What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects drooping or puffy tired-looking upper eyelids by removing excess fat and skin. Age and sun damage can cause eyelids to droop and possibly even impede vision. The surgery will correct eyelid issues by removing or repositioning fat deposits and removal of excess skin.
How much time is required for eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery usually takes less than 1 hour. You should plan to clear out the day of surgery due to preparation time and recovery time. Also, plan on needing 2 weeks of recovery time before you can return to your regular routine. Strenuous activity may require a few months of recovery time to ensure everything is healed correctly.
Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
Upper eyelid surgery may be covered by insurance if it needed to help you have a full field of vision. Dr. Rand does not work with any insurance companies for this, however, so patients cover the costs themselves. If you do have an insurable condition, coverage will be based on your insurance policy and you will need to speak with your policy managers for details. Patients may submit a claim to their insurance but there are no guarantees that they will reimburse you for the costs. Alternatively, there are doctors who do work with insurance and you might consider them if this is an issue for you.
What type of anesthesia is used during eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery requires patients to undergo at least local anesthesia with sedation. In many cases, patients need to undergo general anesthesia because they do not want injections near the eyes. We ensure that all of our patients have a board-certified physician anesthesiologist present before, during, and immediately following eyelid surgery.
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
Some of the side effects of eyelid surgery may include temporarily blurred or double vision, infection, bleeding, swelling at the corners of the eyelids, dry eyes, slight asymmetry in healing or scarring, and temporary difficulty in closing the eyes completely. Dr. Rand will discuss all the possible complications with you prior to surgery. Our professional staff is held to the highest standards of health and safety. We will work with you throughout your recovery from eyelid surgery and monitor your progress throughout to ensure that you are healing properly.
Is there anything I need to do to prepare for eyelid surgery?
As a part of preparation, we will do several medical evaluations and tests to ensure the best results. You may need to adjust your medication regimen and possibly stop taking certain medications. You will need to make sure you don’t take any anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin, as they can cause further bleeding during surgery.
Do I need help from another person?
Make sure you schedule to have someone take you to and from surgery, as well as take care of you for two days or until your vision returns largely to normal.
It may be easier for you to pre-prepare meals for after your eyelid surgery. The swelling will cause issues with your vision and attempting to cook will be difficult and dangerous for a few days. Plan to return to your normal routine in around 2 weeks. You will gradually be able to do things normally up to that point, so plan accordingly.
What can I expect during recovery from eyelid surgery?
Following surgery, your eyes will be loosely covered with gauze soaked in ice water. There will be some initial swelling and bruising. Expect to experience dry eyes and eye irritation early on. Artificial tears are very helpful for this. Any pain can usually be managed by Tylenol. Many patients are also affected by light sensitivity which will resolve during the recovery process.
When can I get back to normal?
Most patients have found that they can return to reading in 7 days and can go back to work between 10 to 14 days. Patients generally can start using contact lenses in 2 weeks or more. You can go back to participating in strenuous activities and drinking alcohol in about 3 weeks. Bruising and swelling should be gone after several weeks. Patients can expect to be completely recovered within a few months.
What is the recovery timeline?
We will provide you with a detailed timeline for your recovery as well as a recovery routine to follow to help you heal after eyelid surgery. We will also schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that everything is progressing normally and answer any questions you may have about the status of your recovery.
How long do blepharoplasty results last?
Results last several years with proper care and rarely require revision. Eyelid surgery does not halt aging, but it does bring your eyelids back to a refreshed and more youthful look. Good skin care and proper use of sun protection (sunblock, sunglasses) will help the results of your eyelid surgery last longer.
Are there eyelid surgery alternatives worth considering?
There are no alternatives that work like surgery for the upper lids. Using BOTOX in the brow area may hold off on the need for upper lid surgery by slightly elevating the brows and pulling up the eyelid skin. However, eyelid surgery is much longer-lasting and more effective at fixing drooping eyelids. Everything else is only a temporary measure that will need frequent repeat treatments.
