What is a Blepharoplasty

With the eyes being the focal point on a person’s face and also one of the first locations on the face to show signs of aging, the areas of the faces surrounding the eyes are often the focus of cosmetic surgery as well. So what is a Blepharoplasty?

What is a Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which lifts the eyelids. As someone ages the eyelids usually become droopy and lax. The thin tissue of the eyelids loses its elasticity and pulls down over the eyes giving them a tired and unhappy look. During a Blepharoplasty operation, excess skin is removed from the eyelids, eliminating sagging tissue, which can make the patient look years younger, making them appear rested and refreshed. A Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both.

Blepharoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthetic or IV sedation with a duration of typically one to three hours for completion depending on the extensiveness of the work to be carried out. It can also be combined with a Face Lift or Fat Transfer to provide optimal results.

What Happens During Blepharoplasty Surgery?

During Blepharoplasty surgery a small incision is made across the crease of the eyelid which excess fatty tissue and skin is removed. The remaining skin is then pulled taut with sutures put in place to allow for healing.

Blepharoplasty Recovery

Recovery from a Blepharoplasty procedure can take between ten and fourteen days with the most likely visible affects being bruising and swelling of the eyelids and surrounding area. The patient should expect mild pain including tightness and soreness across the eyelids which have been treated. Medications for pain and sleep may be administered by the surgeon to aid recovery.

The Blepharoplasty patient can aid recovery time and visible signs of the surgery by taking the prescribed medication as instructed by the surgeon, by keeping the head elevated, specifically when sleeping as well as awake. Icepacks applied to the eyes will help reduce swelling and can be applied for twenty minutes as a time, with a twenty minute break in between. A stress-free recovery is essential and should include a healthy diet and plenty of water.

Potential Blepharoplasty Surgical Complications

Eyelid surgery is safe and effective and rarely results in complications, as the surgical site is small and is carried out as an outpatient procedure. As with any surgery there is always a small chance of post-surgery issues such as infection leading to some scarring. Choosing an experienced and respected cosmetic surgeon is important as they know how to reduce the number of complications and also help advise on recovery.

Scarring from the surgical incisions are expected with Blepharoplasty surgery but these tend to be very minimal and well concealed in the creases of the eyelids. They may be more visible when you have your eyes closed but likely not visible at all when your eyes are open.

So a Blepharoplasty is a simple surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the eyelids.

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