Blepharoplasty

Have you noticed loosening in the skin of your upper and lower eyelids? Do your eyes look tired, with bags, dark circles and wrinkles? The solution is simpler than you imagine and the result – really impressive and long-term: elimination of the signs of aging and comprehensive renovation of periocular zone through blepharoplasty is now a completely routine procedure.

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical operation on the periocular zone through which the drooping skin of the eyelids is tightened and lifted. In some cases, the procedure also includes the removal or repositioning of fatty bags in the lower eyelid. It can be performed on the upper eyelids – for elevation of drooping tissue in the are, or the lower eyelids – for removal of bags under eyes and tightening of loose skin. Both manipulations can be performed separately or simultaneously depending on the patient's needs. The incisions themselves are made in the natural folds of the eyelids, which guarantees minimal and well hidden postoperative scars. The effect of blepharoplasty is a refreshed and all-around more youthful look. Upper blepharoplasty also has a large variety of beneficial functional results, including an increased vision field and improvement of the quality of life associated with headaches and vision.

Recovery period

7 to 10 days – the procedure does not require a hospital stay

Anaesthesia

local

Durability of the result

10 to 15 years

What does blepharoplasty entail?

  • The surgery is performed on the upper and lower eyelids separately or together.
  • Local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia is administered.
  • In the upper eyelids, the excessive skin as well as fatty or muscle tissue are removed by making an incision along the length of the eyelid which remains deeply hidden in the eye fold.
  • Any excessive skin and fatty tissue in the lower eyelids are removed through an incision several millimetres below the eyelash edge and in this also corrrects the so-called "bags".
  • The procedure is performed with a scalpel or Tempsure Surgical – an innovative technology ensuring a shorter recovery period and a more aesthetically pleasing incision.
  • The duration of the surgery is 2 to 3 hours depending on the complexity of procedure.

How should you prepare for surgery?

After a physical consultation that includes measurement of skin excess in the area of the eyelids, our surgeons prepare recommendations for surgery.
Before the surgery itself you are required:

  • To inform our team on any drugs which you take. It is mandatory to stop the intake of aspirin or drugs containing aspirin, as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or any herbal supplements, since they all increase the risk of bleeding. After the surgery, a physician may prescribe you analgesics and antibiotics.
  • You should undergo the required blood tests and consultations with a cardiologist and an anaesthesiologist.
  • For female patients – consider the date of surgery in relation to your menstrual cycle.
  • Do not take anything orally (food and water) in the day of surgery.

How long does recovery after blepharoplasty take?

As a rule, we recommend a one-week postoperative stay at home. For the majority of patients, the first 7-10 days after a procedure are the most unpleasant – oedema and bruises are present. fn non-absorbable sutures have been used, they are usually removed about one week after surgery. During the recovery period, it is desirable that you apply cold compresses or ice to the area of the eyes, as well as sleep in a maximally upright position to minimize oedema. We recommend that you avoid taking over-the-counter painkillers (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) since they may potentially increase bleeding. To alleviate discomfort, you should consult our medical team. Physical activity should be avoided in the first one to two weeks after surgery, after which burdening activities, including exercise, may be resumed.

When does a follow-up examination take place?

If your surgeon has not used absorbable sutures, the first postoperative examination takes place between days 7 and 10 after the procedure and the sutures are removed. The next visit is about one month later for review of the final result.

Any other recommendations?

For patients wearing contact lenses, it is mandatory to stop wearing them for at least two weeks after surgery. The use of sunglasses until the completion of treatment process is recommended in order to protect the treated area. Minimizing exposure to direct sunlight on incisions is important for the decrease of the risk of pigmentation.

Are there any contraindications?

The procedure is not recommended in case of pregnancy, breastfeeding, dryness in the eyes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, glaucoma or Graves disease.

With which procedures can it be combined?

To increase and prolong the effect of blepharoplasty, the procedure may be combined with surgical elevation of eyebrows (forehead lift).

Aesthetic dermatology also offers non-invasive methods of emphasising the effect from the surgery – such as injection therapies (botox and fillers), as well as laser and radio frequency energy (СО2 laser, Morpheus8, TempSure or Maximus).

Frequently Asked Questions

The scar from the manipulation of the upper eyelid is located in the fold of the eye and remains hidden when the eyes are open. Thanks to the fast recovery property of the skin in this area, only a month after the procedure the scar is almost invisible. In the lower eyelid, the incision is made right under the eyelashes, making the scar hard to see. Complete recovery of vision occurs about 15 days after surgery.
After blepharoplasty, the use of specific eye drops and the administration of ice or cold compresses to decrease oedema are recommended.
After the procedure, oedema is observed in the periocular area. Haemorrhages are also possible. These symptoms resolve after about a week. The administration of cold compresses in treated area in the first hours after surgery facilitates the reduction of haemorrhages.
No, the eye shape does not change after surgery. The highly specialized and experienced team of surgeons of Derma-Act guarantees the natural look of its patients.
Deep-set eyes result from the loss of fatty tissue in the skin of the eyelids. Aesthetic dermatology can correct this problem by filling depressions with hyaluronic acid.
The use of contact lenses is recommended only after the complete recovery of the treated area.

Before and After

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