Brow and forehead lift
- Surgery of the tear drainage system, to improve tearing
- Excision or biopsy of tumors around the eyelid and orbit
- Fractures of the bones surrounding the eye
- Reconstructive surgery around the eye
- Treatment of thyroid-related orbitopathy
- BOTOX® Cosmetic injections for blepharospasm
- Repair of eyelid entropion and ectropion, or the eyelid rolling into or out of the eye
The amount of time it takes to perform an eyelid rejuvenation depends on the different treatments involved. For example, if you are getting a blepharoplasty for both your upper and lower eyelid, the procedure usually takes around two hours. However, if you are having an additional type of treatment like a BOTOX® injection, the amount of time may be greater.
Following the surgery, recovery takes about 10-14 days. To help control bruising and swelling around your eyelids, you may want to apply a cold compress to your eye a few times per day. There are also a few other things you can do to ensure a smooth recovery. First, avoid wearing makeup or rubbing your eyes. This will keep the area around your incisions clean and reduce the chance of infection. Second, wear some sunglasses whenever you are outside for extended periods of time. The number one cause of aging skin is sun exposure, so this will help maintain your results. Finally, make sure you attend your follow-up appointment with your doctor. They will remove any stitches after the first few days of recovery and make sure that there aren’t any complications.
There are several ways you can prepare for your eyelid rejuvenation surgery. At the Northeastern Eye Institute, we suggest finding loose clothing that you can wear on the day of your surgery and during recovery. A buttoned shirt or zip-up hoodie is ideal so that you don’t need to slip clothes over your head. To ensure that you have ample time to rest, we also recommend prepping some nutritious meals ahead of time so you don’t need to cook. It’s also important to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications or blood thinners one week before your procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding issues.
In some cases, your insurance company may cover an oculoplasty procedure. However, the availability of coverage depends on the nature of your condition. For example, if you have ptotic eyelids that significantly impair your vision (i.e. it makes your day-to-day life difficult), your insurance company may consider it to be a medically necessary surgery. In other words, your condition must severely limit your field of vision. Your insurance may also cover an oculoplasty if you suffer from congenital ptosis. To know more about whether your insurance plan covers oculoplastic surgery, we highly recommend you contact your insurance provider. They will have more information about your specific coverage.
Dr. Giacometti specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as non-surgical cosmetic procedures of the eyelids and face. Contact us today by calling toll-free 855-205-2464 or emailing us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Giacometti.
Like any other surgery, there are some risks associated with eyelid rejuvenation procedures. This includes:
- Dry eyes
- Changes in eyelid sensation
- Sensitivity to light
- Rolling of the lower eyelid
- Difficulty closing eyes
- Changes in vision
- Numbness around eyelashes
- Discoloration
- Bleeding
- Scarring
At your consultation, one of our eye doctors will go over your medical history to make sure that there isn’t a risk of serious complications.