An eyelid lift, sometimes referred to as blepharoplasty, is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures. It is safe, effective, and provides long-lasting results. At New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Weymouth, MA, we are proud to offer this anti-aging solution. We understand that the eye area is often the first to show the signs of aging, and it can affect self-confidence. Keep reading to find out if this procedure is appropriate for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for an Eyelid Lift?
Someone Who Is Healthy
To qualify for cosmetic surgery, you should be in good general health. Recovering from an illness requires a lot of energy, and recovering from surgery requires a lot of energy. If you’re sick, hold off on considering blepharoplasty until you are feeling better. Also, keep in mind that certain chronic medical conditions may preclude you from qualifying for this procedure. For example, you may be a poor fit for this popular cosmetic surgery if you suffer from:
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
- Cancer
- Heart disease
Someone Who Can Follow All Preparation Instructions
To be considered a good eyelid lift candidate, it is vital that you can and will follow all preparation instructions. Not smoking is one of the most important preparation instructions you must be willing and able to adhere to. In the days leading up to your procedure, you must not consume any form of nicotine to help ensure your blood pressure is not too high on the day of your operation. This means you must avoid:
- Smoking cigarettes
- Smoking cigars
- Smoking cigarillos
- Vaping e-cigarettes
- Chewing nicotine gum
- Chewing tobacco
- Wearing nicotine patches
Another important thing you need to avoid before your procedure is alcohol consumption. Like nicotine, alcohol affects your blood pressure, and it is vital to have normal blood pressure when you come in for your surgery. It is also vital that your skin is not irritated when you come in for your procedure. Make sure you minimize your exposure to direct sunlight as much as possible, wear at least SPF 30, and avoid the sun when it is strongest.
Someone Who Can Follow All Post-Op Care Guidelines
It is important you can follow all preparation guidelines to ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible. During your initial consultation, we will review all of the instructions you must follow. If you have any doubts about whether you can follow certain instructions, that must be discussed before a final determination can be made on if eyelid surgery is safe for you. It is equally as important that you can follow all post-op care guidelines.
One of the most important things you need to do after your eyelid surgery is to avoid putting too much pressure on the incision sites. Therefore, you must be prepared to sleep on your back with your head elevated for a period of time. It is also very important that you do not consume alcohol or tobacco products for several days post-op. This will help to ensure your recovery goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Someone With Sagging Upper Eyelids
If you have upper eyelid sagging, you’re not alone. The upper eyelid is often the first place to reveal the signs of aging because the upper eyelid skin is so thin. Furthermore, it is often subject to years of sun exposure, and sun damage weakens the collagen responsible for keeping the skin smooth and tight. Sagging upper eyelids is a strong sign that you will be a good candidate for upper blepharoplasty, especially if your vision is affected.
Someone With Sagging Lower Eyelids
While your lower eyelid skin is a little thicker than your upper eyelid skin, your lower eyelids are also very susceptible to the effects of the aging process. If your lower eyelids are sagging, there is a strong possibility that you will be considered a good fit for lower blepharoplasty. There is also a strong possibility that you will be a good lower blepharoplasty candidate if you have permanent bags under your eyes due to deposits of excess fat.
Someone With Realistic Expectations About the Results
To be a good fit for eyelid rejuvenation, it is also important that you have realistic expectations about the results. You should understand that you can generally expect upper blepharoplasty results to last for 10 to 15 years depending on your age and lifestyle.
You should also understand that you will never need a follow-up procedure if you get lower blepharoplasty to eliminate the bags under your eyes. There is a chance that your lower eyelids will sag again in the future. However, you can extend your skin tightening results with a healthy lifestyle.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
A good eyelid lift candidate is in good general health, can follow preparation and post-op care guidelines, and has realistic expectations about the results. If you think your self-confidence would improve if you rejuvenated your upper eye area, lower eye area, or both your upper and lower eye area, blepharoplasty may be right for you. To find out for sure, schedule an appointment at New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Weymouth, MA now.