Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) - Minimally Invasive

What happens in Blepharoplasty?

Eyelid surgery takes place in the following steps-

• An anesthetist administers the anesthesia to numb the eyes. In some cases, general anesthesia is used, whereas in most cases, a numbing agent is injected into the eyelids directly to numb them for surgery. 
• The upper eyelid is addressed first. The surgeon makes a small cut to excise the excess skin, fat, and sometimes muscle tissues as well. 
• The line of incision is made in such a way that ensures that the resultant scars get concealed within the natural structure of the eyelid. 
• The lower lid blepharoplasty involves the removal of fat that makes them look baggy. The incision is made either on the inside or outside, right below the eyelashes. In some cases, the lower eyelid may be secured with the bone structure. 
• Typically, eyelid incisions are closed with skin glue or stitches, and the surgery site is cleaned with a disinfectant.

How to prepare for eyelid surgery?

Once the surgery is scheduled, the doctor will provide detailed instructions for preparation. Though blepharoplasty is plastic surgery, the patient will need to consult an ophthalmologist as well. The best thing to do is to consult an oculoplastic surgeon (an ophthalmologist who performs plastic surgery). It is crucial to discuss the medical history of the patients along with expected goals for good results.

For preparation, the patient will be instructed as below-

• Get a complete eye exam that consists of a tear production test, measuring parts of the eyelids, a visual field test, and eyelid photography. 
• Stop taking blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc., as they can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure. 
• Quit smoking at least one or two weeks before the surgery, as smoking can impair the body’s healing abilities. 
• Arrange for someone to accompany you for the procedure and stay with you as well.

Potential Risks & Complications of Eyelid Surgery

The following risks or complications are associated with blepharoplasty.

• Reaction to anesthesia 
• Blood clots
• Infection and bleeding 
• Dry and irritated eyes
• Difficulty in closing the eyes 
• Injury to the eye muscles 
• Skin discoloration
• Temporarily compromised vision

With proper care and following the doctor’s advice, most of these post-surgery complications can be avoided successfully.

What to Expect after Blepharoplasty?

Expect to feel slightly disoriented after the surgery due to the effects of anesthesia. As the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, the patient will be kept under observation for a while and discharged on the same day.

The patient may also experience the following side effects after the surgery temporarily-

• Blurred vision 
• Watery eyes 
• Light sensitivity 
• Double vision 
• Puffy or numb eyelids 
• Swelling or bruising around the eyes 
• Pain or discomfort

The medical team will give detailed instructions on how to take care of the eyes before discharge, along with the follow-up schedule.

Recovery & Results After Eyelid Surgery

The results of blepharoplasty will take some time to appear. There will be bruising, swelling, and redness around the eyes for a couple of days or weeks. The final results will be clear only after these after-effects disappear.

During the recovery phase, it’s crucial to take proper care of the eyes and follow the tips below to ensure a smoother recovery-

• Use ice packs on the eyes for 10 minutes/per hour for 24 to 48 hours. 
• Use the prescribed medications, eye drops, and ointments as directed by the doctor. 
• Sleep with your head elevated for a few days. 
• Protect the eyes and eyelids from direct sunlight, wind, dust, smoke, and other contaminants. 
• Apply cold compresses to reduce the swelling. 
• Use pain medications as needed. But make sure not to overdose. 
• Don’t engage in any strenuous activities for at least a week. This includes swimming, jogging, lifting weights, aerobics, etc. 
• Avoid smoking for as long as possible or until the wound heals. 
• Do not rub or poke the eyes until they heal. 
• Wear contact lenses for at least two weeks. 
• Take follow-ups with the doctor as suggested to get the stitches removed and to ensure that the eyelids are healing properly.

Benefits of Blepharoplasty

People all across the world feel very enthusiastic about getting eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty because it offers the following benefits-

• Youthful Appearance– Baggy eyelids can make a face look older than it is. The surgery improves the appearance and ensures that the patient’s aesthetics are not affected greatly due to the eyelids. 
• No More Tiring Face– One of the biggest drawbacks of eyelid ptosis is that eyes look run down and tired. When the eyelids are lifted with the treatment, the tiring look also goes away. 
• Boost Confidence- Many people feel self-conscious due to their eyelid appearance. The surgery restores their confidence by giving them satisfying results. 
• No More Wrinkles on Forehead– People with eyelid ptosis often have to raise their eyebrows to see better. This repeated lifting contributes to the development of wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead. The treatment addresses this and allows the patient to see properly without lifting their brows. 
• Correction of Visual Issues– The droopy eyelids can impair vision by obstructing the visual field. Most people experience reduced peripheral vision due to the condition. Eyelid surgery resolves these issues and improves peripheral vision. 
• Minimal Scarring- One of the major benefits of blepharoplasty is that the scars of this surgery are barely visible. The incisions are placed in the natural folds of the skin and under the lash line. Thus, the patient’s appearance is not affected.
• Long-term Results- The results of upper and lower lid blepharoplasty are likely to last for up to 5 to 7 years or even longer. In many cases, the lower lid surgery results last for a lifetime.

Alternatives to Blepharoplasty

There are several surgical and non-surgical alternatives to eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty with different success rates. These alternatives are-

• Cosmetic Injectables, such as dermal fillers or wrinkle relaxers. These are non-invasive treatments with no downtime. The injectable treatments are often combined with neurotoxins to dramatically improve the eye’s aesthetics. 
• RF Microneedling is another effective alternative to blepharoplasty. It involves using radiofrequency to address the sagginess of the skin. A specialized device is used to create micro-injuries on the epithelial tissues to stimulate the growth of new and healthy skin cells. These new cells will be firm and give a youthful appearance to the eyes. 
• PRP Therapy or platelet-rich plasma is often combined with microneedling to boost the lifting effects and achieve better results. The plasma is used to improve collagen and elastin production, which improves the texture and tone of the upper and lower eyelids. 
• Skin Resurfacing is recommended for patients who have excessive deep lines around the eyes. There are various techniques of resurfacing that can make the skin firm and improve bagginess. The doctor may recommend laser skin resurfacing, photofacial, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc.

All of these methods won’t be plausible options for every patient with eyelid ptosis. The doctor will evaluate the severity of the condition and then suggest the most suitable treatment.