Other Facial Procedures: Blepharoplasty

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia and sedation.

How long will it take?

From one to three hours, according to your case.

How is a blepharoplasty performed?

The surgeon makes the incisions along the natural folds of the eyelids. This way the resulting scars will be disguised. On the upper eyelids the incision is done along its natural folds, and on the lower eyelids it is done just below the eyelashes. In some cases, the incisions extend some millimeters beyond the corners of the eyes. Working through these incisions, two in each upper eyelid and three in each lower eyelid, the surgeon removes the excess fat that accumulates beneath the skin. He also trims the excess skin of the bags that give the eyes that sagging and tired look. Then he closes the incisions with stitches.
If you have bags but you don’t need to have any skin trimmed, the surgeon may do a transconjuctival blepharoplasty. In this procedure, the incisions are made inside the eyelids and they leave no visible scars, but it is necessary for the skin to be thick, firm and elastic, so it is generally indicated for young patients.

How long will I have to stay hospitalized?

There is not need to be hospitalized; it is done on an outpatient basis.

What kind of bandages will I need, when will they be removed?

You will not need any bandages, only some little pieces of gauze and tape.

Will I feel a lot of pain?

Mild to moderate. Your eyelids will be tense and irritated for some days. The surgeon will indicate you to take analgesics every 6 or 8 hours; this will make you feel quite relieved. Eye drops will also help you alleviate the discomfort.

When will the stitches be removed?

Between 4 and 7 days after the surgery.

What about swelling and bruises?

They are mild and usually take between two weeks and a month to disappear. They will be at their worst during the first week but, at time goes by, they will slowly disappear. Cold compresses will help reduce the bruises and swelling. You will have to sleep with your head elevated for a few days.

What will the scars look like?

Since the surgeon makes the incisions along the natural folds of the eyelids, the resulting scars will be disguised.

You will have to rest at the hotel for 24 hours. You may be able to go back to work, and to have fun as you used to, at the third or fourth day after the surgery. At first, your eyes may be too dry, and you may experience irritation or itching. You may temporarily have double or blurred vision But don’t worry, it’s quite normal. For some days or weeks after the surgery, your eyes will be very sensitive to the light, or they may be quite watery.
For about two weeks, you will not be able to wear your contacts and, after that period, once you begin wearing them again, you may not feel them as comfortable as before until you become used to them again.
During the recovery period, some people may feel quite depressed. It is quite normal to feel this way after any kind of surgery, no matter how simple it may be. You may even come to think that you made a big mistake. But don’t worry. Most of the people who are happy today and who are satisfied with the results obtained, have also felt somewhat depressed.

Every surgery, no matter how simple it may be, has certain risks, and we should not rule them out. However, it is very unlikely for a blepharoplasty to present any complications when performed by a qualified surgeon.

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia.
• Infections may develop but, if you take the right antibiotics, they will be less likely to develop.
• Hypertrophic scars or keloids (excessive scar tissue due to genetic traits of certain skin types).
• Some patients may find it difficult at first to close their eyes when sleeping. But this is usually temporary.
• Ectropion. This happens when too much skin was trimmed and the lower eyelid turns outwards revealing the underlying tissue. This can be corrected in a second surgery.
• Sometimes, the eyelids remain wide open for a few days, in a very unnatural way. In general, this tends adjust itself as time goes by, and the eyelids acquire a more natural position as the tissues relax.
• If too much fat is removed from the lower eyelid, the eyes may look “sunken".

Your eyes will look fresher and more suggestive and sensuous. Your face will look much more relaxed and youthful. You will be able to appreciate the results after a few weeks, and they are usually permanent. The scars will become almost invisible after a few months.