The world of cosmetic enhancement is vast and navigating it can be daunting. As a result, knowing what procedures you are a good match for and those you are not can save you a considerable amount of time and heartache. If you want to revitalize the appearance of your sagging upper eyelids, you may have considered eyelid surgery as a solution. Still, before going through with the surgery, you need to be able to answer the question, “Who is an ideal candidate for upper eyelid surgery?”. Today we will discuss the elements to consider when determining if you fall into that category.
What Is Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that removes and repositions excess fat and muscle from the upper eyelid to create a more youthful and wakeful eyelid appearance. The surgery has quickly gained popularity due to its ability to create a revitalized appearance, improve vision that is obstructed by sagging eyelids, reduce puffiness around the eye, and enhance the natural shape of the eyes.
Details of the Procedure
To fully understand if you are a good candidate for this surgery, you should have a comprehensive understanding of the details of this procedure. Knowing all that the procedure will entail—i.e., how to prepare for it and what takes place during the surgery itself—can help you determine if an upper blepharoplasty is an ideal procedure for you.
Preparation for Upper Eyelid Surgery
Before you can schedule your procedure, you will need to make a few preparations to optimize the results. Specifically, you must:
Get a medical evaluation and any pre-operative testing done.
Quit smoking at least 4 weeks prior to surgery.
Halt any anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, or blood thinners, as these increase the risk of bleeding.
Discuss your current medications with your surgeon and follow any instructions provided about altering the dosage.
Arrange transportation to and from your procedure. Medical professionals typically advise that patients do not drive immediately after eyelid surgery and have someone stay with them the night following their operation.
The Procedure
A skilled eyelid surgeon will perform your upper blepharoplasty. The procedure itself is straightforward and usually follows the steps outlined below.
Your surgeon will make incisions along the natural crease of your upper eyelid.
They will remove excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue.
They will reposition the tissue to create a defined eyelid crease.
Your surgeon will then close the incisions with sutures.
An upper blepharoplasty is a relatively quick procedure, generally taking an average of 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
Criteria for Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. While there is no hard and fast rule determining if a person is an ideal candidate for an upper blepharoplasty, there are factors that influence one’s suitability for eyelid surgery:
Of a Younger Age: Anyone can opt to undergo upper eyelid surgery, but this procedure is best suited for people over the age of 30.
Eye Conditions: Individuals with serious eye conditions like glaucoma or retinal detachment may not be well suited for an upper blepharoplasty.
Thyroid Disorders: If you suffer from a thyroid disorder such as Graves’ disease, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism, an upper blepharoplasty may not be for you.
Cardiovascular disease: Surgeons advise that individuals with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or other circulatory disorders do not get eyelid surgery.
Diabetes: Surgeons usually recommend that individuals with diabetes also do not get a blepharoplasty.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Upper Eyelid Surgery?
Those with the above conditions typically should not undergo eyelid surgery. In contrast, an ideal candidate for the procedure would have the following traits.
Individuals who get eyelid surgery should have excess or sagging skin on the upper eyelids. Often, this sagging is simply caused by aging and the natural loss of eyelid muscle strength.
Those who undergo eyelid surgery should be in good overall health. As with all invasive surgeries, you are more likely to have a successful procedure with no complications if you do not have any severe underlying conditions.
Prospective patients for eyelid surgery should be seeking long-lasting results. An upper blepharoplasty has a lifespan of approximately 10 years, so patients should go into the procedure expecting long-term results.
Eyelid Surgery in Honolulu
If you are tired of looking perpetually fatigued due to your sagging eyelids, consider eyelid surgery with Dr. Bradford Lee to restore your youthful appearance. He and his team can determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure and guide you through the process so you leave feeling brand new. Contact Oculofacial Plastic Surgery of Hawaii today to begin your eyelid surgery journey.
