Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures. Eyelid surgery is a procedure to remove fat – usually along with excess skin and muscle – from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can lift drooping upper lids and reduce the puffy eye bags that form below your eyes. This procedure can be done alone or in conjunction with other plastic facial surgery procedures such as a facelift.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

The visible benefits can be summarized as below:

• The drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes are corrected.
• The tired look that is given by the lower and upper eyelid bags is eliminated.
• The eye appearance gains luminosity and vividness and the face becomes lighter and younger.
• The field of vision is significantly improved.

The invisible benefit is of course the psychological relief. The surgery may enhance the patient’s self-confidence. Usually, the persons who require this type of surgery are aged people of both genders.

How is the procedure done?

For the upper eyelids the incision is made in the natural crease line that occurs 1 cm above the eyelashes. The incisions might extend into the crow’s feet or laughter lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through the incisions your surgeon will separate the skin from the subcutaneous layers and remove excess fat and trim sagging muscle and skin. The incisions will then be closed with very fine sutures.

For the lower eyelids the incision starts underneath the eyelashes and extends out 1 cm or so outwards into the crow’s feet area, the skin is then lifted upwards and outwards, gently tensioning the area and overlapping skin removed. Again the incisions will then be closed with very fine sutures.

What can I expect from the surgery?

Your expectations need to be realistic. The positive results of your refreshing eyes and reduced tired appearance will benefit your self-esteem and confidence and should last for years.

What is the recovery time?

Recovery varies from patient to patient and it is advisable to take it easy for the first week after surgery. Most people are ready to go out and return to work after a week to 10 days. You should keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days and avoid more strenuous activities for about three weeks.

What will happen in the recovery period?

After blepharoplasty surgery, the surgeon will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Some bruising and swelling will be experienced during the first and second weeks, however the majority of the swelling usually subsides after the first 10 days. Your eyelids may feel dry at first, but eye drops can help with this.

Any sutures are usually removed after 5 days. Scars will form as a result of the surgery. Overall these scars heal relatively well, but will differ in each individual patient.