The skin loses its elasticity with age. When the skin of the eyelid loses its elasticity, it becomes loose or saggy. Eye lift surgery is performed to restore the natural contour of the eyelids. This cosmetic surgery process is also known as eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty.
Healthy adults without a serious eye problem are eligible for eye lift surgery. Apart from enhancing the appearance of the eyes by removing folds, wrinkles and fat deposits from the eyelids, eye lift surgery is also necessary for removing the extra skin hanging over the eyelashes on the upper eyelid that obstructs vision.
Eye Lift Surgery Procedure
Anesthesia
Before starting the surgery, your cosmetic surgeon will numb the area to be treated with anesthesia. He/she may use local anesthesia or general anesthesia with intravenous sedation. For an eye lift surgery involving the upper and lower eyelids of both the eyes, most cosmetic surgeons usually performs the surgery first on the upper eyelids.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
The surgeon will first make external incisions along the natural lines of the upper eyelid. Through the incision, your surgeon will separate the underlying tissues from the skin. This will be followed by removal of excess skin and fat and tightening of the tissues and muscles.
Finally, the incision on the eyelid will be closed with small removable or absorbable stitches. The stitches are usually removed after six days. Sometimes, the surgical cuts are closed with surgical tape or skin adhesives.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
For eye lift surgery involving the lower eyelid, your surgeon may make an incision in the lower eyelid, known as transconjunctival incision. Through the cut, your surgeon will remove or redistribute the fats and loose muscles in the lower eyelid and eliminate the excess skin. Stitches are not required to close the transconjunctival incision, which heals naturally within a few days.
Instead of performing the eye lift surgery of the lower eyelid through transconjunctival incision, your surgeon may treat the puffiness of the lower eyelid by making an incision line below the lower eyelash line. The fats, loose skin and muscles will then be removed through the cut. Your surgeon may close the cut with tiny sutures, which are usually removed after a week. The incision usually heals in a short time.
An eyelid surgery involving all the four eyelids, usually lasts for about two hours.
Usually, eye lift surgery of the lower eyelids is followed by laser resurfacing to reduce the fine lines and discoloration.
Care
You may experience mild swelling of the eyelids after the surgery. Applying a cold compress to the treated eyelid helps to reduce the swelling and discomfort. Occasionally, mild bruising may occur due to the surgery. Sometimes, the eyes become excessively dry after the surgery, which can be easily treated with artificial tear or a lubricating ointment.
The side effects of surgery will subside in a week or two. Until, the treated eyelids have healed completely, cover your eyes with dark sunglasses while outdoors. Avoid eye makeup until the incisions have healed completely.
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