Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure involving the eyelids, wherein fatty deposits and excessive tissue are removed to enhance the physical appearance of the eyes. Certain muscles surrounding the eyes may also be tightened to give the eyes the appearance of youthfulness, and in the case of excessive skin sagging, Blepharoplasty may serve to restore normal extent of vision. The procedure therefore is not only performed for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes solely but also to improve the functionality of the eyes as well. Surgery may be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both, depending on the advice of the surgeon. The simple nature of this particular surgical procedure rarely requires the patient to stay in the hospital and is usually done in an outpatient basis.
The need for blepharoplasty is most commonly determined through a thorough physical assessment conducted by the surgeon. Important considerations come into play prior to the surgeon’s decision to perform blepharoplasty. Factors such as the patient’s past and present medical history are vital since this will help the doctor better prepare for the individual’s plan of care since the presence of other medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes may predispose the patient to unwanted complications. It is equally important for the patient to know the whole procedure in itself – the procedure, the risks involved as well as what to expect after the surgery. Photographs may be taken before the procedure as a baseline data that will be used as comparison after blepharoplasty has been performed.
Weeks before the scheduled date of the surgery, and weeks after that, the patient is advised to refrain from drinking alcohol, to temporarily stop smoking and avoid taking aspirins as this may interfere with the normal healing process. On the day of the surgery itself, the surgeon performs blepharoplasty while the patient is in sitting position, with the back straight. The areas for incision will be marked using pen markers taking extra care to hide the incision lines. The surgeon numbs the site by injecting a local anesthetic so that the patient will not feel the pain. After surgery, antibiotic application is usually prescribed to prevent infection.
It is normal to see swelling and redness around the eyes a few days after blepharoplasty. Ice packs may be applied to address these problems. Difficulty in closing the eyes may be encountered but is unlikely to be permanent and should not be a cause for concern. Importantly, the patient must remember to refrain from doing strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects and bending for a week or two.