Blepharoplasty

►WHAT IS BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Eyelid surgery.

Men and women currently choose the practice of blepharoplasty to improve their appearance. Droopy eyelids can make you look older and can also obstruct your ability to see. Blepharoplasty can correct these problems and also removes bags that form under your eyes and cause you to look tired. This procedure does not modify dark circles, fine lines, or wrinkles around the eyes, nor does it modify the position of the eyebrows. Although blepharoplasty is often performed as a one-time procedure, it may be advisable to practice a brow lift, rhytidectomy, or some treatment on the skin of your face for best results.

Successful facial plastic surgery is the result of a good doctor-patient relationship. Trust is based on realistic expectations and the development of a good experience during pre-surgery consultations. Your surgeon can answer specific questions about your particular needs.

►ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR BLEPHAROPLASTY?

As with all facial plastic surgery, good health and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Blepharoplasty removes excess fat, muscle, and skin from the upper and lower eyelids. The results can refresh your appearance by rejuvenating and firming the tissues in the area.

The surgeon will assess if there are any circumstances in your health that advise against this procedure, and will tell you if there are additional needs or complementary surgery that helps increase the degree of success. If you think it is appropriate, you may recommend a simultaneous frontoplasty to correct drooping eyebrows and forehead laxity, or a skin treatment to remove fine lines and some wrinkles.

►HOW TO DECIDE TO HAVE A BLEPHAROPLASTY?

When surgery is desirable for functional or aesthetic purposes, choosing a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of the utmost importance. The patient must also commit to carrying out the surgeon’s pre- and postoperative indications.

During the preoperative consultation, your surgeon will explain what you should expect from the operation and take a complete medical history. It is important to assess factors such as age, skin type, ethnic features and the degree of obstruction that the eyelids cause to their visual capacity. Moreover, it is important that you find an open and honest attitude to the exchange of impressions with your surgeon, which can re-establish the foundations of a successful outcome.

►HOW IS THE SURGERY PERFORMED?

A mark is made on the upper eyelid in the existing folds in order to make the incisions and create scars that are as invisible as possible. The incision is made and excess fat, muscle and redundant skin are removed. The wound is closed with fine sutures in order to minimize the visibility of the scar.

In the lower eyelid, the incision is made in a discreet place near the lash line, ensuring that Match a fine line that is triggered during the smile. Subsequently, excess fat, muscle, and skin are removed. The tissues are rearranged and the wound is sutured with thin material. When bags are caused only by excess fat, they can be corrected by transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The incision in this case is made inside the lower eyelid, that is, the conjunctiva. When this type of incision is sutured, the material used is absorbable and invisible to the eye.

► WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY

Right after surgery, your surgeon may apply small, sterile bands over the operated area. This is not required in the case of a transconjunctival approach. It may not be necessary to cover the eyes completely; however, some ointments are recommended to prevent dryness. A certain degree of inflammation is normal. Cold compresses and elevation of the head while lying down can aid in speedy recovery, as well as the use of inflammatory painkillers. During the first two weeks you should clean the eyelids which will be sticky, dry and irritated. A few eye drops may be recommended. Your surgeon will list activities and environments to avoid in the first few weeks postoperatively. The sutures will be removed in the first five days after the operation, except for self-absorbing sutures if they have been used. Facial plastic surgery makes it possible to correct many facial defects and signs of premature aging that can affect your self-esteem. By changing your appearance, facial plastic surgery helps to improve many sensations about yourself.

Insurance generally does not cover surgery performed for purely cosmetic purposes. Surgery to improve obstructive visual problems caused by redundant eyelids or surgery for eyelid deformities or trauma may be reimbursable in part or in full. It is each patient’s responsibility to review the individual conditions of their insurance.