What are the steps of eyelid surgery?

 

Both upper and lower eyelid surgeries entail the following steps.

Step 1: Anesthesia. To make the cosmetic procedure far less pain-free, a certain kind of medication is injected before the surgery. Depending on the surgery, this may be IV sedation (intravenous sedation) or general anesthesia. The IV sedation can relax the patients and make a person half-asleep.

In contrast, general anesthesia includes putting the person to sleep during the operation. Which types of anesthesia suits you best is determined by a plastic surgeon.

Step 2: Incision. The doctor makes tiny incisions on the upper and lower eyelids. In the case of the upper eyelids, the doctor makes an incision within the eyelid crease so that the possible scars will be invisible. After making an incision, the doctor begins removing excess fat, tissues from the upper eyelids.

Lower eyelid incisions are made just below the lower eyelash lines. Then, the surgeon either removes fat or redistributes it in the lower eyelid area. Also, he can do both at the same time (fat removing + fat repositioning).

 

Step 3: Putting sutures. The doctor closes the eyelid incisions with sutures, usually taken on the 5th day after the surgery.

Step 4: Surgery results. After the surgery, there will be some swelling and bruising. Therefore, it takes some time until swelling and bruising subside.

For the full result of the surgery, one should wait for six months and follow all the post-surgery instructions.

That includes taking prescribed medications, avoiding strenuous exercises or activities, sleeping on an elevated pillow, and rubbing or touching the eyes.