What is blepharoplasty?
It is well known that the eyes are considered the mirror of the soul. Through our eyes, we communicate energy and emotions, and their appearance can positively or negatively predispose those around us. With aging or due to hereditary factors or changes in the eye area, the eyes can give the face an aged or tired appearance. With upper or lower eyelid blepharoplasty, we can restore a fresh and rested appearance.
Analyzing the Indications
The procedure can be performed on a young person from the age of 20 to advanced age for aesthetic and functional reasons. In younger individuals, it is indicated for those who have a hereditary predisposition and present early excess skin on the upper eyelids and “bags” on the lower eyelids due to local fat prolapse. For other ages, the signs of aging appear progressively.
Upper Eyelids
Usually, varying degrees of skin laxity and fat prolapse at the inner corner of the upper eyelid are observed. When skin laxity is severe and the excess skin touches the eyelashes, it can create a feeling of heaviness on the upper eyelids and even obstruct peripheral vision. Many women also notice difficulty in applying makeup to the upper eyelids. In elderly individuals, a functional problem may also arise from upper eyelid ptosis, where one or both eyelids droop and the eyes do not open as they should, resulting in impaired vision. Upper eyelid evaluation also includes assessment of the eyebrow position. Often, the “sad” appearance is also due to drooping of the outer part of the eyebrow. A minor brow tail lift procedure can dramatically freshen the face.
Lower Eyelids
Usually, varying degrees of “bags” are observed, which are the result of a combination of excess skin, fat prolapse, or hypertrophic muscle. Most often, a progressive sagging and loosening of the skin over the nasolabial folds is observed, resulting in the midface appearing aged and the nasolabial fold appearing deeper. It is important to know that lower eyelid surgery can smooth and “iron out” the lower eyelid area while simultaneously lifting the tissues that “sit” on the nasolabial fold, resulting in improved nasolabial folds that are less pronounced. Μπορούμε δηλαδή με την κλασσική τομή της βλεφαροπλαστικής στα κάτω βλέφαρα να κάνουμε ένα μικρό φυσικό lifting του μέσου προσώπου και να βελτιώσουμε τις ρινοπαρειακές αύλακες με φυσικό τρόπο χωρίς ενέσιμα.
What is the procedure?
Upper blepharoplasty is performed under local anesthesia. Lower blepharoplasty alone or in combination with upper blepharoplasty is preferably performed under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, but can also be done under local anesthesia only. In selected cases when the surgery involves only the removal of excess fat from the lower eyelids, the procedure can be performed from the inner surface of the eyelid using laser without an external incision. Blepharoplasty can be combined with a brow lift, facelift, or endoscopic facelift.
What happens with the recovery?
The patient goes home half an hour after the procedure and uses a special ice pack for 24 hours. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic pills are taken preventatively for 24 hours. There is no post-operative pain and the use of painkillers is not considered necessary. After the first 24 hours, sunglasses are used and one can engage in daily activities outside the home. Post-operative swelling is most pronounced the day after surgery and then subsides quickly. The most challenging phase of blepharoplasty recovery is the appearance of bruising, which subsides within 10-12 days. Suture removal is done in 5 days, and then the bruising can be camouflaged with makeup. Return to work and social obligations occurs after 10-12 days. For this reason, we recommend that working individuals combine the surgery with their vacation or with activities in places where they are unknown and go unnoticed.
The appearance immediately after surgery due to bruising and sutures is bothersome, but over time, when the procedure is performed by experienced doctors, the result is natural, impressive, and predictable.
