Is Eyelid Surgery Painful?
Considering surgery for your eyes, whether it’s for medical or cosmetic reasons, can be really intimidating. Eyelid surgery, also known as blethoroplasty, can result in big improvements in your eye area. It is important to make sure you are working with a specialist who fully understands the eyes themselves as well as the skin around them. Your eyes are very precious and you should have a certain level of concern whenever having any procedures near them.
It is important to educate yourself so that you feel confident going into an eyelid lift. We aim to keep you informed and go over all your options to help you feel prepared well in advanced. Let’s go over what is involved in an eyelid surgery to accomplish an eyelid lift.
What is eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty, commonly known as an eyelid lift, is a cosmetic procedure that removes loose, sagging skin, fat, and muscle from around the eye area. Perich Aesthetics specializes in both upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty designed to meet the aesthetic goals of our clients and prevent vision problems that can be caused by excess tissue.
Eyelid lift surgery can achieve long-lasting, aesthetic, and functional improvements. Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, to minimize under eye bags and remove excess tissue in the upper and lower eyelid.
Anyone who is bothered by the appearance of the tissue around the eyelids and/or experiences blocked peripheral vision because of this tissue may want to consider blepharoplasty to address these issues. Often, clients who have this procedure find that they have a more awake, youthful appearance.
What is the process for eyelid surgery?
The process starts with a physical exam and vision exam to ensure you are an appropriate candidate for surgery. Your surgeon will also take pictures of your eyelids from all angles to help plan the surgery based on your desired results. Once we have determined that a blepharoplasty is right for you, a few dates will be scheduled. The pre-op, the surgery itself, and a post-op will all need to get on the books to ensure the best possible outcome for you.
Why do you need a pre-op for eyelid surgery? This appointment is key to ensuring that you are physically ready and able for the surgery but also to go over everything you need to know to be best prepared and successful in achieving the results you are looking for.
Getting a post-op check up allows the doctor who performed the eyelid lift, the chance to make sure everything is healing correctly. We typically will remove your stitches within six to fourteen days following your eyelid surgery. There are a few different eyelid surgeries we can preform, therefore the time needing to pass before you come in for your post-op check up will vary.
What happens during an eyelid surgery?
On the day of the procedure, the surgeon will numb the eyelid area and may provide medication to ease any anxiety associated with the surgery. Then, he or she will make tiny incisions along the eyelids, remove excess tissue as detailed in the surgical plan, and close the incision with sutures.
Is eyelid surgery painful?
As stated above, with the numbing of the area to be worked on, there tends to be no pain. Additionally, anesthesia is commonly used to help keep the patient relaxed and pain free. Due to the intricate nature of a blethoroplasty, this use of anesthesia also ensure the ultimate safety for your actual eyes. If you are someone who tends to flinch a lot at your regular eye exams, this is most likely your best choice.
During your recovery of eyelid surgery, you may experience some pain at the surgical site, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or dry, irritated eyes, but these problems typically resolve within a few days of surgery. Within 10 to 14 days, bruising and swelling will clear up, and you will be able to see the final results.
Closely following post-care instructions can help facilitate a healthy recovery. Control discomfort and swelling by applying an ice pack to the eyes for 10 minutes every hour. Avoid heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and similar activities for at least a week from surgery, and refrain from smoking during that time. If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for at least two weeks.
Although this is an outpatient procedure, you should plan to have someone drive you home afterward and stay with you overnight.
Immediately After Eyelid Surgery:
Do Not Drive! Make sure you have someone to give you a ride home. There can be bruising and swelling in your eye area, unsurprisingly, and this can impede your vision. You may feel like you are ok to see and drive, however you might not realize your peripheral vision is impeded making driving more dangerous as you may not see someone or something else on the road.
The effects of your anesthesia could last longer than you realize! Some people will feel groggy up to 24 hours after and the medication can last in your up to a week. It is important to make sure you drink plenty of liquids- preferably water, after your eyelid surgery to help the medicine work its way through your body and to help you heal as quickly as possible.
Immediately following your surgery, there will be a slight noticeable swelling which will increase on day two following your operation. 48 hours following your surgery is when this swelling will reach its peak. After 48 hours, swelling should start to decrease. Applying cool packs will help to decrease swelling. We will review this with you at one of your surgical appointments.
Bring sunglasses with you to wear afterwards. The bright Florida sunshine can make you squint any time you go out in it. After your eyelid surgery, it is important to protect your eyes and the surgery area itself. Wearing sunglasses can help you feel more comfortable when you do step outside. Not feeling the instant urge to squint hard and potentially agitate your eyes or the skin that has just been worked on is important. Oversized sunglasses can be more comfortable to reduce the amount of sun coming in as well. This will also offer the benefit of keeping any swelling or bruising out of sight to others.
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
If you are frustrated with loose, sagging skin, fat, and muscle from around the eye area you could be a good candidate for an eyelid lift. This could be above your eye or directly below you eye, both areas are under the category of blethoroplasty.
When you come in for your pre-op assessment for your blepharoplasty, we go over many of the standard things you are used to at any medical appointment. We will check your blood pressure and pulse, listen to your lungs and heart, and go over your medical history. We will want to know all medications you are currently, so please be sure to bring an updated list- or the actual bottles if you forgot to do so in advanced and are running out the door! Your lifestyle habits- drinking, smoking, diet, etc. will all be discussed as well.
All of this is to help determine your health’s current state to ensure you are medically able to have the surgery conducted. In addition, we will then be able to go over exactly what you will need to do in advance of the eyelid surgery. Being in good health is always the ideal and should be strived for daily with healthy eating of a variety of things, staying hydrated, and moving your body regularly.
If you’re ready to learn more about the eyelid lift procedure, get in touch with the team at Perich Aesthetics today. Our surgeons have been serving clients in the Tampa Bay area since 1991.