The blepharoplasty

The blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that removes the excess skin from the eyelids. With the age, eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat can gather above and below the eyelids. This can cause sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids and bags under the eyes.

Besides aging, severely sagging skin around the eyes can reduce side vision (peripheral vision), especially the upper and outer parts of the visual field. Blepharoplasty can reduce or get rid of these vision problems. The surgery can also make eyes look younger and more alert.

How the patient should get ready for eyelid surgery?

To prepare for a blepharoplasty procedure, the surgeon may ask the patient to:

• Get a medical evaluation or lab testing done.
• Quit smoking several weeks before surgery
• Adjust his/her current medications or start taking certain medications.
• Stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, blood thinners, multivitamins and herbal supplements, as they can all increase the risk of bleeding.

During the procedure

During an upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon will make cuts in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. These incisions will be hidden when the eyes are open. The surgeon will remove excess skin and protruding fat, and then they’ll close the incisions.

During a lower blepharoplasty, the surgeon will make an incision just below the lower eyelash line. The surgeon will remove excess skin in lower eyelid through this incision. He may also use an incision hidden inside the lower eyelid to correct lower eyelid issues and redistribute or remove excess fat.

The procedure can be typically completed in about 45 minutes to one hour if just the upper eyelid. It takes about two hours if both upper and lower eyelids are done at the same time, depending on whether fat is repositioned or if there’s additional work performed.

There will be a stitch in each of the upper lids that will remain for about a week. The lower lids don’t require stitches if the incisions are made on the inside of the lids. It’s common for swelling and bruising to occur in the upper or the lower lids. Patient should expect to stay home from work and limit his/her activities for several days after surgery to allow the eyelids to heal.

After the procedure

After surgery, patient spend time in a recovery room where staff members monitor him/her for complications. Blepharoplasty is one of the least painful cosmetic surgeries. Patient may have some slight discomfort on the day of surgery, but he/she should feel better quickly.

Although the surgery is typically painless, the patient may temporarily has:

• Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to his/her eyes.
• Watering eyes.
• Light sensitivity.
• Double vision.
• Puffy, numb eyelids.
• Swelling and bruising similar to have black eyes.
• Pain and discomfort.

How long does a blepharoplasty result last?

Eyelid surgery will not stop the eyes from aging. But the results usually last a long time. Upper eyelid surgery can last anywhere from five to seven years to an entire lifetime, while lower eyelid surgery rarely need to be done more than once.