Eyelid surgery, sometimes referred to as blepharoplasty, is the second-most popular cosmetic procedure in the country. Every year, this procedure is performed on hundreds of thousands of adults who are concerned about the appearance of their upper or lower eyelids. At Aesthetic Surgical Arts/Mia Bella Donna Medspa in Overland Park, KS, we are proud to offer both upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty to people in the Kansas City area.
What Is the Best Age To Get Eyelid Surgery?
Most people in the Kansas City area don’t consider getting eyelid surgery until they are at least in their mid-30s. This is because when we’re younger, our skin produces plenty of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid to keep itself looking young and healthy. However, starting around the mid-20s, the production rate of these substances starts to wane.
However, it is not uncommon for people in their 20s to seek this procedure. There are several factors besides the natural aging process that can cause sagging eyelids, excess eyelid skin, excess fat in the lower eye area, and other cosmetic concerns in the eye area. For instance, UV damage impedes your skin’s ability to produce collagen and damages the collagen already supporting the foundational layer of your skin. Other factors that prematurely age the skin include:
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Stress
- A poor diet
Other Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Can I Be Too Old for Surgery?
This procedure is indicated for the removal of excess eyelid skin in individuals who are at least 18 years of age. There is no upper limit precluding people from qualifying for surgery. However, it is important to understand that you must be relatively healthy to be considered a good fit for surgery. Since health tends to decline with age, you should strongly consider getting this anti-aging procedure before you turn 66.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
If you are at least 18 years old and feel like your upper or lower eyelids make you look older than you are, there is a good chance you will qualify for upper or lower blepharoplasty. However, you need to attend an initial consultation with a cosmetic expert to verify your candidacy for surgery. Several factors must be considered before a final determination can be made.
One of the most important factors that must be evaluated is your cosmetic goals. If you have excess upper or lower eyelid skin, this procedure can address your concerns effectively. Additionally, this procedure will be effective for you if you have excess fat deposits under your eyes, permanent bags, sagging eyebrows, and droopy upper eyelids.
Who Won’t Qualify for This Procedure?
This procedure is not indicated for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, this procedure will not be considered safe for individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions, like hypertension, untreated diabetes, or cancer. During your initial consultation, we will discuss your health history thoroughly to ensure that surgery will be both effective and safe for you.
What Will I Need To Do To Prepare for Surgery?
Attending an initial consultation to verify your candidacy for eyelid surgery is the most important preparation step you must take. Another vital preparation step is to ensure that you are healthy at the time of your procedure. Acute illnesses and skin irritation will preclude you from surgery temporarily. Additionally, you need to make sure that you are hydrated and well-nourished when you come in for your blepharoplasty.
How Long Will My Procedure Take?
If you are improving the appearance of both your upper and lower eyelids, you can generally expect your procedure to take an hour or two to complete. If you have other cosmetic concerns, like the contours of your cheeks, your procedure will take a bit longer. Additionally, you should expect your procedure to take a bit longer if you need the fat under your eyes repositioned in addition to improving the appearance of your skin.
Will I Be Able To Go Home After Surgery?
Yes, blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure. However, you won’t be able to go home as soon as your procedure is over. Rather, you will be observed for a while to ensure the medication administered prior to surgery has worn off and your vitals are good. Once we are confident that you are sufficiently alert, we will review your aftercare guidelines to help make sure your recovery goes smoothly.
What Can I Expect During My Recovery Process?
Recovery timelines vary, but you should plan to spend around seven to 14 days resting after surgery. This means that you should be prepared to take five to 10 days off from work to dedicate to your recovery in addition to the day off you need to undergo surgery. You should also expect to need to limit the amount of time you spend reading, watching television, gaming, and doing things on your computer or tablet. Your eyes will be very tired for a few days.
Additionally, you can expect to feel particularly tired during the first few days following your procedure. This is in part due to the effect of the medicine administered to keep you comfortable during surgery. This is also due to the amount of energy your skin needs to heal itself after surgery. Make sure that you rest whenever you feel tired, and avoid vigorous physical activity for six to eight weeks post-op.
