Blepharoplasty is a type of surgery that removes excess skin from the eyelids. With age, eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess skin and fat can gather above and below your eyelids.
Lower Eyelid Surgery: The goal of lower blepharoplasty surgery is to correct undereye bags with the removal or repositioning of the redundant fat. Similar to the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids are subject to the effects of aging and may require the removal of fat, as well as tightening of the lower eyelid skin. For the lower eyelids, fatty deposits can cause the patient to appear “tired” and unrested. When these eyebags are eliminated, the patient will appear more youthful and well-rested.
There are several different approaches to lower blepharoplasty surgery. In most cases, the incision takes place within the inner lower eyelid thereby eliminating any incision on the face. The internal incision does not require sutures and allows the surgeon to remove the excess bulging fat. In cases where there is crepey skin and excess fat, the incision can be performed below the eyelashes, and this allows the surgeon to remove fat and excess skin simultaneously. Some surgeons prefer to perform a chemical peel or laser treatment to tighten the skin of the lower eyelid and eliminate the need for an external incision.
Another treatment for excess lower eyelid skin is called a “pinch” blepharoplasty. A pinch blepharoplasty allows the surgeon to remove just a small amount of skin without disturbing the underlying muscle. This reduces the risk of lower eyelid malposition, or a condition called ectropion.
The potential risks of lower blepharoplasty surgery include bleeding, bruising, temporary blurred vision, and dry eyes. When an external incision is performed, changes in the lower eyelid position can occur as mentioned previously.
The recovery from lower eyelid blepharoplasty is like the upper blepharoplasty surgery. Patients will experience swelling and sometimes bruising but again, minimal to no pain. Ice compresses can be used for 72 hours. Most patients can return to work within a few days and use some type of concealer to hide any bruising. It is important to follow-up with your surgeon so that he can monitor the healing process
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty refers to aesthetic procedures of the eyes to enhance youthfulness and reverse aging. Some common complaints about the eyes include excess extra skin and wrinkles, heaviness of the upper eyelids, and baggy or puffy eyes due to herniation of fat. An upper blepharoplasty may include excision of drooping eyelid skin, repair of the muscle that opens the eye, and removal of excess fat.
The primary goal of upper blepharoplasty surgery is to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes creating a more youthful and alert appearance. Drooping upper eyelids can be elevated by the removal of excess skin and simultaneously smoothing out the wrinkles and eliminating fine lines. Additionally, in some cases where drooping upper eyelids significantly obstruct vision, the procedure can have a functional benefit in improving a person’s field of vision.
The surgical procedure for the upper eyelids involves making an incision in the natural upper eyelid crease and removing excess skin. In some cases, a small amount of muscle and fat is also removed depending on the desired outcome. The incision is closed with sutures that can be resorbable or sutures that can be removed in a few days. Bleeding is the main concern with upper eyelid surgery and surgeons have many options at their disposal to control this problem. Temporary vision problems or blurred vision may occur after undergoing eyelid surgery as well as difficulty closing the eyes. This typically lasts for just a few days to a week following surgery.
Most patients experience minimal to no pain following blepharoplasty surgery and swelling can be minimized with the application of ice. If bruising occurs, it usually resolves in 2 weeks and patients can usually return to work within 1 week. Patients can gradually resume normal physical activities within 2-3 weeks after surgery.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, intravenous anesthesia, or general anesthesia. It is often performed in conjunction with other facial surgical procedures. Blepharoplasty surgery is considered very safe, but like any surgical procedure, it comes with some risks as mentioned previously. It is important to follow post-operative instructions carefully and attend follow-up appointments with the surgeon to monitor the healing process.