Am I a Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
The only clear path to find out if you’re a good candidate for blepharoplasty is to book an appointment with an expert to discuss your options. In New York City, Dr. David Shokrian at Millennial Plastic Surgery (MPS) has been performing eyelid surgery with exceptional results for years. He provides all the information you need to make an informed decision about your best way forward so you can look and feel your best.
Your NYC plastic surgeon explores various options to provide you with the appearance and vibrant health you desire. He examines the anatomy of your face and your eyes to determine which procedures may help you reach your goals.
The main issues he considers before proceeding with a blepharoplasty include:
- Your overall health and ability to heal properly
- Your expectations of the results
- Your lifestyle and dietary habits
- The type of eye condition you have and whether blepharoplasty is the best way to address it
- Your age and the kinds of cosmetic procedures you’ve had in the past
- Whether you’re willing to follow the post-surgical procedures
Wy Do I Need Eyelid Surgery?
Aging is perhaps the biggest culprit when it comes to sagging or droopy skin around your eyes and face. This is primarily due to the loss of collagen, which provides elasticity in your skin. Gravity plays a role too, as it relentlessly pulls down on your skin over time.
Genetics may lead to the development of droopy eyelids and dark puffiness around your eyes if you have a family history of it. A condition called ptosis is usually apparent at birth, but can also develop later in life. Upper eyelid droopiness may drastically affect your vision.
Other causes of eyelid dysfunction include:
- Neurological problems
- Cancer and benign tumors
- A stroke
- Injuries to your face and eyes
- Muscle weakness
- Unhealthy habits, such as rubbing your eyes consistently or pulling on your eyelids
What Can Blepharoplasty Do for Me?
When Dr. Shokrian agrees that you’re in good health and can recover well from the procedure, you have a conversation about your expectations.
Realistic expectations make you an ideal candidate for the procedure and include:
- Having upper eyelid surgery to Improve your vision
- Wanting to enhance your appearance, look younger and boost your self-esteem
- Reducing bags under your eyes with lower eyelid surgery
- Realizing that blepharoplasty can’t eliminate dark circles underneath your eyes, fill in the hollows under your eyes or erase wrinkles and crow’s feet
- Understanding the limits of the eyelid surgery — it won’t change your appearance drastically or realign your eye positions, for example
- Seeking a small change in your appearance that isn’t as noticeable as a major procedure like a full face lift, something men looking to improve their appearance may appreciate
- Looking for a touch-up after the effects wear off, usually within about six to 10 years for upper eyelid surgery, since lower eyelid surgery, when performed correctly by an experienced surgeon, rarely needs touching up
When you really want to see a more dramatic change in your face and neck, and your New York City cosmetic surgeon has deemed you healthy, you can see more dramatic results when you combine blepharoplasty with other procedures, such as a:
- Brow lift, a procedure designed to lift the skin on your forehead and around your eyes to open up your face in an effort to defeat the signs of aging
- Face lift, which addresses the soft tissues in your face from the neck up; in fact, a neck lift performed at the same time gives you a smooth look overall
- Mini-facelift that may be ideal if you’re over the age of 30, but under 50 and just want to have the puffiness around your eyes removed and the skin in the lower half of your face lifted
What May Disqualify Me from Getting Eyelid Surgery?
If you’re not healthy, you may not be able to undergo the eyelid surgery in New York City.
Additionally, having certain medical conditions could interfere with the success of the surgery or with your recovery, such as:
- Eye conditions that include dry eyes, glaucoma or retinal detachment
- Diabetes
- Disorders affecting your thyroid like hypo- or hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- An inability to stop smoking
- Substance abuse disorders
Generally, eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that’s not typically covered by health insurance, so you need to be able to pay for the entire procedure out of pocket, including anesthesia and aftercare.
You may qualify for insurance coverage for upper eyelid surgery, however, if:
- The skin on your upper eyelids touches the front of your eyelid
- That upper eyelid skin rests on your eyelids
- The drooping skin causes a significant loss of vision
- You can demonstrate how the dropping skin negatively impacts your activities of daily living and your ability to work effectively
Once Qualified, Where Can I Get the Best Eyelid Surgery in New York City?
Dr. David Shokrian and his team at Millennial Plastic Surgery offer their services at two locations in NYC — in Manhattan on 45th Street and in the Bronx on Riverdale Avenue. You receive personalized attention and confidential appointments with this exceptionally talented team of cosmetic health providers.
No matter what type of blepharoplasty procedure you need or want, this team brings a wealth of experience to meet your needs. They provide you with a plan to prepare for your procedure and give you complete instructions for a smooth recovery. The practice delivers a flawless experience in creating the best version of you to meet your goals. Contact MPS today for an initial consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for eyelid surgery.