Eye bag surgery can be done if you want to get rid of eye bags and wrinkles around the eyes. However, before deciding to undergo eye bag surgery, you need to know in advance how the procedure, preparation, recovery, and how much it costs.
Eye bags are a condition when the lower eyelid swells, sags, and looks puffy. Eye bags can occur due to a buildup of fat or fluid in the eyelids, so the eyes look slightly swollen.
The buildup that occurs is caused by weakening of the tissues and muscles around the eyes. The main trigger is aging, but it can also be due to heredity, smoking habits, allergies, lack of sleep, or frequent consumption of salty foods.
There are many ways to get rid of eye bags. The easiest and cheapest way is simple treatments that can be done at home, such as eye compresses and getting enough sleep. However, if the eye bags are too large, interfere with your appearance, or obstruct your vision, eye bag surgery may be the solution, especially if you are prepared to spend more.
About Eye Bag Surgery Information
In the medical world, eye bags or eyelid surgery is called blepharoplasty. This plastic surgery procedure aims to improve the shape and structure of the lower or upper eyelids. As a result, the eyes that were swollen and looked saggy will look firmer.
If you are one who is interested in doing eye bag surgery, you need to know the following:
1. The cost of eye bag surgery
2. Preparation before eye bag surgery
Before undergoing eye bag surgery, there are several things you need to prepare, namely:
1. Choose a plastic surgeon who is experienced in performing blepharoplasty surgery procedures
2. Maintain a healthy body condition overall
3. Keeping the tissues and muscles around the eyes in good condition, and ensuring there are no serious eye conditions
4. Not smoking for at least 3-4 weeks before surgery
5. Stop taking certain medications, such as blood-thinning drugs or certain herbal supplements, before undergoing eye bag surgery
6. Make a plan of leave for a few days because you have to rest after surgery
Prior to surgery, you will usually need a consultation session with your doctor to determine if you need to have eye bag surgery and when it can be done.
During the examination, the doctor will usually ask several things, including information about your medical history and medications you are currently taking and the reason why you want to have eye bag surgery.
After that, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination, including an eye examination by an ophthalmologist.
When consulting, make sure you understand the information clearly and in detail about the benefits and risks of side effects from the surgery that will be performed by the doctor. Similarly, some instructions that need to be done before and after surgery.
3. Eye bag surgery procedure
After the surgery schedule is determined, the doctor will tell you when you need to go to the hospital and whether you need to stay in the hospital. The eye bag surgery procedures, namely:
1. You will be asked to come to the hospital to prepare for surgery
2. Before the surgery begins, the doctor will give anesthesia or a local anesthetic around the eye
3. Once the anesthetic has started to work, the doctor will then make an incision just under the eyelashes or on the inside of the lower eyelid
4. Excess skin and fat on the eyelids are cut and lifted
5. Once the surgery is complete, the surgical wound will be sutured and usually the sutures will be opened a week later
The estimated time for eye bag surgery is about 1-2 hours. Usually, the patient will be allowed to go home on the same day. But sometimes, eye bag surgery will be done under general anesthesia.
If performed under general anesthesia, recovery time and hospital observation will be longer when compared to eye bag surgery using local anesthetic in the eye.
4. Postoperative recovery and care
To help the recovery process after eye bag surgery, there are several things you should do, namely:
1. Support or elevate the head with a pillow while sleeping for several days
2. Clean the eyelids slowly and use ointments or eye drops that have been prescribed by a doctor
3. Compress the eye with a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling
4. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind
5. Take pain medication to relieve pain. Doctors can give pain relievers, such as ketorolac, ibuprofen, and celecoxib
6. Not doing strenuous activities and swimming for a few days
7. Do not smoke
8. Don’t use contact lenses or rub your eyes
The final results of surgery will usually be seen within a few weeks after surgery. But remember, surgical incisions take at least a year to completely heal. You should also see your surgeon again for regular follow-up checks after surgery.
Generally, eye bag surgery does not need repetition. However, your eyes will still experience aging over time and your eye bags may return.
5. Complications of eye bag surgery
After eye bag surgery, there may be various complaints around the eyes. This common condition usually resolves within 2 weeks. Some of these complaints are:
1. Mild pain in the eyelids
2. Bruises and swelling around the eyes
3. Numbness around the eyes
4. Eyes feel dry or watery
5. Vision looks blurry or ghosted
6. Eye irritation
7. Eyes become more sensitive to light
However, you need to go to the doctor immediately if after eye bag surgery you experience some of the following complications:
1. Blurred or double vision
2. Eyes look asymmetrical
3. There are blood clots under the eyelids
4. Scar tissue or keloid appears
5. Injured eye muscles, a sign if the eyelids are difficult to open or close
6. The eyelids are folded outward so that the space between the eye and the eyelid appears (ectropion)
7. Excessive bleeding
8. Infection
9. Reactions to anesthetics, for example dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and severe headaches that don’t go away after surgery
Given that eye bag surgery costs a lot of money and has some risks and complications, you can consider other treatment options to disguise eye bags.