Our Summary

This study looked at how people who want to have eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) feel about their physical appearance. The researchers wanted to know if these people have a high level of what they call “physical appearance perfectionism” (PAP), which is the desire to look absolutely perfect, and if having the surgery changes their level of PAP.

The study involved 153 people who had eyelid surgery between October 2017 and June 2019. Before the surgery, the researchers asked the participants about their hopes for a perfect appearance and their worries about not looking perfect. They also evaluated their self-esteem and satisfaction with their eyes’ appearance.

The results showed that people who had a high hope for looking perfect also had higher self-esteem. However, people who worried more about not looking perfect were more concerned about their facial appearance and had lower self-esteem and satisfaction with their eyes’ appearance.

After the surgery, the participants were generally more satisfied with their eyes’ appearance and worried less about not looking perfect. However, their hope for looking perfect didn’t change.

In conclusion, the researchers suggest that people who want eyelid surgery are more concerned about looking perfect than other factors. This could be useful for doctors to know before performing the surgery. While the surgery seems to improve some aspects of PAP, more research needs to be done to see if these changes last in the long term.

FAQs

  1. What is “physical appearance perfectionism” as mentioned in the study?
  2. Did the blepharoplasty surgery impact the participants’ level of physical appearance perfectionism according to the study?
  3. What were the key findings of this study regarding self-esteem and satisfaction with appearance in individuals seeking eyelid surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about blepharoplasty is to have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery. It is important to understand that while the surgery can improve the appearance of the eyes, it may not make them look absolutely perfect. It is also important to focus on overall self-esteem and satisfaction with one’s appearance, rather than striving for perfection. Discussing these expectations with your doctor before the surgery can help ensure a positive outcome.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for blepharoplasty are those who have excess skin or fat in the upper or lower eyelids, which can create a tired or aged appearance. These patients may also have droopy eyelids that obstruct their vision. Additionally, individuals who are bothered by the appearance of their eyes and have realistic expectations for the outcome of the surgery may also be good candidates for blepharoplasty.

Timeline

Overall timeline of a patient’s experience before and after blepharoplasty:

  • Before surgery:
  1. Patient expresses desire for eyelid surgery to improve appearance.
  2. Patient undergoes consultation with surgeon to discuss goals and expectations.
  3. Patient may have concerns about not looking perfect and have lower self-esteem.
  4. Patient undergoes pre-surgery evaluation of physical appearance perfectionism, self-esteem, and satisfaction with eye appearance.
  • After surgery:
  1. Patient undergoes blepharoplasty procedure.
  2. Post-surgery, patient experiences improvements in satisfaction with eye appearance.
  3. Patient worries less about not looking perfect post-surgery.
  4. Patient’s hope for looking perfect remains unchanged.
  5. More research is needed to determine long-term effects of blepharoplasty on physical appearance perfectionism.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about blepharoplasty include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with eyelid surgery?
  2. What type of anesthesia will be used during the procedure?
  3. How long is the recovery period, and what can I expect during the recovery process?
  4. Will there be any scarring after the surgery, and how can it be minimized?
  5. What are the realistic expectations for the results of the surgery?
  6. How many eyelid surgeries have you performed, and what is your success rate?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that could achieve similar results?
  8. How long will the results of the surgery last?
  9. Will I need to take time off work or refrain from certain activities during the recovery period?
  10. What post-operative care instructions should I follow to ensure optimal healing and results?

Reference

Authors: Lou L, Sun Y, Zhang H, Shi X, Ye J. Journal: J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023 May;80:102-106. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.02.003. Epub 2023 Feb 9. PMID: 37003071