What Is Eyelid Aesthetics or Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid aesthetics, also called eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that aims to improve the way your eyelids and the area around your eyes look. Eyelid surgery involves making the eyelid skin tighter and smoother by removing and repositioning excess skin, fat and muscle.
In New York City, the most experienced and established eyelid surgery expert is Dr. David Shokrian at Millennial Plastic Surgery. Let him give you a refreshed look that you’ll be proud to show off.
Why Is Eyelid Surgery or Blepharoplasty Done?
Many people opt for eyelid surgery to make the area around the eyes appear younger and refreshed. Blepharoplasty is beneficial if you’re bothered by issues like loose and sagging eyelids, puffy under-eye area or droopy eyelids. Blepharoplasty offers a rejuvenated and refreshed look that makes you look more open and alert.
Eyelid surgery is also useful for correcting visual problems caused by severe hooding that obstructs your peripheral vision. It removes the excess skin to enable a wider peripheral field of sight.
How Is Eyelid Surgery or Blepharoplasty Done?
Blepharoplasty can be done with traditional scalpel incisions or using lasers. Before the procedure, you’re given local or general anesthesia. The surgeon removes excess skin, tightens muscles and repositions fat, depending on your aesthetic goals.
What Are the Different Types of Blepharoplasties?
There is upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery. You can undergo one or both types of blepharoplasty in the same operating session. Double eyelid surgery is a procedure that creates a deeper and more defined crease in your upper eyelid.
How Long Does Eyelid Surgery Take?
Blepharoplasty takes between one and three hours, depending on the scope of the procedure. Some people opt for surgery on both the upper and lower eyelids, which takes longer. Also, if general anesthesia is used, it means additional time for going under and regaining full consciousness after the operation.
Who’s a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty works well for adults with concerns about their facial appearance. You should be healthy, without any major eye problems or underlying conditions that may make recovery difficult. It also helps if you have rational expectations and a positive attitude about the results.
Is There an Age Limit for Blepharoplasty?
There are no age restrictions for blepharoplasty. But most people go for it when they’re over 35 because that’s when some signs of aging become visible around the eyes. The procedure is ideal for older, more mature people who don’t want to undergo a full facelift, but just want to take a few years off their face.
How Long Does Eyelid Surgery Recovery Take?
After blepharoplasty, you can expect to return to normal activity within two weeks. The immediate concerns are pain, bruising and swelling, which are alleviated with pain medication, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medication. You can also use non-drug options to make your recovery more comfortable, like sleeping with your head elevated and applying cold compresses.
You may also experience eye dryness, irritation and sensitivity to light in the first week. Residual swelling takes longer to subside completely; you see the full blepharoplasty results within three months.
What After-Care Is Needed Following Eyelid Surgery?
The immediate concern is to relieve pain, reduce bruising and swelling, and avoid infection. There are drugs for these concerns, including pain medication and antibiotics. Your NYC surgeon also advises applying cold compresses and keeping the head elevated, in addition to avoiding strenuous activity.
Use sun protection and special eye creams for several weeks to deal with light sensitivity and eye irritation. Long-term after-care involves habits that are good for your overall health, such as healthy dieting and not smoking.
Are Blepharoplasty Results Permanent?
Blepharoplasty results are largely long-term, but not permanent. This is because the procedure addresses concerns brought on by aging, but you must age. For most people, the upper eyelid results remain visible for around ten years, after which you can opt for revision blepharoplasty. Lower eyelid results typically are good for life.
How Much Does Blepharoplasty Cost in New York City?
You can expect to pay $3,000 to $14,000, depending on the complexity of the procedure, the medication issued, the operation facilities used and the level of after-care required. The biggest determinant of price for blepharoplasty is usually the scope of work, largely if the operation is on one or both eyelids.
Are There Other Procedures That Go Well with Blepharoplasty?
There are several procedures that complement the results of blepharoplasty to give you a more comprehensive aesthetic look. Opt for a brow lift and mini-facelift to achieve a more harmonious youthful look.
There are also non-surgical procedures that go well with blepharoplasty, including Botox, fillers and other injectables that add volume to specific areas. These are used to reduce fine lines and wrinkling.
How Do I Prepare for Eyelid Surgery?
The obvious starting point when preparing for blepharoplasty is a consultation with a recognized New York City cosmetic surgeon. Work with a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience, like Dr. Shokrian of Millennial Plastic Surgery in NYC.
A qualified doctor listens to your concerns and what you want to see addressed with eyelid surgery. He then assesses your suitability for the procedure. This involves looking at your overall health condition to rule out any problems that may make recovery difficult. He may also issue pre-operative medication and advise on some changes, like stopping smoking and avoiding strenuous activity.
Are There Risks from Blepharoplasty?
Eyelid surgery for men and women has several risks like any other medical surgery. Discomfort such as pain, swelling and bruising are to be expected, but you can manage them with medication. Serious risks, such as excessive bleeding, infection and visible scarring, are greatly reduced when you rely on an expert in the field.
For more information and to schedule a free consultation, contact Dr. Shokrian and his team at Millennial Plastic Surgery in New York City. During your meeting, he’ll explain all the risks and benefits to blepharoplasty.