Do you look in the mirror and think you look older or more tired than you are? Are you ready to look more vibrant without using invasive procedures like a facelift?
One of the more common oculoplastic procedures is called a blepharoplasty. A blepharoplasty is performed on the eyelids and is usually done for cosmetic reasons.
A blepharoplasty can rejuvenate your appearance by smoothing and tightening up the appearance of your eyelids. However, you can also undergo a blepharoplasty for medical reasons, as sagging eyelids can get in the way of your visual field, limiting your vision.
Keep reading to learn more about a blepharoplasty and if it could be right for you.
What is a Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is an oculoplastic procedure that treats sagging eyelids by tightening and smoothing their appearance. Your Traverse City ophthalmologist can perform it on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.
Where blepharoplasty is performed will depend on your desired results. Blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure usually performed on an outpatient basis.
Because it’s minimally invasive, it’s also low-risk. Recovery from blepharoplasty can be much faster than other cosmetic procedures like a facelift or brow lift.
Why Consider Having a Blepharoplasty
You may notice your skin losing its elasticity and your muscles weakening with age. These changes can affect your face subtly, and one of those ways is making the eyelids sag and droop.
Sagging lower eyelids can make you feel like you look more tired or older than you are. Sagging upper eyelids can have a similar effect.
They can also get in the way of your vision and your ability to see. Skin from sagging upper eyelids and eyelashes can also rub against the surface of the eye.
When your skin rubs against the surface of your eye, it can cause excessive tearing and irritation. Blepharoplasty is an excellent choice for many patients who want to rejuvenate their appearance or treat the side effects of sagging upper eyelids.
Because you can treat the upper and lower eyelids during the same procedure, it’s not uncommon to have blepharoplasty for both reasons. If your eyelids irritate your eyes or limit your vision, your health insurance may cover at least some of the cost of blepharoplasty.
Even if you don’t know if your eyelids are limiting your vision or causing any other issues, the expert ophthalmologists at Traverse City Eye will examine your eyes. They will document any evidence that blepharoplasty may be medically necessary.
If you have health issues from sagging eyelids, we can ensure you get the most out of your insurance coverage.
Undergoing Blepharoplasty and Recovery
You can undergo blepharoplasty with general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation. Your cosmetic surgeon can treat your upper and lower eyelids during the procedure.
However, you can also have only an upper or lower blepharoplasty. During a blepharoplasty, your cosmetic surgeon will create a small incision into the eyelid along the natural folds to hide any scarring.
They will then remove any excess fat and skin and reposition the skin to help improve the appearance of baggy or droopy eyelids. Your Traverse City Eye cosmetic surgeon will close the incision using one or two stitches to be minimally invasive. These stitches may be dissolvable.
Recovering from blepharoplasty is gradual. You will likely experience swelling and bruising for several weeks after the procedure, but this will dissipate as you heal.
Most patients are not required to have their stitches removed as they are usually dissolvable. As the swelling and bruising improve, you’ll gradually begin to see the results of your blepharoplasty procedure, with smoother and more defined eyelids.
Long-Term Results After Blepharoplasty
After healing from blepharoplasty, your eyelids will have a smoother, tighter appearance. You’ll also have an expanded visual field if sagging eyelids ever limit it and your ability to see, along with irritation.
Your rejuvenated appearance, along with healthier eyes, will also last. The results of blepharoplasty are permanent, although your skin may start sagging again years after undergoing a blepharoplasty.
However, following a good skincare routine can minimize sagging or drooping. Being diligent with your skincare routine can reduce the chances you’ll need to undergo another blepharoplasty.
Who is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is well-suited for most patients looking to tighten their eyelids and rejuvenate their appearance, improve their vision, or treat irritation due to sagging eyelids. However, health insurance will only cover some of the cost of the procedure if there is proof that it’s medically necessary to restore your vision or treat chronic eye irritation.
Undergoing blepharoplasty as a cosmetic procedure doesn’t have to be unaffordable. Thanks to our financing options for patients like the CareCredit credit card, you can pay for your blepharoplasty procedure with monthly payments that easily fit into your monthly budget.
Rejuvenating your appearance through blepharoplasty can help improve your mental health. You can feel more alert and confident about your appearance and yourself when you look more alert.
If you want treatment for sagging eyelids and are in good health, you could be a candidate for blepharoplasty. However, good candidates cannot be smokers, have conditions that interfere with the procedure, or have other issues that may make it harder to recover after undergoing a blepharoplasty.
But before you can undergo a blepharoplasty, you’ll have to schedule a consultation. A consultation is the only way to determine if the procedure is a good fit for you.
Does blepharoplasty sound like it’s for you? Schedule your consultation at Traverse City Eye in Traverse City, MI, today to learn more! It’s time to love yourself and what you see in the mirror again!