Eyelid lifts are very popular as elective cosmetic surgery since the result is often the appearance of slightly larger eyes and a more youthful appearance.
An eyelid lift or blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure used to repair drooping eyelids for cosmetic or medical reasons (e.g., impaired vision). Eyelid lifts can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. The procedure is sometimes combined with other facial surgical procedures such as a brow lift or facelift to achieve specific results.
A usually performs an eyelid lift while you are awake. Local anesthesia ensures that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure. You may also ask for medication to relieve anxiety to make you as comfortable as possible. The procedure itself starts with tiny incisions in the creases and folds of the eyelid. Your plastic surgeon removes the excess skin and fatty tissue, tightens the eyelid muscles, and then stitches the incisions closed. A blepharoplasty rarely requires a hospital stay, and in fact, it is often performed in your surgeon’s office as an outpatient procedure.
While eyelid lifts in Maryland are usually considered cosmetic surgery-and plenty of people have had the procedure for cosmetic reasons-there is a legitimate medical reason for an eyelid lift: ptosis or “drooping eyelid.” This condition can result from a weakness in the muscles around the eyelids, damage to the nerves that control the eyelids, or loose skin in the upper eyelids. It can occur as part of the normal aging process or because of birth defects or injuries. Ptosis is characterized by drooping eyelids that partially obstruct a patient’s vision.
An eyelid lift will not remove the wrinkles around your eyes or eliminate sagging brows; those require other procedures. Considered minor surgery, recovery time from an eyelid lift is also reasonable: you can normally return to work in seven to ten days. Eyelid lifts are not without risks, however. Some of these risks include:
- Temporary swelling around the eyes
- Difficulty closing your eyes while sleeping, which is rarely permanent
- Double vision or blurred vision
- Uneven scarring
- Eye damage, although severe damage is very rare
As with any surgery, even minor surgery, there is always the risk of infection or internal bleeding. Most of the risks involved with having an eyelid lift are considered minor and can be attributed to the risks involved with any surgical procedure. Eyelid lifts are relatively safe, especially given the right care and skill.
In Baltimore, blepharoplasty plastic surgery is a common procedure for men and women in their 40s to their 70s, although there is no “correct” age for getting one. The only way to know if you are candidate for a blepharoplasty is to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.