Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that involves tightening the muscles to reshape the eyelids. It can be an excellent choice if you're unhappy with excess or drooping skin around your eyes and wish to refresh your look. If you're considering eyelid surgery, you may be curious about the procedure's duration and how long the results last. To address this question, let's explore the various kinds of eyelid surgery.
What are the types of eyelid surgery?
There are two types of eyelid surgery- upper eyelid and lower eyelid surgery.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that removes extra skin and fat from the upper eyelid to improve the appearance of the eyes. The goal is to make the eyes look more alert and youthful.
Procedure time: The duration of upper eyelid surgery may vary depending on the specific case and the surgeon performing it. However, the procedure generally takes around 1-2 hours to finish.
What to expect: Upper eyelid surgery is often done on an outpatient basis and is generally considered a safe procedure. In the surgery, the surgeon will cut the upper eyelids' natural creases to remove any extra skin and fat. The cuts are then stitched up.
Recovery: The time it takes to recover from upper eyelid surgery differs from person to person. However, most individuals can expect to resume their normal activities, including work, within one to two weeks following the procedure.
After the procedure: Patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the eyes. The surgeon may suggest using cold compresses and taking pain medication to ease these symptoms. Stitches are typically taken out after three to five days, and patients may be advised to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for a few weeks to allow the eyes to heal properly. It's also essential to refrain from rubbing the eyes or wearing contact lenses during recovery.
Duration of Results: After surgery, you may notice some changes immediately, but it may take a few weeks for the full results to show. This is because swelling and bruising need time to go down. However, most patients can expect the results of their upper eyelid surgery to last around 5 to 7 years.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin, fat, and muscle from the lower eyelids. This procedure helps improve the eyes' appearance by reducing puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles around the lower eyelids.
Procedure time: The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours to complete. Patients are usually able to go home the same day.
What to expect: Lower eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon will cut either on the inner part of the lower eyelid or just beneath the lash line. They will then remove any extra skin, fat, and muscle and close the cuts using sutures.
Recovery: Recovery time for lower eyelid surgery is comparable to that of upper eyelid surgery. Most patients can return to their daily routine within 1-2 weeks.
After the procedure: Patients may experience discomfort, swelling, and bruising around the eyes. The surgeon may recommend using cold compresses and pain medication to alleviate these symptoms. Patients should avoid rubbing their eyes and wearing contact lenses for a few weeks after the operation.
Duration of Results: Although the surgery's outcome is usually immediately visible, the full results may take a few weeks to appear as swelling and bruising subside. However, patients who have their lower lids treated rarely need their results touched up. Meaning that the results can last a lifetime.
Your eyelids are in good hands at AdmireMD
AdmireMD offers eyelid surgery to give your upper and lower eyelids a refreshed and rejuvenated look. This procedure involves tightening muscles and tissue and removing excess fat and skin to achieve a youthful and fresh appearance. The surgery, whether on the upper eyelid or lower eyelid, typically takes 1 to 2 hours, and the results can last several years or even a lifetime. Trust in Dr. Anthony Admire at AdmireMD to help you look great without appearing overdone.