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Top Things to Consider Before Having Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 3 August 2019

If you’re thinking about cosmetic surgery, there are a few things that you should consider beforehand. These include: making sure you fully understand your motives, having time to explore all of your options, becoming familiar and informed about the realistic results that cosmetic surgery can achieve, ensuring you know the costs and how you will fund your procedure, listening to pre and post operation advice and, knowing the risks and recovery time of your cosmetic surgical procedure. An appreciation of all these things will help you make a decision about having cosmetic surgery. Often reputable clinics have a cooling off period after a consultation to allow you to digest and reflect on all the information you have gathered, so that if and when you go ahead with cosmetic surgery you are fully informed and certain you would like to proceed.

1. Do it for the right reasons

Cosmetic surgery is elective and can be major surgery so you shouldn’t make a rash decision or do it for the wrong reasons. Your choice to have cosmetic surgery should be considered and be because you want to improve an area of your body that you’re not happy with and feel more confident with the way you look. Cosmetic surgery may improve your self-esteem and confidence but it should not be considered if you’re pinning your hopes on it changing and improving other elements of your life or, if you’re doing it for someone else.

2. Do your research

It’s important to research your cosmetic surgeon and the clinic or hospital setting where they operate. Don’t just accept their claims for excellence of care. 

3. Have realistic expectations

Cosmetic surgery aims to improve a body part that you’re not content with and potentially improve your self-esteem. Your consultant will discuss with you the realistic improvements that your chosen cosmetic surgery can achieve for you. Every procedure is tailored to an individual and their specific requirements. 

4. Don’t go overboard

Your cosmetic surgeon will aim to enhance or refine a body part to improve your overall look whilst retaining your natural physical characteristics so that you still look like you.

5. The costs

You’ll need to be aware of the total cost of your cosmetic surgery including any follow-up care.  Some clinics offer the reassurance of all-inclusive package prices with no hidden extras to pay or competitive finance options to fund your treatment.

6. Be prepared to follow pre and post-operative advice

If you’re a smoker your cosmetic surgeon will strongly advise you to stop smoking altogether or at least for two to four weeks before and after your surgery. Smoking significantly compromises your body’s ability to heal and recover after surgery as well as increasing your risk of infection and other complications.

Your consultant may also offer recommendations regarding your alcohol consumption, prescription medications and, diet and exercise. You should listen to this guidance as it will support your welfare and the success of your operation. For example, following your cosmetic surgery you’ll need to be active enough to prevent the unlikely but possible occurrence of blood clots, chest infection, or constipation.

7. The risks of your procedure

Many cosmetic surgery procedures are major surgery and as such they carry the possibility of complications occurring such as excessive bleeding or infection at the surgical site. Your cosmetic surgeon should discuss in detail the risks of the specific surgery you’re considering. You need to understand these risks.

8. Recovery time

Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to give an estimate of how long in general patients take to recover from specific cosmetic surgeries. You can organise your best recovery plan based on this information and put in place any personal or professional measures to make your recovery easier and more amenable. 

What is Eyelid surgery?

Blepharoplasty Dubai | 1 August 2019

Eyelid surgery, sometimes known as an eyelid lift or blepharoplasty, is a common surgical procedure that is used to alter the shape and appearance of the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both eyelids. Blepharoplasty is typically performed by removing any excess skin and tissue from the eyelid area.  Additionally, the underlying eyelid muscles are adjusted and smoothened and support is created for the surrounding eyelid tissue in order to improve the ‘droopiness’ of eyelids and to eliminate the ‘puffiness’ of eyebags.

What causes eyelid problems?

As we get older, we start to lose elasticity in our skin as a natural part of the aging process. Because the face and the facial skin are often more exposed to environmental factors (such as sun, wind, pollution, etc.) than other parts of the body, it is often the first part of the body to show visible signs of aging and a loss of this elasticity. The skin around the eye is very thin and delicate, and it is one of the places where aging skin will be most visible on the human body. As the skin around the eye loses elasticity, it will begin to stretch, and gravity will cause the stretched skin to pool above and below the eyes. On the top eyelid, this creates the appearance of ‘hooded’ or droopy eyelids. If the top eyelid sags too much, it can start to impede a person’s field of vision. On the bottom eyelid, the effect is slightly different. There are small fat deposits located under each of our eyes that helps to cushion the eye socket. When the lower eyelid skin begins to lose elasticity, this area will become more exposed and a bulge can appear under the eye. This is commonly referred to as ‘undereye bags’.

Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?

Eyelid surgery is a relatively uncomplicated outpatient surgery procedure. It is suitable for someone who is generally considered to be in good health. Both men and women can have the surgery, and it is suitable for people from any ethnic background. Blepharoplasty is usually recommended for people over the age of 35, as this is when the appearance of the eyelid will start to show signs of aging. In certain cases where a person may have a family history of droopy eyelids and severe bags, the surgery may be performed on someone younger.

Before you undertake the procedure, your surgeon will physically examine the structure of your eyes and face and provide recommendations so that you will have a good understanding of what to expect from the surgery. You should carefully consider any advice you receive from the surgeon to ensure the surgery is the right choice for you. If you have certain medical conditions, particularly eye conditions, you may not be a good candidate for eyelid surgery. Dry eyes, glaucoma, and other eye conditions may have an impact on the outcome of your eyelid surgery. You should inform your surgeon of any eye or general health conditions that you have. The surgeon will discuss these issues with you and ensure that the procedure is safe for you.

What can I expect from the surgery?

Eyelid surgery is a relatively short, uncomplicated procedure that is normally performed as a outpatient surgery. In a typical eyelid surgery procedure, local anaesthetic will be applied to the eyelid and the surgeon will make several small, discreet incisions along the eyelids. Special care will be taken by your surgeon to ensure there will be minimal bleeding or scarring. The incisions will normally be hidden in the natural eyelid folds. In an upper eyelid procedure (upper blepharoplasty), incisions will be made in the upper eyelid crease. In a lower eyelid surgery, the incision will be made just underneath the lash line of the lower eyelid. In some instances where no skin needs to be removed, the surgeon may be able to perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure, an incision is made from the inner side of the lower eyelid directly, and as a result there is no visible scarring. Once the incisions are made, any excess of tissue (skin and/or fat) will be removed and the incision will be sealed with small sutures. The whole procedure will typically take between one to three hours. The specifics of your eyelid surgery procedure will vary depending on the nature and severity of the eyelid issue that is being addressed and whether the surgery will be on your upper, lower, or both eyelids. Your surgeon will outline and explain all of the details of your particular procedure before the operation to make sure that you are prepared.

What can I expect after surgery?

Following surgery, you should arrange for someone to rive you home. As with any procedure that affects your vision, it is important that you allow sufficient time for recovery before you drive or undertake any activity that requires uncompromised vision. As part of your recovery, you will need to ensure that you rest, elevate your head, and apply ice to the eye area to keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. Individual patients will experience pain differently, but the procedure should only cause mild pain. Regular, over-the-counter pain medications, such as Tylenol, should be taken as needed. The recovery time from an upper eyelift can vary for individual patients, but the skin of the upper eyelid tends to heal quickly.  Most patients find that they are able to return to normal activities within three to four days. Some patients may develop dry eyes for one to two weeks.  If the dry eye symptoms persist for a longer period of time, you should discuss this with your surgeon.

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