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Blepharoplasty

  
What is Blepharoplasty?

Upper Blepharoplasty entails removal of excess skin from the upper eyelid, while Lower Blepharoplasty is the removal of eyebags and excess skin, such as crow’s feet. Lower Blepharoplasty depends on the skill of the surgeon as to how much skin he will excise from underneath your eyes to eradicate crow’s feet. If the surgeon does not cut enough skin, then the patient can be left with even more wrinkles. This happens because the surgeon removed fatty deposit and left you with "empty" eye sockets. Lower blepharoplasty is one of the hardest operations for the cosmetic surgeon to judge.

Upper Blepharoplasty can always be carried out on its own, but in most cases Lower Blepharoplasty should be combined with Upper Blepharoplasty to even out the pull on the outer corner of the eye and avoid the appearance of "downward slanting" eyes.

Preparation

Patients are advised to take zinc and magnesium for at least one month before the operation to aid the healing process. Aspirin interferes with blood clotting and must not be taken two weeks prior to the operation (many painkillers contain aspirin).
Smokers should stop smoking 2 weeks before and for at least a week after the operation.

What happens during Upper Blepharoplasty?

Upper eyelid surgery is a very straightforward procedure where the discomfort level is very low. The surgeon cuts a long ellipse of skin from along the line of the upper eyelid crease. Where there is hooding on the upper side of the eye, the cut will extend further out into the crow’s feet. Along with the skin, the surgeon also removes fat that accumulates beneath the muscle responsible for screwing up the eye. Having the excess skin cut away can instantly make you look more fresh-faced and wide-awake.

What happens during Lower Blepharoplasty?

A cut is made immediately below the lashline and out into the crow’s feet and then the decision is made how much the lid needs to be tightened and how much fat must be removed. The scar runs just below the line of the eyelashes and extends out from the corner of the eye in one of the natural laughter lines. The scars are fine and inconspicuous but they will be noticeable for a few weeks before they heal completely.

Aftercare

Patients are seen every day, including Saturdays and Sundays, and the nurses check, clean and sterilise the area where you had the incisions, making sure that scabs, which may cause scarring, do not form around the stitches. Stitches are removed after 5 days. It is important to keep the skin well moisturised. It can take up to 3 months before all of the effects of Lower Blepharoplasty (such as swelling) disappear. The effects of Upper Blepharoplasty disappear within two weeks.

Remember to keep taking vitamins everyday, especially Vitamin C, to promote healing. Some pain is usual after the operation, but it is controllable by simple painkillers.