids tend to stretch and the muscles supporting them weaken with age, causing your eyelids to droop. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that may involve removing excess skin, muscle, and fat to give your eyes a refreshed appearance and to help with any potential vision problems.

 

Before and after eyelid surgery

Every patient is different, but you may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you have no significant health issues, will give your eyelids the proper amount of time and attention needed to fully heal, and you should have realistic expectations of what the surgery can do for you.

 

Before the surgery, a Board-certified plastic surgeon will sit down with you to discuss what you want to achieve. He or she will do both a physical exam and eye exam to make sure you’re in good health, then discuss your surgery options.

Questions you may want to ask might include:

• Is the surgery painful?

• How long is a typical recovery?

• Where will the procedure be performed?

• Will there be scars?

• How long can I expect results to last?

 

If you opt for the surgery, your surgeon will ask you to stop taking medications and supplements designed to thin the blood (such as blood pressure medications or aspirin). If you smoke, you should stop for several weeks prior to the surgery.

 

You will also need to arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure is completed. You may want that person to stay with you through the first night afterward to provide you with the care you’ll need.

 

After the surgery, you may temporarily experience some minor side effects, including blurry vision from lubricating ointment that may be applied to your eyes, watery eyes, heightened sensitivity to bright light, double vision, puffy and numbness eyelids, swelling and bruising, and some discomfort.

 

To help, you should put ice or cold compresses on your eyelids as directed by your surgeon. You should also regularly clean your eyelids with prescribed drops or ointments.

 

Following the surgery, you should refrain from strenuous activities for at least one week. You should continue to refrain from smoking and taking any blood-thinning medications, and do your best to avoid rubbing your eyes. They will likely itch some as the healing process goes on.

 

For light sensitivity, you may want to wear dark sunglasses and continue to apply cool compresses at regular intervals. Within a few days, you should be able to have your stitches removed, if applicable.

 

In most cases, some swelling and bruising may last between two to four weeks. However, you should be able to return to work within a few days, as long as the eyestrain from your job doesn’t bother you if you work on a computer all day.

 

Eyelid surgery in Richmond, VA

For many patients, the results are a more youthful, better rested, confident appearance that can last a lifetime. It may take a few months for the surgical scars to fully fade, but a good plastic surgeon will be able to minimize the scarring.

 

When searching for a plastic surgeon who can perform eyelid surgery in Richmond, VA, look for a Board-certified surgeon with specialized training in oculoplastic and facial aesthetic surgeries. Once you have found a surgeon you are comfortable with, schedule an initial consultation to meet the doctor, talk about your goals, and get your initial exam.

 

Your surgeon will take the time to listen to what you want to accomplish, then can map out a customized treatment plan that will help take years off your appearance and potentially improve your vision.