If you’re seeking eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, your mind might be filled with concerns. How long is the recovery? What does the actual process look like? The list of potential questions goes on and on.
At Dr. Bosbous’ offices in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, we’ve heard every question and concern you could think of. Today, we’re going to go through the entire eyelid surgery procedure from top to bottom, answering any questions you might have along the way.
What is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?
‘Eyelid surgery’ is a general term we use to talk about several select procedures that impact the appearance of the eye. As a result, the actual definition of ‘eyelid surgery’ is moderately flexible, and different people will seek out eyelid surgery for different reasons.
For example, you might find that excess tissue around your eyes is interfering with your vision. This would make you a prime candidate for eyelid surgery.
To offer another example, if you simply want your eyes to appear younger, eyelid surgery can remove excess skin and give your eyes a more lively, youthful appearance. If this is your goal, the procedure will work best when paired with other rejuvenating procedures.
It should be noted that eyelid surgery is different from double eyelid surgery, where a crease is created to enhance the appearance of the eyelid itself and reduce the visibility of epicanthic folds.
How is eyelid surgery performed?
Eyelid surgery is a relatively straightforward procedure.
First, the patient is treated with medication so they do not feel any pain during the procedure. This could either be intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, though the exact method used will depend on previous consultations with a trained plastic surgeon like Dr. Bosbous.
Next, an incision is made. The placement of the incision is incredibly specific, performed in a way that will allow the resultant minor scarring to be hidden by the eye’s natural folds.
For eyelid surgery focused on the upper eyelid, an incision that follows the eyelid’s natural crease will allow excess skin to be removed, or will allow a surgeon to do things like tighten muscles or reposition fat deposits to reconstruct the eyelid and surrounding area to a patient’s wishes.
Lower lid issues are generally resolved with an incision just below the lower lash line. By performing this incision, plastic surgeons like Dr. Bosbous can make similar adjustments to the lower eyelid, such as removing excess skin or repositioning fat. Additionally, another incision can be made to resolve lower eyelid issues called a ‘transconjunctival incision’. No skin is removed with this incision, though its use in your procedure will depend on your specific wishes.
What does recovery for eyelid surgery look like?
Especially with a procedure like eyelid surgery, where individual treatments vary greatly, it’s difficult to give an exact description of what your eyelid surgery recovery will look like.
It is always best to look to your surgeon for guidance on how to best manage your post-surgery process. Typically, a surgeon will give you medication to reduce the risk of infection and to assist in the healing process, along with specific recommendations for how to care for your specific recovery.
Most people who undergo eyelid surgery report irritation, discomfort, swelling, and bruising in the days and weeks following the procedure. Thankfully, the impact of these things can be reduced with medication and additional treatments, such as using a cold compress or additional ointment.
Again, everyone’s recovery is different, but typically, there is notable bruising and swelling around the eyes until up to the third week following surgery. Many people feel comfortable returning to their everyday lives after about two weeks.
While the more obvious swelling may reduce after the first two or three weeks, your eyelids will continue to change for several months. As a result, you will not see the full impact of your surgery until around three months after the procedure has been performed.
What should I ask my plastic surgeon?
It’s important that you have a good relationship with your plastic surgeon, as you will need to work together to realize your dream look. Because of this, it’s vital that you ask the right questions before selecting a surgeon.
We’ve written a whole article about this topic as it relates to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on our blog — but you’ll find that the advice will be applicable anywhere you’re seeking eyelid surgery.
I’m Ready — What are the Next Steps?
If you’re serious about pursuing eyelid surgery in Wisconsin, or if you simply have questions, you can reach out to us via our contact page — or you can simply call or write us an email. No matter what your concerns are, we can help you achieve the look of your dreams.
Get in touch with us today!