The criteria for a good candidate for the surgery include:

• Medical evaluation of your case by the surgeon to ensure you will benefit from the procedure
• Healthy people with healthy lifestyle and no medical condition that may hamper the surgery
• Non smokers
• People with no serious eye problem
• People with realistic goals and expectations from the results of the surgery

Eyelid lift surgery comprises of different surgical techniques that the surgeon decides depending on the facial anatomy and the desired results of the patient. A patient may need an upper eyelid lift, a lower eyelid lift or even both.

i. Upper Eyelid Lift

The upper eyelid surgery involves the surgeon making an incision in the creases above the eye, through which the excess skin or fat is removed or adjusted according to the desired look by the patient. Surgeons suggest this procedure to patients with wrinkled, sagging skin on the upper lids causing them to look tired and droopy. This surgery makes it possible for patients to look refreshing with younger looking eyes.

ii. Lower Eyelid Lift

The surgeon makes an incision on the outer edges of the lower eyelid, along the eyelashes or inside the eyelid. Lower eyelid surgery is a great solution to correct under eye bags/puffiness. The surgeon removes the fat, and the excess skin as per the case through the incisions. The skin is made smooth and tightened to achieve the results.

iii. Combining Eyelid lift with some other procedure

Patients might be looking for a full facial rejuvenation. In that case, the cosmetic surgeon can suggest a facelift or a brow lift to be performed alongside the eyelid lift surgery.

Blepharoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure, and in some complications the patients may be asked to stay for a day in the hospital/clinic. The treatment can last from 45 mins to 2 hours, depending on the task at hand. The eyelids are marked, and the anaesthesia is administered depending on the extent of the surgery. Anaesthesia could be given locally or general.

The surgeon makes the incisions and removes the excess skin or fat from the eyelids. The excess skin is removed and the skin is smoothened or stretched to achieve the results. The results of the blepharoplasty are seen after the swelling and bruising subside to reveal the better defined eyelids.

It is very important to follow the instructions given by the cosmetic surgeon for the post-operative care. During the first few weeks, there can be bruising, swelling and pain around the eyes for which the doctors prescribe cold compresses and pain killers. Keeping your head elevated while lying down does help reduce discomfort. Usually the patient is prepared to move out within 2 weeks when the swelling and bruising subside.

There are some everyday lifestyle changes so that the eyelids heal properly. You need to rest your eyes as and when they get tired. It may be quicker than usual but it will be better in some time. Jobs which include computer work should be delayed, started slowly and gradually increased for easy recovery.When you go outdoors, protect your eyes from the sun, wind and the dust. Wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen after the surgery.

Good skincare and healthy lifestyle can make your surgery last for many years. Nothing can stop the aging process, therefore the results will also age naturally with you.

The decision of having a plastic surgery is very personal. When it comes to a delicate part like the eye, you need to carefully weigh in the benefits with the risks involved in the surgery. Possible risks and complications though rare include:

• Risks involved with anaesthesia
• Excess swelling and bruising
• Bleeding at the incision sites
• Dryness in the eyes
• Eye infection
• Difficulty in closing the eyes
• Sensitivity of the eyes to bright light and the sun
• Pain
• Unfavourable scarring or the results

It is common to feel anxious before a surgery, whether it’s for the surgery itself or the corresponding results. Risks definitely add to that stress and should be discussed with the doctor beforehand especially if there is anything in particular that concerns you.

It is important to do a little research before finalising a cosmetic surgeon to do an eyelid lift surgery on you. Eyelids are delicate part of the human body and they must be handled by a highly educated and qualified doctor. The surgeon should have a great knowledge of the facial anatomy and newest of the techniques. Eyes need to look natural for each individual, so working on such a small area around the eyes requires a lot of experience.

The surgeon you may choose should be trained in facial cosmetic surgery and have enough surgery experience on the particular area of your concern. Before and after images of patients are a must to check, so that you can see similar cases and see the results that were obtained after the surgery. Each patient has his own journey but reading reviews can give you an insight into the surgeon's aesthetic approach. Different ethnicities have different eye shapes so you need to make sure that the surgeon has experience performing eyelid lift on patients with the same ethnicity.

The education and qualifications of the doctor from reputed medical colleges ensures that the doctor has good training and experience. The clinic or hospital at which the doctor practices is very crucial. Good clinics/hospitals will be well equipped with the latest of techniques and technologies. They will have a well trained staff, anaesthetics and surgeons.