The eyes play an important role both cosmetically and in non-verbal communication. That’s why Kansas City patients with puffy, heavy lids often turn to eyelid surgery. At Aesthetic Surgical Arts/Mia Bella Donna Medspa, in Overland Park, KS, we can help you achieve youthful, well-rested eyes. This treatment may even make it easier for you to see. Could you be a good candidate for this treatment?
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
You Have Loose Skin Around the Eyes
Loose skin is a normal part of the aging process. But excess skin also tends to wrinkle, especially in the delicate areas around the eyes. It can sometimes make you look older than you are, which is why some patients are eager to get rid of it. If you have excess, lined skin around the eyes or on the eyelids, this type of surgery can help.
You Look Perpetually Tired
Do friends and family often ask you if you’re tired or sad when you’re not? Heavy, flagging eyelids may be making you look perpetually tired and sending incorrect signals about how you feel. Droopy eyelids can also make you appear older, and less alert. Eyelid surgery, which is also referred to as Blepharoplasty, can tighten up and remove excess skin and fat on the lids, restoring to a more youthful shape.
You’re Drooping Is Pronounced
Puffy, heavy eyelids can occur at any age, but it’s generally a good idea to wait until the drooping is moderate, or somewhat pronounced, to undergo Blepharoplasty. For patients who are genetically predisposed to heavy eyelids, this means waiting until age-related sagging has begun to influence the eyelids.
Your Vision Is Impeded
Patients turn to Blepharoplasty most often to address cosmetic concerns. But if sagging skin around the eyes and drooping eyelids are making it difficult for you to see, this treatment can also improve your line of vision. A sagging upper lid is usually what interferes with vision. Patients are sometimes surprised by how much better they can see after this treatment.
You’re Healthy
The best patients for this treatment are healthy and have no serious underlying medical issues. Patients should also not have any serious eye conditions.
You Want Long-Lasting Results
If you’re ready to improve the look of your eyelids long-term, Blepharoplasty is for you. Although the skin will continue to age, most patients enjoy their results for 10 years or more without the need for maintenance treatments.
You Understand What This Treatment Is Capable Of
It helps if patients understand this treatment and have realistic expectations about the type of improvement it can achieve. Blepharoplasty won’t radically overhaul your appearance, but it can subtly and noticeably improve the look of your eyes.
What Does Eyelid Surgery in Kansas City Involve?
This treatment is performed with local anesthesia around the eyes, and it can address the upper lids, the lower lids, or both. When the upper lid is addressed, we’ll make an incision in the fold above the eye, and use it to remove fat and tighten up loose skin. When the lower lid is addressed, we’ll make an incision along the lash line, or just inside the lower lid, depending on the type of improvement needed.
This treatment is performed at a local surgery center on an outpatient basis.
Will I Feel Anything?
General anesthesia is usually not used with this treatment. Local anesthesia is administered around the eyes, and patients are sedated using an intravenous line. This means you’ll be awake, but you’ll be very relaxed and will feel no discomfort.
What Is Recovery Like?
Because this is an outpatient treatment, you’ll be able to head home shortly after your surgery. Most patients get back to their normal routines and activities within 10 days. The results from this surgery are apparent within two weeks. As you recover, try to give your eyes a break by avoiding too much screentime.
Will I Have Scars?
The incisions we make will be very small, and they’ll be placed in areas where they won’t be highly visible. You won’t have to worry about visible scars after this treatment.
Why Are My Eyelids Puffy?
Fine lines, puffiness around the eyes, and drooping eyelids are all normal parts of the aging process. They develop over time as the skin ages and becomes less elastic. There is also sometimes a hereditary component to heavy eyelids, so if your parents had heavy lids, you may have them as well.
Can I Do Anything on My Own To Improve My Eyelids?
Because sagging around the eyes is usually genetic or tied to the normal aging process, there is very little patients can do to rectify it themselves. Keeping your facial skin healthy, though, will help it stay elastic and fresh. Drinking plenty of water, avoiding excessive sun exposure, not smoking, and following a careful at-home skincare routine are all ways of keeping your skin healthy.
Will Any Other Professional Treatments Help?
If the heaviness in your eye area is caused by a drooping brow, we may recommend a separate treatment called a brow lift. A brow lift can smooth over forehead creases and lift eyebrows that have begun to sag. Botox injections can also be performed in a way that lifts the brow, improving the appearance of the eyes. Botox is not a permanent solution, but it can improve the appearance of your eye area for months at a time.
