Lift Those Lids

Where's My Face??

While some people never seem to age, most of us come to a point in our lives when we look in the mirror and wondered where our face went—that is, the younger face we had until some time in our late 20's or early 30's. We may notice the veins on our hands are more prominent, and the midline bulge, but it's the face that really shows our age. Those of us, who just can't get comfortable with the new reality of an aging face, may want to consider cosmetic surgery. One terrific anti-aging surgery is the blepharoplasty, or the eyelid lift.

Quality of Life

When we look at someone, we notice their eyes before we notice jowls and large noses. If your eyes are droopy or baggy, this can make you look tired and older than you really are. Blepharoplasty serves to rejuvenate the area surrounding the eyes, giving you a natural and younger appearance. Some feel the procedure makes them look 5 or even 10 years younger. In some patients, very severe, sagging lids can even cause vision impairment. In this case, the surgery adds much to the quality of life of the patient.

Blepharoplasty begins with an incision that follows the line of the eyelid's crease. The next step is the removal of excess fatty tissue and muscle in the area. This helps to reduce the puffy appearance of the eye. Next is the removal of any extra skin that might make the eyes look droopy. The last part of the 1-3 hour surgery is delicate suturing of the area. This surgery can be done on both the upper and the lower lids, according to patient preference.

The recovery time for a blepharoplasty is short with most patients feeling fully recovered in about 10 days time. After the procedure, you may experience sensitivity to light, a feeling of dryness in the eyes, and it is probable you will have some bruising and swelling. All of these symptoms will diminish within about 10 days post-surgery and you will then be able to return to work. You should avoid strenuous activity, such as sports and exercise, for about 3 weeks after a blepharoplasty.

When you return to work, be prepared to hear such comments as, "Wow, you must have had some vacation. You look ten years younger."

If you've got the wisdom of your years, you can just smile and say, "Thank you."

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