Chirurgie esthétique - Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Procedures: What You Need to Know About eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

What is Blepharoplasty ?

It's the intervention which aims at removing pockets under eyes and at making look younger the withered or heavy eyelids.

What is ageing the eyelids?
The encircled or withered eyes testify either of a genetic characteristic, or a ransom of the age. The protusion of the greasy heap distributed around the eye pulls the forming of pockets around eyes. It's the problem which sometimes shows itself very early, if it's of genetic origin. The sun exposure, the menopause, the addiction to smoking aggravate this phenomenon. 

 As we age, excess skin forms in the eye area and the skin loses elasticity. Fatty tissue can accumulate under the skin. Your eyes will "look older" because these aging processes leave the eyes appearing tired, wrinkled, or puffy. Even with a good skincare and eyecare regimen, wrinkles, puffiness, and drooping eyelids will catch up to you.  Cosmetic surgery may restore a youthful and refreshed appearance to your eyes.

In what age can one be operate eyelids?
In certain cases the patients are very young. At the beginning, eyelids are swelled in the morning only, then the oedeme persists a little much longer every day, the make-up adheres less well to the skin at the woman. Sometimes, the cutaneous folds are very pronounced and block partially the vision.

 Where are the scars situated ? 
On one hand the skin of the eye lids is characterised by its exceptional good healing ability. On the other hand for the stitches generally specially-thin threads are used. Since the incisions are placed along the edge of the lower eyelid or within the lid-fold at the upper eyelid, the sutures after few months are hardly visible.It is possible to cross by conjunctiva of the eye with in that case no visible scar.

What kind of anaesthesia is possible?
Blepharplasty is usually executed in local anaesthesia and ambulatory. The patient leaves the hospital on the same day. However, a possible execution under general anaesthesia requires a daily stay in the hospital.

What exams needs before the intervention?
Usually an ophtalmological exam precedes the intervention to eliminate any pathology which can dissuade the procedure.

A bleeding can always arise. It's thus necessary to avoid taking any anticoagulating medicine (aspirin, anti-inflammatory, vitamins and alcohol) two weeks before and one week after the intervention.  

What is the average time of the procedure?
The duration of the intervention is about 1:30 am for 4 eyelids. The drawings of sections are realized by the surgeon, before the anaesthesia. In the superior eyelid, the section follows the normal fold of the eyelid then the excess of skin is removed and if it turns out necessary the greasy pockets are removed.

In the lower eyelid, the section goes along the ciliary edge. The greasy pockets which make protusion are removed. Usually, the quantity of skin réséquée is small.

The suture is very fine constitutedby some points in the lower eyelids and by an intradermal oversewing ‘ invisible) in the superior eyelids. 

What are operating suites ?
The blepharoplasty generally little aches. A blindfold) with ice-cold compresses is left in place some hours. An oedeme and bruises can, temporarily, prevent from closing completely eyes during the sleep.

Ophtalmic drops applied during some days to help to grease the eye (artificial tears and antiseptics). An excessive whimpering can also arise at the beginning of the healing.

The sons are very early removed from 4Ème Day. But it's necessary to wait for a dozen days before use again your contact lenses. 

At the end of how long can I work again?

A short rest is needed, by avoiding forcing or lifting of the weight. Generally, it's necessary to count 8 days of convalescence. It's possible to make up dices 8 eme in the daytime

What are the possible complications of this procedure?

Not exceptional complications:

Cysts épidermiques on the superior eyelids, towards sutures

Confusion of the healing especially at the smokers.  

Rare complications:
Eye aridity (dry eye) showing itself especially at night.

Hurts of the eye cornea kératite ), bound to the land reclamation (to warn by use of artificial tears).

Infection post-operating (rare thanks to the use of antibiotics).

  Ectropion ( round eye) of the lower eyelid, owed mostly to an excessive resection of the skin. it requires the practice of post-operating massages, and sometimes a ré surgical operation.

Exceptional complications:

Pigmentation of eyelids and telangiectasies (dilation of small vessels).

Chronic inflammation.

Enophtalmie by excessive decrease of the fat around eyes.

One-sided blindness: by reaction of the vessels of the eye to the local anesthetic.

  If you've a persevering pain or an exaggeration marked with eyelids, or still if you've confusions of the vision, contact your surgeon.

What are the results?
It's about a renovation of the glance which becomes "more lit". The tired aspect becomes blurred, pockets disappear. Scars are even very close.

How much costs a blepharoplasty?
It cost around 2000 € for the superior eyelids and 3500 € for 4 eyelids.