Eyelid Surgery Results

Though eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) results vary from patient to patient, most are pleased with the overall change in their appearance. For many, the procedure is about looking younger and more alert. For others, eyelid surgery is a welcome option for restoring vision that has become obscured. Below you can read about typical results you can expect following eyelid surgery, both in the short term and long term.

How Will I Look after Surgery?

We hope for complete success in any surgical procedure. However, we must always be realistic in anticipating the results. Though eyelid surgery may provide dramatic and pleasing results to the many that undergo the procedure, it does present the possibility for certain complications that could affect your overall satisfaction. In many instances, these can be corrected with simple treatments or minor additional surgery. But often, they correct themselves, in time, leaving the patient with a younger, more vibrant appearance.

Immediately following eyelid surgery, the incision sites will look red and irritated and there may be some minor bumpiness. The scarring from the blepharoplasty procedure should flatten in time and become inconspicuous. There will be some swelling and discoloration around your eyes during the eyelid surgery recovery process, but this will fade as you begin to look and feel better with each day. The severity of bruising and swelling differs from person to person; however, it typically goes away within a week or two.

Following this period of recovery, your eyelid surgery should yield some pleasing results. The wrinkles and heaviness of your eyelids will be eliminated or reduced by the blepharoplasty procedure. Eyes that had once looked aged and tired will appear brighter and more alert.

Will There Be Scarring from Blepharoplasty?

Though surgeons typically make incisions in the folds of the eyelids to hide any potential scarring, the appearance of some scarring from blepharoplasty is possible. As with most post-surgical complications of eyelid surgery, it can be treated by an additional revision surgery. Some patients believe that applying aloe vera or vitamin E can help in reducing the appearance of scar tissue. It is recommended that you avoid rubbing the area for approximately six weeks to avoid damaging the tender new tissue. Other patients choose to conceal any apparent scarring from blepharoplasty by applying makeup. Despite the scarring, many patients find eyelid surgery to be worth the price.

Long-Term Blepharoplasty Results

The results of eyelid surgery generally last for years. For some, the positive effects of their blepharoplasty procedure are permanent, allowing them to enjoy a lifetime of youthful-looking eyes.

It should be noted that while fat taken from the eyelids during blepharoplsty is removed permanently, as the aging process continues, the wrinkling and looseness that was seen in the skin prior to surgery may return. A brow lift performed in conjunction with blepharoplasty can reduce the likelihood of this occurring.

Most patients are pleased with their eyelid surgery results and the youthful enhancement that blepharoplasty can provide. After having the opportunity to see what eyelid surgery alone can do for their appearance, many individuals wish to complement these changes with other procedures, including the brow lift and facelift.

Visit the DocShop gallery to view more eyelid surgery before and after photos.

Photo credit: Vincent R. DiGregorio, MD

Aesthetic Eyelid Surgery Benefits

Eyelid surgery has many benefits, the most obvious being an improvement in the overall appearance of the eyes. Eyelid surgery can be performed to remove excess skin that obscures the natural fold in the upper eyelids. It can also correct puffiness in the upper eyelids that cause the eyes to appear tired. For the lower eyelids, blepharoplasty can remove excess skin and correct fine wrinkles and lines. The bags that sometimes appear beneath the eyes can be removed, and the droopiness that sometimes occurs revealing the white portion of the eye beneath the iris can be corrected.

Another benefit of aesthetic eyelid surgery is the way the results make you feel about yourself and the way you look. Eyelid surgery is often performed to correct some perceived imperfection that impacts the way an individual feels about his or her appearance. A successful eyelid surgery can make your eyes look younger and more alert while providing you with enhanced self-esteem and confidence in your appearance.

Functional Eyelid Surgery Benefits

Eyelid surgery has various functional benefits that result in the improvement of one’s vision. While the removal of excess skin can have aesthetic benefits, it can also restore peripheral vision that has been obscured by droopy, sagging eyelids.

Many purely cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance providers because they are elective in nature. Since blepharoplasty can be performed to restore vision, many, if not most, insurance providers will typically cover the surgery as a non-elective procedure. A visual field test may be necessary to determine to what degree the excess skin inhibits peripheral vision and to establish the true range of vision, but your surgeon can assist you with this process.

Find a Cosmetic Eye Surgeon in Your Area

A surgeon is the best resource to tell you what to expect following eyelid surgery. The best results from your blepharoplasty procedure will be obtained by utilizing the skills of an experienced, qualified surgeon, and the DocShop directory can help you locate one near you. Contact a facial plastic surgeon in your area and learn more about eyelid surgery and the results you can hope to achieve.