Blepharoplasty is the best procedure to achieve facial rejuvenation restoring the youthful and relaxed face that is lost over time. Factors such as aging, heredity, exposure to sunlight, anxiety and stress, smoking, lack of sleep, and thyroid disorders may result in eyelid drooping.
Surgery on the upper or lower eyelid, or even on both at the same time, improves the eye area, even repairing vision problems to an extent.
Ideal candidates
Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty are those exhibiting signs of upper and lower eyelid drooping such as:
- Lower eyelid bags.
- Upper eyelid sagging and excess folding skin, which changes the upper eyelid shape, even preventing vision, in some cases.
- Puffy (swollen) upper and lower eyelids due to loose fatty tissue.
- Lower eyelid sagging making sclera (the internal white tissue underneath the iris) visible.
Operation
During blepharoplasty, the physician removes any excess skin and periocular fat from the upper or lower eyelid and the upper eyelid muscle, if necessary. The whole process is relatively fast, and takes maximum 1.5 hours.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
During upper eyelid blepharoplasty, the physician makes a cut along the eyelid, on its natural fold, removing or replacing fat, tightening the muscle and removing excess skin.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty
During lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the physician, depending on each individual case, can choose between 2 different techniques, cutting:
- On the inside of the lower eyelid (along the conjunctiva). This technique has the advantage of no external scars, but it is strictly recommended for fat removal.
- Along the lower eyelid, 1-2 millimeters below the lashes.
Anesthesia
Blepharoplasty can be performed under either general or local anesthesia – depending on each case. The best method is selected by the physician and the subject, aiming at subject comfort and safety during the operation.
Postoperatively
Blepharoplasty is an operation that does not require hospitalization. The subject, however, needs to be very careful during the first few days, and it is necessary to use sun glasses as a protection against sunlight.
Subjects can return to their daily activities 7-8 days later. It shall take 5-7 days for the edema to be reduced and any sutures to be absorbed or removed.
Results and Recovery
The end result is evident about 2 months later and, with proper care against sunlight, it can last long. However, eyelids are expected to keep changing over time.
Blepharoplasty scars are rather subtle, even from the first days, and are expected to fade out within 12 months.
Cost
Blepharoplasty cost depends on the extent of the area operated and each individual case (subject). Furthermore, the cost of hospitalization, any pre- or postoperative medical tests required and medication should be taken into account as well.
