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What is Eyelid (Blepharoplasty) surgery ?
Eyelid surgery also known as Blepharoplasty ,corrects drooping upper eyelids or puffy bags below your eyes which are mostly caused by age. By removing fat and excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids it gives an aestheticly pleasing look. The surgery helps to improve the appearance of eyes by removing under-eye bags, dropped eyelids, and wrinkles around the eyelids.
Types of Eyelid surgery
There are two types of eyelid surgery. You should choose the most suitable type of eyelid surgery will with your plastic surgeon during consultation.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery aims to improve the look of your upper eyelids by removing fat and excess skin. It involves an incision in the natural crease above the eye. If you are bothered about droopy eyelids then upper eyelid surgery might be the best option for you.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery aims to improve the look of your lower eyelids by removing fat. It involves an incision just below the eyelashes or inside the eyelids.
Your plastic surgeon will suggest the best method by considering your circumstances and desires. They may suggest you to have either or both of these surgeries.
Right candidate for Eyelid surgery
You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you:
• Have excess skin and fat on your lower eyelids
• Have excess skin and fat on your upper eyelids
• Want to have more young - looking eyelid
• Have issues with your vision due to excessive skın on upper eyelid
Procedure
Eyelid surgery is performed in an office-based surgical suite, hospital or outpatient surgery center. If you are admitted to the hospital or surgery center, you will usually only stay one or two nights. The surgery itself usually lasts between one and three hours.
To keep you comfortable during your procedure, you will be given local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs the eyelid and surrounding area, while keeping you sedated but awake during surgery. General anesthesia keeps you asleep throughout the entire procedure. You can discuss which type of anesthesia you would like with your surgeon.
If your upper eyelids are being treated, your surgeon will make incisions along the natural creases of the upper eyelids. These incisions are made with a traditional scalpel or laser. The upper eyelid incisions extend from the upper inner corners of the eyelids to the "crow’s feet" region. Your surgeon will then remove excess skin, muscle and fat as necessary. The incisions are closed with tiny sutures (stitches), which are removed or dissolve in about one week.
If the lower eyelids are being treated, your surgeon will make an incision along the lash line and natural smile creases of the lower lid. Excess fat, muscle and skin are then trimmed away before the incision is closed with fine sutures (stitches).
Recovery
After the procedure, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will be closely monitored. In most cases, you will be permitted to go home after a few hours, although some patients stay overnight for one or two days. If you experience any discomfort, your surgeon will prescribe pain medications to keep you comfortable during the first few days of recovery.
In most cases, bandages are not required. However, you will experience some swelling and bruising. Cold packs can be applied to your eyelids, and you should keep your head elevated to control swelling. Bruising and swelling should begin to decrease after the first few days, but may not resolve entirely for up to one month after surgery.
Your eyes may feel tight and sore, especially the first week after surgery. In some cases, they may become dry and irritated, sensitive to light and itchy. You may also experience blurred vision from ointment that you will use to keep eyelids lubricated. During the first week, your stitches will be removed or dissolve.
Results
Your surgeon will provide you with specific instructions and guidelines for resuming your regular daily routine. Within the first week following surgery, you can use makeup and resume most of your normal, non-strenuous activities.
In most cases, after several weeks, most of your swelling and any vision problems will disappear. You will also be able to resume all normal activities and exercise, and wear contact lenses.
