How many times have we looked closely at our selves and though, I am looking more and more like my mother everyday.
Aging is a gradual thing, it creeps silently along for the first 30 to 40 years then it leaps.
One day you are young and the next day you appear old.
Time sits still for no one.
For some individuals, a youthful quest a relentless passion.
As we age the area around the eyes is the first to show these visible signs of aging.
Heaviness develops around the eyebrow with sagging of skin and the development of deep creases and folds.
The youthful fullness of the eye area becomes harsher as sharp lines of demarcation develop between the skin of the lower eyelid and that of the cheek.
The youthful free flowing transition zone between the lid and cheek becomes interrupted by the underlying definition of the bony cheek.
A skeletoniztion of the face becomes more and more obvious.
Heavy bags and darkening of the skin develops further adding to a tired sad appearance.
The procedure itself is generally performed as an outpatient.
Recovery from eyelid surgery includes some pain.
Most patients can expect some associated swelling and bruising.
There are many things that can be done to swelling and bruising including ice, elevation, control of blood pressure and the restriction of using any aspirin products in the peri-operative period.
Also there are herbal products such as arnica and bromelan, if taking prior to the procedure will effectively speed up the recovery process.
There are many ways to prepare yourself for this procedure and to understand if you are a good candidate.
First and foremost you must be in good general health.
The better the quality of your skin, the better the result and the longer it will last.
It is critical to stop smoking prior to surgery.
Smoking can seriously effect wound healing.
If you do smoke you will be required to quit several weeks before the procedure.
If you have any serious eye or health conditions it will be important to let you r surgeon know.
He may request approval from your eye physician prior to surgery.
Medical conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, a detached retina, thyroid disorders, cardio vascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes can cause intra operative as well as post operative complications.
When you consider any surgical procedure you must also evaluate the risks as well as the benefits.
There are some risks to all procedures, but careful planning and evaluation will help to keep these to a minimum.
Surgery is definitely a team event, patient cooperation as well as participation is critical for a good result.
After the surgery you may experience dry eyes, bleeding, infection, or scarring.