Benefits and Risks of Performing Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara is a relatively mild surgery performed with lasers and other high-tech devices that require minimal trauma to the patient’s body. This minimally invasive procedure is mostly performed to improve certain functional or aesthetic abnormalities of the eyelids. It is interesting to know that this type of procedure offers some great benefits to any eligible patient.
Nevertheless, it is important to weigh the inherent side effects and risks before making a final decision on performing the procedure. While blepharoplasty is mostly associated with temporal side effects, it is, however, crucial to consider permanent impairment as a realistic concern.
Functional benefits
When it comes to improving a patient’s vision, there are several functional benefits that can be accrued from eyelid surgery. Just so you know, blepharoplasty does not only help to effectively restore obscured vision that might have been due to droopy, sagging eyelids but also enhances facial aesthetics.
While most cosmetic procedures are known to be elective in nature, they are not usually covered by insurance providers. However, it is good to know that most insurance providers will typically want to cover eyelid surgery as a non-elective procedure simply because it can be performed to restore vision. In a bid to effectively determine the extent your peripheral vision is inhibited by the excess skin, your surgeon may request to perform a visual field test. This is mainly aimed at establishing the actual range of vision.
Aesthetic benefits
There are many aesthetic benefits to achieve with eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara. Improving the overall appearance of the eyes is basically the most obvious aesthetic benefit. When the upper eyelids of the eyes are obscured by excess skin, performing an eyelid surgery to get rid of the tissue may become necessary. Interestingly, blepharoplasty can also be recommended for a patient with a tired look. The procedure which can be used to correct fine lines and wrines and remove excess skin around the lower eyelids can also be used to correct puffiness in the upper eyelids thereby getting rid of tired eyes.
With eyelid surgery, your surgeon can effectively correct that droopiness that exposes the white portion of the eye beneath the iris and even remove those bags that sometimes appear beneath the eyes. As part of its aesthetic benefits, having eyelid surgery cannot only make you look better but also help you feel better about yourself. This form of surgery is usually performed to correct some flaws or defects that affect the way patients feel about their appearance. While boosting your confidence in your appearance, having a successful eyelid surgery can make you wear a smarter and even younger look.
Does Blepharoplasty Have Any Side Effects?
Like most surgeries, blepharoplasty does not occur without causing a secondary medical effect. Following the procedure, there are some common side effects patients can experience. These side effects which are usually known to be short in duration aren’t usually detrimental as they can be effectively treated. In case of any scarring, or swelling, treatments are available to calm things down. Here are some helpful ways to handle post-operative pain.
Scarring
There is every possibility to experience scarring after observing a blepharoplasty procedure. The amount of scarring and subsequent treatment can be effectively determined by a skilled facial plastic surgeon. However, it is good to know that scarring can be well-managed at the barest minimum when a highly skilled surgeon is involved. While it is expected to experience some degree of scarring after a blepharoplasty procedure has been performed, most scars won’t last as they tend to fade away with time.
Some patients believe that scarring can be reduced to a minimum when vitamin E or Aloe Vera is applied after the sutures are removed. However, it is highly recommended to apply these creams with relative caution so as to avoid inflicting damage to the wounds.
Swelling
It is normal to experience swelling around the incision areas following a successful eyelid surgery. But you can effectively minimize this side effect by applying iced eye pads or cold compresses. It is very important to do this with caution to avoid rupturing the incisions. Another natural way of minimizing swelling is by keeping the head in an elevated position for as long as possible. Most times, a patient can experience blurry vision for several days when a swelling occurs after the procedure.
Extreme swelling can be drastically minimized or even prevented when strenuous activities that are capable of increasing blood flow to the eyes such as excessive blinking are avoided. Placing ice compresses over the eyes can effectively help to keep it to a minimum.
Pain
There is usually a relative amount of pain that accompanies blepharoplasty, despite it being a minimally invasive procedure. However, the severity of the pain experienced depends largely on the health of the patient and the skill of the operating surgeon. As the anesthesia wears off, the patient’s eyelids will begin to feel sore and tight few moments after the surgery. Don’t hesitate to consult your physician if you feel so uncomfortable with the pain associated with the post-operative recovery phase. Basically, your doctor will prescribe medication to alleviate the discomfort and lessen the intensity of the pain. This pain with is usually uncomfortable as described by some patients is not always extreme and can even be compared to that of a windburn or sunburn.
