Eyelid surgery (technically blepharoplasty) is an operation that can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision with excess skin and fat removal and muscle tightening. However, it can’t correct crow’s feet or other wrinkles, remove dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. (may be done together with browlift etc)
Good candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who have realistic expectations, physically healthy who don’t have medical conditions impairing healing.
Consultation for the eyelid surgery is important to discuss the reason, expectations, desired outcome, medical conditions, drug allergies, previous medical treatments, current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, smoking, drug use, previous surgeries. You will be asked about your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors. Your surgeon will examine your face and eyelids in detail, skin quality, and placement of your anatomical structures. Your photos will be taken. At the end your aesthetic surgeon will discuss your surgery options and other additional procedures which may help to improve the overall result like brow lift surgeries and risks or potential complications.
Some medical conditions make blepharoplasty more risky. They include thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and Graves’ disease, dry eye or lack of sufficient tears, high blood pressure or other circulatory disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. A detached retina or glaucoma is also reason for caution; check with your ophthalmologist before you have surgery.
Eyelid surgery risks include: anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection, poor wound healing and skin loss, unfavorable scarring, prolonged swelling, skin irregularities and discoloration, unsatisfactory results may include: asymmetry, unsatisfactory surgical scar location and unacceptable visible deformities at the ends of the incisions. (It may be necessary to perform an additional surgery to improve your results)
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your cosmetic surgeon.
Getting prepared for the operation: blood tests must be done, medications for chronic problems you’re on should be estimated with your surgeon and your doctor dealing with, smoking must be stopped, aspirin, vitamin E, gingko and ginseng containing stuff and certain anti-inflammatory drugs that can increase bleeding should be avoided.
Eyelid operation is preferred to be performed under local anesthesia. It may take 1-2 hours according to the possible additional procedures. Incision and techniques may change due to the patient’s facial appearance, patient's expectations and surgeon's judgment. Incisions will be in the fold for the upper eyelid. Skin will be gently lifted from underlying tissues, muscle will be tightened and excess fat may be removed. If lower eyelid will be done, incisions may be under the ciliary line continuing in the crows feet area, herniating fat is removed, musclesskin is tightened. Incisions will be closed with non-absorbable stitches that needs to be removed a week after. At the end, flasters will be used to decrease swelling.
Patients generally have a slight discomfort and soreness, not like pain. There will be some swelling and bruising, cold compression helps to decrease to a minimum. Medications will be prescribed and follow up checks will be planned. Generally 6-7 days after patients may get rid of the stitches and have a whole body shower including the hair. Eyelid stitches needs to be removed. Bruises fade away in 7-15 days and swellings diminish in the following weeks.
