Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a procedure designed to improve the appearance of the eyes. This surgery can be performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both. It addresses issues such as droopy or sagging upper eyelids that may impair vision, excess skin, and puffiness caused by fat deposits. Lower eyelid surgery targets under-eye bags and excess skin. Blepharoplasty not only enhances the overall aesthetic of the eyes but can also improve the functional aspects, providing a more youthful and rested appearance. This procedure is popular for its ability to refresh the look of the entire face.
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty offers numerous benefits, including a more youthful and alert appearance by removing excess skin and fat from the eyelids. It can significantly improve vision for those whose droopy upper eyelids interfere with sight. The procedure reduces under-eye bags and puffiness, leading to a smoother and more rejuvenated look. By enhancing the contour of the eyelids, blepharoplasty boosts self-confidence and can make a person look more rested and energetic. The results are long-lasting, providing a lasting improvement in both appearance and, in some cases, visual function.
How Blepharoplasty Is Done
Blepharoplasty is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. For upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon makes an incision along the natural crease of the eyelid, removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat, then closes the incision with fine sutures. For lower eyelid surgery, the incision is made just below the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid. Through this incision, excess fat, muscle, and skin are removed or redistributed. Skin laxity and fine wrinkles can be treated with laser.
Who Blepharoplasty Is For
You may be a candidate for eyelid surgery if you have excessive, sagging, or wrinkled upper or lower eyelid skin. An eyelid lift can also be helpful if you have excess upper eyelid skin that interferes with vision or if you have lost your natural upper eyelid crease. Eyelid surgery may also be indicated if you have puffy pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids that create a tired or aged appearance. The eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) procedure is intended to produce a more youthful and rested appearance of the eyes.
Surgical Process
The treatment process for blepharoplasty starts with a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon who evaluates the patient’s eyelid anatomy and discusses their goals. Blepharoplasty is done on an outpatient basis under sedation and local or general anesthesia. The incisions are made where the natural crease should be in the upper lids and below the lash line in the lower lids. Excess fat and skin are removed. If only excess fat is present in the lower lids, it may be removed through an incision inside the lower lids with no external incision or scar (transconjunctival blepharoplasty).
Q: What happens during the recovery period?
A: Postoperative care involves managing swelling and bruising, keeping the head elevated, and applying prescribed ointments or cold compresses.
Q: Are there risks involved?
A: Risks include infection, scarring, dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes, and skin discoloration.
DISCLAIMER: Before and after results are NOT a guarantee that your results will be the same or similar. Each patient’s results will be different. Your results will vary from other patient’s results.