Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is the most common facial plastic surgery procedure in America. It can be performed on the upper and lower eyelids, trimming drooping skin and removing unwanted bags of fat. The result is a more youthful appearance by restoring the appearance of young eyes. Depending on the extent of excess skin, blepharoplasty can also increase the field of vision that has gradually decreased over time. Blepharoplasty is frequently combined with browlifting to yield a brighter, more alert, and less fatigued appearance.

 

 

Blepharoplasty is one of the most common facial plastic surgery procedures. Droopy eyelids have significant effects on facial aesthetics. Blepharoplasty is the surgery that removes excess skin in the lids, corrects puffiness and bags under the eyes that make you look worn and tired. In cases that have fine lines around the lower eyelid, this is combined with laser resurfacing. In conditions where brow drooping is present with excess skin in the upper eyelids a lifting of the brow is also performed with eyelid surgery. In certain cases excess skin causes significant hooding in the upper lid affecting vision.

Blepharoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. In upper eyelid surgery, the surgeon determines first the degree of hooding in relation to the brow, the position of excess fat in the upper eyelid compartments. Incision is made in crease of the upper lid, the skin is elevated, the muscle is exposed, redundant muscle is removed or tightened, the excess fat is removed in a conservative fashion, all minor oozing is controlled, excess skin is removed and the wound edges are closed with fine sutures and in a plastic fashion minimizing scar visibility.

In lower eyelid surgery, the incision is positioned in an inconspicuous site under the eyelashes. The Skin and muscle of the lower lid are elevated. The fat deposits are exposed, repositioned or removed. Minor oozing is controlled. Excess muscle, and skin are then trimmed before the incision is closed with fine sutures in a plastic fashion.

In cases where patients have lower eyelid puffiness with excess fat without redundant skin, a transconjunctival bleparoplasty is performed. The incision is made inside the lower eyelid and not in the skin, and excess fatty material is removed or repositioned. After surgery special tape is positioned around the eyelids and cold compresses are applied.

Under certain conditions, the laser resurfacing is added to the surgery in order to remove fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid. When there is drooping of the brow, brow is performed at the same time or a “pince mannequin” is done.

What To Expect After The Surgery ?

Following the surgery, cold compresses are applied for 12 hours and discomfort is usually minimal and controlled with mild painkillers.

In the first week, usually mild to moderate swelling is present. Patients are asked to have limited activities, and sutures are removed after 5 days. Specific information is given to you regarding your post operative care for your eyelids following surgery.