Blepharoplasty/ Eyelid Surgery

What is Blepharoplasty?

A Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a cosmetic plastic and aesthetic surgery that improves and rejuvenates a person’s tired look, which resulted from the excess folds of skin on the upper eyelids, bags around the lower eyelids, and drooping eyebrows. Basically, Blepharoplasty takes out excess skin, fat, and muscle. When it is performed with the goal of improving vision, it then becomes reconstructive in nature. As we go through life and accumulate additional years, the effects of gravity, loss of skin elasticity, sun exposure, and daily stress all leave their marks.

Realistically, eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty will never stop the aging process. It may never take the stress out of your life or may not even give you that extra energy you need daily. However, it may still effectively take years off your looks and “turn back the clock” by removing excess skin, fat, and, muscle. For those who have severe physical manifestations to start with, this cosmetic surgery may help the patient look his fair age. The end result is rejuvenation, giving each patient that fresh and bright look.

All patients interested in Eyelid Surgery will need an informative and meaningful consultation with a certified cosmetic plastic surgeon. The patient is expected to discuss all expectations with regards to looking and feeling better after her Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. He should keep in mind though that the desired result is basically a reasonable improvement and realistic enhancement of his current features and never the impossible and unachievable “perfection”. Emotional stability and realistic expectation in patients is a must. Having a “new” look from an eyelid surgery never entitles or guarantees neither a better relationship nor a successful job in life. It solely improves your appearance and possibly helps in boosting your self-confidence. This is truly what Blepharoplasty can do for you. How you handle the positive physical effects and gains of an eyelid surgery is actually up to you.

The Blepharoplasty  Procedure

Blepharoplasty takes approximately one to two hours and can take longer if combined with other cosmetic plastic surgery procedures such as temporal lift, facelift, and brow lift. This surgery may be safely done in an outpatient setting or in a hospital basis under local anesthesia with or without light sedation, or even under general anesthesia if combined with other procedures. If sedation and local anesthesia is chosen, this would allow one to be comfortable during surgery while theeyelid skin is completely numb. However, most patients are able to tolerate surgery with just local anesthesia and equally producing the same results.

The Risks on Blepharoplasty

All operations including cosmetic plastic surgeries have their small share of complications and risks. Bleeding, infection, and healing problems are possible though not so common. Any pain or discomfort may be effectively controlled more often than not by the right over the counter oral medications. It is prudent however to inform your plastic surgeon or any staff member of any bothersome and persistent problems. Swelling, bruising, and skin discolorations are common and expected, and are usually resolved in a week or two. A sense of numbness and tightness is usually present, which eventually improves and subsides.