An upper blepharoplasty refers to the surgery that is performed on the upper eyelids where excess skin removal, eyelid muscle repair, and fat removal are performed. A lower blepharoplasty which is also referred to as surgery for under-eye bags, deals with the repositioning or removal of excess fat or skin.
What Conditions Are Treated by Eyelid Surgery?
The following are the eyelid problems that blepharoplasty can treat:
Obstructed Vision
Upper eyelid disorder
Baggy eyelids
Bags under the eyes
Lower eyelid droop
Fine wrinkles
Am I A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?
If you are about to undergo any eyelid surgery, common indications for eyelid surgery would be the following:
Aging or muscular causing droopy eyelids
Eyelids blocking vision
Dissatisfaction with the appearance of the eyelids
Swollen eyelids and fat bags under the eyes
What Is The Best Age to Undergo an Eyelid Procedure?
Typically, a majority of patients fit to undergo eyelid surgery are those who are above 30 and seem to be quite healthys.
How to Prepare For the Blepharoplasty Procedure?
You would most likely undergo some medical evaluations prior to your surgery including physical examination, full eye examination, visual field testing, and eyelid photography.
What Happens During Eyelid Procedure?
It may include the upper, lower, or both eyelids in accordance with the goals and advice of the surgeon.
Upper Blepharoplasty
The incisions that the surgeon makes are along the natural skin crease of the upper eyelid, which points out that such incisions will be hidden when the eyes are open. Such excessive skin and protruding fat will be removed, and the incisions will then be closed.
Lower Blepharoplasty
In the blepharoplasty for the lower eyelids, the area just below the eyelashes which is the natural placement of the eye may be cut by the surgeon. Then, the surgeon removes or redistributes excess fat, muscle, and sagging skin. Following that step, the surgeon then closes the cut.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Surgery Take?
For a blepharoplasty operation, normally, the time ranges from one hour to an hour and a half depending on whether you are aiming to correct the lids, lower lids, or both. For instance, when treating just the upper lids, the procedure takes up to one hour while correction on both upper and lower lids would take approximately two hours.
What Happens After Eyelid Surgery?
After eyelid surgery, one will experience mild pain or discomfort and numbness. There would be swelling and bruising around the eyes; also, there could be some bruising around the whites of the eyes. There may be an irritated feeling in the eyes and extreme sensitivity to light.
What Are the Recovery Steps After the Blepharoplasty Procedure?
Most patients will feel very minimal pain after their procedure. For the first three days, beginning from the day of surgery, apply ice wraps at the site of surgery followed by warm compresses thereafter.
Gradually, physical activities would start to be resumed anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks according to the doctor’s advice.
Those who rub their eyes and apply cool compresses to relieve any discomfort would heal faster. Also, keep in mind how the sun will affect your eyes, reporting anything out of the ordinary to your doctor. The following activities should be avoided to aid your recovery from eyelid surgery:
Aerobics
Smoking
Rubbing the eyes
Using contact lenses for about two weeks after the procedure.
What Is the Recovery Duration After Eyelid Surgery?
Most of the patients could return to their daily chores within 10 to 14 days. However, some could take up to a few months as the full healing period.
What Are the Risks Associated With Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty comes with risk just like any other surgical procedure. Although these complications happen rarely, they can still occur. Some of the possible effects may include:
Bleeding
Infection
Dry eyes
Eyelids with abnormal pigmentation
Scarring
Abnormal folding of eyelid skin
Inability to completely close eyes
Retraction of the lower eyelid’s lash line
Potential loss of vision
Nevertheless, most patients report satisfaction with the surgical outcomes.
When Are the Results of a Blepharoplasty Will Be Apparent?
In the first month or so you will definitely see a change, but it may take up to a few months for the final result of the blepharoplasty to manifest. This is because, for several months, the delicate tissues around the eyes will continue to heal and the incision lines will fade for the next 6 to 12 months.