Debunking Five Common Myths About Eyelid Surgery
While you may be well-rested, the signs of aging can cause your eyes to tell a different story. As we age, our eyes can become droopy and appear less cheerful. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is one of the most popular options for combatting these concerns and giving the face a more youthful and rested look. Year after year, this procedure consistently ranks in the top five most popular plastic surgeries and is highly effective in removing or reducing excess fat, skin and the appearance of bags from the upper or lower eyelids. Unfortunately, there are still myths and misconceptions about eyelid surgery floating around. To help you decipher fact from fiction, I, Dr. John L. LeRoy, have dispelled five common myths I typically hear about the procedure.
#1: Eyelid surgery can correct sagging eyebrows.
Some people falsely believe that undergoing eyelid surgery will help correct sagging eyebrows and forehead lines. However, upper eyelid surgery primarily focuses on removing excess skin above the eyelids and treating droopy eyes if applicable. For those looking to improve the look of their brow area, I recommend a brow lift instead. Brow lift surgery specifically focuses on improving brow placement as well as the appearance of forehead wrinkles.
#2: Eyelid surgery leaves visible scarring.
Eyelid surgery is meant to look natural which means that any incisions I make during the procedure will be hidden. For upper eyelid surgery, incisions are typically placed within the natural folds of the eyelid which makes them invisible when the eyes are opened. For lower eyelid surgery, incisions can be made in the lash line or inside of the eyelid. Both of these techniques result in scarring being invisible or virtually invisible and give the eyes a natural appearance.
#3: Eyelid surgery and Band Aid eyelid surgery are the same procedure.
For patients who don’t wish to undergo a full-scale eyelid surgery or are experiencing the first signs of eyelid aging, my signature Band Aid eyelid surgery is a great solution. This procedure differs from a traditional eyelid surgery because it is performed in-office with gentle numbing and has a shorter recovery time. However, something that does stay the same is that patients still benefit from the same rejuvenated and natural results that a traditional procedure carries.
#4: Eyelid surgery results won’t continue to improve over time.
While you will be able to see results immediately after surgery, the area around your eyes will continue to change. Most patients do not see their final results until 6-12 months after their surgery. This is because it takes time for surrounding tissue and fat to settle into place. Incision lines can also appear pink during the months after surgery, but will eventually fade and become virtually unnoticeable. Additionally, because the natural aging process doesn’t stop, patients can expect to see changes in their results as they continue to age.
#5: Eyelid surgery causes chronic dry eye.
When eyelid surgery is performed by an experienced double board-certified plastic surgeon like myself, the risk of developing chronic dry eye is extremely minimal. Getting dry eye as a result of eyelid surgery is very rare and typically occurs when an inexperienced plastic surgeon removes too much skin from around the eyes. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that the plastic surgeon you elect to perform your surgery has past experience with eyelid and other facial surgeries.
Now that some myths have been busted, hopefully you have a better understanding about eyelid surgery and how it can help to improve the appearance of both the upper and lower eyelids. If you’re interested in learning more about eyelid surgery and how the procedure can work for you, schedule an appointment with me, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John L. LeRoy, in Atlanta today. Additionally, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more insights about cosmetic and plastic surgery.