Things To Consider When Having Excess Eyelid Skin Removal

Blepharoplasty is an eye surgery that removes excess skin around the eye. Many patients have excess eyelid skin removal due to them having droopy eyelids or bags. This is done by removing and tightening eyelid skin which results in a more youthful and alert appearance. If you have obstructed vision, then it can help to improve your vision as it will remove the skin blocking your view. Excess eyelid skin removal aims to remove the skin, muscle and fat from the eyelids or bags. Some people may need both eyelids and bags, but some just get the upper eyelid done. 

There are two types of eye surgery to remove excess eyelid skin, the first is the one we have been speaking about which is blepharoplasty which is also known as an eyelift. The other is a ptosis surgery which aims to raise the upper eyelid position by tightening the muscle and tendon that allows the eyelid to elevate it. In this article, we will go through some key pieces of information to consider when having excess eyelid skin removal, so you have all the information to hand before going into your consultation.

What Is A Blepharoplasty?

Cosmetic blepharoplasty is eye surgery to remove excess skin. Whilst excess eyelid skin removal is only recommended for serious cases such as if the sagging is blocking their view, in most cases patients opt for this treatment for aesthetic benefits . When a person starts to age, it is normal to have baggy or droopy eyelids along with their eyebrows. The eyelid skin stretches and the muscles weaken which allows fat pockets to become more visible. 

Why Do People Have Eye Surgery To Remove Excess Skin? 

People have excess eyelid skin removal for a range of different reasons, including droopy or sagging eyelids which prevent you from opening your eyelids or pulling down on the lower eyelids. By removing the excess tissue from the upper eyelid, it takes the weight from the eye which will improve your vision. 

Who Is Best Suited To Have Excess Eyelid Skin Removal?

People who have:

  • Baggy or Droopy Eyelids
  • Excess Skin Of The Upper Eyelids That Interferes With Your Peripheral Vision
  • Excess Skin On The Lower Eyelids
  • Bags Under Your Eyes

Risks Of Blepharoplasty

There are a number of risks associated with having excess eyelid skin removal, as this is a small and delicate area, however these are rare and will be discussed in more detail at your consultation if they apply to you. These can include: 

  • Infection and bleeding
  • Dry, irritated eyes
  • Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems
  • Noticeable scarring
  • Injury to eye muscles
  • Skin discolouration
  • The need for a follow-up surgery
  • Temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight

How Do You Prepare For A Blepharoplasty?

When you are going for your consultation for excess eyelid skin removal it is best to understand whether you are going to be under local or general anaesthesia. If you are going under local anaesthesia, you may feel concerns about the procedure, however you will be numbed. If you are under general anaesthesia, then you will be sedated so you will not experience anything. This is usually the case if the surgery is complicated or you are having more than one treatment. During the consultation, the surgeon will discuss:

Your Medical History: Before getting  excess eyelid skin removal, your surgeon will ask if you have ever had any other previous surgeries and whether you have any previous or current conditions. These conditions include dry eyes, glaucoma, allergies, circulatory problems, thyroid problems and diabetes. They will also ask whether you take medication, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, drugs or if you smoke. 

Your Expectations: It is important to discuss your expectations of the eyelid skin removal and why you are wanting to get this surgery done as this can help to guide the surgeon on what you are after. This is great as the surgeon can then give you a run-through of what they can do for you.

What Will Happen Before I Have A Blepharoplasty?

A Physical Examination: The surgeon will conduct a physical examination which will include tear duct testing as they will want to see whether you can produce tears. They will also measure your eyelids. 

A Vision Examination: You will have a visual examination that will check your peripheral vision and your actual vision so that it can support insurance claims.  

Eyelid Photography: Your eyes will have a range of different pictures taken from different angles. This helps with surgery planning and assessing long term effects.

You will be asked to:

  • Stop Taking All Medication That Increases Bleeding (Aspirin, Ibuprofen)
  • Stop Smoking – This Can Reduce Healing Abilities
  • Arrange For Someone To Drive You To And From Surgery

The Recovery Process For Blepharoplasty

When recovering from eyelid skin removal such as an eye lift, medication will be applied to the wound. The good news is that an eye patch won’t usually be necessary! 

On the first day, you will want to be applying cold packs to the wound every hour for around 15 – 20 minutes at a time. This will help to reduce the swelling and bruising down to a minimum. This can be reduced to every couple of hours on the second day. After 48 hours, a warm compress should be applied as this will help to promote the healing process. The great part of having excess eyelid skin removal is that the painkillers used are usually over the counter rather than stronger medications.

Side Effects Following Excess Eyelid Skin Removal 

After the excess eyelid skin removal treatment, you should expect mild discomfort with a pretty speedy recovery but if things start to feel worse, consult your surgeon as soon as possible. 

