Sagging, droopy eyelids make you look old before your time. Even worse, excess skin around the eyelids or bags under the eyes can make people look angry or tired, even if they feel just fine. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes the excess skin and fat, rejuvenating the face. It’s a remarkable yet natural-looking transformation. Dr. Charles S. Lee of Enhance® Medical Center in Beverly Hills explains what qualifies a patient for eyelid surgery.
Good Health
Candidates for eyelid surgery should enjoy good health and not smoke. They should not have a history of serious medical conditions. Age is not a factor as long as the patient meets these criteria. The results from upper eyelid blepharoplasty can last seven years or more. For lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the results may prove permanent.
Realistic Expectations
Arguably, few other surgeries make someone look younger than blepharoplasty. That said, candidates must have realistic expectations regarding results. While blepharoplasty can revitalize your face, and perhaps improve your vision, it does not change your facial structure. There are other cosmetic surgery options for that purpose.
If your eyes are somewhat asymmetrical, keep in mind that blepharoplasty does not correct unevenness.
What you should expect after blepharoplasty is a well-rested appearance. Eyelid surgery is subtle. The person looks much better than before but it doesn’t look like they’ve had work done.
Sagging Eyelids Affect Peripheral Vision
If your upper eyelid skin sags so much that your peripheral vision is affected, you are a likely candidate for blepharoplasty. Normally, insurance companies do not pay for cosmetic procedures. However, if the vision impairment from drooping upper eyelids is severe, your health insurer may cover a portion of the procedure.
Who Is Not a Blepharoplasty Candidate?
Blepharoplasty isn’t right for everyone. People with certain conditions are not good candidates for the procedure. These conditions include:
- Active eye infection
- Dry eye
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment
- Other serious illnesses or infections
Those with drooping eyebrows aren’t usually good blepharoplasty candidates. If the eyebrows are not addressed, eyelid surgery can make the brows look worse.
Fortunately, your plastic surgeon can discuss complementary surgeries, such as brow lift, that improve the overall appearance of the upper part of the face. The same holds true for those wanting to treat crow’s feet, as eyelid surgery does not treat address crow’s feet but there are alternatives.
Schedule an Appointment at Enhance® Medical Center
If you would like more information about blepharoplasty and whether you are a candidate for eyelid surgery, please call (310) 271-5954 to schedule a consultation.
