It is normal for our faces to change as we age. Especially the sagging skin around the eyes, drooping upper eyelids, and the appearance of 'bags' under the eyes are problems that many people have. This can interfere with appearance and sometimes even vision. So today we are talking about a popular surgery that is performed as a solution to this. This is called Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery.
Simply put, what is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the area around your eyes. Simply put, it reduces bagginess under the eyes and removes excess skin from the upper eyelid.
As our skin ages, it gradually loses its elasticity. This loss of elasticity, combined with the downward pull of the skin due to gravity, causes excess skin to accumulate on the upper and lower eyelids. This surgery can be performed on the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both at the same time.
Most of the time, this surgery involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue underneath the skin. However, sometimes, skilled doctors reposition these tissues instead of removing them.
Although blepharoplasty is primarily a cosmetic surgery, it can also help to improve vision in some people whose upper eyelids are drooping and obstructing their vision.
But one thing to remember is that this surgery cannot completely eliminate dark circles under the eyes or remove crow's feet. There are other surgical and non-surgical treatments for these conditions. Blepharoplasty can often be combined with other facial surgeries, such as laser resurfacing or brow lifts.
Who is the best person for this surgery?
Generally, the best candidates for this surgery are people over the age of 30, who are free of other eye diseases, and in good health. If you have any of the conditions listed below, you should definitely tell your doctor about it.
- Eye diseases: Conditions such as glaucoma, dry eyes, or detached retina.
- Thyroid disorders: Conditions such as Graves' disease, hypothyroidism, or hyperthyroidism.
- Heart disease: High blood pressure, or other circulatory system diseases.
- Diabetes.
Another important thing is to be realistic about what you expect from this surgery. Yes, this surgery can improve your appearance and boost your self-confidence. But don't expect a dramatic change in your facial appearance all at once. Many people's eyes are not set at the same level, or there may be a slight difference in size. These things are inherent in our facial development from the very beginning. Blepharoplasty surgery cannot change the basic structure of your face. Therefore, before deciding to have surgery, be well-informed about your face and clearly discuss your expectations with your surgeon.
How should I prepare before surgery?
When preparing for blepharoplasty, your ophthalmologist or oculoplastic surgeon will tell you to do certain things. These are:
| What to do | Description |
|---|---|
| Medical tests | Get the necessary medical or lab testing to see if you are suitable for surgery. |
| Quitting smoking | Smoking interferes with the healing process, so it should be completely stopped before and after surgery. |
| Medication control | You should tell your doctor about the medications you are currently taking and, according to his or her advice, change them or stop some medications. |
| Medications to stop | Things like anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, blood thinners, multivitamins, and herbal supplements can increase the risk of bleeding and should be stopped before surgery on medical advice. |
You should also arrange for a trusted family member or friend to drive you home after surgery. It is also essential to have someone with you the first night after surgery.
How is the surgery done?
Depending on your needs and the surgeon's recommendation, this surgery can be performed on the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both.
Upper Blepharoplasty
In this, the doctor makes a small incision in the natural crease of your upper eyelid. This way, the incision is not visible when your eyes are open. The excess skin and fat that protrudes forward are then removed and the incision is closed with fine stitches.
Lower Blepharoplasty
In this, the doctor makes an incision just below the eyelash line in the lower eyelid. The excess skin is removed through this incision. Sometimes, a transconjunctival incision can be made inside the lower eyelid to remove or reposition the excess fat so that it is not visible from the outside.
Typically, a surgery to only do the upper eyelid takes about 45 minutes to an hour. If both the upper and lower eyelids are done at the same time, it can take about two hours.
What happens after the surgery? What complications can occur?
After the surgery, you will have stitches on both upper eyelids that will last about a week. If the incision on the lower eyelid was made from the inside, there will be no stitches. It is normal for the area around the eyes to swell and turn blue/purple after the surgery. Therefore, you should stay home for a few days, limit other activities, and give your eyes time to heal.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Complications from blepharoplasty are rare, but they can sometimes occur.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Dry eyes
- Abnormal color changes in the eyelashes
- Scarring
- Abnormal inward or outward folding of the eyebrow skin
- Inability to close the eyes completely
- Lower eyelid drooping
- Very rare risk of vision loss
Although these are rare, it is important to be aware of these risks before deciding to have surgery. However, the majority of people are very happy with the results of the surgery.
How long does it take to heal?
The surgery is usually not painful. However, you will have some swelling and bruising. Most people are back to normal in about two weeks (10-14 days) . However, it may take several months to fully recover.
During the healing process, you can use cold compresses and antibiotic ointments prescribed by your doctor to reduce swelling. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on these:
- How to take care of your eyes.
- Medicines to speed up healing and prevent infection.
- Things to be especially careful about at the surgery site.
- Date of next visit to the doctor.
Blepharoplasty surgery cannot stop your eyes from aging. But the results are usually long-lasting. The results of upper eyelid surgery can last for 5-7 years and can last a lifetime. Lower eyelid surgery usually doesn't need to be done more than once in a lifetime.
Take-Home Message
- Blepharoplasty is a safe surgical procedure that improves appearance by removing sagging skin around the eyes. In some cases, it can also remove obstructions to vision.
- Be realistic about your expectations before having this surgery. Talk openly about it with your surgeon.
- Follow the doctor's instructions carefully before surgery (such as quitting smoking and stopping certain medications).
- Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery, and it may take several months to fully heal.
- The results are long-lasting, but it cannot stop the natural aging process.
- If, for any reason, dry eyes persist even two weeks after surgery, inform your doctor immediately.
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