Sagging eyelids can make you look much older than you feel: or even older than you are! This issue can also make you look tired or bored when you’re actually feeling great, and it can even make people think you’re angry when you’re not. At worst, sagging and drooping eyelids can interfere with your ability to see clearly. If drooping eyelids are causing you issues, eyelid surgery can help. At Aesthetic Surgical Arts in Overland Park, KS, Dr. Joseph Camarata has the practiced surgical technique and sensitive artistic skill needed to make a real difference for any candidate.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
Those With Loose Skin Around the Eyes
It is natural for us to experience loose skin around the eyes and other areas of the body as we get older. However, the skin around the eyes is very delicate and prone to wrinkling and sagging. In some people, these wrinkles develop more quickly and severely than in others. If you are noticing an excess of skin around your eyelids, this surgery might be right for you.
Those With Compromised Vision
The most common reasons to get surgery on the eyelids are cosmetic; however, you are also an excellent candidate if you are experiencing compromised vision due to sagging skin. Sagging skin may interfere with your line and range of vision. In fact, some people are actually surprised at how much better they can see after this surgery, even if their primary goals were cosmetic.
Those Who Are Tired of Looking Tired
A major red flag that you need to do something about your eyelids is if friends and family are constantly asking if you are tired or sad when you’re not. If you are hearing this question and starting to get frustrated by it, it could be that heavy, sagging eyelids are actually sending the wrong message. Sagging eyelids can also make you look less alert, which makes people think you’re not paying attention to them. You may also look older. This surgery removes the excess skin and fat on the eyelids to tighten them up and ensure that the way you look matches the way you feel.
Those Who Want Lasting Results
One of the best things about a surgical procedure is the longevity of your results. If you want to see an improved look to your eyelids for years to come, this surgery is your best option. Skin always continues to age–for now, there’s no way to stop the aging process–but people who undergo this surgery usually enjoy the results for at least 10 years before needing any other treatment.
Those Who Have Serious Drooping
It is possible for drooping eyelids to develop at any age, but before seeking eyelid surgery, it is usually best to wait until the sagging has become fairly serious. For most people, this means waiting until middle age, though there are some people who are genetically predisposed to having heavy eyelids and may wish to seek treatment earlier.
Those With Realistic Expectations
Finally, good candidates have a realistic understanding of what will happen after their surgery. This surgery is not designed to make you look like a different person. It is designed to noticeably, naturally improve the look of your eyes. You won’t look like someone else: you will look like a younger version of yourself. Good candidates also understand that surgery takes time to prepare, accomplish, and recover from. This procedure is not as simple as some non-invasive anti-aging treatments, but that’s because the effects are much more noticeable and long-lasting.
About Eyelid Surgery
For eyelid surgery, you will be given local anesthesia around the area to be treated. The surgery itself can deal with your lower eyelids, upper eyelids, or both. During the surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the fold of the eye, where it can be hidden, and use that opening to remove fat and excess loose skin. The result is tighter, smoother skin on the eyelids.
Recovery
This surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day. Most people will see their final results in about two weeks, and most are able to go back to regular routines about 10 days after surgery. It is important to treat your eyes gently during this recovery period, and that means avoiding too much reading or screentime.
As you recover, listen to audiobooks and podcasts, and if you must watch TV, minimize your time and watch a larger TV screen far away from you rather than trying to focus on a small screen like your phone or a tablet. Consciously make the effort to blink, and stay well hydrated during this time.
FAQ About the Procedure
Is This a Common Procedure?
Yes! This surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the United States, and even though it doesn’t get as much attention as other cosmetic surgeries, it’s actually more widely performed. Many people have had the surgery safely, and the results are very effective.
Does It Cause Scarring?
We will make very small incisions around your eyes, and these incisions are deliberately placed in areas where they can be hidden by the natural folds of your eyes. You will not have visible scars, and in most cases, no one will know you had any surgery at all unless you choose to tell them.
