Coupled with the muscles around the eyes also slackening, this can make the eyes look constantly tired and rob them of their ‘sparkle’. Eyelid surgery might be the answer to this problem.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery, typically costing between $4,000 and $5,500 in the USA and between £2850 and £3,600 in Britain, is now a well-established procedure, carried out by many reputable clinics.
If you are contemplating having eyelid surgery, a discussion with your family doctor will be beneficial as you can then be given up-to-date information and, perhaps, a recommendation about suitable places for treatment. When you decide on your clinic, don’t simply you’re your decision on price alone – weigh up all the factors to ensure that you can be totally confident of success.
You will require a preliminary consultation with your plastic surgeon to discuss what you are hoping to achieve from the procedure and you will learn there about what pre and post operative measures you will need to take. Eyelid surgery does not normally require an overnight stay in hospital but, as it is usually carried out using a general anesthetic, you will need to have someone who can drive you home and stay with you during your first night. It is often possible to have a local anesthetic, if you would prefer to be awake during the process.
The operation, which is increasingly being performed using laser techniques rather than conventional methods, will last between one to two hours, if both lids are being operated on. Excess fat, muscle and loose skin will be removed and the cut closed with fine stitches. Because the cut will be made just below the eyelashes, any scars will blend in with the natural folds of your eyes and be virtually undetectable. The surgeon will support your eyelids by applying some sterile paper to them, which will be removed after about four days. During this time, you might experience some pain, for which you can take your usual painkillers, and have some swelling round the eyes, which will respond to cold compresses.
Eyelid surgery is now a commonplace procedure and is generally quite safe. However, as with all surgery, there is a slight risk of complications due to reaction to the anesthetic, infection or excessive bleeding. Certainly you might expect to experience some soreness and swelling around the eyes for a few weeks as well as more sensitivity to light than usual. Blurred vision is not uncommon and is nothing to worry about as it soon goes, as do ‘watery’ eyes.
More serious, but far less frequent, complications might include glaucoma, excessive bleeding under the skin, temporary blindness and damage to the eyeball. It must be stressed that these are extremely uncommon occurrences.
Of course, although eyelid surgery is a successful treatment and will usually be a cause of enormous satisfaction to those receiving it, it has to be remembered that cosmetic surgery does not magically stop the ageing process. Although care of the eyes will help maintain that youthful sparkle, the skin will continue to age. For this reason, many people choose to have a face lift at the same time as eyelid surgery, for the best possible results.
Eyelid Surgery
One of the tell-tale signs of aging is the skin around the eyes, which loses much of its youthful elasticity. Unsightly folds of skin might appear on the upper eyelids and deep creases or bags under the lower.
Eyelid Surgery
