Do you have droopy eyelids? Let's talk about this surgery (Blepharoplasty)!

As we age, our appearance changes a lot, right? Sometimes when you look in the mirror, you probably think, "Oh, the skin around my eyes is sagging, there are bags under my eyes, and I look old." This is actually a common problem for many people. This sagging skin around the eyes can affect your appearance and sometimes your vision. So is there a solution to this? Yes, there is. That's what we're talking about today.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Simply put, Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on our eyelids. Like a little bit of tailoring of an old dress, it removes excess skin from the upper eyelid and reduces the appearance of bags under the lower eyelid . Some people also call it an 'eye lift'.

As we age, our skin loses its elasticity. When combined with the pull of gravity, excess skin starts to accumulate above and below the eyelids. This causes wrinkles and puffiness in the lower eyelids. Excess skin on the upper eyelid can droop and fall over the eyelids. This can sometimes interfere with vision.

Why are you having this surgery?

There are two main reasons for having this surgery.

1. Cosmetic reasons: Many people do this to make themselves look younger and reduce the appearance of aging around the eyes.

2. Improve vision: Imagine, some elderly people have their upper eyelids drooping to the point where they are closing their eyes. Then they cannot see things from the side ( peripheral vision ) properly. To look up, they have to lift their chin. This is very dangerous when driving a vehicle or walking on the road. When this surgery removes that sagging skin, their vision returns to normal.

Are you suitable for this surgery?

If you are in generally good health, over the age of 30, and have no other major eye conditions, you are likely to be a good candidate for this surgery. However, if you have any medical conditions, you should definitely discuss them with your doctor. Especially if you have any of the following:

• Eye diseases, for example, glaucoma, dry eye.
• Thyroid diseases, for example Graves ' disease.
• Circulatory system diseases like heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Diabetes.

Keep in mind that while this surgery may improve your appearance, it will not completely change your facial features. Therefore, it is important to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon about what you expect before deciding to have the surgery.

Main types of blepharoplasty surgery

There are two main types of blepharoplasty. Let's take a look at what they are.

How do you prepare before surgery?

It is essential to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. It is also best to have someone with you the night of the surgery. You will be away from work and strenuous activities for a few days, so plan for that in advance.

Things to prepare at home:

• Ice cubes or ice packs .
• Clean gauze pad.
• Ask your doctor about the eye drops you need.
• Clean cloths and towels.
• Painkillers (like Panadol). But avoid medications like Advil, Motrin, Naproxen, Aleve, and aspirin because they increase the risk of bleeding.

Be sure to talk to the doctor!

You will need to tell the surgeon in charge of your surgery your complete health history, especially any drug allergies you have, any medications you are currently taking (especially blood thinners like warfarin), and any other medical conditions.

How is the surgery done?

If both the upper and lower eyelids are being done together, the surgery can take about 2 hours. It is often done under local anesthesia and medication to make you sleepy.

The doctor usually makes incisions along the natural crease of the eyelid. This makes the scars less visible. Through these incisions, excess skin and fat are removed and closed with very small stitches. The stitches on the upper eyelid are removed in about 3-6 days. The lower eyelid may not require stitches. Sometimes, a condition called ``ptosis``, where the eyelid droops, is also corrected with this surgery.

After surgery, your eyes will be lubricated with ointment and cold compresses. It is normal for your eyes to be slightly blurry and sensitive to light during this time.

Recovery and results

After surgery, the eyelids will feel swollen and numb. There may be bruising and swelling around the eyes (like two black eyes). This may take a few weeks or a month to fully heal. However, most people are back to normal within two weeks.

The results of an upper eyelid surgery can last for 5-7 years or even a lifetime. It is very rare for a lower eyelid surgery to need to be repeated.

Follow these steps during recovery:

• On the first day, apply an ice pack for about 10 minutes per hour.
• Use the eye drops or ointments exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• When sleeping, place your pillow so that your head is higher than your chest.
• Avoid smoking completely.
• Stop lifting weights and strenuous exercise for about a week.
• Do not rub your eyes.
• Do not wear contact lenses for about two weeks.

Are there any risks to this surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some risks. Fortunately, serious risks are very rare. But it's important to be aware of them.

• Bleeding
• Infections
• Dry eyes
• Change in eye color
• Visible scars
• Difficulty closing the eyes completely (`lid lag`) - this is often temporary
• Ectropion (outward rolling of the eyelid) - This may require further surgery to correct.
• Bleeding behind the eye (retrobulbar hematoma) - This is a very rare, but urgent condition that requires immediate treatment.

Smokers and those with chronic conditions like diabetes are at higher risk of complications, so it's important to discuss this with your doctor before surgery.