Someday, you might look in the mirror and realize droopy eyelids and undereye bags are giving you a perpetually fatigued or unfriendly appearance. That’s when it’s time to consider restoring your youthful appearance with blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery.
Chicago plastic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat believes her patients should be well-informed before considering cosmetic surgery, including what happens afterward to ensure your recovery is as successful as possible. Review these helpful tips to ensure your eyelids heal appropriately after surgery, so you can get back to looking and feeling your best as soon as possible.
Clear Your Schedule
Most of our patients return to their usual daily routine within 10 days to two weeks after surgery. Take time off from your job and other activities to concentrate on the healing process. One way to prepare is to have your house ready when you return home from the operation, including stocking your pantry with easy-to-make meals and asking friends and family to take care of household chores, including looking after young children. It’s critical to have plenty of time to rest and focus on self-care.
Follow After-Surgery Care Instructions
Dr. Mussat will provide instructions to follow to ensure a successful recovery. These may include how to care for your incisions and when to return for follow-up appointments. To speed healing, eat a balanced diet that includes lots of fresh, unprocessed foods. You should also wear sunglasses when going outdoors to prevent scarring.
On the initial days following surgery, applying cold compresses to reduce swelling, eye drops to avoid dry eyes, and an ointment for lubrication are additional responsibilities.
Patience Is a Virtue
Don’t expect instant results. Post-surgery swelling will create some puffiness, and your incisions may appear red. Some patients experience the equivalent of a black eye because of post-surgical bruising. During this time, it’s easy to become disenchanted. But remember, these are all part of the natural healing process.
The swelling will take about two weeks to go away. Then, the bruising will subside, your eyes will look clearer and more beautiful, and you’ll feel on top of the world.
Get Plenty of Rest
Sleep is the most restorative thing you can do for your body. Healthy adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Keep your sleeping schedule consistent, waking up and going to bed at the same times each day even on days off.
Healing demands a lot of your body’s energy reserves, so you’ll probably feel more fatigued than usual. Plan naps during the day, and don’t rush – it’s not a race to heal as quickly as possible.
Skip Strenuous Activities
During the first two to four weeks after eyelid surgery, avoiding activities that increase blood flow to your eyes is crucial. These include high-impact activities like jogging and interval cardio. You’ll also want to be mindful of everyday activities that increase head pressure and force blood into your eyes, like bending, heavy lifting, and lying on your back. However, you can take gentle walks to improve your circulation.
Learn More About the Best Eyelid Lift in Chicago
Are you ready to have brighter, younger-looking eyes? To schedule your private eyelid lift consultation with Dr. Mussat, contact our Chicago office online or call (312) 751-9000 today.
The delicate skin around your eyes is a telltale indicator of age, especially when undereye hollows create unwelcome shadows and dark circles. To resolve this issue, many people face a decision between surgical and non-surgical remedies – namely, a lower blepharoplasty or dermal fillers. Which one is better to help you meet your goals?
Lower Blepharoplasty Explained
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat can reshape your lower eyelids via a straightforward lifting surgery, using tiny incisions to prevent noticeable scarring.
The operation will reduce any undereye lines or lost volume that may cause darkness and make the area beneath your eyes look hollow. You can also combine a lower blepharoplasty with an upper eyelid lift for a comprehensive improvement to your eye beauty. The procedure takes about an hour, and recovery typically takes two to three weeks.
Dermal Fillers for Undereye Hollows
Another option for voids under your eyes is to add volume with dermal fillers. This non-surgical approach offers immediate, albeit temporary, results. A quick fix is desirable for many of our patients who have little to no free time to devote to recovery and healing. Plus, it can give you a preview of the benefits of lower eyelid surgery before making that commitment.
Which One Is for You?
The decision to get cosmetic procedures is always incredibly personal. Often, younger people who want to proactively address facial aging opt for fillers instead of surgery as a short-term fix. But once they realize what dermal fillers can do for them, many choose longer-lasting results with eyelid surgery.
Our patients over 40 typically choose the surgical route. They understand dermal fillers require touch-ups to maintain their look, and prefer the option of addressing the effects of aging on their eyes without needing follow-up treatments.
The Choice Is Yours
No matter which option you decide is better for you, choose a Chicago board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Mussat is a renowned cosmetic surgeon who cares for her patients. She will answer your questions and address your concerns during your initial visit.
If you are currently considering how to improve your facial beauty by addressing undereye bags or hollows, Dr. Mussat will help you choose the right path to achieve your cosmetic goals. She will work with you during your consultation and throughout the process to optimize your facial appearance.
To schedule an eyelid lift or dermal filler consultation with Dr. Mussat, contact our Chicago office online or call (312) 751-9000 today.
As the old saying goes, the eyes are the windows to your soul, but if your eyelids are drooping, they can obscure your eyes’ sparkle and affect your confidence.
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, a natural protein for skin support. The thin, delicate skin around the eyes is often the first place to show signs of aging, including loose upper eyelids and prominent undereye bags. An eyelid lift helps restore youthful eye appearance with smoother, more alert-looking eyes.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
Also known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery helps reduce excess skin and fatty tissue on the upper or lower eyelids. This operation will rejuvenate eye appearance, making them appear wider and more alert.
Eyelid surgery resolves:
- Sagging skin on the upper eyelid
- Eyelid puffiness
- Undereye bags
- Drooping lower eyelids
- Fine lines and wrinkles on the lower eyelids
- Double eyelids
Restore Youthful Appearance With Eyelid Surgery
As your skin ages, it will lose its underlying structural support, leading to laxity in the upper eyelids or undereye puffiness. Combined with the loss of elastin for skin pliability, skin gets loose, and you may develop a tired, worn expression.
Upper eyelid surgery enriches eye appearance. It also may improve vision by lifting or eliminating sagging skin that obscures your eyesight and makes it challenging to read or drive. Lower eyelid surgery aims to remove lax skin, correct undereye puffiness, and smooth eyelid wrinkles, leaving you looking rested and refreshed.
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
- Decreased undereye bags
- Reduced undereye puffiness
- Softened wrinkles around the eyes
- A more youthful, brighter eye appearance
Many of our patients opt to combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift to smooth forehead lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate the upper third of your face.
Is Eyelid Surgery Right for You?
The first step to determine whether eyelid surgery is something to consider is to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat. She will examine your facial anatomy during your consultation to determine if eyelid surgery is best suited for your cosmetic needs.
Overall, candidates for eyelid surgery are in good overall health, do not smoke, and have concerns about drooping upper and lower eyelids and the lack of a natural fold on the upper lid. You may also be looking to correct peripheral vision obscured by eyelid hooding. Finally, you should have reasonable expectations for the results this surgery can help you accomplish. Remember, the goal of plastic surgery is to make you look like a better version of yourself – not to transform you into a different person.
Choose Dr. Mussat for Eyelid Surgery
From consultation to recovery, patient commitment means compassion and outstanding health care from Dr. Florence Mussat. As a trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Mussat understands the challenges of her patients. With unsurpassed education, her dedication to outstanding patient care and exceptional results makes her the optimal choice for eyelid surgery in Chicago.
Get ready to partner with Chicago’s leading female plastic surgeon! Contact us today to learn more!
