It is natural to have questions about the relative safety of any medical procedure. This is a great instinct when it comes to carefully choosing the right doctor to help with whatever concerns you may have, ranging from medical to cosmetic in nature, and it also provides us with the common sense to avoid unproven or dangerous treatments, such as the eye color surgery Dr. Steinsapir recently discussed for the New York Times.
If you are considering having eyelid surgery to improve your appearance and your confidence, the short answer to the title question is this: eyelid surgery is proven to be safe and effective, and with conservative surgical approaches–as is the philosophy behind Dr. Steinsapir’s practice–healing time is also swift.
We find that when people ask, “Is this a minor procedure?” what they really mean is: “What does the surgery entail? How likely am I to have a surgical complication? How quickly will I be able to return work and social activities?” Medically speaking, what surgeons think of as minor surgery, is not so minor for the lay public. For example, most people would consider an appendectomy to be a major surgery. However, general surgeons consider this a minor surgery. Surgeons are more concerned with the likelihood of death or disability from a surgery when classifying surgery as major or minor. By this standard almost all cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery is minor surgery. This really does not answer what most people are interested in knowing about their potential surgery. In skilled hands, eyelid surgery recovery is sufficient by 10 to 14 days for most to comfortable return to work and their social schedule. Some find they are back on the telephone or perform computer work even sooner. In skilled hands complications from eyelid surgery are rare.
In the case of eyelid surgery, the benefits you experience can be significant. This is a powerful surgery that can dramatically improve your appearance, boost your confidence, and take your professional image to the next level. While the benefits are significant, positive, and often times life-changing for most who seek eyelid surgery (you might call these results “major”), there is no surgery that comes with zero risk. With eyelid surgery, there does exist the potential for complications as would even a routine dental procedure–but the risk is very low. Research shows eyelid surgery to be very safe.
Eyelid surgery can also fit seamlessly into your busy life. Recovery is relatively quick, particularly with Dr. Steinsapir’s emphasis on a minimally invasive approach that preserves as much of your natural tissue as possible–yielding results that look right for you, and getting you back to your daily routine as soon as possible. As noted, most people feel comfortable returning to their social and professional activities in just seven to ten days. Generally it is about 14 to 21 days before the noticeable swelling from surgery has resolved to a point where most people encountering you will not question your appearance.
The key to satisfactory eyelid surgery results is in choosing your oculoplastic surgeon with care. He or she should be highly educated, experienced, and specialized in eyelid surgery with proven results. You should also be sure that what he or she says makes sense to you, that you exchange a positive communication style, that others are satisfied with their experience with your doctor, and that he or she takes the time to personally address your concerns, individualize your treatment, and give you close and attentive follow-up care. We invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Steinsapir today and learn more about how eyelid surgery can safely help you obtain your aesthetic goals and enhance your confidence.
About Dr. Steinsapir Dr. Steinsapir is a board certified eye surgeon and fellowship-trained in oculoplastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills where he specializes in balanced facial cosmetic surgery for natural results, with an emphasis on minimally invasive techniques, fast recovery time, and leadership in medical technology. Dr. Steinsapir has a private practice and also serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Contact us today to learn how Dr. Steinsapir’s experience and training make him an expert in cosmetic surgery, which can be a vital part of your evidence-based treatment plan. Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician or surgeon and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.