What is blepharoplasty/eyelid surgery ?
Blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that removes excess skin from the eyelids. With age, eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat can gather above and below your 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.
What blepharoplasty / eyelid surgery can treat
- Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
- Fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the eyelids
- Bags under the eyes
- Drooping lower eyelids that reveal white below the iris
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
Remember that the eyelids are part of the face. The appearance of a drooping upper lid may also be due to relaxation of the forehead skin and eyebrow. Sometimes stretching out of the upper eyelid muscle may cause a drooping eyelid. This is called eyelid ptosis and requires a different surgical treatment.
How will be Blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery preparation ?
You’ll need to arrange for another person to drive you home after your surgery. You should also have someone stay with you the night of the procedure.Expect and plan to stay home from work and limit your activities for several days after surgery while your eyelids heal. Some people have dry eyes after surgery, but that rarely lasts more than 2 weeks. If you have dry eyes lasting more than 2 weeks, contact your doctor.
How does a blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery performed ?
Blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery usually takes about 2 hours if both upper and lower eyelids are done together. Your doctor will most likely use local anesthesia (a painkiller injected around the eye) with oral sedation.
If you are having the procedure done at a hospital or surgical center, you’ll most likely receive IV sedation.
If you're having all four eyelids done, the surgeon will probably work on the upper lids first. The surgeon will usually cut along the natural lines of your eyelids. Through these cuts, your surgeon will separate the skin from the underlying tissue and remove the excess fat and skin (and muscle if indicated). Next, the surgeon will close those cuts with very small stitches. The stitches in the upper lids will stay for 3-6 days. The lower lids may or may not require stitches, depending on the technique used.
Surgery on the lower eyelids may be done using one of several techniques. In one method, your surgeon makes a cut inside your lower eyelid to remove fat. That cut won't be visible. Your surgeon can then soften fine lines in the skin using a C02 or erbium laser.
Another method involves making a cut along the eyelash margin. Through that cut, your surgeon can remove excess skin, loose muscle, and fat. The cut line fades after a short time.
Eyelid incisions typically are closed with sutures or skin glue. Sutures are removed within one week.
Your surgeon may also suggest use of a laser or chemical peel to reduce discoloration of the lower eyelids.
After either of these procedures, your surgeon may recommend laser resurfacing.
What happens after the blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery ?
After surgery you spend time in a recovery room where staff members monitor you for complications. You can leave later that day to heal at home.
After surgery you might temporarily have:
- Blurred vision from the lubricating ointment applied to your eyes
- Watering eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Double vision
- Puffy, numb eyelids
- Swelling and bruising similar to having black eyes
- Pain or discomfort
How does recovery from blepharoplasty/eyelids surgery usually go?
Once you're feeling better, you'll be able to go home the same day as your procedure.
1-2 days following surgery, you may resume typical activities including shopping, walking, reading, and even working. Swelling and bruising, on the other hand, often last for at least a week. After surgery, many patients choose to wear sunglasses to hide the scars. In time, you will see a more relaxed and young look around your eyes as the swelling and bruises recede.
Are there going to be any scars after blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery ?
We understand that scars are a major issue for patients, therefore we strive to provide outcomes that are as natural-looking as possible. Incisions in the eyelids are hidden in such a manner that they are hardly noticeable after surgery. Within the eyelid crease, upper blepharoplasty often requires a little incision. As with upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty incisions may be made either on or within(transconjunctival blepharoplasty) the lower eyelid. Transconjunctival blepharoplasty, the latest method , is reserved for a select group of patients. Our doctors will assist you in determining which procedure is most appropriate for your specific situation and objectives.
What is the result of blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery ?
The results of blepharoplasty / eyelid surgery will be long-lasting. While there usually is little pain involved in this surgery, there can be swelling or bruising. Most patients are presentable to the public in 10-14 days. However, it may take a few months before final healing is completed.
Upper eyelid surgery is good for at least 5-7 years. Lower eyelid surgery rarely needs to be repeated. Of course, your eyes will still age after the procedure.
Following your post-operative instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.
If your lids sag again, a forehead lift rather than another eye lift may be the preferred procedure.
What are the risks of blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery ?
All surgery has risks, including reaction to anesthesia and blood clots. Besides those, rare risks of eyelid surgery include:
- Infection and bleeding
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Difficulty closing the eyes or other eyelid problems
- Noticeable scarring
- Injury to eye muscles
- Skin discoloration
- Temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight
- The need for follow-up surgery
How much does a blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery cost?
It can vary significantly depending on multiple factors, including:
Country
Experience of the surgeon
Location of the procedure (office, surgery center, hospital)
Type of anesthesia used
*A low-cost blepharoplasty / eyelids surgery performed by an inexperienced surgeon who delivers poor results is not a good combination.