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Blepharoplasty Basics

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes fatty tissue and tightens aging skin around the eyes.  One of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures, blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelid to tighten drooping skin, on the bottom eyelid to correct bags, or on both at the same time.  Blepharoplasty will not reverse the appearance of wrinkles or crow's feet. 

How It's Done

Eyelid surgery usually takes between one and three hours and is ordinarily performed under local anesthetic and oral or intravenous sedation, though some patients desire or require a general anesthetic.  Surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in your doctor's office or surgical suite.

The surgeon begins by making incisions along the natural lines just bellow the lashes on the bottom eyelid and in the crease of the upper.  Excess fatty tissue, muscle, and skin (when necessary) are removed, and the incision is closed with sutures.

Technology

Some doctors offer CO2 laser technology as an option for eyelid surgery.  The advantages of this technology over traditional blepharoplasty include less bruising and a quicker recovery time.

Recovery / Post Op

After surgery bruising and swelling lasts between 7 and 10 days, and most patients are not comfortable returning to work until after this period of recovery.  A full recovery will take up to six weeks or more.  Contact lenses and eye makeup should be avoided for a week or longer, according to your doctor's instructions, and physical activity should be avoided until instructed otherwise by your physician.

Complications

Besides initial swelling and bruising, which should be expected, the most common cosmetic complications stem from insufficient removal of fat, resulting in bulging, unevenness, and irregularity in shape. 

There are other, more serious complications associated with this surgery including:

• Hematoma
• Tearing
• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Scarring
• Alteration of position of lower eyelid

Additional risks and complications should be discussed with your doctor before surgery.

Am I A Candidate?

To be a candidate for blepharoplasty you should be at least 18, excepting circumstances of medical necessity such as vision impairment.  Most patients are dissatisfied with excess skin above their eyes or bags below them, and complain of looking "tired."  Blepharoplasty will not decrease wrinkles or facial folds, but is often combined with procedures such as laser skin resurfacing and others to create a full facial rejuvenation.

Cost

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the national average physician fee for blepharoplasty was $2,525 in 2003.  However, when combined with other fees such as anesthesia, total costs range from about $3,000 to $5,000.

Eye Lid Lift Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Surgery Information Guide

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