Am I a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
An eyelid cosmetic procedure (blepharoplasty) is designed to remove excess skin and fat around the eyelids, as well as lessen the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. The overall effect is that of a face that looks more alert and youthful. Although it is a minor surgery compared to a full facelift, it can still remarkably improve a person’s facial features without the increased risks and down time associated with facelift procedures.
Nevertheless, just because an eyelid procedure is less invasive than a facelift, it should not be undertaken lightly. The staff and surgeons at Jefferson Plastic Surgery work closely with prospective eyelid patients to ensure that they are good candidates for the procedure. Below are some of the characteristics that make for a good candidate for eyelid surgery.
Medical Necessity
Although most eyelid surgical procedures are strictly for aesthetic purposes, it may be medically needed in some cases. Patients whose eyelids have become so droopy as to interfere with normal vision may be able to get their insurance to cover the procedure as medically necessary. These patients may be excellent candidates for corrective upper eyelid surgery.
General Good Health
Patients should be in general good health. As part of this, there are several indicators for which our staff looks:
Tobacco or Alcohol Use: Tobacco can dry out the facial skin, including the eyelids. Alcohol is a known blood thinner, which can increase the risk for excessive bleeding both during and after surgery. The end result from tobacco or more than occasional alcohol use can be delayed healing times, poor wound healing, and excessive scarring. Our staff urges prospective patients to quit smoking and any regular alcohol consumption at least two to three weeks prior to surgery and to take the surgery as an opportunity to simply quit altogether.
Chronic Health Conditions: Patients should be free from chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Such conditions can lead to complications with anesthesia and increased risk for bleeding both during and after surgery. Patients who have any chronic health conditions should have them well managed by their regular doctor. Our staff will be more than happy to coordinate care between our surgeons and patients’ regular doctors.
Realistic Goals
An eyelid procedure will create subtle improvement to the face, focused mainly around the eyes. Patients who are looking for a more dramatic improvement to their features or wich to look like they did n their 20s may not be good candidates for an eyelid procedure. Our staff may recommend combining eyelid surgery with another procedure, such as a brow lift, to get more dramatic results to the facial features.
An eyelid procedure is a great option for patients who want their improvements to be subtle. Our staff will happily help patients work toward their desired goals from the procedure. To learn more about eyelid surgery and find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure, contact our Philadelphia practice today.