Eyelid surgery: really not a taboo anymore

Something small happened this morning that got me thinking for a moment anyway. After my Pilates reformer class, a cheerful woman came up to me. She said, “Hey, you operated on my friend. She is recovering very nicely and she is already very happy with the result.” She spoke enthusiastically about her friend and also asked when she would be allowed to play sports and exercise again. It was clear that she meant well and was especially happy for her friend.

At the same time, such a moment always touches on another side of my profession. As a doctor, you have to deal with medical confidentiality. That means you never share information about a patient with third parties, no matter how friendly or concerned the question is asked. Even when someone is clearly enthusiastic or concerned. So you smile, thank them for the compliment and leave it at that. Discretion is simply part of the job and that is exactly what patients should expect when they seek treatment.

What struck me most in that moment, however, was something else. The naturalness with which she spoke about it.

When I started in cosmetic surgery about 15 years ago, people often talked about it very differently. Many people preferred to keep treatment to themselves. Sometimes out of privacy, sometimes because some kind of shame or taboo still surrounded it. Cosmetic surgery was quickly associated with vanity or superficiality. The image was that someone was having something done to look younger or prettier, when the reality is often much more nuanced.

Indeed, in the consulting room, I hear very different stories. People don't come because they want to become someone else. They come because they want to recognise themselves in the mirror again. Because their eyes look tired while inside they feel energetic. Because they have gone through a period of illness, stress or intense years and find that their face still reflects that. Or simply because something has bothered them for years and they finally want to have something done about it.

A good example is eyelid surgery. Many people initially think of this as a cosmetic improvement, but in practice functional complaints often come into play. Heavy upper eyelids can cause a constant feeling of fatigue, pressure on the eyes or even headaches. Some people find that they constantly raise their eyebrows to see better, causing tension in the forehead. In some cases, it can even limit the field of vision. A correction can then not only provide a fresher look, but also literally give relief in daily functioning.

What I see more and more clearly in recent years is that there is a shift in how people talk about this. More and more people are coming out openly that they have had treatment done. Not to flaunt it, but because it has simply become a normal choice for them. Just as someone goes to the hairdresser, does sport or invests in health and well-being.

At the same time, it is important to stress that cosmetic surgery should never be something that stems from pressure or societal expectations. It is not about conforming to a certain ideal image. In my view, it is always about autonomy and personal choice. For some people, treatment feels like a way to feel more like themselves again. For others, on the contrary, it is not necessary at all and they feel good as they are. Both choices are equally valuable.

What is central for me as a doctor is that someone can make an informed decision. That there is an honest conversation about expectations, possibilities and also limitations. Cosmetic surgery can do a lot, but it is not a solution to everything. It is a medical treatment where care, safety and realistic expectations are essential.

Maybe that was also why that moment this morning stuck with me. Not the question about sports or recovery - I get those every day - but the way that friend told me. Without shame, without secrecy, just happy for someone else.

“She is very happy with it,” she said.

And perhaps that is exactly what we are slowly moving towards. Less judgement, more openness. Space for people to make choices about their own bodies, in a way that suits them. Whether that means having something done, or not.

Ultimately, it is not about the procedure itself, but how a person feels in their own skin. And if a treatment can help someone feel more energetic, refreshed or more themselves again, it can be a very valuable step for that person.

- Thanya Tha-In, Cosmetic Physician KNMG & Surgeon 

Wondering what we can do for you? Read HERE More about eyelid surgery at SkinSurgery Clinics or start HERE your free online pre-analysis.