Eyelid Surgery Preparation

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a procedure that involves removing sagging and puffy eyelids to restore the youthful and beautiful appearance of the eyes. Although cosmetic eyelid surgery is widely popular, not all patients seek blepharoplasty to enhance their looks. Eyelid surgery can also help with eliminating a condition known as ptosis (severe sagging and loose skin of the eyelid) and can impair vision.

Drooping upper eyelids or under eye bags can occur as a result of aging, our genetic makeup or certain accidents. If you think eyelid surgery could be an option for you, you should start educating yourself on the surgery before going under the knife.

Dr Shahbazi is one of the best eyelid surgeons in Tehran. We asked him some frequently asked questions regarding the surgery and came up with an article on all you need to know about eyelid surgery. This article helps shed some light on blepharoplasty surgery and how to prepare for the procedure.

How is blepharoplasty performed?

Based on your expectations and requirements, the surgery could take place on your upper eyelid, lower eyelid or both. Once you are put under general anesthesia, the surgeon will make some incisions across the eyelids and removes excess skin or tissue that is causing the sagging effect. Then, he will close the incisions using sutures. The extent of removed tissue depends on the degree of sagging and your surgical goals.

Am I a good candidate for blepharoplasty?

For most people, eyelid surgery is an effective and risk-free procedure. However, there are certain things that should be put into consideration when assessing your candidacy for eyelid surgery.

If you are bothered by the displeasing look of your drooping upper eyelid or find that the condition is reducing your field of vision, you should see a specialist for eyelid surgery. Dr Shahbazi believes that patients with no medical condition who have realistic expectations about the surgery are ideal candidates for eyelid surgery. You can have your initial consultation with Dr Shahbazi on his website to have an accurate assessment of your candidacy.

How to prepare for an eyelid surgery

The first step of preparing for blepharoplasty is going through a consultation with a specialist. During the consultation, you should discuss your medical history and your expectations, including your cosmetic concerns and surgical goals. Then, the surgeon will let you know if the surgery will work well for you. Furthermore, you might need to undergo physical and vision examination as well as taking photos of your eyelids.

Once the surgery is scheduled, you should take certain measures to make sure the procedure is going to offer maximum success, including:

• Quitting smoking for at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery
• Not taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), naproxen (Naprosyn), etc. Such medications might impair the healing process after the surgery.

What else should I know before a blepharoplasty?

Now that you have set a date and time for the surgery, it is important to do your homework and learn about all there is to know about eyelid surgery. Most importantly, you should make sure you know all about the risks of the surgery and the recovery process. Here is a gist of both aspects of eyelid surgery bought to you by Dr Shahbazi.

Possible risks and complications after blepharoplasty surgery

Eyelid surgery is proved to be an effective way to repair drooping upper eyelids or lower eyelid bags. But as with other surgical procedures, there are some risks that you should learn about before going for the surgery. Although most of these complications are unlikely to occur, learning about them is crucial in order for you to make a sound decision.

• Swelling and bruises
• Eye dryness
• Eye sensitivity to the light
• Issues with eyelid movements
• Infection
• Eyelid skin numbness
• Visible scarring

Recovery after blepharoplasty

Most patients leave the hospital on the same day of the surgery. Sutures are removed about 5 to 7 days after the surgery. The initial phase of recovery, including the welling and bruising, will take about 10 to 14 days. After this period, you can resume your normal daily activities or get back to work. Some side effects like blurred vision or light sensitivity are common but let your surgeon know if they persist. To achieve the most optimal results, Dr Shahbazi recommends his patients to follow the following instructions:

• Use ice compress to decrease the swelling and bruises
• Prevent water from ruing on the incisions for about a week.
• Apply the prescribed ointments.
• Do not rub your eyes.
• Don’t wear contact lenses for at least a week after the surgery

Preparing for any type of cosmetic surgery can be as vital as recovering from it. By educating yourself about the surgery, you can reduce your pre-operation stress and ensure more optimal results. If there are more questions that you wish to ask a specialist, visit Dr Shahbazi’s website and request your free online consultation right now,