Would you like to minimize the appearance of droopy eyelids or eliminate dark circles under your eyes? Blepharoplasty aims to achieve a younger, brighter, more open-eyed look. This surgical procedure can help you minimize the appearance of puffy upper eyelids and wrinkles on the lower eye area. At The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL, we believe that the eyes are the most expressive area of your face. They require expert cosmetic care and attention.
Are You a Good Candidate for the Procedure?
Age doesn’t matter when it comes to deciding whether you are a good candidate or not. We will primarily assess your skin condition before accepting you for the procedure. However, most candidates for blepharoplasty are over 35 years of age, as this is often the point at which the slight droop of the eyelids becomes apparent.
Eyelid surgery is an innovative, novel aesthetic procedure for those who aim to decrease the appearance of droopy eyelids and minimize the presence of eye bags. But did you know that this surgery also has a functional purpose? Some candidates have eyelids that have drooped so much that their vision has become slightly impaired. In these cases, surgery can significantly improve their daily lives.
You Are in Good Health
The best candidates for this procedure are non-smokers or those without a history of medical conditions. It would be ideal if you didn’t have any severe eye conditions that might be affected by a surgical eyelift. If you have a history of glaucoma and retinal detachment, this procedure may not be for you.
You Have Realistic Expectations
It is also important that you have realistic expectations when it comes to the results of your eyelid surgery. The procedure can help to enhance your looks, rejuvenate your eyes, and increase your confidence.
However, the surgery may not change your facial structure or give you the “perfect look” you’ve always dreamed of. Some people naturally have eyes that appear asymmetric or are not perfectly aligned. We can determine whether there’s anything else that might help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
You Want to Eliminate Excess Skin on the Upper Eyelids
Aging skin is prone to sagging and wrinkling. That’s why you’ll notice droopy eyelids more common among older people. Due to age-related droopiness in the eyelids as well as the loss of skin elasticity, you might see an extra layer or skin fold on your upper eyelids. Left on its own, it might get big enough to drape over your eyelashes.
When this happens, the presence of excess skin can interfere with your vision. You may also notice more wrinkles appearing in your eye area as excess skin collects on your lower eyelid. Unwanted bulges in your facial area may result from a droopy pair of eyelids.
Your Upper Eyelid Affects Your Eyesight
Many people have persistent vision problems, even with the help of eyeglasses or contact lenses. But did you know that some people also suffer from vision problems because of their drooping eyelids? Some people who request to undergo an eyelid procedure would have to turn their heads around just to see clearly. Through eyelid surgery, you will be able to see better once the extra skin over your eye has been eliminated.
You Have Puffy Upper Eyelids That Make You Look Less Attractive
We can look much older than we really are, thanks to fat deposits around the eye area, combined with puffiness. Circles under the eyes can also make someone’s tired face look more exhausted than usual. These undesirable features can make you look stressed and fail to make a great impression. Blepharoplasty can help you treat these aesthetic concerns by eliminating the appearance of puffy eyelids.
Do You Need to Prepare for a Blepharoplasty?
As with any plastic surgery, you’ll get the best results if you are in good health. Having a good mindset and proper expectations will also make you an ideal candidate for surgery. With the help of this procedure, the upper area of your face will look more refreshed and rejuvenated.
The best way to prepare for the procedure is to consult first with a surgeon you can trust. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please let us know during your first appointment. Those who have glaucoma or diabetes may not be good candidates for the procedure.
What Happens Before the Surgery
We will perform a series of tests to ensure that you are fit for the surgery. You can also expect us to discuss the potential outcomes of the procedure. Before the day of your surgery, we will give you special reminders to make sure everything goes smoothly. Following these instructions will also help you ensure that you are properly taking care of yourself too.
We will remind you to secure all your post-operative prescription medicines and anything else you may need for convenience. We may also take pictures of what you look like before the procedure. Later on, you can refer to these images to see how much difference the surgery has achieved.
What Techniques Are Used in Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty Tampa is an eye rejuvenation technique via the surgical lifting of the eyelid. Some people want to make the eye area more appealing, so they choose to undergo this procedure for cosmetic reasons. Surgical intervention can be the best solution for you if the use of eye creams and serums have not given you any significant results.
