Blepharoplasty

The results of blepharoplasty are safe and long-lasting when performed by an experienced surgeon. The fat and skin removed from the eyelids will not come back and these results can even last for a lifetime. However, it will not stop the ageing of the eyes and the upper eyelid might droop a little bit with age.

Yes, scars will fade away in a couple of months after surgery. Incisions are made on the natural skin creases of the upper eyelid to hide them effectively after surgery. In lower eyelids incisions are made on the inside or on the outer skin just below the lower eyelashes.

Scarring depends on the surgeon’s approach for what to do and what to avoid during the surgery.

For blepharoplasty surgery patient must be:

• Healthy and free from medical conditions which can result in delayed healing like diabetes
• Do not have dry eye syndrome. This condition will worsen as eyelid surgery leads to dry eyes temporarily.
• Do not smoke or quit smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery
• Do not have undergone any eye surgery in the last 6 months

Blepharoplasty is a comparatively safe procedure and risks can be avoided by proper counselling of the patient before surgery. Possible risks associated with blepharoplasty are:

• Infection, bleeding, fever
• Dry, eyes
• Difficulty in eyelid movements
• Post-surgery scarring
• Eye muscles injury
• Discolouration of the skin
• Blurry vision temporarily
• In rare cases loss of eyesight
• In rare cases reaction to anaesthesia and blood clots formation

Recovery time for blepharoplasty is 10-14 days. For quick and normal healing patient is advised to:  

• Take care of eyes by cleaning them gently, avoiding rubbing or scratching
• Avoiding eye-straining activities like reading, checking emails, texting on phone etc.
• Wear sunglasses to protect eyes from sunlight
• Taking prescribed medications and eyedrops regularly
• Avoiding strenuous activities like jogging, aerobics etc
• Using 2-3 pillows to elevate the head for reduced swelling
• Quit smoking as it delays wound healing.

The complications of blepharoplasty are severe pain, swelling, infection and vision problems. But these compilations can be easily avoided by following the pre and post-surgery instructions carefully and taking prescribed medications regularly during the healing process. Also, a skilled and experienced surgeon will know what to do during surgery to avoid post-surgery complications and gain wonderful results.