Blepharoplasty
Cosmetic Surgery - Plastic Surgery - Aesthetic Medicine - Reconstructive Surgery
Blepharoplasty is aesthetic surgery to the eyelids. The
eyelids may have various, sometimes ugly looks whose origin may be hereditary
or due to signs of aging. These problems can affect upper or lower eyelids,
or all four at once.
Eyes affected by aging may have many different looks:
-upper eyelid droops and becomes heavy with excess skin that forms a more
or less marked fold;
- the lower eyelid sags and has small horizontal lines related to stretching
of the skin;
- the lower eyelid has "pockets under the eyes "and the upper
eyelid is “bloated" due to the presence of fatty deposits.
Blepharoplasty allows correction of these signs of aging and gives a more
relaxed and rested look.
Blepharoplasty can be a single procedure for a patient but can also be part
of other, different aesthetic surgery to the face such as the various types
of facelift. Blepharoplasty is also in some cases associated with surgical
treatments such as laserbrasion, peeling or dermabrasion.
The purpose of blepharoplasty is to remove excess skin and fat surgically
and permanently without compromising the proper functioning of the eyelids.
Blepharoplasty corrects these little signs of aging, but there are more
significant alterations to the eyelid with which we must use more sophisticated
techniques than simple eyelid surgery and that involve additional surgery.
This is true of frown lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead, sagging
of the tail of the eyebrows, wrinkles or crow’s feet at the corner of the
eyes, dark circles, etc.
Before conducting a blepharoplasty, an eye and eyelid examination (ophtalmogical
examination) is performed to detect potential eye disease.
Blepharoplasty is performed by a specialist plastic surgeon and is carried
out in the same way as any surgical procedure with preoperative assessment
and consultation by an anaesthesiologist. Blepharoplasty can be carried
out under local anaesthesia, local anaesthesia in combination with sedatives
or classic general anaesthesia.
Hospitalization following blepharoplasty is variable depending on the type
of surgery and anaesthesia. The procedure can be carried out on an outpatient
basis but sometimes a short period of hospitalization may be recommended.
A blepharoplasty is an operation the duration of which depends on the surgical
work to be done by the plastic surgeon. The duration ranges from half an
hour to two hours.
Following blepharoplasty patient must rest and any avoid violent movement
because, whilst no pain is involved, the patient may feel some discomfort
with a feeling of tension in the eyelids, eye irritation and sometimes some
vision problems. .
The postoperative consequences of blepharoplasty are variable in duration
and magnitude according to the patient. They include swelling (oedema) and
bruising (ecchymosis). It takes a period of 3 to 6 months for the result
to be fully appreciated by the patient. This is the time needed for healing
and recovery of flexibility in the tissues.
Do not forget that blepharoplasty, performed in many cases for purely aesthetic
reasons, is a surgical procedure carrying all the risks associated with
any medical procedure (anaesthesia and surgery) even when carried out under
optimum conditions, i.e. by a qualified plastic surgeon. Without overstating
the risks, a certain number of hazards exist. Turning to a qualified plastic
surgeon can prevent complications or make sure they are treated effectively.