Are there any potential complications?
Like with most surgeries, there are some potential complications that could be experienced following eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara. Ranging from retinal detachment and hematoma to ectropion and infection, these complications do vary in severity. Typically, the likelihood of experiencing serious complications from the procedure can be influenced by the individual response of the patient to the eyelid surgery, as well as the surgeon’s skill.
Other complications that can be experienced from eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara include blurred or double vision, difficulty keeping eyes closed when sleeping, burning of the eyes, adverse reaction to anesthesia, excessive tearing, and scarring. The best way to avoid these complications or risks is by ensuring full cooperation with your surgeon. Along with your willingness to cooperate, a qualified surgeon can help you manage your condition and effectively mitigate the risk.
What are the results like?
While bringing about an overall change in appearance, blepharoplasty results are mostly known to be aesthetically pleasing. However, it is important to note that these outcomes can vary from patient to patient. A successful eyelid surgery can leave you with a vibrant and much younger look. While this surgery can bring about some dramatic and pleasing results, there is also a possibility for your overall satisfaction to be impacted by certain complications. Nevertheless, it is good to know that they can be corrected with minor additional surgery or simple treatments. In most cases, these problems even get to go on their own.
What You Need To Know About Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Recovery
Just like every other surgery, Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery in Santa Barbara requires downtime for recovery. It is important that you learn as much as you can about what is involved in recovery after eyelid surgery. This piece is your complete guide to recovery after eyelid surgery. It includes tips on how to care for yourself after you’ve had eyelid surgery.
What You Should Expect
You can have eyelid surgery and sleep in the hospital overnight, or you can go back home the same day. Whether or not you stay will depend on the doctor’s observation. Just after the surgery, you should expect to see swelling, redness and incision areas. You might also experience excessive tearing for some time after the surgery. The surgeon will give you an ointment that can be applied to the area. You may experience a temporary vision blur when you use such an ointment, so you don’t need to worry yourself. Even without using the ointment, you should not be surprised when you experience blurred vision as this is a common side effect of surgery. You might also experience some sensitivity to light after eyelid surgery.
How To Care For Your Eyes After Eyelid Surgery?
Following the surgery, you will experience tightness and soreness in your eyelids. This can be treated with analgesics. Your doctor will recommend that you apply an ointment to keep the incision areas lubricated. You can also place cold compresses on the area to help reduce the swelling. Your surgeon will give you eye drops that will help keep your eyes from drying out. Within the first week after the procedure, you are advised to avoid activities that can make your eyes dry. Things like reading, wearing contacts, watching television and using a computer should be avoided as they can make your eyes dry. You can minimize the swelling and bruise by elevating your head as much as possible during the first few days after the surgery. You will meet your doctor two weeks after the surgery for the removal of the stitches. Ten days after the surgery, you may feel well enough to resume work and other activities after ten days. You are advised to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from irritation for a few weeks after the surgery. Your eyes may tire easily weeks after the surgery. You should take frequent naps during the day to help you cope.
How Many Weeks Do You Need To Recover?
The recovery period is usually many weeks after the surgery. The stitches will be removed within a week after the surgery, and you are advised to rest your eyes a lot during this period. The swelling and redness that occurs after eyelid surgery shouldn’t be cause for concern. It will fade off eventually. Anything that will increase the flow of blood to the eyelids should be avoided. If your recovery takes longer than ten days, don’t feel depressed. It takes more time for some people to heal completely after the surgery. You’ll notice a welcome change in your appearance after a few weeks. Your eyes will look younger, and you’ll look more alert. The lift you’ll receive will remind you of why you decided to carry out the procedure in the first place. Your face will look younger and fresher after the swelling has
Dr. Sheffield is a prominent Santa Barbara plastic surgeon who’s goal of eyelid surgery is to provide a more youthful appearance with refreshed eyes which translates into a positive healthy image and improved self-esteem. Dr. Sheffield’s practice today is focused on eyelid surgery and minimally invasive and non-surgical methods of facial rejuvenation. The options seem endless, but the idea is to understand the patient’s goals and offer the patient a reasonable treatment plan which would meet or exceed their expectations.
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