Are you tired of dealing with droopy eyelids or under eye bags that make you look old and tired? Well, we’ve got great news for you! Blepharoplasty is a fantastic surgical procedure and can work wonders in enhancing the appearance of your eyelids. Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure performed in the upper or lower eyelids designed to rejuvenate the area surrounding the eyes by removing excess skin in the eyelids. It is performed to address various concerns, including excess skin in the eyelids, under eye bags and correcting droopy lower eyelids. The surgery can be performed on the upper lid, lower lid, or both, depending on the individual’s needs. With aging, the eyelids may stretch, and the supporting muscles weaken, leading to the accumulation of excess skin and fat above and below the eyelids. This can result in sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids, and the presence of bags under the eyes. In some cases, blepharoplasty may be combined with other procedures such as a brow lift, face-lift, or skin resurfacing for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Its important to understand that eyelid drooping can also result from aging forehead skin and eyebrow or functional deformity of the eyelid muscles. These cases of eyelid drooping require a different surgical procedure.
Blepharoplasty may be considered in the following situations:
- The presence of baggy or droopy upper eyelids.
- Loose or sagging skin that causes folds or disrupts the natural shape of the upper eyelid, potentially affecting peripheral vision.
- Excess skin on the lower eyelids.
- Fatty deposits that result in puffiness of the eyelids.
- The presence of excess bags under the eyes.
- Drooping lower eyelids that expose the white area below the cornea.
- Deep wrinkles on the lower eyelid.
What are the types of Blepharoplasty?
Upper Blepharoplasty:
Dr. Rani makes an incision along your new eyelid crease. Excess skin is removed and herniated fat is repositioned with or without conservative resection of the fat. The incision is then closed.
Lower Blepharoplasty:
There are two different approaches to lower blepharoplasty. Depending upon the concerns of the patient, Dr. Rani choses to create an incision immediately along your lower lash line (transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty), or perform an incision along the inner side of the lower eyelid (transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty). Fat is repositioned with or without conservative resection of fat and incision is closed. Depending upon the tone of lower eyelid, Dr. Rani choses to add additional procedure on the outer corner of the eyes known as outer canthus of the eye. The procedures can include canthopexy or canthoplasty where additional laxity is addressed. Canthopexy involves anchoring the outer corner of the eye to underlying structures. Canthoplasty includes more rigorous dissection and reattachment.
How you prepare?
Before scheduling blepharoplasty, Dr. Rani will consult you. A thorough medical history is obtained, and physical examination performed. After discussing your goals, Dr. Rani will advise what is best suited for you and what is realistically achievable.
Specific eye examinations are performed which includes:
- Complete eye exam.
- Visual field testing
(Ophthalmologist referral and fitness is sought before the surgery.)
Important advice to follow:
- If you are on medications or supplements that can cause bleeding it will be withheld 2 weeks before the surgery after appropriate evaluation.
- Smoking should be quit 4-6 weeks before the surgery,
- If you are having a day care procedure, then you will be advised to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery.
- Someone should stay with you for the first night after returning home from surgery.
Recommended measures to aid in your surgical recovery:
- Avoid rubbing your eyes.
- Apply ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes each hour the night after the surgery. Following day, use it 4-5 times. (Icepacks can be continued for 72 hours after the surgery)
- Make use of the prescribed eye drops or ointments.
- Sleep with your head elevated above your chest for at least one week.
- Avoid use of contact lenses for about 2 weeks.
- Sutures are removed on 5th-7th day after the surgery.
- Driving is resumed 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
- Desk job can be resumed a week after the surgery and you can cover the eyes with thick framed glasses to conceal the swelling around the eyes.
- Avoid excessive use of computer screen as this can cause significant eye strain.
- Make up can safely be applied 3 weeks following surgery.
- Refrain from engaging in strenuous activities such as heavy lifting, swimming, jogging, or aerobics. Physical activity is gradually resumed 2-4 weeks after the surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bags under the eyes can be puffiness caused by fluid accumulation in the soft tissue under the eyes. They can also result from aging as the skin around our eyes becomes thin and lose, and the fat that helps to support the eyes now migrate down through weakened tissues, creating under eye bags. They can be hereditary or caused by ageing, lack of sleep, and certain medical conditions like high blood pressure, hypothyroidism or allergies. Puffiness under the eyes can be treated with lifestyle changes, such as getting adequate sleep, staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Topical creams and gels that contain ingredients such as caffeine can also help to reduce puffiness. Blepharoplasty is considered when the fat bulges in the lower eyelid through weakened tissues around the eyes. It is essential to consult with a qualified and experienced surgeon to determine the cause of the bags under the eyes and offers best course of treatment.
Upper eyelid surgery is generally performed under local anaesthesia which means you will be awake although unable to feel any discomfort. General anaesthesia is considered for lower blepharoplasty or upper and lower blepharoplasty.
In patients who have mild to moderate skin laxity in the eyelids, laser skin resurfacing using erbium or CO2 laser can be useful. Laser resurfacing cannot, however, get rid of droopy or sagging eyelids entirely so blepharoplasty is the procedure of choice.
Lower eyelid surgery or lower blepharoplasty can be effective in eliminating under-eye dark circles caused by herniated fat. However, if the dark circles are a result of excess pigmentation, they cannot be corrected with eyelid surgery.
Individuals who experience issues such as puffy eyes, bags under their eyes, droopy eyelids, wrinkles on their eyelids, and loose skin can find effective correction through the use of eyelid lift surgery.
Dr. Rani suggests taking two weeks off from work or social events. This is because the eyelids may remain swollen and bruised for most of the two weeks. After this time, most of the swelling and bruising should subside, but some more subtle changes may still occur over the next few weeks and months.
You can take a gentle walk starting from the day after surgery. However, for the first three weeks after surgery, it’s best to avoid any strenuous activity as it can increase your blood pressure and cause bleeding from the wounds. It’s best to avoid swimming for at least four weeks after surgery because there’s a higher chance of wound infection, and the skin around the wound edges can be negatively affected by soaking.