Many people see in their eyes the most evident signs of the passage of time. The aging of the skin makes marks in the eyelids and in the eyes outline, an unsightly problem that usually manifests from the age of 30, when the look appears sad and tired. There is no cosmetic treatment that can prevent it in an efficient way, but plastic-aesthetic surgery offers a comfortable, safe and definitive solution: the blepharoplasty.

What does it involve?

It is a surgical technique in which the excess of fat and skin is removed, both in the upper and lower eyelids. It acts both for the drooping eyelid as well as for the eye bags.

How do eyelids age?

The eyelids are the first zone of the face that suffers from aging. Here we have the finest skin of all face, with little muscular support for the fat in the eye, moreover, it is a very sensitive area to external changes (such as fatigue, lack of sleep, smoking, stress, etc.) The aging of the eyes is presented in a different way in each person. It can appear as flaccidity in the eyebrows, the appearance of excessive skin in the upper eyelids, wrinkles, sunken eyes and the famous bags in the lower eyelids.

How surgery is performed, and which type of anesthesia is necessary?

The blepharoplasty as all other surgeries is performed in an operating theater, in a clinic or hospital. The operation usually lasts about an hour, it is usually performed with local anesthesia and sedation, in this way the patient feels relaxed as the eyelids are insensitive to pain. The patient can go home after a few hours after the operation.
In recent years a major breakthrough has been launched, thanks to the development of multiple specific techniques, which has made this type of surgery to be the most demanded, both for its safety as well as for its good results.
This operation, depending on the aesthetic problem of the patient, can be made in the upper eyelid, in the lower eyelid (bags), double (upper and lower), or combined with another type of surgery such as the facial lifting for a better rejuvenation.
The patient, before the operation, will undergo a complete medical history, photographs and diagnostic tests (blood test and ECG).
When the blepharoplasty is complete, it often begins with the upper eyelid, with an incision being conducted in the natural eyelid line, right in the crease. This will remove the skin surplus. To remove the bags in the lower eyelids, an incision is made just below the eyelashes; in this way it is possible to remove the bags of fat and the necessary skin.

Does it leave scars?

It is one of the best areas of the organism for scarring, even in people who heal badly.
The scars of the upper eyelid lie between the furrow of the latter and the lower one, just below the eyelashes. In a little time they are practically invisible.
The sutures are removed after four or five days.

Can you improve the wrinkles around the eye, the “crow’s feet”?

No, what improves is the expression of the look, which adopts a younger and relaxed air. It is necessary other kind of treatments to eliminate wrinkles (infiltration of botulinum toxin).

At what age is this operation recommended?

It is usually done as from the age of 30 -40 or once the problem arises. However, in some cases with family tendency to have bags, patients are even younger. The results of the elimination of the bags tend to be durable and definitive.

Is the postoperative painful? Does it need a lot of care?

One of the advantages of this operation is that the postoperative is very nice, because it is not painful at all. One rarely needs to take any mild analgesic. It is a little upsetting due to the small sense of tension and the swelling of the eyelids, what is logical after a blepharoplasty.
The swelling of the eyelids decreases gradually after the fourth day, so it is recommended to apply towels or a mask of cold gel at home, wash the eyes with chamomile water and sleep with the head high. Aquatic activities should not be done until the removal of the stitches. Due to the bruising and swelling, it is recommended to wear sunglasses in the first days after the operation.
In this way the patient can lead a normal life without being noticed that he has undergone surgery.

Is there any medical condition that prevents a blepharoplasty?

Yes, there are some medical conditions that can make it riskier when doing a blepharoplasty, such as thyroid problems, the lack of enough tears, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Glaucoma and the detachment of the retina may also pose a risk; in some cases, an eye review prior to the blepharoplasty may be needed.

In short, with a simple operation we recover the beauty and youth of our look, and the tired and sad expression that we had disappears.