Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, helps sculpt or lift the tissues around the eyes.
Others are recommended for the procedure because skin around the eyes is impairing vision.
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What Is Eyelid Surgery?
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The operation begins with the surgeon making an incision.
With the upper eyelid, the incision is usually made around the natural crease of the eyelid.
This allows the surgeon to remove or reposition excess fat, readjust muscles, and remove excess skin.
Verywell / Julie Bang
With the lower eyelid, the surgeon makes an incision beneath the eyelashes.
Excess skin is removed and fat is removed or redistributed.
An incision can also be made on the inside of the lower eyelid.
With this, excess fat is removed or redistributed but no skin is removed.
Eyelid surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure.
Before you schedule your eyelid surgery, youll have a consultation with your surgeon.
You may also be asked to see your primary care provider for a pre-operative workup.
Most health insurance plans wont cover eyelid surgery for cosmetic reasons.
However, the procedure may be covered if theres a medical reason for it.
Check with your health insurance provider to see whats covered by your policy before scheduling your surgery.
How to Prepare
Ask your surgeon any questions you have about the procedure.
What to Wear
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes on the day of surgery.
If you wear contact lenses, remember to wear glasses that day.
Food and Drink
Avoid eating or drinking after midnight the night before your surgery.
This ensures that your stomach is empty before you receive anesthesia.
If your healthcare provider has asked you to take medication, take it with a small sip of water.
Also, bring along someone to drive you home after your procedure.
Since you may be sensitive to light after surgery, bring along sunglasses to wear after your procedure.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
Avoid sunburns around your eyes for at least two weeks before surgery.
Your healthcare provider may give you a recommendation for what throw in of sunscreen to wear around your eyes.
Also avoid smoking, ideally for at least two weeks before surgery.
If you have a voice assistant, setting it up to make/receive calls can also be useful.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Your eyelid surgery should take less than two hours.
This IV is used to deliver medication or fluids (as needed) during your procedure.
A nurse will then clean your face with a bacteria-killing solution and place sterile drapes around your head.
This medication will render you temporarily unconscious during surgery and unable to feel discomfort.
Anendotracheal tubewill also be placed to provide breathing and oxygen support during surgery.
Your surgeon will likely give you ice compresses to help reduce any immediate post-operative swelling.
These are to be placed on your eyelids for around 20 minutes.
Recovery
Complete recovery is expected to take 10 to 14 days.
As with any operation, blepharoplasty has side effects, most of which are minor and temporary.
They can include:
Your eyes may also feel tired more quickly than usual for the several weeks.
During these appointments, your incision sites will be checked and your stitches will be removed.
Coping With Recovery
Plan to take this time off work, if possible.
If your job requires you to be physically active, you may want to take a bit more time.
Long-Term Care
While sun protection is helpful in recovery, it’s also important long after that.
Avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
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