What is Eyelid Surgery?
Eyelid surgery or also called blepharoplasty is a type of surgery to remove excess skin from the eyelids. As we age, the eyelids stretch, and the muscles that support them weaken.
As a result, excess skin and fat can collect above and below the eyelids. This can cause sagging eyebrows, drooping eyelids, and create bags under the eyes.
In addition to aging, very loose skin around the eyes can reduce side vision (peripheral vision), especially above and outside the field of vision. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate these vision problems. Surgery can also make the eyes look younger and more alert.
Aims and Indications for Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery aims to repair the eyelids due to several conditions, including:
- The upper eyelids hang and droop so that the eyes cannot open properly.
- Formation of eye bags.
- Upper eyelid skin advantage.
- The lower eyelid bag hangs down, making it open and dust can quickly enter.
- Weakening of the muscles around the eyelids.
- Suffering from lazy eye disease .
- Fat buildup on the eyelids.
Warnings Before Having Eyelid Surgery
Not everyone can undergo eyelid surgery, even though they have several indications. Here are some people who are not recommended to do this:
- Have an eye disease such as glaucoma.
- Thyroid hormone disorders.
- Hypertension.
- Heart disease.
- Suffering from diabetes.
- Having a smoking habit has an impact on eye health.
Preparation Before Eyelid Surgery
So that the process is safe and minimizes side effects, there are preparations that need to be made. One of them is not smoking for a certain period of time, according to the doctor’s advice.
Nicotine in tobacco smoke interferes with the smooth flow of oxygen in the blood, resulting in an increased risk of surgery and the possibility of poor healing.
If the patient has been taking blood thinning medications such as aspirin and NSAIDs ( nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ), or certain herbal supplements and oral vitamin E, these may need to be stopped for several days.
The surgeon may also adjust the schedule of any prescription medications in consultation with the prescribing physician.
Apart from that, there are several things that need to be prepared, including:
- The day before the surgical procedure, patients should wash their hair thoroughly to help minimize the risk of infection.
- Do not consume alcohol for at least 48 hours before surgery.
- You should rest well and go to bed early the night before surgery.
- Prepare someone to accompany you when the operation is finished.
- Prepare a room to rest, who will accompany you, and so on.
Because, the patient will use a bandage for a certain period of time. Using a bandage will hinder vision.
Eyelid Surgery Procedures
There are two types of eyelid surgery, namely upper and lower eyelids. This operation can be performed separately or simultaneously, either under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. What is the procedure before having blepharoplasty ?
1. Upper eyelid surgery procedure
The steps for upper eyelid surgery are as follows:
Make an incision in the crease of the upper eyelid.
Get rid of excess fat or excess tissue.
Close the wound with stitches.
If after surgery the condition does not improve, the doctor will perform ptosis correction . This action is carried out so that the eyelids can be pulled upwards, so that the eyeballs can be seen completely.
2. Lower eyelid surgery procedure
The stages are as follows:
The doctor will make an incision in the crease of the lower eyelid.
Once the incision is made, the problematic fat or tissue will be removed.
Only then close the wound with stitches.
Usually the lower eyelid surgery process takes longer than the upper eyelid. In addition, swelling after surgery is also more swollen in the lower eyelid.
The duration of surgery for the upper eyelid is usually 45 minutes to 1 hour. Meanwhile, for the lower eyelid it can take 90 minutes. For both actions–top and bottom, it can take 2.5 hours. And usually when you do both, the upper eyelid comes first.
Complete information regarding eyelid surgery procedures can be read in this article: Make yourself beautiful through eyelid surgery? Here’s the Procedure .
After Eyelid Surgery
After the patient has had surgery, the doctor will make observations to monitor the patient’s condition. If deemed stable, the patient is allowed to go home. The doctor will cover the eye with a bandage after previously smearing it with ointment.
Pain will appear when the anesthetic effect wears off. However, administering pain medication will relieve the symptoms that arise. You may also experience swelling, watering, and double vision after surgery. This condition will improve when the bandage is removed, usually 5-7 days after surgery.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery Tips
To speed up recovery time, there are several things you can do, such as:
1. Always follow the doctor’s instructions
The first thing that needs to be done in order to recover from eyelid surgery is to follow all the doctor’s instructions. This includes the use of prescribed medications, wound care, and scheduled check-ups.
2. Get enough rest
The recovery period requires sufficient time and rest. Try sleeping more than usual. Limit looking at gadget screens and do not drive a vehicle for some time.
3. Apply a cold compress
Use a cold compress around the eye area to reduce swelling and minimize bruising. Make sure to do it according to the doctor’s instructions.
4. Avoid eye contact
Do not rub, scratch, or rub your eyes. This can damage the stitches and slow down the healing process. Then, use a soft and clean pillow to support your head and face while sleeping.
5. Other tips
Apart from the things mentioned above, you can also try other tips such as:
Eat healthy foods . Eating foods rich in antioxidants and nutrients, vitamins A and C such as fruits and vegetables can support health recovery.
Avoid cigarette smoke and dusty environments , because they can irritate eyes that are in the healing process.
Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from excessive sunlight, which can damage your eyes after surgery.
Avoid alcohol , as it can hinder the healing process.
Do not use contact lenses . Contact lenses can irritate the eyes and increase the risk of infection.
Avoid swimming activities , until approval from a doctor.
Do not do heavy activities , stay away from sports or heavy physical activity for several weeks, especially those that involve physical contact.
Avoid stress , relax, and go through the recovery process calmly.
Monitor for abnormal symptoms , if you experience excessive swelling, unusual pain, or changes in vision, immediately consult a doctor.
How Long Does it Take for Eyelid Surgery Stitches to Disappear?
Although the intervention in a blepharoplasty procedure is minimal, new scars take time to disappear. The recovery process can vary depending on the type of surgery and the patient’s condition. It usually takes around 10-12 weeks from the day of surgery.
The recovery process is influenced not only by age, but also by the location of the incision. In the eyelash growth zone, the surgical wound closes more quickly than on the upper eyelid because the blood supply is more active. Three months after plastic surgery, the incision site is smooth and bright, making it indistinguishable from the rest of the eyelid skin.
If scars appear that cause concern within three months of removal, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Side Effects and Complications of Eyelid Surgery
Even though it is useful, this surgery can cause side effects and complications. The side effects are:
- Swollen eyes .
- Watery eyes.
- Difficulty closing the eyelids.
- Blurred vision.
- Disturbing pain.
- Eyes feel heavy and oppressive.
- Eyes feel numb.
Although cases are rare, there are several complications to watch out for, including:
- Bleeding in the eyeball.
- Infection after surgery.
- Blood clots that lead to heart complications.
- Eyelids are drawn downwards.
- Sunken eyes because too much fat is taken.
- Severe visual impairment.
- The eyes are not symmetrical.
How Much Does an Eyelid Surgery Procedure Cost?
The cost of eyelid surgery procedures varies, starting from IDR 12,000,000 – IDR 25,000,000 depending on the hospital. Is ptosis surgery covered by BPJS? BPJS can cover ptosis surgery, but it depends on the results of the doctor’s diagnosis. If the eye condition enters the realm of aesthetics, then the costs will be borne by yourself.
Ptosis is different from eyelid lift surgery. This procedure is performed if eyelid surgery is unsuccessful. Ptosis is an action to correct the shape of the eye so that the eyeball looks intact. This includes strengthening the muscles in both eyelids and pulling the eyelids together so they are symmetrical.
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