Plastic surgery options for repairing drooping eyelids

Although everyone’s eyelids tend to sag as they age, some cases are more severe than others. This common plastic surgery procedure is the solution.

Drooping eyelids are natural and generally harmless. They’ve even been a mark of character for Hollywood actors like Robert Mitchum and Forest Whitaker.

But in extreme cases they actually block vision, such that blepharoplasty—the surgical lifting and tightening of either upper or lower eyelids—becomes a medical requirement. Mostly, though, the procedure is done electively for cosmetic purposes.

At a minimum, a candidate for blepharoplasty must be in general good health and free from other serious eye ailments. Some doctors insist that patients be at least 35 years of age.

As well, it is highly advisable that a prospective patient brings some serious thought to the process before making a decision and, importantly, tempers unreasonable expectations.

A routine blepharoplasty can be done in an outpatient clinic in a matter of a few hours. Unless general anesthesia is desired, the procedure is normally done while the patient is awake, with mild sedation combined with localized freezing.

The surgeon makes cuts that follow the natural crease lines of the eyelid. This enables loose skin or superfluous fatty tissue to be removed. There are muscles within the eyelid that are also tightened. Finally, the surgeon stitches the incision, and the stitches are removed several days later.

Your eyes will feel sore and tight for a few days afterward, and there can be some bruising. Generally, you will experience some discomfort for up to a month, during which time strenuous activity is to be avoided.

Pain medication is frequently suggested. As for scarring, pink lines along the incisions will likely last for six months, but eventually fade to near-invisibility. The rejuvenated look, however, will persist for years.

Got crow’s feet? Blepharoplasty won’t help. Nor will it remedy dark under-eye circles or sagging brows. This is why plastic surgeons often combine the appropriate treatments for each problem in a single session of surgery.

No surgery is risk-free. Potential problems, while rare, include hypersensitivity, infection, on-going pain and excessive scarring. Meanwhile, if the procedure is deemed medically necessary, Canadian healthcare will cover the expense. Otherwise, expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000.

Word of mouth and online reviews can point you in the right direction. In the end, though, it’s a decision made easier by seeking out a doctor with exceptional skills at communicating both risks and benefits. Don’t let yourself be bamboozled by vanity.