Are you considering eyelid surgery? Before agreeing to any type of surgery, it is essential that you understand every step of the procedure, including what to expect before, during, and after.
That is why Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience, makes sure to clearly communicate everything a patient should know before any plastic surgery. During a surgical consultation, Dr. Lapuerta takes the time to explain to patients exactly what to expect for any surgery. Below, he’s broken down what you need to know before committing to eyelid surgery.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
If you are interested in getting eyelid surgery, a.k.a. a blepharoplasty, you should have a strong comprehension regarding the specifics of the procedure. Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that drastically improves the appearance of the area around your eyes, removing any excess tissue to treat puffiness or drooping skin around the eyes. In some cases, the surgery is not strictly cosmetic—eyelids can sometimes sag over the eyes and obstruct the individual’s field of vision, making the surgery a requirement for overall wellness.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
A good candidate for eyelid surgery is someone who has droopy eyelids or puffy bags under the eyes that negatively affect their appearance. Patients may also have drooping eyelids that make it difficult to see, making the surgery a necessity.
Any eyelid surgery candidate also needs to be in good overall health, with no health concerns that can complicate the surgery or the recovery process. This includes eye conditions, such as dry eyes or glaucoma. If you suffer from a pre-existing eye condition, make sure to let your surgeon know so they can make a determination as to whether eyelid surgery is right for you.
What Causes Eyelid Issues That Require Surgery?
The main cause is age: As we age, our skin naturally loses elasticity, making it susceptible to drooping or sagging over time. When you consider that our eyes are not as well protected as other parts of the body from environmental factors such as sunlight, it makes sense that most people tend to see the first signs of aging in the areas around the eyes. The loss of elasticity and exposure to environmental factors, combined with the gradual effects of gravity, causes the skin around the eye to stretch, leading to droopy eyelids or sagging skin below the eyes.
Make Sure to Choose an Experienced Plastic Surgeon
The key to successful eyelid surgery is finding an experienced plastic surgeon with a track record of success. When choosing a plastic surgeon, it is important to weigh a number of different factors in order to make the best possible choice. While the price of the surgery is a key component (that will be addressed in more detail below), it is more important to look at the surgeon’s experience and patient reviews.
When choosing a surgeon, you want a surgeon who not only has many years of experience as a plastic surgeon, but also has expertise in eyelid surgery specifically. Ask to see eyelid surgery before and after pictures to make sure your surgeon has an established track record of success with the surgery. You also want to read as many patient reviews and testimonials as possible to make sure you are choosing the perfect plastic surgeon for your needs.
What to Expect During Eyelid Surgery
There are actually several different eyelid surgery methods, with different surgical approaches utilized depending on the patient’s needs. Eyelid surgery is the comprehensive name given to a series of different surgeries, including upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, and double eyelid surgery. During a surgical consultation, your plastic surgeon will determine which surgical approach is best for your specific needs and goals.
Regardless of the surgical technique chosen, eyelid surgery is a simple and straightforward outpatient surgical procedure performed under sedation with local anesthesia. Typically, an incision is made somewhere around the eyelid. After the incision is made, excess tissue and skin are removed, then the incision is closed. Eyelid surgery generally takes between 1-2 hours to complete.
What to Expect During Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Eyelid surgery recovery should be a fairly quick process with very little discomfort. Right after the procedure, it is natural for there to be some swelling and bruising around the eyes, but any swelling or bruising should clear up rather quickly with the assistance of a special cooling mask that will be worn around the clock during recovery.
You can expect some slight stinging in your eyes and difficulty opening your eyes following surgery, which may result in blurry vision. However, all of these symptoms usually clear up in less than two days as long as you keep your head elevated and wear the cooling mask. In most cases, patients can expect to return to work in a couple of days and resume exercise about four weeks after eyelid surgery.
When Should the Final Results of Eyelid Surgery Be Visible?
While there will be a noticeable improvement in the appearance of the area around your eyes immediately after surgery, it is important to remember that final results may not be seen for a few months. Try to remain patient, and understand that it can take some time for the skin to settle and reveal your improved appearance.
What Is the Cost of Eyelid Surgery?
The cost of eyelid surgery will vary based on the needs of the patient. As noted above, there are a number of different surgical approaches to take based on the needs of the patient, and your plastic surgeon’s chosen approach will dictate the price of the procedure.
For example, if you need both your upper and lower eyelids addressed during surgery, the cost will be between $4,700 and $6,800. However, if you only want to address the upper eyelids, the cost will likely be lower. The best way to get an accurate cost estimate is to schedule an eyelid surgery consultation with a plastic surgeon.
Request an Eyelid Surgery Consultation with Dr. Lapuerta
If you are interested in learning more about eyelid surgery or are eager to improve the appearance of the area surrounding your eyes, request an eyelid surgery consultation with Dr. Lapuerta today. Dr. Lapuerta is an eyelid surgery expert, and has been refreshing and rejuvenating patients’ eyelids and addressing their needs in Houston, Katy, and Pearland, Texas, for over 20 years.
During a consultation, Dr. Lapuerta will partner with you to find a treatment method that will help you best reach your goals, taking your feedback and needs seriously. When choosing a plastic surgeon, you want to make sure they are skilled communicators, and Dr. Lapuerta has developed a reputation in the community for his ability to clearly explain to his patients what to expect during every step of the procedure. Learn more about eyelid surgery by requesting a consultation.
