May 2021

WHAT IS EYELID SURGERY? – FACTS FOR CONSIDERING AND PLANNING

Fighting age changes and improving own appearance, as well as, treating health problems are the main reasons why so many patients choose plastic surgery all over the world. Talking about eyelid surgery - it is rather sensitive subject since good sight is an extremely valuable human health’ asset. So, all types of the surgical operations either carried on the eyes and areas around them, require an exceptionally experienced surgeon’ advice, participation and control. Eyelid surgery can sometimes be called an eye lift surgery or blepharoplasty. Currently, there are functional and cosmetic kinds of eyelid surgery. [1]

Prior to proceeding with blepharoplasty – all potential risks, cost and the outcomes must be discussed in details. No doubts on successful surgery chances to rise, when selecting such professional medical staff as Medical Travel Czech clinique in Prague. All the components of successful surgical operation would include and not limited to considered preparations, the operation stages, recovery process and so on. Experienced doctor usually evaluates every potential patient for different possibilities of surgical risk factors such as dry eye problems, thyroid eye disease, diabetes and so on. Thus, both severity and number of any health problems might eliminate anyone as a candidate for blepharoplasty procedure.

 At each stage, various pros and cons of eyelid surgery should obtain a significant attention, being discussed with the medical team chosen. 

What to Choose: Cosmetic and Functional Types of Eyelid Surgery

For functional purposes, this type of plastic surgery treats droopy eyelids. The reason is that an excess skin on the lower eyelid causes wrinkles and bulges. On the upper eyelids, an extra fold of skin can hang over the eyelashes, preventing a clear sight. Therefore, during the operation - surgeon usually removes the patient’s skin, muscle, and sometimes fat, which may be causing the area around the eyes to sag. 

In more details - eyelid surgery visibly reduces bagginess from lower eyelids and removes excess skin from the upper eyelids. Some medical conditions, which may require functional eyelid surgery, include:

As with cosmetic blepharoplasty, functional blepharoplasty is often performed by ophthalmologists and oculoplastic surgeons.

Truth be told - when it is done for different cosmetic reasons - patient can still get his/her vision improvement by providing a less obstructed field of view after surgery. Despite its cosmetic positive effect, however, eye lift surgery may not eliminate dark circles under the eyes, crow's feet, or other facial wrinkles. For those who are precisely interested in blepharoplasty for cosmetic reasons - qualified medical staff, such as in Medical Travel Czech clinique - likely will advise for realistic expectations... While cosmetic surgery dramatically improves the patient’ appearance, it’s not the ultimate tool of remaining forever young. So, all the plastic surgery procedures must be supported by healthy lifestyle.

In some cases, it can be done along with other cosmetic procedures - such as laser resurfacing, filler injections, or forehead lifts. As human skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity. And - as result - the lack of skin elasticity with the constant pull from gravity cause excessive skin to collect on the upper and lower eyelids. Removal and tightening of excessive eyelid skin grant the patient a more alert and youthful appearance. [2]

Recovery After Blepharoplasty

After eyelid surgery in Prague, the patient would have stitches in both lids, which might remain for as long as a week. For the most of cases – eye lids would be swollen and, occasionally, bruised. Some people have dry eyes after the surgery, but this condition rarely lasts longer than two weeks. It makes sense to contact the medical staff, in the case of having dry eyes longer than for two weeks.

However, depending on each unique patient’ recovery time - eyelids should look healthy, possessing a desired effect within one-two weeks after the surgical operation. Healthier patients might recover much faster with lower risks of post-surgery complications, if they didn’t smoke before and/or didn’t have any chronic illnesses prior to blepharoplasty. [3]

Length of Eyelid Surgery Effect

It is important to know that upper eyelid surgery can last - at least - five to seven years. Lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated. Of course, the patient’s eyes will still age after the surgical procedure. As well as – the eye lids can sag again, and then the forehead lift rather than another eye lift may be the preferred surgery type for gaining a desired cosmetic effect. However, depending on each patient’ health and various circumstances – blepharoplasty effect may last, as long as, up to eight years in some cases. [4]

 

 

 

Sources:

[1] National Health Society (UK): Eye Lid Surgery 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery/

[2] The WebMD Medical Team: Cosmetic Procedures – Eyelid Surgery 

https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-eyelid-surgery#1

[3] All About Vision: Blepharoplasty

https://www.allaboutvision.com/cosmetic/blepharoplasty.htm  

[4] The Health Line: Blepharoplasty 

https://www.healthline.com/health/blepharoplasty