If you have considered an eyelid lift surgery, also known as a blepharoplasty procedure, then you might want to know if you are a good candidate. This simple outpatient procedure can add a youthful appearance back to your face and is often done for cosmetic reasons. There are functional reasons for getting an eyelift procedure as well. An eyelid lift surgery can be a great option for many people, but it is not for everyone. Here are some things that make for a good candidate for the procedure and a few reasons that may not make a person an ideal candidate.
Right off the bat, there are a few main considerations for anyone considering eye lift surgery. Good candidates will fit the following initial requirements:
- Healthy without medical conditions that can deter the body from healing properly following an operation
- Non-smoker
- No serious eye conditions
It’s also important that the candidate have healthy and realistic goals for the operation. An eyelid lift cannot stop the aging process and is not a permanent solution to wrinkles or loss of skin elasticity. It can greatly improve your appearance and give you a fresh, rejuvenated look as well as address some functionality problems with the eyelid.
If you have excessive loose skin on either your upper or lower eyelids, or even both, then you may want to consider an eyelid lift. The following factors could make you an ideal candidate for an eyelid lift:
- Sagging skin or loose skin that creates folds or impairs your vision
- Puffiness in the upper eyelids caused by fat deposits
- Bags under the eyes
- Excess skin of the lower eyelid
- Fine wrinkles in the lower eyelid
- Droopy lower eyelids
While an eyelid lift performed by a skilled, experienced cosmetic surgeon has the capability of correcting a variety of skin problems around the eyes, it cannot fix everything. Here are a few situations where an eyelid lift procedure may not be a good solution:
- Drooping eyebrows that can be made worse by an eyelid lift
- Dry eye symptoms, eye infections, other serious or minor eye diseases
- Other illnesses or infections
- Crow’s feet
- Uneven eye placement
Eyelid lift procedures may not be a good solution for people that smoke. Tobacco products can impair the healing process. It can be dangerous for a smoker to go through with an eyelid lift procedure without having quit weeks prior to the operation. It’s important that you’re honest with your doctor about your tobacco use. Your surgeon will recommend an appropriate amount of time that you must abstain from tobacco products before it’s safe to proceed with the eyelid lift. Keep in mind that you must continue to abstain from tobacco usage during the healing process as well.
It’s also important to have realistic expectations for the operation. Listen to your surgeon carefully during your consultation. Ask any questions that you have and be sure to voice your concerns. Your surgeon will work with you to determine if you’re a good candidate or not and which type of eyelid lift procedure would be the best for you.