Your eye will be red, bruised and you are likely to experience swollen eyes for the first couple of days when getting eye surgery to remove excess skin. The white of the eyes will be red and bloodshot too which will last for a couple of weeks. If you wear makeup, this should not be worn until fully recovered. If you wear glasses, you can wear them straight away, but leave contact lenses out until fully recovered. The stitches are also dissolvable so you will not need to go get them taken out.

For More Details on Excess Eyelid Skin Removal

If you would like any more information on excess eyelid skin removal, then you can contact us on 0161 401 4064. Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form and we will be in touch as soon as possible. If you would like to see some of our previous work then you can review our case study page.

What Is The Best Way To Get Rid of Loose Skin After Weight Loss?

Lockdown has been tough on some, with people getting sick, losing their jobs and having to stay in their home for months. It’s no wonder that many have been putting in the work on their personal development like losing weight and doing as much exercise as they can to get their bodies ready for the summer. There is nothing better than putting on an old pair of jeans and then realising that the jeans are a couple of sizes too big. All that time and effort has paid off, and you’re on the straight and narrow. If you have lost a lot of weight in a short period of time, you may notice that your skin is not as it used to be and you may find that your skin is loose and excessive. Many experience this and we get asked all the time, what is the best way to get rid of loose skin after weight loss? 

The main feature of the skin which is responsible for keeping it elastic is collagen as it allows the skin to expand when putting weight on. The issue is that the skin does not have the ability to shrink back when the weight is lost which causes loose and excessive skin. There are a few factors that come into play that affect the elasticity of the skin such as your age, genetics, the sun and whether you smoke or not. The longer you are overweight, the looser the skin will be after weight loss. Anything over 50 pounds of weight loss can cause loose skin, especially when you are mature. In this blog, we will discuss some of the best ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss with some natural, surgical and non-surgical methods so that you can have a range of options to look into.

 

Best Ways To Get Rid Of Loose Skin After Weight Loss

Build Muscle Through Exercise

If you have been hard at work at the gym trying to get to your ideal weight, well done! But that’s only step one of the process. Crash diets and excessive cardio can make you lose weight but you also lose muscle which is another reason why you get excess skin. By increasing your mass through resistance training you can prevent muscle wastage and also help to get rid of that loose skin. Some of the best ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss naturally is through strength training as this will expand your muscles and tighten the skin. High impact training helps to rejuvenate the skin which will in turn help to create elasticity as well as give the skin a more youthful appearance.

Supplement Collagen To Boost Production

There are thousands of creams, serums, ointments and capsules which are all said to rejuvenate your skin and make you look ten years younger which can work to an extent, but it won’t do as well as cosmetic procedures. Experts will concur that following a good skin routine that concentrates on your affected area can help to improve elasticity by adding collagen to the mix. Collagen has many benefits for the skin so it will help to firm and tone the skin which includes peptides and antioxidants. This is definitely one of the best non-intrusive ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss. 

Ask About Non-Surgical Procedures

There is a growing trend of non-invasive procedures due to people not having to go under the knife whilst also being able to see noticeable results. Patients do need to be realistic with their expectations as it will not get the same results but it can look better than it did before. These are certainly a more desirable treatment as they are some of the best ways to get rid of loose skin after losing weight for those needing a small amount of work.

Best Non-Surgical Ways To Get Rid Of Loose Skin After Losing Weight

  • Laser: This is a minimally invasive surgery where an infrared light tightens the skin surface and heats the collagen under the skin. This requires around 2-3 sessions to see the best results.
  • Ultherapy: This is an ultrasound-guided treatment which is for more targeted skin layers. This is best for drooping eyes and neck skin restoration. This happens due to the thermal damage-inducing the production of collagen which helps to tighten the skin.
  • Microneedling: This is an electric device with pulsating needles that runs across the skin creating tiny holes. Due to the needles, the body goes into repair mode and starts to produce collagen which then in turn, fills up the holes which then creates tighter skin with improved texture. To see the best results this will need at least 6 sessions to be able to see noticeable changes and this is one of the best ways to get rid of loose skin around the neck after weight loss.

Ask About Cosmetic Surgery

If you have a lot of excess skin, it is definitely worth exercising and putting on some muscle before you consider cosmetic surgery. If you have explored other natural or less invasive treatments and still aren’t happy with the results, then cosmetic surgery is definitely one of the best and most effective ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss.

Facelift 

A facelift is one of the best ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss for around the neck and face. It aims to reposition the face and make it look tighter and more youthful. With modern techniques, a facelift doesn’t always require the removal of excess skin so this is a treatment to consider.  

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Abdominoplasty is one of the best and most effective ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss for the stomach as it can contour, rejuvenate and remove excess fat and skin. It also restores weakened and separated muscles. There are a range of different tummy tucks available for all different purposes such as the fleur de lis and the mini tummy tuck or even a mummy makeover which are great for women who have excess skin following pregnancy and childbirth.

If you would like more information on the best ways to get rid of loose skin after weight loss, then please don’t hesitate to call our team today on 0161 401 4064. Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form and we will gladly help out where we can and point you in the best direction for your needs.