Blepharoplasty

The poets say that the eyes are the window to the soul, but what happens when the eyes you see in the mirror don’t reflect the way you feel? Many people find that drooping eyelids and puffy under-eyes make them look tired or sad. While this is a common effect of aging, some people are just genetically predisposed towards droopy eyelids. It’s not unheard of for men and women to seek eyelid correction as early as their late-20’s. This mild surgery is a perfect solution—often friends and family don’t even know that you had a blepharoplasty at all, only that you look happier, younger and more refreshed!

before

after

Blepharoplasty, or corrective eyelid surgery, comes in two types. Excess skin on the upper lids can be reshaped. Skin on the lower lids can be tightened to reduce “bags.” Before embarking on blepharoplasty, you should be aware that it does not treat dark circles, crow’s feet or a sagging brow. However, performing multiple surgeries at the same time as your blepharoplasty to correct these issues all at once is not unheard of. Your doctor can discuss your blepharoplasty options with you in detail during your consultation.
At your consultation, the doctor will examine your bone structure and skin elasticity prior to blepharoplasty. Also, your eyebrows and the muscles around your eyes will influence the procedure your doctor recommends. The doctor will then determine if you would most benefit from upper, lower or both (“quad”) blepharoplasty.
When undergoing an upper blepharoplasty, the doctor will make incisions in the crease of the eyelid, going out from the inside corner. By following the lid’s contours, a good surgeon can completely conceal any scars. A lower blepharoplasty requires making the incision below the lower lashes. This also allows the doctor the opportunity to remove any excess fat that may be contributing to “puffiness.” However, current blepharoplasty trends focus more on sculpting the tissue and fat around the eyes to improve the tone and contour—especially effective if the patient is trouble by “sunken” eyes.
After choosing a blepharoplasty procedure—or a suite of procedures—you will be assigned a pre-operative coordinator. They will see to your lab work and screenings as well as give you an opportunity to ask any final questions you may have about the blepharoplasty or the recovery period. You will probably be asked to undergo an eye exam to determine your field of vision and also a “tear test.” Smokers must quit for two weeks leading up to the blepharoplasty, and two weeks after. Certain medications and herbal supplements should be discontinued two weeks prior to blepharoplasty until two weeks after. Some doctors will prescribe specific herbal supplements that, when taken before blepharoplasty, help ease bruising and inflammation.
A blepharoplasty is a relatively simple procedure and generally requires only 1 1/2-2 hours of your time, from admission to discharge. On the day of the blepharoplasty, arrange for a responsible adult to take you to the office. It is advisable that this person be available via phone while you are in surgery and also be there to pick you up and take you home. Healing rates for blepharoplasty differ between cases, but you can generally expect to feel good as new after 72 hours.
During the first 72 hours following your blepharoplasty, you will want to keep your head elevated as much has possible, including during sleep. Also, keep crushed ice packs over your eyes nonstop to reduce swelling and bruising as much as possible. With thorough icing at the beginning, it is not unreasonable to expect swelling to disappear completely after 7-10 days after blepharoplasty. Return to the doctor after 5-7 days to get your blepharoplasty sutures removed. This is the time to ask any case-specific questions you have about makeup and contact lenses. Most surgeons will also supply you with cosmetic makeup designed specifically for blepharoplasty patients, to conceal any bruising around the eyes.
It is imperative to protect the eyes and face after blepharoplasty. Be very careful with direct sunlight—hats and high SPF sunscreen are recommended—for 3-6 months following your blepharoplasty. Dark glasses are also highly recommended to protect against sun and wind irritation. Dryness during the first 2-3 weeks following blepharoplasty is perfectly normal, and your doctor will provide eye drops and ointment. It may sound like common sense, but be very gentle with the area around your eyes. You doctor will let you know when it’s OK to start using eye makeup after your blepharoplasty, but even then take extreme care not to aggravate the incision lines. Since a blepharoplasty is a simple procedure, complications are mild and uncommon. They include eye-dryness, scarring, vision change and ectropian. Swelling should subside completely 3-6 months after blepharoplasty, at which time you can see your final, rejuvenated results!
Blepharoplasty Basic breakdown:
Time off from work/school: 5-7 days
No driving: 5 days
Blepharoplasty Eye drops and ointment: 1 month
No major workouts: 1 month
Post-op visits: Frequent for first 3 months

Basic breakdown:

Time off from work/school: 5-7 days
No driving: 5 days
Eye drops and ointment: 1 month
No major workouts: 1 month
Post-op visits: Frequent for first 3 months

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For more information on blepharoplasty, visit the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery.