Since its invention in the ancient era, plastic surgery has seen tremendous transformations. Eyelid Surgery is one of the popular surgeries and how to care for your body after eyelid surgery. Whether it is the types of surgeries or the surgery techniques, everything has radically changed over the centuries. Today, there is plastic surgery for every body part.
You can possibly change the appearance of any body part using a distinctive type of surgery. It is essential to know about the forms of plastic surgery that are meant for different body parts. In this article, we will be discussing blepharoplasty, which is popularly known as eyelid surgery.
You must have witnessed sagging skin in your upper or lower eyelids; it generally happens with the growing age. But, when it happens at a younger age, you might be concerned about your look and vision. Indeed, sagging eyelids can block your vision and affect your muscles. That’s when you think about blepharoplasty.
It is a non-invasive and the most popular cosmetic surgery type. There were around 326,000 eyelid surgeries performed in the U.S alone in the last two years. Aging is the primary cause of sagging eyelids which calls for the need for blepharoplasty.
What is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?
Commonly referred to as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty includes a series of procedures that lift and tightens the sagging skin of your upper and lower eyelids.
It can correct your eye bags and sagging eyelids along with enhancing the field of vision. It is crucial to notice the early signs of sagging eyes. Generally, unexplained fatigue and eye strain in the thirties are the early signs. Hereditary is also a significant reason behind sagging.
Who Is Eligible For Eyelid Surgery or Blepharoplasty?
You are young and energetic, but all of a sudden, you start noticing a difference in your eyes that often disrupts your appearance and blocks your field of vision. Over time, you realize that your eyelids are sagging. Blepharoplasty is the only way out of this concerning issue.
Generally, when talking about this blepharoplasty, people are always apprehensive about whether they are eligible for it or not. When people think it’s too early to get eyelid surgery, they often drop the plan, which can worsen the situation. If you look at yourself in the mirror and feel the heaviness in your eyes and look sad, you don’t have to think twice before getting an operation.
When it comes to knowing the best candidate, who can opt for the blepharoplasty, anyone (man or woman) who has sound physical health can take up the surgery. All you need to do is follow the proper surgery processes and prepare your mind and body for it. It is also important to have realistic expectations from the surgery. For instance, you must not expect to treat wrinkles, deep lines, or sagging eyebrows with the surgery. You need to look for other surgical methods for this.
Why You Need A Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty?
There are plenty of reasons why people opt for blepharoplasty. One of the common reasons is sagging eyelids that restricts you from opening your eyes completely. The surgery will remove the excess tissue from your eyelid to enhance your vision and tighten your muscles.
With the upper and lower blepharoplasty, you can also look more young and alert. Following are the common reasons why people choose to undergo blepharoplasty in the first place:
- Droppy and baggy eyelids that restrict vision
- Excess upper eyelids interfere with your vision
- Excessive skin starts developing on the lower lid
- Huge bags under the eye
Blepharoplasty can also be accompanied by a brow lift or facelift operation to give the right shape to your face.
How To Prepare For An Eyelid Surgery?
There’s a lot you need to be prepared with when approaching eyelid surgery. From making your body to maintaining your mind’s stability, you have plenty of things to look after.
First, it is essential to fix an appointment with an eye specialist and plastic surgeon to discuss your situation. They will examine plenty of things that will together contribute to gearing up for the blepharoplasty.
Physical Test: It is important to know the body’s physical condition before prepping for the surgery. You must not have any chronic diseases before appearing for the surgery—for instance, allergies, glaucoma, diabetes, thyroid, etc. Your surgeon will conduct a series of physical examinations that will help in determining your condition.
Vision Examination: Blepharoplasty is done to correct your vision, so it is essential to check your vision before surgery. Your doctor will examine your vision along with a peripheral vision to determine the right type of surgery method to use. A vision examination is also essential during the insurance claim process.
Eyelid Photo: It is a common practice before conducting the surgery to determine the condition of your eyelid before and after it. Your doctor will take images of your eyelid from different angles to plan the surgery. It will allow them to determine the right treatment method.
After Eyelid Surgery – Blepharoplasty Care Tips
The most crucial part of eyelid surgery is neither when you are preparing for it nor when you are undergoing it, but it starts after the surgery. Surgery not only affects the particular part on which it is conducted but also influences your entire body, so there are some caring methods that you need to follow after the surgery.
Ask your surgeon to provide you with customized post-operative care instruction that is made just for you.
Some of the common care tips After Eyelid Surgery that applies for all are mentioned below:
Take Your Medicines on Time
You will be given loads of medicines after the surgery to help recover the tissue and strengthen them from within. You have to be very punctual with your medications. Keep a chart for your medicines and fill it regularly. Also, you must take your medicines wherever you go, so that you don’t miss the doses. Following are the types of drugs you will get-:
- Eye Medicines: You need to take steroids for strengthening your eye muscles; it will also help in decreasing the inflammation. Antibiotics will prevent infections after surgery.
- Pain Medicines: There are instances where patients feel pain after surgery. In such cases, you also need to take medicines for better pain management. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse, consult your doctor, and take prescriptions for pain.
Don’t Forget The Follow Up Visit After Eyelid Surgery
No matter how recovered you feel after the surgery, it is essential to visit your doctor regularly after eyelid surgery. It is advised to be regular with your follow-up visits for at least one year after the surgery. Your doctor needs to examine your eyelids and ascertain whether the tissues are growing naturally.
It also helps in detecting any issue before getting worse. Your doctor will also regularly check your vision to determine the improvement after the surgery. At regular intervals, your doctor will change your medicine course, and it is only possible when you visit regularly. It is also advised to follow all the instructions given by your doctor during the follow-up visits,
Eye Drops and Cold Compresses
Eye drops are the primary care partner after your blepharoplasty. You need to use cold compresses and eye drops that are prescribed by your doctor. Generally, the nurse will explain how to use those eye drops. After the surgery will apply a sterile solution onto your eyelids using gauze pads. Following are the steps to use eye drops after the surgery:
- Before taking the solution, wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds. Make sure you use good handwash or soap.
- Take the sterile solution and make a cold compress using gauze pads. You can store the sterile solution in a refrigerator or freezer. Ask your doctor for better guidance.
- Apply the cold compress directly on your eyelid every 10-15 minutes within 24 hours of the surgery. After that, you can start applying it twice a day, once after you wake up and once before going to bed.
- If you have a blurry vision after the surgery, it is better to use saline eye drops to help clear the vision.
- Never pull your eyelids down when applying the eye drops.
- For the inner part, you need a different eye drop or ointment.
Care During Shower and Makeup
Life after blepharoplasty will be different. You need to take care of your eyes in whatever you do. During the first few months, you need to be extra careful as your eyes will be highly sensitive. For the first few weeks, you can take a shower in the lower part only and avoid full-body showers.
Consult your doctor regarding the frequency of showering after the surgery. You can use a washcloth to wipe off the dirt from your eyelid area. Using your general shower products is not advisable. Give your eyelids some time to recover before using your face wash and shampoo.
Regarding makeup, avoid applying cream or any type of makeup on your eyelids. Cosmetic products contain many chemicals that can be harmful to your eyelids. You need to restrict the application of any external beauty products for the first two weeks. You can advise your doctor who can prescribe you specific cream and ointment for your face and eyes.
Take Nutritious Diet
Not just your eyelids, but your tissue, and muscles also need to recover after the surgery. No topical medications would work as efficiently as your diet plan. Consume nutritious food that comprises oodles of omega-3, fiber, manganese, iron, and minerals to strengthen your eye muscles.
Ask your doctor to provide you with a diet chart that you can follow after the surgery. You can also seek assistance from a nutritionist who can rightly guide you with a proper diet after blepharoplasty. Do not compromise on your nutrition intake, as you need to heal your body both internally and externally.
Consume food items that are good for skin and tissues. If you have a caregiver with you, explain your diet plan to him/her, so that you can get all the nutritious food at the right time.
Physical Activity After Eyelid Surgery
As mentioned earlier, your surgery will affect your entire body, so you need to follow a care practice for your physical health as well. Try to avoid doing any strenuous physical activity like lifting, squatting, bending, etc. It is imperative to understand that heavy exercises can severely affect your eye as they will exert pressure on your muscles.
Excessive physical activity can also lead to bleeding that can worsen your situation. Also, it is advised to sleep in a semi-upright position and keep your pillow in an elevated position when you sleep. If you start feeling some physical trouble after the surgery, it is best advised to see your doctor and get yourself diagnosed. You can also ask your physiotherapist to get assistance regarding the exercises you can do comfortably after the surgery.
When To Contact Your Doctor?
After Eyelid Surgery Always reach out to your doctor when you start witnessing the following signs:
- Extreme fever after the surgery which is higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Rashes around your eyes and near eyelids
- Blurring or double vision which is not getting better with eye drops
- Pus or discharge from your eye
- Itchy or swollen eye
- Bleeding eyes
- Troubled breathing at regular intervals
- Chronic chest pain
- Sudden and severe pain in the eyes
- Worsening eyesight
Never hesitate to seek out medical assistance whenever you feel even the slightest discomfort.
The Bottom Line
With the advent of medical technology, it has made it easier to get the best treatment for different. Plastic surgery is a reformed way of treating your muscles and correcting different parts. Blepharoplasty is a type of plastic surgery conducted in your eyelids.
It is generally done to treat the sagging upper or lower eyelids. There are plenty of things that you need to consider before opting for the surgery. Similarly, it is imperative to practice care tips after surgery. The above-mentioned were some of the essential care tips that will help you deal with post-surgery recovery.
