When considering facial plastic surgery, people often think of rhinoplasty, lip fillers, or BOTOX. But a lesser-known yet still popular procedure is eyelid surgery. Even relatively small changes to the eyelid area can help you achieve a youthful look by tackling one of your most prominent features. Below, we share some insights on eyelid surgery and why you may want to consider getting it done.

Understanding the process

Have you ever noticed anything odd about your eyelids? Some of the most common problems individuals notice are:

  • Constantly looking tired or fatigued
  • Heavy, droopy lids
  • Presence of under-eye bags or puffiness on your eyelids
  • Excessively wrinkled skin around eyes

If these characteristics are present in your eye area, you may want to consider eyelid surgery. Formally referred to as blepharoplasty, this is an operation to tighten the skin and soft tissues of your eyelids. As we get older, our skin becomes less elastic. To reestablish smoothness and create a more youthful look, we have to restore elasticity to eyelid tissue.

Our eyelids are home to the thinnest, most delicate skin on our bodies. This is why droopy eyelids can not only make you look older than you are, but cause sagging, a tired, sad, or even angry appearance. This results in an overall diminished natural glow. If this is something you’ve noticed about yourself, getting a blepharoplasty might be the way to go.

Become familiar with side effects and recovery

Before scheduling a surgery, you should be aware of the recovery process and possible complications that might arise.

Some commonly experienced symptoms post-procedure for blepharoplasty are:

  • Watering eyes for a couple of days
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Swelling and bruising that might cause black eyes
  • Blurred vision caused by the lubricating ointment used during the procedure
  • Puffy and numb eyelids

To properly recover and help your eyelid area heal faster, we recommend the use of ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery. The next day, you’ll follow the same process four to five times throughout the day. Patients should also use the recommended eyedrops or ointments prescribed by their surgeon. Finally, avoid any heavy physical activities or touching your eyes to prevent irritation of the area.

If you can’t miss work or don’t have enough time for recovery, consider scheduling the procedure during a vacation or paid time off. Your surgeon may provide other directions depending on how the surgery goes and what your medical record looks like.

Determine why you’re a good candidate

The best candidates for an eyelid procedure are individuals who are healthy and have a clear idea of what their cosmetic goals are. Typically, patients who request blepharoplasty are older than 35, which is usually about the time when eyelids begin to droop. But if this is a condition that runs in your family, you might become a candidate even sooner. However, if you have any eye allergies or excessively teary eyes, this might not be the best procedure since it can trigger even worse symptoms.

It is important for you to discuss the blepharoplasty process, procedure alternatives, and cosmetic goals with your surgeon before making any decisions. Overall however, blepharoplasty can help boost your confidence in your appearance without heavily altering your facial structure.

Find a surgeon you can trust

Beginning your journey in facial plastic surgery can be intimidating when you don’t know where to start. At Stallworth Facial Plastics, you can rest east knowing you’ll receive professional guidance, answers to questions, and a successful procedure that meets your alteration goals. If you are interested in getting eyelid rejuvenation in San Antonio, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stallworth today!