Blepharoplasty

Eyelid plastic surgery (Blepharoplasty)
The eyes are the invitation of facial expression. They convey emotions and, over time, begin to show age signs, indicating a tired and sad expression. The eyelid surgery, known as Blepharoplasty, is a procedure that acts on the skin excess of the upper eyelid or flaccidity and wrinkles of the lower eyelid. After this procedure, the eyes are going to look more rested and alert, rejuvenating and revitalizing the face and the look.

Who is it indicated to?
The surgery is usually performed on adult men and women with facial tissue and healthy muscles. The age factor does not weigh on the indication.

Preoperative
In the preoperative, you must:
- Avoid aspirin or derivatives in the 2 weeks that precede the surgery, as it can increase bleeding during the procedure;
- Warn in case of fever or flu in the 2 weeks that precede the surgery. Eye diseases such as glaucoma, dry eye or retinal detachment should also be informed in the first appointment;
- Provide a companion to return home;
- Not use nail polish on the fingernails on the surgery day and do not take jewelry and valuables;
- Bring light and front button clothing, besides sunglasses;
- Perform fasting 3 to 4 hours, do not wear makeup or facial cream and wash the face with antiseptic soap.

Anesthesia
Usually, surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia with sedation by an anesthesiologist.

Hospitalization
It is not required hospitalization, and the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. In some cases, the patient may remain at rest in the clinic for several hours after the procedure. Based on texts by BSPC.

Operation
The incision lines of the eyelid surgery are designed to let the scars hidden within the natural structures of the eyelid region. During the procedure, the upper eyelid excess of skin may be corrected through an incision in the upper eyelid fold, allowing the repositioning of fat deposits, the muscles and tissues contraction and/or removal of skin excess.
The lower eyelid, in turn, can be corrected with an incision just below the bottom line of the eyelash. Through this incision, skin excess on the lower eyelids is removed. A transconjunctival incision, hidden inside the lower eyelid, is an alternative technique to correct lower eyelid imperfections and redistribute or remove the fat excess.

The procedure happens, generally, between 1 and 2 hours.

Postoperative
The postoperative period is calm and, practically, painless. If there is a slight pain, this will be extinguished by the use of common painkillers. After surgery, it is normal that there is an intense edema (swelling) and bruising (bruises) in the immediate postoperative period, especially in the first 2 days. Therefore, do not worry. This edema varies from patient to patient, and some, in the fourth or fifth day, show a very natural aspect. The swelling and bruising should disappear between 1 and 3 weeks; the swelling, however, may remain for a longer period of time.

In the postoperative, you must:
- Keep relative rest with the head elevated (2 to 3 pillows) for 2 days;
- Do cold and wet compresses on the eyes several times a day for 2 to 3 days (may be diluted in arnica tincture, chamomile tea, etc.);
- Avoid effort of lowering the head for a week;
- Wear sunglasses in the sun;
- Avoid beach sun until the stains around the eyes disappear;
- Practice sports just one month after surgery.

The stitches will be removed from 48 to 72 hours. From this action, you can wear makeup.

Caution
The eye care, in general, is essential to reduce the intensity of the edema. The wear of sunglasses may be useful at this stage, as well as the use of cold compresses on the eye. The patient has conditions of returning to their daily activities in one or two weeks, being able to wear makeup or sunglasses to disguise the remaining bruises.

Important: It is necessary to be protected from the sun and wear sunglasses until the healing process is fully completed.

Scar
As the thickness of the skin is very thin in the surgery region, the scars tend to be concealed in the skin furrow and natural folds. They become practically imperceptible over time. It is common that they remain reddish and visible for 2 to 3 months, mainly on the outer corner of the eye.

The results of the eyelid surgery will gradually appear as the swelling and bruising decrease. The final result will be visible after a few weeks, but, it can take up to a year for the incision lines refine completely. Although the eyelid surgery may correct certain conditions permanently, there is the natural aging. Throughout life, there must be adequate sun protection to help to keep the results.

Important: Do not rely on information from well-meaning friends. Get the necessary information directly from the doctor and you will avoid having doubts and anxiety in the postoperative period.

The upper eyelid surgery is extremely simple, it is removed excess skin and fat bags. What differentiates a good upper eyelids surgery is its accuracy, both in the removal of excess skin as the location of the resulting scar (exactly in the eyelid remain, making it unnoticeable). When performed on an isolated way, it can be performed under local anesthesia lasting from 20 to 30 minutes, and the postoperative is painless with less swelling and purple (which should be solved in about one week).
The association with lower eyelid surgery requires more recovery time and more surgeon's dexterity, considering that the manipulation is larger and more delicate, it is in this surgery that may occur the person’s facial expression and characteristic changing, which is what most patients fear (and also the surgeon). The edema will be greater, as well as the postoperative, longer.

The average length of the two surgeries is around an hour to an hour and a half.