Eyelid Surgery or Blepharoplasty (Eyelift): What You Need to Know

Also known as blepharoplasty or Eyelift, eyelid surgery is done to repair droopy eyelids. The procedure can be done for both medical and cosmetic purposes and involves removing excess fat, skin, and muscles.

As you age, there is a good chance your eyelids will stretch. The muscles that support them begin to weaken too. As a result, fat start building up below or above your eyelids.

This is the primary cause of bags under the eyes, sagging eyebrows, and droopy upper lids. An eyelid surgical procedure is done to correct these blemishes.

Blepharoplasty Types

Here are the common types of eyelid surgery.

Upper lid blepharoplasty: This constitutes the surgical reconstruction or repair of the upper protective fold. It can be performed for functional or cosmetic reasons.

Lower lid blepharoplasty: This types of surgery aims at restoring a youthful appearance and blur the transition between the cheek and the lower eyelid.

Why eyelid surgery?

You might consider to have an eyelid surgical procedure if you are battling with sagging or droopy eyelids.

Typically, surgically eliminating the excess tissue can improve your vision and appearance.

or example, both upper and lower eyelid surgery can make your eyes appear more alert and younger. Blepharoplasty is a viable option if you have;

• Droopy or baggy upper eyelids
• Somewhat excessive skin on the upper eyelids that stains your peripheral vision
• Bags under your eyes
• Lower eyelids with excessive skin.

Some of the common Eyelid conditions that require surgery

Ectropian: This is a condition that occures when your lower eyelid rolls outword from its normal position. People suffering from this condition usually suffer from tear overflow and subsequent inflammation and soreness.

Entropian: Its the opposite of ectropian. This is when your lower eyelid rolls inward resulting to your eyelushes rubbing against the cornea.

Ptosis (Drooping eyelid): a condition that occures when your upper eyelid droops due to age or gravity.

Lumps and Benign Cists: Styes and meibomian cysts Are inflammations that occure on the eye’s sebaceous glands. Though not hahrmful, they cause irritation and frustrations.

Eyelid Tumor: Cancer cells may grow on your eyelid just like they do on any place in the body a condition known as basal cell carcinoma.

Blepharoplasty: is done for cosmetic purposes to remove unwanted skin or fat around the upper of lower protective fold.

Dermatochalasis: Done to correct baggy upper eye fold. As a person ages, your upper skin becomes elastic and weakens forming a baggy skin and forwad movement of the fat behind the eyelid.

The procedure

How is eyelid surgery perfomed?

Blepharoplasty is majorly done in an outpatient setting and normally requires sedation and local anesthesia.

The entire surgery can take 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the scope and complexity of your preferred eyelid surgery.

If your doctor is operating on your upper eyelids, an incision is made along the natural crease lines. On the other hand, lower eyelid surgery requires an incision inside of the lower lid or just below the lash line.

The next step involves removing or repositioning the fat deposits and tightening the tissue.

After the procedure, the incisions are closed using skin adhesives, surgical tape, or removable sutures.

Some patients do ask if the surgery is permanent. Your upper eye surgery may last from 5 to seven years while the lower eye surgery may remain interct for longer periods.

Incase your lids sagg again, your surgeon may recommend a forehead lift rather thanperfoming another eyelid surgery.

Eyelid Surgery Cost

The cost of eyelid surgery ranges between $2,000 for minor procedures such as correcting the lower or upper eyelid and $5,000 for complicated surgical procedures such as removing fat and tightening tissue for both of your eyes.

For most surgeons, the cost include consultation, surgery and after care. If you want to get the exact quote of your condition, make one on one consultation with your doctor concerning your surgery.

Note that most health insurance policies don’t cover cosmetic eyelid surgery and its complications.

However, if the surgery was done to remove excess skin that interferes with your vision, it may be covered by your insurer.

It is recommended that you call your health insurance company for more details.

Blepharoplasty risks

The possible risks of eyelid surgery include;

• Dry, irritated eyes
• Bleeding and infections
• Scarring
• Challenges in closing and opening your eyes (a short period after the surgery)
• Subsequent surgeries (though rare)
• Skin discoloration
• Injury to your eye muscles.
• Severe eye pain

What to Expect During Recovery period at Home

Most patients express satisfaction with blepharoplasty results such as youthful appearance and increased self-confidence. The time and period apatient takes to recover from the surgery varies from one patient to another.

After surgery, you will experience swelling and bruising and soreness which subside after ten to 14 days. Your vision may be blurry, and your eyes waterly, sensitive to light and itchy for a few days.

Typically, the stitches on your eyes dissolve on their own if not so, they may be removed by your surgeon after 3 to 5 days.

It is recommended that you follow your surgeons instruction on how you should clean and care for your eye to avoid complications.

Return to work

Depending on the type of surgery perfomed, most patients return to work in about 10 to 14 days.

You may find it difficult to close your lid completely as you sleep after surgery. If this occures you can speak with your doctor about it whereby he will give you a gel to apply to keep it moist.

How to care for your Eye at Home after blepharoplasty

Below are ways you can use to take care of your eye lid surgery to avoid complications and ensure smooth healing process.

• Wait for atleast two weeks before wearing contact lenses
• Keeping shampoo or soap away from getting contact with your eye especially during the first week.
• Using cold saline compresses during the first 24 hours for comfort and to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Avoid swimming or hot tubs for 1 to 2 weeks
• Keeping the incisions clean and inspecting your eyes daily for any sign of infection.
• Using sunglasses on bright days
• Following your doctors instructions about using eye drops and antibiotic oinments.