Droopy eyelids is a cosmetic concern for many. And to manage this condition most people go for a surgical procedure called blepharoplasty. This article speaks of the blepharoplasty recovery, and what can be expected from the surgery.
With age, the skin starts losing elasticity and begins to wear all kinds of aging symptoms; common being wrinkles, fine less, sagging eyebrows, droopy eyelids, eye bags, etc. And one of the treatment procedures for dealing with drooping eyelids is a surgery which is known as blepharoplasty. In this procedure, the excess skin, muscle and fat are gotten rid of, thus repairing the droopy eyelids. The surgery is usually an outpatient affair, and being clear about the expectations helps in deciding whether the process is right for you.
Risks Involved In Blepharoplasty
Any kind of surgery carries risks or complications of some kind or the other. Some risks may be mild, while some minor. The most common side effect of this procedure is infection, and certain reactions which occur as a result of anesthesia.
These may be accompanied by a few other types of complications, which include:
- Dry eyes, accompanied by irritation.
- Abnormal changes in the vision, like double vision (the side effect is temporary).
- The function of the eyelid may get disrupted.
- If the surgery causes bleeding behind the eye, then there is a minute risks of blindness.
- Scarring is also common.
What to Expect from Blepharoplasty?
One of the essential aspects of blepharoplasty recovery is to be well-versed with what the patient expects out of the procedure. Before the surgery begins, the surgeon injects anesthesia into the eyelids, and to help the patient stay in a relaxed state, intravenous (IV) medication is administered. The surgeon begins working on the upper lid first. An incision is made, and from here, excess fat, muscle and skin are removed. Then the incision is stitched, which is why a scar forms; the scar is not conspicuous to the eye though. The same follows for the lower lid.
How Long Does It Take To Recover from Blepharoplasty?
The whole procedure takes nothing more than two hours, depending upon the individual case. Thereafter, the patient is advised to be in a recovery room, where nurses and attendants keep a watch for any sort of complications. The same day itself, the patient can be done with the discharge formalities and return home.
Blepharoplasty can cause the eyes to go dry. In order to prevent this, the patient would be given a lubricating ointment. Apart from the side effects mentioned above, the patient might also experience excessive tearing, and light sensitivity. Also, it is natural for the operated area to become red, numb and puffy. The patient would be recommend to make use of ice packs or cold compresses to reduce swelling, which may be a sheer uncomfortable feeling for the patient.
To deal with pain, pain killers are also included in blepharoplasty aftercare. Aspirin, ibuprofen, NSAIDs and herbal supplements must be strictly avoided. That is why, it is safe to consult a surgeon first, before going for any arbitrary pain killers. Within a week’s time, stitches are usually removed.
For faster recovery from blepharoplasty, there are some measures which must be followed by patients at home. They include avoiding activities like swimming, aerobics, jogging, and lifting objects heavier than 20 pounds. It is a good idea to sleep with the head raised at a level higher than that of the heart. All kinds of strenuous activities must be abstained from. And more important is to follow the doctor’s guidance for keeping the eyes clean. It is also advisable to seek medical help right away if any kind of abnormal symptoms occur during the recovery period.
As seen in most cases, the blepharoplasty recovery period may extend up to several weeks. This time also depends upon the degree of care and types of self-care measures taken by the patient, during the recovery. Due to obvious reasons, if the patient neglects the need to follow what the doctors recommend, the recovery time will go on getting stretched. Moreover, this might also increase the risk of complications. In short, the more responsible the patient remains in the after care, the faster would be the recovery. Take care!
