Eyelid lifting or blepharoplasty, is intended to remove the excess of fat and skin in the eyelids that can make the eyes to have an "older" look, as a result of aging usually after 35 years old, and in some cases like inherited ones before that age.

According to your situation, different procedures could be available for you, for sagging eyebrows, wrinkles or dark circles around the eyes, procedures as chemical peeling or brow lift can be recommended.   

Before              After

Posible Complications

Risks include asymmetry, ectropion and excess of scarring, these are not common problems, but may need surgical correction.  After the surgery you may experience some aditional conditions, but these should be only temporal, for example blurry vision, swelling and problems to close the eyes completely. 

Before Eyelid surgery

Your plastic surgeon will evaluate your vision and tears productions as well as your general health condition. If you suffer any vision problem you should take your ophtahalmologic exam in case you wear glasses or contact lenses.  You will discuss everything about the surgery including the option to operate both eyes and need for other procedures.  You may need to use special soaps to clean your face couple of days before the procedure and to stop smoking at least 1 or 2 weeks before surgery.

Insurance programs usually do not cover cosmetic procedures, but if your case is to correct vision problems due to the excess of skin or fat you should discuss with them before it to see if it can be covered. 

The Surgery

This surgery is performed in an operating room, usually in an outpatient basis with general or local anesthesia.  The procedure takes from 1 to 3 hours and it may be longer when other procedures are performed at the same time. 

The incisions are usually placed above the natural lines of the upper eyelids and just behind the inferior eyelash, keeping the scars quiet hidden. Through them the excess of fat and skin will be removed.

Results

After the procedure you will need a cream in your eyes to keep them moist, in some cases you will also need some kind of dressing for couple of days. It is normal to feel some discomfort but it should be relieved with the medication prescribed by your surgeon.  You should mantain your head elevated for couple of days and apply cold water to diminish the inflammation and haematomas around your eyes. Follow all the instructions about the way of washing your eyes and ophthalmologic medications prescribed by your surgeon to keep your eyes moist.

It is normal to notice an excess of tears, more sensibility to the light and visual changes during the first week, the sutures will be taken away between 2 and 7 days. In 2 or 3 days you will be able to read and watch television but you shouldn't wear glasses until 2 weeks after the procedure.

In about 7 or 10 days you can go back to work but probably you will need to use make up to cover the possible haematomas. It is also recommended to uses sun glasses and sunblock for couple of weeks after this procedure. In 3 weeks you will be able to have more strong activities.

The final look will be seen after couple of months when the scars change from a pink look to a line almost invisible in most of the cases. The results can last for years or they can be permanent in many cases.