In recent years, facial rejuvenation procedures have become popular among a wide range of adults. One of the most commonly performed surgeries is called blepharoplasty. It is an outpatient procedure that can refresh the face with minimal downtime. The long-lasting results of eyelid rejuvenation surgery are so significant that some people never have other forms of facial rejuvenation, such as a facelift. If you’ve become unhappy with sagging, puffy eyelids that are making your face look tired, you may be an excellent candidate for blepharoplasty. But only if you know what this procedure can and cannot do. Here, we discuss some of the common misconceptions people have that keep them from scheduling a blepharoplasty consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon.
What Do You Think About Blepharoplasty?
Common false ideas about blepharoplasty include:
- Only older people get blepharoplasty. Eyelid rejuvenation surgery is common among people in their forties and fifties. It is at this time when collagen and volume loss causes the eyelids to start looking heavy or saggy and when undereye puffiness robs the face of youthfulness.
- Eyelid surgery is only for cosmetic improvement. While this is true in most cases, blepharoplasty is also sometimes necessary to remove sagging upper eyelid skin from the field of vision. This is relatively uncommon and usually affects older people. In an instance of medical necessity such as the skin obstructing vision, blepharoplasty may be at least partially covered by insurance.
- Getting blepharoplasty will result in noticeable scarring. There may not be a more visible part of the body than the face. And the eyes are one of the first parts of the face that we notice. How can surgery be performed here and not leave visible scars? It’s possible. After the short scars in the crease of the upper eyelid have healed, the only way someone would see them is if they were pointed out. Lower blepharoplasty is usually performed with incisions just inside the lower eyelid, so scars are hidden.
- Blepharoplasty is expensive. The cost of plastic surgery treatment can range from a few thousand dollars to several thousand dollars. Treatment cost is influenced by several factors, including the extent of surgery, anesthesia, and the surgeon’s experience. Because different techniques can be combined, many patients choose to address other cosmetic concerns in one surgical procedure. This is less costly than scheduling different procedures independently because there is only one anesthesia fee and one surgical center fee.
Dr. Altamira provides outstanding, personable care for patients in the Houston and Sugar Land areas. To schedule a consultation to discuss eyelid rejuvenation through blepharoplasty, call 713.271.9000.