GeneralWhat You Need To Know About Eyelid Blepharoplasties

One of the most requested treatments for eyelids is upper eyelid rejuvenation, more formally known as an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. The goal of this procedure is to reduce the effects of aging by removing excess skin, muscle, and fat around the eyes, reducing the appearance of droopy eyelids.

An upper eyelid rejuvenation procedure can provide a more youthful look by reducing the look of tired or angry eyes. If the procedure is successful, patients should have clearly defined eyelid and eyebrow spaces, a properly positioned upper eyelid crease, renewed and full eyelids that do not droop, and a more wide eyelid opening.

 Risks Associated With Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Although upper eyelid blepharoplasties are generally minimally invasive and safe procedures, there are certain risks associated, as with any surgical procedure. While these outcomes are not common, potential risks include asymmetric eyes, cosmetic irregularities, dry eyes, scarring, infections, bleeding, and bruising.

The best way to avoid these risks is to do thorough research on the procedure and which plastic surgeon you want to perform it. An experienced and knowledgeable surgeon will be able to answer any questions you have and navigate the subtle nuances the procedure requires, ensuring a successful and natural-looking result.

 How Long is the Procedure and Recovery Time?

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty takes approximately one hour to complete. It can typically be performed under a local anesthetic or mild sedation if needed (also known as “twilight” anesthesia.) However, the latter is usually reserved for patients undergoing several procedures at once.

The recovery period usually lasts approximately four weeks and can be broken down into the following timeline:

• Week 1 – There will likely be swelling and mild bruising around the sutures and incision site
• Week 2 – Sutures are removed, there should only be minimal swelling (if any,) and the bruising should be well on its way to healing
• Week 3 – Light activity can resume, but patients should avoid strenuous activity, such as exercise
• Week 4 – The eyelid and surrounding area should be healed, though patients should still refrain from strenuous activity

Doctors recommend waiting at least six weeks to ensure the eye is fully healed before engaging in activities that involve prolonged physical exertion or contact with the eyelid, such as applying makeup.

 Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: What It Is and Associated Risks

While an upper eyelid blepharoplasty targets drooping eyelids, a lower eyelid blepharoplasty is designed to smooth wrinkles, remove excess skin, and reposition fat from the lower eyelid. This creates a more youthful appearance and may also correct deformities, such as nasojugal grooves.

Depending on the nature of the lower eyelid blepharoplasty, follow-up procedures such as skin laser resurfacing may be needed to address color discrepancies, skin redundancies, or wrinkling.

This procedure is the same as its upper eyelid counterpart in terms of process, associated risks, and recovery timeline. However, there are a few additional risks that interested patients should be aware of— namely, how preexisting conditions may affect the surgery’s outcome. For example, lower eyelid tone laxity, if not identified and corrected preoperatively, can lead to decreased eyelid retraction or worse laxity after the surgery.

Other Eye Rejuvenation Procedures

Though upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasties are popular, they are by no means the only option for eye rejuvenation. Other popular cosmetic procedures include brow lifts and eyebrow hair transplants.

Both of these procedures are fairly safe and have minimal associated risks. Like the blepharoplasties discussed above, they can be performed under local anesthetics or mild sedation and take only a few hours to complete. Patients should expect a four-week recovery time, though results of the brow lift will be nearly immediate, whereas eyebrow hair transplants can take up to one year to materialize.

Prior to scheduling any surgeries, individuals should conduct thorough research and book a consultation with an experienced surgeon. The skilled team at Montante Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics could help an individual determine what procedure is right for them given their unique concerns and desires during an initial consultation.

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