Eyelid plastic surgery, Blepharoplasty (upper and lower)

Eyelid rejuvenation plastic surgery (blepharoplasty) removes excess skin and fat pockets located on the upper and lower eyelids, changes that arise with aging. Eyelid rejuvenation surgery can be associated with other procedures such as: eyebrow lifting (eyebrow lifting), face rejuvenation (facelift), etc.

Other alterations that affect the eyelids such as dark circles, pigmentation, lateral “crow’s feet” or sunken eyes, should be treated with other procedures, such as: peeling, application of botulinum toxin, and fillings with fat or hyaluronic acid.

Surgical technique     

  • Marking the eyelids.
  • Antisepsis + anesthesia.
  • Incision + removal of excess skin and fat bags on the upper and/or lower eyelid.
  • Review of bleeding areas + closure of operative wounds with fine thread.
  • Repetition of the same steps on the other side.

Postoperative Guidelines

Rest, use of gauzes moistened with a cold solution over the eyes and eye drops will be necessary for 2 days. The head of the bed must be elevated for five days. The use of sunglasses will be indicated for at least 15 days. You should not sunbathe on the scars for six months. Pain is rare. Purple and bumps are common and will tend to disappear during the postoperative course.

Blepharoplasty guidelines

  • For 2 days, keep sterile gauzes soaked in cold saline or iced chamomile tea over the eyes throughout the day. The saline solution, or the tea, should be placed in an ice bucket or in the refrigerator and the gauzes moistened every 30 minutes. You can moisten the gauze yourself as long as the serum or tea is near you. Every time you need to get up, remove the gauzes, discard them and, when you come back, put new gauzes over your eyes and moisten them again. At night, at bedtime, moisten the gauzes, there is no need to moisten them again every half hour. There is usually no pain after the surgery.
  • Avoid driving in the first 3 days after surgery.
  • After discharge, it will be important to rest in bed or in a reclining chair. When lying down, keep the headboard elevated 30º for 5 days. Sleep without pressing the operated areas against the bed.
  • The day after discharge, you will be able to take a full-body bath, even washing the operated areas, without rubbing them, using the prescribed soap. Carefully wash operative wounds (areas with stitches). Complete the bath with normal soap.
  • Always have a separate clean face towel to dry the operated area and a regular towel to dry the rest of the body.
  • After 48 hours, there will be no need for bed rest. Return to your normal activities, respecting the aforementioned limits. Stay away from household chores for at least 20 days.
  • It is likely that bruises (ecchymosis) and swelling (edema) will appear in the operated areas, which will disappear over time. A more pronounced tearing may also occur in the first few days. Use the eye drops prescribed on the same day as the surgery, as prescribed.
  • Sun exposure should be avoided for the first 30 days after surgery. The use of caps, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses is recommended. The use of sunscreen is also advisable.
  • More intense physical activities should only be resumed 3 months after surgery (examples: swimming, running, weight training, ball sports).
  • You must return to the doctor’s office regularly, as requested, for the removal of the stitches and evaluation of the evolution of the surgery.
  • After removing the stitches, start massaging the scars with the prescribed oil. In some cases, special care for the scars will be necessary.
  • The outcome of your surgery will depend a lot on following these guidelines correctly. Any questions, contact your doctor.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is the indication for blepharoplasty?

Eyelid rejuvenation plastic surgery is indicated for women and men who wish to have a more youthful appearance, eliminating the appearance of “tired eyes” and improving vision when excess eyelid skin gets in the way. This surgery corrects sagging and excess fat pockets located in the eyelids. Lateral wrinkles (“crow’s feet”) are not corrected with this procedure alone.

What is the recommended age?

Generally, the recommended age is from 35 years old, however, there is no ideal age to perform this surgery.

What type of anesthesia is used in eyelid surgery?

Local anesthesia associated with sedation is the most used, but the surgery can also be performed under general anesthesia.

How long is the surgery?

The eyelid rejuvenation surgery lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.

What is the length of stay?

The hospital stay is 8 to 12 hours. Usually, the patient is released on the same day.

When will stitches be withdrawn?

Stitches will be removed 4 to 5 days after surgery.

Does blepharoplasty have risks?

Postoperative complications are rare. Among them, we can mention: hematoma, eversion of the lower eyelids (ectropion), drooping of the upper eyelids (palpebral ptosis), scarring alterations, etc.

How long does it take to get the expected result?

The scars usually become imperceptible after 6 to 12 months and are hidden in a natural crease on the upper eyelids and just below the lashes on the lower eyelids. The result occurs after 6 to 12 months. There may be partial loss of the result due to the continuous aging process.