During the surgery, we remove excess skin from your lower lids. We work on your upper eyelids to remove any excess fatty tissue. This procedure can take years off your appearance and make you look much younger. It can also enhance your eyesight if excess eyelid skin is preventing you from fully opening your eyes.
Upper vs. Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Candidates for upper eyelid surgery who have compromised vision due to their physical traits will benefit the most. On the other hand, candidates for lower eyelid surgery aim to minimize a saggy or puffy appearance. Both types of surgery may involve the removal of excess tissue and fat. The goal is to give you a more refreshing, youthful facial appearance.
How Is Blepharoplasty Performed?
The surgery takes between one and two hours, depending on what needs to be done during the procedure. Before the procedure, you will receive anesthesia. Some candidates may choose to have local anesthesia for upper and lower eyelid surgery. General anesthesia may still be used based on your preference.
Next, we will decide where to place the incisions. The goal is to hide any scarring within the crease of your eyelid. To remove excess fat during lower eyelid surgery, we will make an incision just below the lower lash line. We will not pull any skin using this technique, and your sutures will be hidden between the lids.
Are the Results Permanent?
The procedure won’t permanently prevent eye aging. However, the results usually last for a long time. Procedures involving the upper eyelid can last five to seven years. On the other hand, surgery for the lower eyelid may be performed only once, without requiring any follow-up.
What Can You Expect After the Procedure?
The first thing you will notice when you wake up from your surgery is blurry vision. That’s nothing to worry about. It doesn’t mean that the operation was unsuccessful. To avoid dryness in the treated area, we apply a thick antibiotic ointment to the surgical site. This antibiotic should be used for one week after surgery, four times a day, on the inside of the eye.
You may use artificial tear drops to prevent your eyes from drying out. Ice packs or a cold compress may be used up to two days after the procedure. Sleeping in a sitting position would be best. You may use several pillows to reduce swelling and avoid the accumulation of fluid.
Activities You Should Avoid
Typically, we will advise you to take one or two weeks off. If you can rest for much longer, that would be ideal. Proper rest will help you resume normal activities much sooner and avoid any unnecessary stress. We also recommended that you avoid excessive screen time that can cause dry eyes. During these first weeks, excessive computer or smartphone use should be avoided.
Some restrictions should be made to ensure your well-being. Avoid running, exercising, swimming, or exercising for at least the first two weeks. You may also need to prevent movements that cause you to bend or lift, both of which can increase eye blood flow. Light stretches may be okay, but avoid putting your head under your heart and stay upright.
How To Wash Your Face After the Procedure
After a couple of days, you should be able to take a bath or a shower. However, make sure that your eyes stay dry. Be sure to use the showerhead and keep it below your face. It is best to wash your hair in the sink, ideally with someone’s help. There’s no problem if your eyes are sprinkled with small bits of water. The problem happens when the wound is exposed to moisture for extended periods.
A few days up to a week later, you may begin to wash your eye ara with soap and water gently. Avoid picking scabs because they will fall off when they’re ready. Scabs are part of the natural process of healing. Sutures are removed a week after the operation, followed by regular washing routines.
How To Maintain Your Results
After two weeks, you can start wearing light makeup and contact lenses again. By this time, you should be back to your usual self and seeing visible results from the surgery. To protect your eyes from harsh sunlight or wind, sunglasses should be worn outside. Soon, you will begin to see the results of your eyelid surgery.
Your eyes will start to look younger, rejuvenated, and refreshed. Looking in the mirror, you should see results that will boost your self-esteem and make you see the world in a different light. You’ll benefit from the procedure once you’ve completed the recovery period, which usually takes less than two months. It may seem like a long time, but keep in mind that the results of your procedure will last for several years, and in some cases, an entire lifetime!
Get Expert Care With Superior Outcomes
Eyelid surgery is a delicate procedure with results that can make or break your appearance. To make sure that you’ll get only the best, natural-looking results, it’s important to make the right decisions and discuss them with a trustworthy professional. When it comes to helping people, we only wish to make a positive difference. Contact The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL today, and schedule a Blepharoplasty Tampa FL consultation. In our practice, you can expect to receive warm, personal attention with a compassionate touch, and a committment to giving you the results you want.