There’s a reason why the eyes are called the window to the soul. They are the first thing most people notice about you, making them a defining feature of your face. This is where eyelid surgery for hooded eyes can have a transformative impact on your life.
If you’re looking to transform your face by showing off your eyes, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty is the best route to go. Not only can it improve your self-confidence, second to none, it can improve the overall function of your eyes.
Want to learn more about this type of surgery? The rest of this blog is for you!
What is a Blepharoplasty?
An upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a life-changing surgery that essentially removes excess sagging skin from the eyelids. The reality of growing older is that the delicate skin in this area loses its elasticity, while muscles in this area also weaken over time.
As your eyelids stretch, excess skin can gather above or below your eyes, causing sagging and drooping in the eye area. In some cases, drooping skin can affect the peripheral vision, limiting your sight. Overall, this can have a dire impact on your quality of life.
What Are the Benefits?
The bottom line is that if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your eyes due to sagging or drooping skin, you don’t have to live with it, this is what cosmetic eye surgery is for. Here are some of the many benefits of this type of surgery:
- It opens up the eye area, rejuvenating the face with a fresh, awakened look
- Improves skin texture
- It improves the functionality of the eyes, removing excess skin that might impact vision
- Improves self-confidence and overall quality of life
- It can resolve issues with the eyes such as irritation, chafing, and discomfort due to loose, sagging skin
Another great benefit of this eye lift procedure is that your surgeon can perform a blepharoplasty alongside another procedure, such as a facelift or brow lift, if you so wish. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of eyelid surgeries:
Ptosis
This is a specific type of surgery for droopy eyelids. Very often, drooping skin of the eyelids results from aging, but can also come from injury or wearing contacts, long-term.
It’s a good time to consider Ptosis if drooping eyelids impair your vision as the skin hangs over the pupil area.
Entropion
Whether it’s due to age, trauma, chemical injury, or surgical complications, entropion surgery basically turns the lower eyelid outwards. Due to the above-mentioned conditions, your lower eyelid can turn inward, resulting in eye irritation from friction of the skin and lashes against your cornea.
If you struggle with dry eyes and constant eye irritation due to inward-facing lower eyelids, this might be a good surgery option for you.
Ectropion
This is a similar surgery as above, it just focuses on turning outward-facing lower eyelids, inward. Over time, your lower eyelids can turn outward causing a host of issues. Some of these include poor tear drainage from the eye, irritation, and more.
Some of the most common causes of this condition include aging, scarring around the eyes, infections, eyelid growths, injury, and facial paralysis. This surgery can help to reverse all these issues.
What to Expect Before, During, and After
Despite the complicated-sounding name, a blepharoplasty is a relatively simple, outpatient surgery. You will receive numbing injections into the eyelids and other medications to help you relax – often through an IV drip.
During the Procedure
Once your eyelids are numb, prepped, and ready, your surgeon makes a simple cut along the fold of the upper eyelid. From here, they remove any excess skin, muscle, and fat (where necessary). They then close up the cut.
If you have a particularly droopy upper lid, your surgeon might perform a blepharoplasty, along with ptosis surgery to remove excess skin, but also lift and open up the lid.
After the Procedure
Post-surgery, you’re delivered to the recovery room where staff members monitor you for a few hours. Once your surgeon is happy with how you’ve recovered, they’ll clear you to leave and recover in the comfort of your own home.
Bear in mind that you might experience the following after your surgery:
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision, often caused by lubricating ointment
- Sensitivity to light
- Double vision
- Numb and swollen eyelids
- Bruising – you might look like you have black eyes for a few days
Remember that it’s normal to experience some form of pain or discomfort – depending on your pain tolerance levels. Your surgeon will advise on any pain medications to take post-surgery.
Are You a Good Candidate for an Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?
If you’re wondering whether you’re a good candidate for a blepharoplasty, here’s what you should know.
- It’s an uncomplicated, outpatient surgery, suitable for anyone in good health and from any ethnic background
- While the surgery is recommended after the age of 35, you can still opt for a blepharoplasty if you are younger and have a family history of very droopy upper lids/small eyelids
- Your surgeon will do a full physical examination of your eyes and assess their structure. They will assess whether you’re a good candidate in terms of your face structure and explain whether a blepharoplasty is a good choice for you
It”s important to note that there are certain medical conditions that might affect whether you’re a good candidate for this type of surgery. If you have any eye conditions, such as glaucoma, or chronically dry eyes, this might impact the surgery results.
Considering Eyelid Surgery for Hooded Eyes?
There’s no denying how much hooded and drooping eyelids can not only impact your self-confidence but also the functionality of your eyes. Quite simply, you don’t have to live with drooping eyelids that impact your sight. This is why procedures such as eyelid surgery for hooded eyes exist!
At Sacramento Aesthetic Surgery, we offer unrivaled expertise in this field. With over 25 years of experience, you’re in the best possible hands with Dr. Donald Hause. If you’re considering an eyelid lift procedure, please feel free to get in touch to discuss your options.
