What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical intervention that acts on drooping eyelids. This procedure often involves removing excess skin and fat.

The aging process affects the body in many ways, including the loss of tone in the muscles and skin. Therefore, the sagging of the skin is observed on the upper and lower eyelids, giving the eye an aged appearance, with “fallen” eyelids and eyebrows, lacking in tone. In the lower eye area, sagging skin encourages the appearance of “bags under the eyes”.

In addition to looking aged, severe sagging skin around the eyes can reduce side vision (peripheral vision), especially in the upper and outer parts of the field of vision. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate these vision impairments and make the eyes look younger.

The benefits of blepharoplasty

Although it is a surgical intervention, blepharoplasty is considered an easy and quick solution to a problem encountered by most people as they age.

The minimally invasive procedure can reduce or eliminate these vision impairments, radically change the patient’s appearance and increase self-confidence in a very short time, with minimal risks.

You may consider blepharoplasty if droopy or sagging eyelids prevent the eyes from opening fully or pull down the lower lids. Removing excess tissue from your upper eyelids can improve your vision. Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty can make your eyes look 10 years younger.

Blepharoplasty may be an option if you have:

• Lower eyelids drooping or the appearance of “bags under the eyes”;
• Excess skin on the upper eyelids that interferes with peripheral vision;
• Excess skin on the lower eyelids;
• A change in the appearance of the eyes that makes you have low self-confidence.

Blepharoplasty can be performed together with other procedures, such as eyebrow lifting, face lifting, or other non-invasive rejuvenation procedures offered by Elena Martin Clinic.

Potential risks of blepharoplasty

Like any other surgical intervention, blepharoplasty comes with a number of potential risks that must be considered by the patient. These include:

• Infection and bleeding;
• Dry, irritated eyes;
• Difficulty closing the eyes or other problems with the eyelids;
• Visible scars;
• Eye muscle injuries;
• Skin discoloration;
• The need for further surgery;
• Temporary blurred vision or, rarely, vision loss;
• General risks associated with any surgery, such as reaction to anaesthesia and blood clots.

We can only determine to what extent the above risks are a real danger to you following a consultation. Lifestyle, medical history and genetic profile will determine the likelihood that a patient will suffer from any of the above problems.

How to prepare for blepharoplasty

Everything starts with a consultation at the office. There we will discuss your expectations, analyse the situation of the eyelids and choose the best intervention option to achieve the desired result.

During the initial consultation, we can discuss:

Your medical history: what other interventions have you had, what health problems you have, what allergies you have, what pills you are currently using, etc.

Expectations: Blepharoplasty may be just the first step toward your dream physical appearance. Although the intervention will bring a radical change for the better in the eyes, for an overall more youthful appearance in the whole face, other surgical or non-surgical interventions may be necessary.

Also during the consultation, we will…

Do a physical exam to make sure that the affected area is ready for such an intervention.

Take some pictures. They will be used in the public space only with your consent. Pictures are important to be able to compare the results before and after the intervention.

Before the intervention, you will need to:

Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, others), naproxen (Naprosyn), and any other drugs or herbal supplements associated with increased bleeding.

Quit smoking a few weeks before surgery. Smoking can reduce your ability to heal after surgery.

How you will feel after the intervention

Following the operation, the eye area will be inflamed and possibly bruised, you will feel discomfort and you will need to apply eye drops; you will also not be able to wear makeup for 5-7 days until we remove the stitches.

Discomfort is usually minimal and can be avoided with common medications that I will prescribe. It is recommended to sleep with the head slightly elevated to facilitate healing. After 5-7 days, we will meet to remove the threads.

Although the patient does not need to be hospitalised following this intervention, rest is recommended for the next 2-3 days – you will feel the need to sleep more than usual, because your eyes will be more tired – this is good for the healing to be quick and effective.

The results of the operation will be seen immediately, the incisions will not be noticeable, and the result will last between 5 and 10 years.

How blepharoplasty is performed

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper, the lower or both eyelids, depending on the patient’s needs. We will meet at a consultation to understand what expectations you have for this intervention and we will act to fulfil the wishes accordingly.

In the operating room, subtle incisions will be made, through which we will remove fat and excess skin, which we will later close with sutures. Regardless of the intervention (upper or lower), the incisions will be created in strategic areas – for the upper one, in the crease of the eye, and for the lower one, in the eyelash area – so that they will not be noticeable after the operation.

This procedure lasts a maximum of 1 hour, and is performed with radiofrequency under local anaesthesia.

Contraindications for blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is not recommended for people who have psychological problems, dry eyes, active inflammatory skin conditions that cause scarring, such as eczema and psoriasis, and surgery with multiple revisions.

You can see the results of all interventions performed by Doctor Elena Martin on her Instagram or Facebook page.

All procedure prices can be found here. You can also find more information about the entire range of interventions performed by Doctor Martin here.

Real patients. Natural results.

The results of cosmetic surgery vary from person to person. Contact us for more information.

Feel like a star. Confidence through cosmetic surgery.