The Advantages and Downsides of Eyelid Surgery
With the variety of anti-aging lotions, cosmetic filler products, and plastic surgery procedures available, there are many options for patients who are looking to rejuvenate their appearance and correct common signs of aging. When the imperfections are concentrated around the eye area, blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, may be the most effective way to reduce excess skin and tighten the skin around the eyes to give patients a more alert and youthful appearance. Minneapolis plastic surgeon Gregory T. Mesna discusses blepharoplasty risks and benefits with each of his patients so that they can make an informed decision regarding whether to undergo eyelid surgery.
Benefits
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, allows patients to address signs of aging that occur specifically around the eye area. Depending on the patients needs, eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper lid, the lower lid, or both. This procedure offers patients the benefit of correcting any and all of the following:
- Wrinkles around the eyes
- Heavy eyelids
- Loose, sagging skin
- Droopy lower eyelids
- Bags beneath the eyes
- A consistently tired or angry appearance
With the alterations made during a blepharoplasty procedure, Dr. Mesna can address these problems to leave patients with eyes that appear:
- Youthful
- Refreshed
- Alert
- Well rested
For patients with particularly heavy eyelids, blepharoplasty can even correct vision impairment that may have resulted from excessive skin overhanging the eye. Most patients believe that the benefits of this procedure far outweigh the minimal chance of risk from surgery.
Risks
Dr. Mesna’s high level of experience makes the chance of risk from a blepharoplasty procedure very low. However, it is important for patients to be fully aware of the possible risks associated with eyelid surgery so that they can make an informed decision regarding the procedure. Some of the risks include:
- Dry eyes
- Impaired function of the eyelids or difficulty closing the eyes
- Skin numbness
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage to the eye muscles or vision impairment
It is very rare for any of these complications to occur. Medical conditions such as glaucoma, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure, and diabetes may increase the risk of eyelid surgery, so it is very important for patients to be honest about their health and medical history at their consultation with Dr. Mesna.
Enhancing the Results of Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty tightens the skin of the eyelid and reduces wrinkles and puffiness around the eyes. For some patients, this procedure may be enough to help them achieve an appearance that is significantly more refreshed and youthful. However, if wrinkles and loose skin are present on other parts of the face, other procedures may be recommended to enhance the results of eyelid surgery. For many of our patients in Minneapolis, facelift surgery is performed alongside blepharoplasty to help patients reach their aesthetic goals.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’d like to benefit from the results of blepharoplasty surgery, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregory T. Mesna at your earliest convenience. Dr. Mesna is happy to discuss this procedure in greater detail and answer any questions you may have.