If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your eyes, but you can’t pinpoint exactly what’s bothering you, we can help you determine what’s going on and recommend the appropriate treatment.
What Else Should Kansas City Patients Know About This Treatment?
It’s a Popular Option
Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed in this country. Although it doesn’t get as much attention as breast augmentation and liposuction, eyelid surgery is widely performed.
It Won’t Make You Look Like Someone Else
This surgery will refresh the appearance of the eyes, but it won’t change their shape, structure, or symmetry. This means you won’t have to worry about looking different or like you suddenly went and had a cosmetic treatment performed. Instead, you’ll look like a better, more rested version of yourself. Your results will be completely natural in appearance. You’ll appear as though you’ve been sleeping well, eating right, and taking great care of yourself!
It Will Help You Look More Youthful
Because of the delicate skin around the eyes, this area is one of the first places signs of aging start to appear. Correcting those early signs of aging can help you turn back the clock on your appearance.
Health Insurance Might Not Cover It
Because this type of surgery is most often performed for cosmetic purposes, health insurance plans usually don’t cover it. If you’re seeking this treatment out for medical reasons, including vision difficulties, it’s possible insurance will cover it. Kansas City patients should check with their health insurance provider before moving forward with this treatment. Our practice offers financing through CareCredit.
It Won’t Resolve Crow’s Feet
Blepharoplasty is an amazing treatment, but there are certain things it can’t help with. One of them is crow’s feet, the fine lines that radiate out from the corners of the eyes. We can, however, develop a treatment plan for you that involves both Blepharoplasty and another treatment like Botox or laser resurfacing, which can resolve crow’s feet.
It May Smooth Out Forehead Lines
One surprising benefit of Blepharoplasty is that it can sometimes smooth out a constantly furrowed brow. If you’re struggling to see out from under puffy eyelids, you may be squinty and furrowing your brow without even realizing it. Once you’ve undergone this treatment, you’ll be able to see clearly with a relaxed facial expression, resulting in a smoother forehead.
It Brightens Your Eyes
By eliminating puffiness and extra skin around the eyes, Blepharoplasty opens up the eyes, allowing light to reach them. After treatment, you may notice that the irises in your eyes have more color and appear brighter. This type of surgery puts the life back into dull eyes.
It Could Make It Easier To Apply Cosmetics
Many patients find that restoring the eyelids to their natural shape and tightening up excess skin around the eyes can make it easier to apply cosmetics. Your features will once again be defined enough that you’ll be able to more precisely apply makeup and achieve the maximum effect.
Eyelid Surgery Q&A
Are Puffy Eyelids Cause for Medical Concern?
Although they can be bothersome from a cosmetic standpoint, heavy eyelids are not usually a sign of any deeper medical condition.
Will This Treatment Help Me Get Rid of Under-Eye Bags?
This treatment can remove excess fat beneath the eyes, eliminating the appearance of under-eye bags. For some patients, the elimination of those bags can also improve the look of dark circles beneath the eye.
How Can I Tell Which Eyelids Need Treatment?
We can perform this treatment on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. Although patients often come to us because they’re dissatisfied with the appearance of their eyes, they can’t always pinpoint which lid is to blame. Our practice can work with you to identify the problem areas on the eyelids and decide which ones should be treated.
Will I Have Any Special Requirements During Recovery?
You’ll be asked to take a couple of steps during your recovery to support the healing process. Sleeping with your head elevated will be one. You’ll also be asked not to wear cosmetics or contact lenses for a while. Lastly, lifting heavy objects and exercising strenuously should be avoided because both of those activities increase pressure in the eyes.
How Can Kansas City Patients Get Started With This Treatment?
The first step toward Blepharoplasty involves scheduling a consultation at our practice. During your consultation, we’ll review your medical history and the skin around your eyes. We’ll also talk with you about what’s bothering you, and what you hope to achieve. We’ll determine if this type of surgery is right for you. The next step will be to schedule your treatment date.
Can Men Take Advantage of This Treatment?
Yes. This treatment is commonly sought out by both men and women.
It’s Your Time To Shine
If you’re bothered by puffy, heavy eyelids and sagging skin around the eyes, Blepharoplasty can help. This type of surgery involves a short recovery period and offers amazing results. Call Aesthetic Surgical Arts/Mia Bella Donna Medspa, in Overland Park, KS, and schedule your eyelid surgery consultation today!