Will I Be Able To Wear Contacts After My Procedure?
No, you will not be able to wear contacts during roughly the first two weeks following your procedure. If you only get lower blepharoplasty, you may be able to resume wearing contact lenses just one week after surgery. However, you should only do so with prior approval from your cosmetic surgeon. If you touch or pull your eyelid area too much, your incisions can take longer to heal. Additionally, touching your eye area as little as possible mitigates the risk of infection.
What Else Will I Need To Avoid After Surgery?
You will need to avoid wearing any eye makeup, including mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow, during the first two weeks following your procedure. Additionally, you should strongly consider not using any other cosmetics on your face, like lotion or moisturizing cream. It is a good idea to avoid these products to reduce the likelihood that your skin becomes irritated while it is healing.
Moreover, do not perm or dye your hair for 10 days post-op. Perms and dyes work by using chemicals. These chemicals may irritate your eyes. Another important thing to avoid after surgery is excessive heat. For roughly one to two weeks post-op, do not do anything physically strenuous, like lifting weights or intense cardio. Moreover, you should not swim, garden, dust, or soak in a hot tub for one to two weeks post-op.
Will I Be Able To Bathe After Surgery?
No, you should not take a bath during the first week or two following surgery. You can, however, take a warm or cool shower and wash your hair the day after your procedure. Just take care to avoid getting any shampoo, soap, hair spray, other cosmetic products, or water in your eyes during the first seven days following your procedure. Avoiding hot or cold showers is ideal to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation.
How Soon After Surgery Can I Expect To See My Results?
You can generally expect to feel happy with your appearance just one to three weeks post-op. However, it may take closer to one to three months for your skin to recover fully and reveal the full extent of your anti-aging surgery. To see your final results as quickly as possible, you need to make sure your skin has everything it needs to heal efficiently. One of the most important things you can do to speed up your recovery process is to get enough rest.
When you lie down, make sure that you use two or three firm pillows with a relatively high loft to keep your head elevated. Additionally, make sure that you consume plenty of hydrating fluids from sources like water, tea, fruits, and high-protein vegetables. Vitamin C consumption is also important.
How Long Can I Expect My Results To Last?
Lower blepharoplasty results are considered permanent. Any excess fat excised during surgery is gone forever as long as you are at least 26 when you get surgery. Additionally, you can expect that the manipulation of your lower eye tissue will be permanent, and you don’t have to worry about growing excess skin if you maintain your weight after surgery.
If you opt for upper blepharoplasty, you can generally expect your ideal results to last for five to 15 years. As a general rule, you can expect to enjoy your desired results for roughly five to seven years if you are older and suffering from more severe cosmetic concerns. If you are younger and suffering from mild concerns, you can feel pretty confident that you won’t need a follow-up procedure for around 10 to 15 years.
What Can I Do To Extend the Longevity of My Results?
While there is nothing you can do to stop the aging process entirely, there are steps you can take to slow it down. For instance, you can significantly extend the longevity of your results by minimizing your exposure to UV rays. Unprotected sun exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging. In addition to limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun when its UV rays are particularly strong, it is essential that you wear adequate sunscreen and avoid indoor tanning.
Getting regular anti-aging cosmetic treatments will also help you extend the longevity of your procedure. For instance, if you notice that your eyebrows are starting to sag but don’t feel ready for a follow-up procedure, consider getting Botox or Xeomin injections. These injectable muscle relaxants can erase dynamic wrinkles in no more than two weeks, and the results can last for up to a year.
Schedule an Initial Evaluation Near Kansas City Today
The best age to get eyelid surgery is the age at which you start to notice concerns about the appearance of your upper or lower eyelids. The sooner you treat your cosmetic concerns, the better your outcome will be. Contact us now at Aesthetic Surgical Arts/Mia Bella Donna Medspa in Overland Park, KS, to schedule your initial eyelid surgery consultation. We have proudly served the Kansas City area for years and can’t wait to help you achieve your desired aesthetic.
