Which Is Right For You: Ptosis Surgery or Cosmetic Eyelid Repair?

There are many things that cause droopy or puffy eyelids. Ptosis is the primary cause when the droopiness is due to weak or poorly functioning upper eyelid muscles. It is usually congenital but can also come about from nerve damage or injury, muscle weakness due to ageing, and some chronic conditions. If you fit this description, you will likely need ptosis surgery. However, sometimes this droopiness can be corrected with standard cosmetic eyelid repair surgery.

Cosmetic Eyelid and Ptosis Surgery Can Rejuvenate Your Face and Mind

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says that over 200,000 Americans underwent blepharoplasty (eyelid lift surgery) in 2016. This procedure rejuvenates the eyes and helps fights side effects from ageing, stress, injury, or congenital factors.

Many patients claim to feel tired and upset with the tired look of their eyes, characterized by bagginess, puffiness, wrinkly and loose skin, and heavy upper eyelids. Not only do these symptoms affect your physical appearance, but they also can cause emotional distress. Blepharoplasty is becoming one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries because of its high success rate in treating patients and curing their tired-looking eyes.

How you see yourself greatly affects how you feel inside. This self-perception is negatively affected by droopy, puffy, tired-looking eyes. Both medical and cosmetic eyelid surgery are shown to be effective solutions to this problem.

What Does Ptosis Surgery Involve?

The levator muscles just above the upper eyelid are responsible for your ability to open your eyes fully. When they weaken or lose functionality, that is when ptosis surgery is required. During the procedure, your surgeon will shorten and mend the muscle ligature in the area above and behind the eye. This requires a long recovery time and is only done on patients who have been diagnosed with ptosis as the cause of their drooping eyelids.

This surgery can be performed along with other cosmetic surgeries on the eyelid. When used in conjunction with other treatments, the overall effect can be even more rejuvenated and comprehensive. This is ideal for healing not only ptosis but also many of its other side effects.

As ptosis is a medical condition and can affect your ability to see, many insurance plans will cover ptosis surgery. Once you are diagnosed with ptosis, talk to your insurance company about whether then can help you cover the costs of the surgery. You should also talk to your doctor about what exactly the diagnosis means and what the surgery might involve.

What Does Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery Involve?

Eyelid surgery, otherwise known as blepharoplasty, is the removal of skin from either the top or bottom eyelids. If you have puffiness, extra skin, or loose skin in the lower eyelids you might benefit from laser treatment or injectables in addition to surgery. Most patients receive a unique mix of many treatments that will work together to create the best results, as determined by your doctor.

Which One is Right for You?

When deciding which kind of eyelid surgery to get, there are a couple things you’ll want to consider. If you have puffy skin, sagging skin, or swollen circles under your eyes you should seek out cosmetic eyelid surgery. If you have drooping or puffy upper eyelids, these might be fixed with cosmetic surgery, but more the intensive muscle repair of ptosis surgery might be required. The best way to determine which is right for you is to consult with a medical expert.