Blepharoplasty

Technique

In upper blepharoplasty surgery, an incision is made along the crease of the eyelid while lower blepharoplasty incisions are made directly below the lash line, leaving no visible scar. Incisions are usually made within wrinkles caused by facial expressions (crow’s feet).

However, apart from the traditional technique, there are more approaches that can be implemented depending on the problem.

In younger people with fatty lower eyelids and elastic skin, a transconjunctival blepharoplasty is recommended. The transconjunctival technique utilizes an incision hidden inside the lower eyelid that leaves no visible external scars. Through this incision the surgeon exposes and trims the excess fat.

This approach can be combined with laser resurfacing of the eyelid skin to reduce lines and wrinkles.

What to expect after surgery

• Applying cold compresses or ice packs after the procedure will reduce swelling. The patient can go home on the day of the surgery.
• The pain is usually minimal and easily controlled with painkillers.
• It is recommended to use eye drops during the day and an ointment to prevent dryness during the night.
• During the first postoperative days, some swelling and bruising is to be expected, while sutures are removed four or six days after the procedure. After that, you can return to work.
• Sutures are removed between the 4^th and the 6^th postoperative day and the patient can return to their work.
• The patient will not be able to wear contact lenses for at least 2 weeks.

Risks and Side Effects

There are no complications following blepharoplasty surgery. However, having dry eyes or experiencing difficulty in closing the eyes completely, dryness or increased tear production or a possible delay in the healing process, are expected side effects that gradually subside with the appropriate instructions from your doctor.

Duration of results

On average, blepharoplasty results last for 10-15 years. However, the longevity of the results depend upon several factors including an individual’s genetic background, habits, skin quality, as well as the face’s natural form of expressiveness. Smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of sleep are evaluated as factors affecting the longevity of the results.

Useful Information

• It might take one to three weeks until you feel comfortable to go out in public or return to work.
• Bear in mind that healing is a gradual process. Small scars fade in time.
• Protecting scars from the sun is essential due to the fact that the sun makes them more prominent. Therefore, you should always wear sunglasses. Also, a gentle massage of the scars will help them mature and flatten faster.
• Normal fat that helps support the eyes can then move into the lower eyelids producing bags, which either shows up early in life, or are the result of aging.
• The best period for undergoing this procedure is during a winter break, since exposure to summer sun should be avoided.
• For fine lines around the eye area, you can turn to non-surgical treatment solutions, such as eyes skin peeling or special laser treatments, such as the V-beam laser, which treats skin lesions made up of small superficial benign blood vessels in the skin. This results in the selective destruction of blood vessels, while leaving the surrounding tissues intact, diminishing wrinkles and helping collagen production.
• Lower blepharoplasty in combination with a Mid-Face Lift produces even better results.