First, find out if you should get an eyelifts
Even if it appears that you are suffering from heavy eyelids, only an experienced facial plastic surgeon can determine if you need eyelifts or not. In some cases, the problem is not with the eyelids themselves, but with the skin of the forehead over them. If this skin sags enough, it can force its way into the space of the upper eyelids. In these cases, the surgeon will recommend an endoscopic brow lift, in which a tiny light and camera at the end of a thin tube are placed under the skin of the brow to get a look at the attachments of the skin. This lets the surgeon move the skin, muscle and connective tissue back where they should be.
There are also certain health qualifications involved in getting an eyelifts. In order to get one, you need to be in fairly good health, with no medical conditions. If you have problems such as blurry vision, dry eye, double vision, diabetes or thyroid problems.
The process of getting an eyelifts
As with any plastic surgery, if you smoke or drink, you should stop for a couple of weeks before undergoing it. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and makes your body heal slower, and alcohol encourages bleeding. Do not take ibuprofen, aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs just before the surgery. Let your surgeon know in advance about any other medications you are taking, and follow his or her advice on whether you ought to take them before surgery.
In a regular eyelift, the surgeon makes a cut along the natural fold of the upper eyelid and removes excess skin, fat and muscle. For obvious reasons, all this is done under general anesthesia. Patients are usually mostly recovered in two weeks, with only a little bruising visible. Resting, keeping your head elevated and using cold packs will speed the recovery process. Make sure you take any medication your surgeon prescribes in order to reduce the risk of infection and help you heal faster. Keep your eyes out of the sun — if you must go outside on sunny days, use sunglasses.
Charlotte’s most experienced facial plastic surgeon
The first step is to find out which procedure you need, and what else should be done. Dr. Sean Freeman is Charlotte’s most experienced facial plastic surgeon. He has practiced only facial plastic surgery since 1988, including procedures on the eyelids. He runs a state-of-the-art facility and has made a YouTube video that explains the procedure and shows several before and after photos of his eyelift patients. If you are interested in an eyelifts, make an appointment or request an online consultation today.
