BLEPHAROPLASTY
BLEPHAROPLASTY
Over the years, the eyelids, like the rest of the face and body, undergo undesirable changes, giving the eyes a tired, sad appearance. Many factors, such as heredity or sun damage, can accelerate these changes. A tired look or puffy eyes can also result from the presence of fatty pockets in the inner part of the upper eyelids or in the lower eyelids, as well as the appearance of dark circles. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can provide a solution for correcting these natural imperfections and the effects of time, but under no circumstances should it change the patient’s look or the shape of the eye. The result must remain natural.
Indications
The aim of blepharoplasty is to rejuvenate the eyes and permanently erase a crumpled appearance, to correct drooping eyelids or bags under the eyes, without any risk to visual acuity. Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper and/or lower eyelids, depending on the corrections required.
Contrary to popular belief, blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids is not an aesthetic solution to the problem of dark circles around the eyes. In fact, dark circles are often due to the presence of a “hollow” under the eye and to the dark or bistre tint of the lower eyelid. In this case, dark circles can be treated by:
- The injection of filling products (hyaluronic acid),
- And/or the application of a “depigmenting” cream if dark circles are coloured;
If you need to correct an upper eyelid with excess fat and skin, and aesthetic medicine solutions such as botulic acid (botox®) injections are unsuitable or insufficient, your cosmetic surgeon will refer you to an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. If you have excess fat (bags) and/or wrinkled skin under the lower eyelid, your plastic surgeon will refer you for a lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
The intervention
Upper eyelids
The procedure consists of reducing the internal fat pockets of the upper eyelids and removing the excess skin. Your cosmetic surgeon will take care to remove a sufficient quantity of fat so as not to “hollow out” the eye, but on the contrary to “redistribute” this fat in a harmonious manner. It is essential not to accentuate the hollowing of the eyes. The skin and muscle are excised in the palpebral crease, as well as in the “crow’s feet” wrinkle, making the scar imperceptible. This is a simple, fast procedure, performed on an outpatient basis (discharge on the same day as the operation), under local anaesthetic. The sutures are removed 4 to 6 days after the operation;
Bruising of the upper and lower eyelids will appear and persist for 8 to 10 days, and the eyes will be slightly watery. Social exclusion lasts for a very short time: between 4 and 10 days, depending on the patient’s occupation (dealing with the public or not).
The only minor inconvenience of this operation is that the patient will have to sleep in a semi-seated position for 4 to 5 days to avoid the formation of oedema. The final result can be appreciated approximately one month after the operation. A small amount of “camouflage” swelling persists for about two months, and the scar becomes invisible after one month. Complications from this operation are very rare.
On the lower eyelids
Blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids involves removing excess skin and fat from under the eye to give the eyes a fresh, rested look. Your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision under the lower eyelashes to leave an invisible scar. He will fill in the hollows responsible for dark circles by reshaping the fat and bags in order to add volume where it is lacking. Unlike blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids, the procedure is performed under general anaesthetic. It lasts on average 1 hour and the hospital stay is one day or one day and one night.
Swelling and bruising will appear and persist for 10 to 15 days. The sutures will be removed 4 to 6 days after the operation. Patients should avoid exposing their eyes to extreme conditions (sun, cold, sea spray, etc.) for 3 to 4 weeks. The final result is visible after this period. In the hands of a skilled and experienced surgeon, complications are extremely rare.
Blepharoplasty of the four eyelids
If you require blepharoplasty of all four eyelids (upper and lower), the procedure will be carried out under general anaesthetic, and the post-operative effects will be identical to those of blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids. This is why, very often, an experienced cosmetic surgeon will, if possible, refer you to blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids only and treat the lower area using anti-ageing medical techniques.
The importance of entrusting this work to a real specialist
As with any surgical procedure, it is essential to choose a safe and competent establishment and Plastic Surgeon. In fact, the right choice is absolutely essential if the surgical procedure is to achieve the desired result and avoid complications.
If you would like the advice of a specialist in this type of procedure, we invite you to make an appointment now for a consultation with your professional in Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
