Looking Sleepy? Consider Blepharoplasty

Several things can make you appear sleepy, even when you’re not. First, you may have a lot of puffy tissue around your eyes. Your upper eyelids may droop. You may also have a few wrinkles and lines around this area. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary. It’s something that happens to most people as they age. The eyelids begin to stretch and the muscles around them start to weaken. As a result, all of the excess fat gathers around the eyelids and causes sagging and drooping.

The good news is that you don’t have to try to camouflage this look with makeup or simply accept this form of aging. Some procedures can help you to improve your appearance. This is especially the case when it comes to blepharoplasty. This is a type of surgery that helps to repair droopy eyelids and remove all of the excess fat, skin, and fat.

Benefits of Blepharoplasty

What’s so great about this procedure is that not only does it make you look more refreshed and alert, but it also has many other cosmetic and functional benefits. For instance, when you have less fat around your eyes, it makes you look younger. Removing excess tissue can help to improve your vision. There’s also a chance that you could have fewer migraines or get rid of them altogether.

The Consultation

If you’re trying to decide whether or not this is the best option for you, it’s important that you consult with your doctor. Louis M. DeJoseph writes that when meeting with patients interested in blepharoplasty surgery in Atlanta, the board-certified surgeon has a chance to closely examine the brows and eyelids, see what can be done, and discuss the patient’s aesthetic goals. A lot of patients are interested in removing extra folds and loose skin from their upper eyelids. Specifically, there may be fatty deposits that bulge above the inside corners of your eyes.

Another common complaint of most patients is the bags beneath their lower lids. This area tends to be very puffy. When the puffiness is combined with loose wrinkles, it can make you look exhausted.

The Procedure

Once you’ve decided that blepharoplasty is the best option for you, then you should prepare for the procedure. The surgery typically takes place in an outpatient location. The surgeon will inject numbing fluid into your lids and then administer intravenous medication so that you can be more relaxed during the procedure.

Though the surgery is usually performed while the patient is under sedation, many can handle upper eyelid surgery without local anesthesia and just a mild sedative. This is typically the better option if you want the procedure to be as quick and budget-friendly as possible. However, if you’re having your lower eyelids done, then it will require the use of a technique that is more complicated so you’ll need local anesthesia.

If you’re having surgery on both your lower and upper eyelids, the doctor will likely start with your upper lids. They’ll cut along the fold of your eyelid, remove the excess fat, muscle, and skin, and then close the cut.

The lower lid will be cut inside of the lid or just below the crease underneath your lashes. They’ll then remove the excess fat, muscle, and skin, and then close the cut. There’s also a chance that the surgeon will redistribute the fat, muscle, and skin to other areas.

The Recovery Process

Once the anesthesia has worn off you’ll notice that your vision is blurry and the doctor will usually cover your eyes with gauze. As with most cosmetic surgeries, the first 24 hours are the most crucial when it comes to healing. You’ll need to rest with your head elevated and avoid doing excessive physical activities. Your lids may feel swollen and tight so the gauze should be worn intermittently for the first three days.

The doctor will supply you with ointment and eye drops which you should use as directed. Most of your discomfort can be easily soothed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil. You may also apply a cold compress to your eyes.

The puffiness will start to subside within the first 10 days of recovery. However, you may notice that the incisions feel numb and look pink. Your eyes will be sensitive to the light and they may be especially dry or watery. During the first week, it’s best to drink plenty of water, eat foods that are low in sodium, avoid wearing contacts, and get plenty of rest. Also, you should wear dark sunglasses whenever you’re outdoors.

The Results

After 14 days, you should notice a vast improvement in your swelling and bruising. You should also feel more comfortable with the idea of going out in public and being social. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the scars from this procedure will take several months to completely fade. It’s important that you take good care of your eyelids as the skin in this area is extremely delicate. Specifically, you need to avoid getting too much sun.

One of the best things about this particular surgery is how long the results last. While the aging process does continue, you should expect it to last for as much as 10 years without having to get a touch-up. Some patients don’t require any touch-ups after the first surgery.

The Takeaway

Several things can make you look sleepy. Perhaps you’re not getting as much rest as you need. Maybe you’re under a severe amount of stress at work. Perhaps you simply need to cut back on all of the sodium so that your face is less puffy. However, there are also factors that you can’t do much about on your own. Aging can be one of these factors.

Thanks to blepharoplasty, you can now get rid of all of the extra fat, skin, and muscle that causes you to always look tired.

Lee Lija