Will I Look Different?
No, you will not look like a different person after this procedure. You will look like a refreshed and rejuvenated version of yourself! This procedure lightens the appearance of your eyes but does not change their shape or structure. There won’t be a dramatic change that will signal to everyone around you that you had work done. Instead, you will look well rested and alert as well as younger. Unless you tell them differently, most people will just assume that you have been sleeping better and taking good care of yourself.
Why Does This Help Me Look More Youthful?
Because the skin around our eyes is very delicate, the first signs of aging usually appear here. Anything you can do to rejuvenate your look around the eyes will immediately turn back the clock on your whole appearance. That said, it is important to understand that this treatment does not do anything about crow’s feet.
Crow’s feet are the fine lines that come out from the corners of the eyes. They are caused by the constant muscle movements that we make as we make expressions using our eyes. Because these lines are not actually caused by sagging skin, eyelid surgery cannot help with these. However, we have other treatments that can be very effective in dealing with crow’s feet.
What Can I Do at Home to Help With Sagging Eyelids?
Sagging eyelids are a normal part of aging and are affected by genetics, and thus there is very little anyone can do about them at home. The best advice anyone can give you is to stay well hydrated, stay out of the sun, practice healthy skin care, and avoid smoking. However, depending on your genetics, even the healthiest diet and lifestyle choices may not be enough.
What If I Have Other Related Signs of Aging?
If you are experiencing other issues, like wrinkles around the eyes or a drooping brow, there are other options that can help. A brow lift is more comprehensive than surgery for the eyelids alone. You can address issues with sagging eyebrows and those forehead creases that make us look worried or angry. In addition, Botox is another option that can temporarily improve wrinkles and lines in the skin in and around the eye area. If you’re not sure exactly what needs to be done, come talk to us. We can help you understand what’s going on, learn about your treatment options, and develop a plan that will help you reach your goals.
Will This Interfere With Using Cosmetics?
The opposite: most people find it much easier to apply cosmetics after having this surgery. You will also find that your cosmetics look better and give you maximum effect because your features are now better defined. In addition, getting rid of the extra skin and puffiness around your eyes often makes them appear less dull in general, meaning you may not need as much cosmetic to highlight them. More light reaches the eyes, which can make them look brighter and even enhance the color of the irises.
What About Bags Under the Eyes?
This surgery can remove fat that has accumulated under the eyes, which is often because of under-eye bags. And for some people, getting rid of these bags also improves the look of dark circles that form under the eye. As a result, you look younger, brighter, and less tired.
What Are the Post-Surgery Requirements?
After your surgery, we will ask you to take a few steps that will ensure your eyes heal quickly and give you the final results you’re looking for. You should not attempt to wear cosmetics or put in contact lenses for a few weeks. For at least the first few days after surgery, we will ask you to sleep with your head elevated and in such a way as to minimize any risk that you might roll over and lie on your eyes during the night.
It’s also important that you avoid increasing your blood pressure during this time, so you do not increase pressure around your eyes. This means avoiding strenuous exercise and stress, among other things. And you will also see the best final results if you make smart dietary choices during this time. Eat well, stay hydrated, and avoid alcohol for a few weeks in order to see the fastest results.
How Do I Get Started?
If you believe you may be a candidate for the surgery, the first step is to come talk to us about your concerns and options. We will take a look at your eyes and the skin around them, review your medical history, and also ask detailed questions about what you’re hoping to achieve. Once we know your goals and health condition, we can tell you if this is the right surgery for you and exactly what to expect. Then we can schedule the procedure or give you suggestions for other treatments that might get you better results for your needs.
Brighten Your Look!
If heavy eyelids are bothering you, this treatment can help. This is a widely popular surgery performed regularly around the country, and it offers real, lasting results. Call us at Aesthetic Surgical Arts in Overland Park, KS today to schedule a consultation and get started.
