Under-eye bags and droopy eyelids are a reality for many people, irrelevant of their age and health status. Genetic factors, weight gain and loss, overexposure to the sun, and other factors may contribute to the faster aging of your eyelids. As they increase in size, the delicate skin overlaps, creating a curtain and reducing your field of vision. Alternatively, you may also experience undesirable under-eye bags that are difficult to get rid of with nonsurgical methods.
Considering how important the face is, a number of products and miracle facial creams have emerged on the market, claiming that they can reduce the hyperpigmentation of the lower eyelid, as well as the appearance and the size of the upper eyelids. Considering that these problems are formed deeper in the tissues themselves, it is easy to conclude that a more thorough approach is needed to ensure your eyelids are rejuvenated.
If it’s the underside of the eye that concerns you more, also see my article on how to cover dark circles under the eyes. This is an easier fix than the eyelids we’ll discuss here.
What is Droopy Eyelid Surgery?
This thorough approach is droopy eyelid surgery. This procedure effectively removes excess skin and fatty tissues responsible for droopy eyelid formation. It also restores the looks and the contour of your eyelids and, in some cases, reduces discoloration and apparent darker complexion of the lower eyelid.
Do I Need a Blepharoplasty?
If you have any of these issues, you may want to consider booking an appointment with a specialist plastic surgeon. This way, you can have a thorough examination and see what you can do to reduce the appearance of droopy eyelids and under-eye bags. In addition to these, you may also need a blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, if:
- You have puffy eyes,
- Look tired in the area around your eyes,
- Have a sad, vacant expression even when you feel just fine,
- Have excess skin on the upper eyelid that impairs your vision field and impacts your ability to do daily chores and drive,
- Have discoloration on the lower eyelid,
- Have realistic expectations and clear goals that you want to achieve with eyelid surgery.
What is the Purpose of a Droopy Eyelid Surgery?
Realistic expectations are necessary with any cosmetic surgery, not just droopy eyelid surgery. You should be able to speak with your doctor and ensure that you two are on the same page with what can realistically be achieved with a blepharoplasty procedure. This should say that blepharoplasty cannot restore your eyes to the state that they were when you were young, but it can definitely improve the looks of your eyes and the area around them. You will look several years younger and have an improved field of vision, eyes that are less puffy when you wake up, and more self-confidence.
Medical Reasons for Blepharoplasty
You may decide to have blepharoplasty for medical reasons. In this case, you should pay attention to your eyelids and the level of ptosis they experience – do they lay on top of your eyelashes? Do they interfere with your field of vision? Did you have an eye infection or have droplets of sweat run into your eyes on a hot day? If this is the case, you may want to get a blepharoplasty for medical reasons. You may also decide to have blepharoplasty for cosmetic reasons.
Cosmetic Reasons for Blepharoplasty
If this is the case, you should consult a specialist plastic surgeon and see what kind of results you can get from eyelid surgery. In general, if your skin is lax and it does not look attractive even with your eyes closed, you may be a good candidate for blepharoplasty. Having realistic expectations is also important here, as it will enable you to be more satisfied with the overall results.
What Does Eyelid Surgery Include?
Eyelid surgery is a relatively simple procedure that includes the surgery of both the lower and the upper eyelid. In some cases, you may decide to only operate on one of the eyelids, either upper or lower. In some cases, you may only decide to operate on one eye to reduce asymmetry and improve the looks of your face. In any case, eyelid surgery is performed relatively quickly, with minimal scars and almost no side effects.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower blepharoplasty or lower eyelid surgery is there to remove the underlying fatty tissues that may form an under-eye bag. This kind of tissue pulls on your lower eyelid and may result in pulling the entire eyelid down, effectively removing it from your eye. To prevent this, your specialist plastic surgeon will carefully remove the fatty tissues, leaving you with a flatter lower eyelid.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty is a similar procedure, but it addresses the upper eyelid and the fatty tissue found behind it. Additionally, your surgeon may decide to remove some fatty tissue that is found behind the eyelid muscle to improve the overall aesthetic of your face and give you the appearance of having larger eyes than you really do.
