What is Blepharoplasty?
Eyes are the most beautiful part of the human face which often show the earliest signs of ageing or any other kind of stress that we may be having. Removing fat deposits and excess skin around the upper and lower lids can make the eyes look less heavy and less tired. How much difference it makes varies from person to person.
Eye bag plastic surgery or Blepharoplasty removes excess skin from upper eyelids, fat pouches under the eyes and corrects sagging or drooping eyelids to give your eyes and face a young and rejuvenated look. Blepharoplasty can be done alone or can be combined with other facial surgeries such as a Face lift and Brow lift to give the face a fresher and younger looking appearance.
Reasons for undergoing Blepharoplasty
Drooping eyelids are called "Blepharoptosis" or "Ptosis". It can affect one or both eyes and to different degrees from unremarkable to completely covering the pupil and iris. This can lead to amblyopia or astigmatism if not treated on time. Drooping eyelids can cause obstruction in vision.
Drooping can be of 2 types:
- Congenital - due to improper eyelid muscle development
- Acquired - when muscle or eyelids weaken and thin
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
- Restores a youthful definition to your eyelids
- Removes bulging fat and excess skin
- Improves your vision
- Corrects a drooping brow to give a more youthful look
- Provides pleasing contour of the lower eyelid and mid cheek
Am I a good Candidate?
If you are above 18, are concerned about the appearance of your eyes, have healthy facial tissue and muscles around eyes and don't have any serious eye problems, have sound physical health and are emotionally stable, you are a good candidate for the eye bag surgery or blepharoplasty.
Types of Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty can be categorized into 3 types:
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: It is done mostly in aged people to restore function for proper vision to carry out normal daily activities.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: It is done to treat what is commonly called eye bags in lower eyelids to improve the appearance of a person.
Double eyelid surgery: It is fairly common among Asians and the surgery to treat this is often referred to as Asian eyelid surgery. A lid crease is introduced in the upper eyelid for a double lid appearance. Many people prefer to get Asian eyelid surgery in India as it costs lesser to get the procedure done in India than in their own Asian country.
The other way of categorizing blepharoplasty is by the purpose:
Functional blepharoplasty: Aged, infected, degenerated or cancerous eyelids are re-established to normal state and vision is improved. Vision restoration is the main goal though improved aesthetics is an added advantage.
Cosmetic Blepharoplasty: This type mainly aims to improve the appearance of the eyelids. Getting rid of droopy eyes can make the face look younger, and you more confident.
Surgery Information
| Surgery Time
| 1-2 Hours
|
| Anesthesia Type |
General Anesthesia/Local Anesthesia with IV Sedation |
| Hospitalization |
1 Day |
| Stitch Removal |
7-8 Days |
| Initial Recovery Time |
8-10 Days |
How is Blepharoplasty Procedure done?
An incision is made below the eyelashes in the lower eye and along the crease of the upper eyelid. The skin is then dissected, fat removed and the muscle tightened. The incision is closed with fine sutures, placed in the eyelid crease or just under the lash line so that the scar is as inconspicuous as possible once healed.
In upper eyelid surgery, incision is in the natural folds of eyelids so that there is a more tightened appearance with removal of excess skin and fat. The lower lash line is the location of lower eyelid incision and the excess skin and fat are removed.
An alternative for lower eyelid surgery is trans-conjunctival incision but no skin is removed with this technique. The incisions are then sutured back and dressed to heal.
What is the Recovery after Blepharoplasty Surgery like?
Most patients find recovery from blepharoplasty comfortable, with any soreness managed by simple pain relief. Most of the swelling and bruising should be gone by one to two weeks. You can resume routine activities in about a week to ten days after the surgery. Avoid very strenuous work and activities for at least five to six weeks following the surgery.
What Results Can I Expect from Blepharoplasty Surgery?
The aim of eye bag surgery or blepharoplasty is a fresher, less tired look around the eyes. Where heavy upper lids have been blocking the upper field of vision, removing that excess skin can widen it again. How long the result lasts varies from person to person, so ask your surgeon what to expect in your case.