A normal and natural physical change that comes with aging is sagging skin around your eyes and eyelids. This condition could unfortunately result in vision impairments and an aging or tired facial appearance, which could negatively impact your self-confidence.
Fortunately, you have options if you are looking to reverse the effects of this development. Male eyelid surgery is a personalized procedure that could eliminate visual concerns and maintain your masculine facial features. Like with female patients, male eyelid surgery aims to rejuvenate your appearance by removing excess skin and fat around the eyes and eyebrows. A knowledgeable practitioner like Dr. Steele can further explain this kind of male plastic surgery to help a prospective patient determine whether it is right for them.
Since male patients typically want more subtle changes than female patients, the surgical approach differs. A plastic surgeon might implement different techniques and methods, depending on the male patient’s circumstances and desires.
Another unique alteration done during surgery on a male is to modify their naturally heavy brows to help open the eyelid region and improve their vision. Unlike in a female patient, many men can have their brow lifted by placing an incision in a natural forehead crease as opposed to placing a scar in the hairline where many men have a naturally receding hairline.
The biggest similarity between the two procedures is that many male patients still need excess fat and sagging skin removed from the lower eyelids as well. Dr. Steele can help a male patient understand their options by explaining all the remaining differences between masculine and feminine eyelid surgery.
Ideal patients for male eyelid surgery include any man struggling with excess, sagging skin or excess fat within their upper or lower eyelids. Additionally, anyone noticing heavy, saggy eyebrows could benefit from these procedures.
An eyelid operation could also be impactful for someone who has notice impaired vision due to their sagging or eyelids or brow. In fact, surgical correction is typically necessary for addressing these concerns.
Ultimately, most men who struggle with aging signs around the eyes and eyebrows qualify for eyelid surgery. Dr. Steele can assess a man’s health and circumstances to conclude whether the operation is a good fit for them. In many cases, Dr. Steele can perform an upper blepharoplasty or direct male brow lift in the office under local anesthesia, thereby avoiding the side effects and downtime associated with general anesthesia.
When the upper eyelids droop, it can make you look older or obstruct your vision. Upper eyelid surgery may be performed under local or general anesthesia. If the upper eyelids are treated by themselves, Dr. Steele will often perform this in the office under local anesthesia. If a brow lift or lower blepharoplasty is performed in combination, general anesthesia is usually required.
Dr. Steele will only remove the necessary amount of skin and fat to correct your concerns and retain a natural, masculine appearance. He will make an incision in the crease of the eyelid so any excess fat and skin can be removed before sutures are used to close the incision.
Puffy, baggy lower eyelids can contribute to an aged appearance. As the skin loses elasticity and stretches, it can hang loosely, and fat can accumulate below the eyelids. During the eyelid surgery procedure, tiny incisions are made just under your eyelashes so the excess fat can be removed or repositioned and any excess skin can be removed. The procedure will take about 2 hours, but will be longer if combined with other procedures such as an upper blepharoplasty.
Expect bruising and swelling with both upper and lower blepharoplasty. Sleeping elevated and using ice packs will often help. You may require a suture in the corner of your eyelids to protect your eye from swelling or abrasion.
Dr. Steele will recommend using ice packs to help reduce swelling and discomfort. You will also be prescribed medication to manage your pain. After surgery, you will have ointment applied to the eyes and incision, which can cause temporary blurry vision. The swelling from surgery may cause your eyelids to feel tight and dry, but lubricating ointments and drops can provide relief. You will have a follow-up appointment in about one week to remove sutures and check your progress.
You must avoid strenuous activities, bending, and heavy lifting during the first 3 weeks to help reduce swelling, which stresses the area and incision line. Keep your head elevated as much as possible to help reduce swelling, including while you are sleeping.
Follow the post-operative instructions closely for cleaning the incision or applying prescribed ointments. This helps reduce the risk of complications, such as infection. By the third and fourth weeks, you will notice the results as the swelling subsides. You may still have some swelling early in the morning, but that is often gone by midday. In the first two to three months, the incision lines begin to fade and will continue to improve in appearance over time. You should protect your eyes from sun exposure to help prevent pigment changes in the incision tissue.
Tired looking eyes or loose skin around the eyelids can be a frustrating condition, but you can act to change your appearance if you are unsatisfied with your facial appearance. Similar to how it works for female patients, male eyelid or brow surgery eliminates excess skin and fat around your eyes and repositions the eyebrows to provide a more refreshed and less tired look.
If you have any more questions about this versatile operation, Dr. Steele can help. Reach out to the office today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.