Eyelid Surgery Before and After
As you can see, a well-experienced plastic surgeon will be able to operate on both the upper and the lower eyelid. In general, this surgery is performed to reduce the look of being tired and sad all the time. It also improves your vision and reduces the speed of skin getting more lax year after year. The results are a satisfied, happier look and bigger-looking eyes.
Droopy Eyelid Surgery Procedure
During the procedure, your specialist plastic surgeon will give you mild sedatives and a local anesthetic. In rare cases, or if you demand it, your surgeon can also give you total anesthesia, especially if you are uncomfortable staying half awake. Once sedated, your surgeon will make inconspicuous incisions along the eyelash line on both the lower and the upper eyelid and will proceed to remove the fatty tissues.
Once fat cells are removed, your plastic or cosmetic surgeon will proceed to remove excess skin if any can be found there. You should not feel a thing. Once the removal is finished, the incision is sutured, and you can go home for the recovery on the same day.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
When home, avoid strong sources of light and take plenty of rest. Although a relatively light procedure, you can expect a relatively quick recovery and get back to work in 10-14 days. Some swelling and discomfort, as well as blurry vision, are all normal parts of the recovery period and should start to subside within days after the eyelid surgery. The recovery is so light because the area operated on is small and the incisions short – this makes up a smaller area that your body needs to heal.
How Much Is Eyelid Surgery?
The 2020 average eyelid surgery price was $4,100, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The procedure itself is not complex, but the very area that is operated on demands impeccable skill and experience. Considering that it is done on the face as well, it is essential to ensure ideal operating conditions and the best possible surgeon.
Botched Eyelid Surgery
Trying to save on any of the above will definitely cost you more in the long run. There are backdoor clinics offering cheap procedures and false promises of quick recovery. You should avoid these scams and understand that good surgery costs. Correcting a badly done procedure costs even more and may offer marginal results, especially as once too much tissue has been excised, there is no way to restore it but wait for a few years.
Eyelid Surgery FAQs
How to Tighten Eyelid Skin without Surgery?
Tightening eyelid skin without surgery is not impossible but can offer limited results. A special type of laser, called skin tightening lasers, is used. These lasers injure the skin and make it retract, and produce more collagen than usual. However, if you have already experienced strong ptosis and skin thinning, it may be necessary to go through a full surgery.
How Much Is Eyelid Surgery?
The average cost of eyelid surgery is $4,120. This is relatively cheap for a surgical procedure, and you should not try to go sale-hunting when it comes to these matters. Safety should always be your number one priority, so you should always try to ask about your surgeon’s credentials and safety measures rather than the price.
What Is Double Eyelid Surgery?
Double eyelid surgery is blepharoplasty on both the upper and the lower eyelid. This is a commonly practiced approach to blepharoplasty. This procedure is done on patients who suffer from both upper eyelid ptosis and under-eye bags.
How to Get Insurance to Pay for Eyelid Surgery?
If you decide to have eyelid surgery for purely cosmetic reasons, you will not be able to get any coverage through your healthcare plan. However, in case the quality of your life is reduced, as in vision impairment or even the inability to drive and operate machinery that relies on your vision, you may want to consider contacting your insurance house and asking for coverage models they can provide.
How to Massage after Blepharoplasty?
When massaging your eyelids after blepharoplasty, you should use caution at all times. Apply a gentle, medical-grade lotion to the tips of your fingers. Use fingertips to spread the lotion to the eyelids as well. Use slow motion and gentle pressure to massage the eyelids in an outward direction, away from your nose. Never apply too much pressure and stop the massage if any pain appears.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Last?
The results of your blepharoplasty will easily last more than five years and beyond if you protect your eyelid skin by using good sunblock and other measures to boost your skin health. During this time, your eyelids will look younger and rejuvenated, and you will have a less-of-a-sad and vacant expression on your face.
Final Considerations
Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that removes age from the eye area of your face. It is also a procedure that will improve your vision and self-confidence and boost your face for a more rejuvenated look and youthful appearance. Although there are nonsurgical methods of tightening eyelid skin, only blepharoplasty can significantly improve your looks by removing fatty tissues behind the eyelids.