Blepharoplasty - Cost, procedure, Care and Side effects of Blepharoplasty

Facial plastic surgery has grown a lot in recent times. People are looking towards it as a single permanant cure to all the facial skin problems. Blepharoplasty has become the most sought-after facial plastic surgery procedure, surpassing rhinoplasty, face lift, facial implants, and forehead lift. Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat--usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids.

Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision.

Can Blepharoplasty be done at any age?

Since eyelid skin is much thinner than that on the rest of the face, the eyes are usually the first facial component to demonstrate a deterioration and loss of attractiveness. A person is ready for blepharoplasty whenever the effects of Mother Nature or Father Time bother him or her enough that an improvement is desired.

The Procedure of Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a outpatient procedure. Local anesthesia with intravenous sedation is employed. General anesthesia is sometimes used if underlying medical conditions exist. The procedure lasts approximately 30 minutes for upper eyelid surgery and 30 minutes for lower eyelid surgery.

Endoscopic brow lift surgery generally requires approximately one hour. Again, different procedures may be done dependent upon the desires and anatomical characteristics of each individual patient. 

Care while taking the decision for Blepharoplasty

• Choice of plastic surgeon - Whether the surgery is desired for functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance.
• The patient must also make the commitment to follow the pre-surgical and post-operative instructions of the surgeon.
• Technique of surgery - The technique indicated for your individual surgery will be discussed between you and your surgeon. The type of anesthesia, the surgical facility, any supportive surgery, and the risks and costs inherent in the procedure will be outlined.

Upper and Lower Eye Lid Blepharoplasty

Both the upper and lower lid blepharoplasties are relatively painless and are performed using local anesthesia in a private out-patient setting. Drooping or sagging lids are caused by loose excess skin, a weak muscle (ptosis), or a combination of both. These problems usually occur as a result of the natural aging process, loss of skin elasticity, or excessive rubbing of eyes due to allergies. However, in some cases, droopy lids can be present since birth (congenital ptosis). Puffy, baggy lower lids are caused by fat around the eyeball shifting forward over time. This usually occurs as a result of the natural aging process, inheritance, or excessive rubbing of the eyes.

Most importantly, patients are able to return to work and their normal activities within a few days following surgery! Normal functions are not limited, there are no bandages placed over the eyes, and vision is not affected.