What is blepharoplasty and what is it for
Often the eyelid region is the first to undergo changes when the face begins to age : the gaze in fact begins to take on a less youthful, sagging and relaxed appearance. This phenomenon, in addition to giving a tired, marked, less lively and less expressive look, in the most pronounced cases can make it difficult to fully open the eye up to reducing vision.
Sometimes, especially in the presence of a family history of eyelid bags, it is possible that this problem is already present in the young age .
The intervention useful to correct eyelid defects is blepharoplasty, an operation capable of removing excess skin and excess fat, the so-called “eyelid bags”.
Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eyelid and must be programmed and customized according to the defects that each person has. Most of the time blepharoplasty is performed simultaneously on all eyelids . The goal of an oculoplastic surgeon is always the same: to remove the alterations caused by the passing of the years, but without changing the expression of the eyes.
Blepharoplasty surgery: how it takes place
Blepharoplasty is performed using suitable tools. Among others, it is also possible to use a specific laser thanks to which the skin and excess fat are removed. The laser promotes coagulation: this will reduce post-operative swelling and the risk of bruising.
The concealment of the incisions within the anatomical folds, together with the natural tendency to good healing of the eyelids, makes the scars very little visible within a short time in the vast majority of cases.
Upper blepharoplasty
With upper blepharoplasty, a skin incision is made in the supra-eyelid fold, after which the skin and excess fat are removed . In this way the look regains a very natural look without altering the expression.
Lower blepharoplasty
The incision is made in the lower eyelid, just below the lash line . Also in this case, excess fat and skin are removed.
What kind of anesthesia is expected for blepharoplasty
The blepharoplasty operation takes place under local anesthesia, with a few hours of hospitalization. Depending on the patient’s preferences, it can also be performed under general anesthesia in a day hospital.
Post-operative: what happens after blepharoplasty
The postoperative blepharoplasty is very quick: the swelling is reabsorbed in a few days and the scars become almost invisible. The remarkable rejuvenating effect means that the results of blepharoplasty often give great satisfaction.
Complications due to abnormal scarring such as lagophthalmos (incomplete closure of the eye) and ectropion (excessive stretching of the lower eyelid) in expert hands are very rare and in any case treatable.
The stitches usually remove after 5 days.
Post-operative convalescence is quick: usually you can return to normal activities after about 7-14 days, especially if you use opaque sunglasses or make-up.
FAQ
You have questions about blepharoplasty?
Read here first.
There is no specific age, surgery is indicated when excess skin or obvious bags appear.
Yes, in these cases the laxity of the muscle can be corrected and its tone improved to maintain a good result over time.
In planning the surgery, one of the secrets is to place the incisions of the eyelid skin according to the axis of the existing skin wrinkles, in order to minimize the visibility of the scar.
The operation fully respects all the characteristics of the person and removes those negative changes that have occurred with aging, such as excess skin or fatty eyelid hernias that cause eyelid bags.
For reasons of familiarity, sometimes the eyelid bags are already evident at a young age: the operation can remove them and bring the gaze back to an age-appropriate appearance.
No, the eye is not touched. The intervention takes place externally, through the skin.
No. In older people with tissue laxity, simple moist compresses are applied to the eyelids in the first few hours, which can still be removed for viewing.
