At the office of Dr. Gregory E Rauscher, M.D. in Hackensack, NJ, Dr. Rauscher takes great pride in his ability to help his clients improve their self-confidence regardless of the cosmetic concerns they have. One of the most popular anti-aging procedures we offer is blepharoplasty, sometimes referred to as an eyelid lift. Read on to discover how long the procedure takes, how long the results last, and much more.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Take?
Generally, you can expect an upper eyelid lift to take 45 minutes to an hour to complete. However, your blepharoplasty may take a couple of hours to complete if your goal is to improve the appearance of your upper and lower eyelids. During your initial consultation with the best plastic surgeon in New Jersey, your concerns will be assessed, and we will give you a better idea of how long you can expect your procedure to take.
What Should You Expect From an Eyelid Lift?
Besides long-lasting results, you should expect natural-looking results from an eyelid lift. After your procedure, you will still look like yourself. You’ll just look years younger. What improvements you can expect after surgery depends on the scope of your procedure. If you only get upper eyelid surgery, you can expect excess skin to be removed and loose skin to be tightened.
Once your tissues are tightened, you can expect to look more alert and well-rested in addition to looking younger. Depending on the severity of your drooping eyelids, your vision may be improved significantly, too. If you get lower blepharoplasty, you can expect your under-eye bags to be eliminated, and any sagging or excess skin below your eyes will be improved.
How Long Can You Expect Your Results To Last?
If you get an upper eyelid lift, you can generally expect to enjoy your desired results for five to seven years. If you get a lower eyelid lift, your appearance will be improved for the rest of your life. To help your upper eyelid lift results last as long as possible, you need to do your best to protect your skin from sun damage. You should keep an eye on the UV index and try to limit your time outdoors when UV radiation levels are very high.
You should also wear sunscreen when going outdoors. Another effective way to help your results last longer is to maintain a healthy diet. You shouldn’t have more than an alcoholic beverage or two per day depending on your age and sex. You also should limit your consumption of bad carbs and other foods that negatively affect your collagen. Additionally, you should ensure that you stay hydrated and keep your body well-nourished.
Are You a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
To verify that this procedure is appropriate for you, it is vital that you attend an initial evaluation in New Jersey. There are several things we look for when determining who qualifies for surgery, including health history, current health, concerns, and goals. You will not be able to undergo this procedure if you are sick, and several medical conditions will disqualify you, such as:
- Hemophilia
- Poorly treated diabetes
- Cancer
- Pregnancy
We will probably qualify you for surgery if you have upper eyelid concerns, like drooping lids that negatively affect your field of view, excess skin, and wrinkles. This procedure will also be effective for you if you have lower eyelid concerns, like puffiness, bags, and wrinkles.
What Preparation Steps Are Required Before Surgery?
There are several preparation steps you must take before your eyelid lift. We will advise you on them all during your initial consultation. One of the most important preparation steps required before surgery is to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. You also must stop taking any drugs or supplements that affect your blood.
Furthermore, it is extremely important that you arrange for someone to drive you home from your procedure. You won’t be able to drive after surgery due to the way the medications used to keep you comfortable affect your alertness. If possible, arrange for someone to stay home with you and help you care for yourself for one to three days after surgery.
What Aftercare Guidelines Will I Need To Follow?
It is essential that you get lots of rest after your eyelid surgery. You should aim to sleep at least nine hours nightly on your back with your head elevated above your heart by several pillows. It is also very important that you take all of the medications prescribed to you as they are prescribed. Furthermore, you need to make sure that you drink plenty of hydrating fluids and nourishing foods.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Blepharoplasty usually takes between 45 minutes and two hours to complete depending on what you are trying to achieve. You can improve the appearance of your lower eyelids for a lifetime, and an improvement in your upper eyelids can last around five to seven years. To find out if this procedure is right for you, schedule an evaluation with us today at the office of Dr. Gregory E. Rauscher, M.D. in Hackensack, NJ.