How To Have A Blepharoplasty Done

Blepharoplasty is the medical term for eyelid surgery. If you want your eyes to look better, you have bags under your eyes or fat and droopy eyelids and this is the surgery to go in for.

What Is A Blepharoplasty

A blepharoplasty is a kind of plastic or cosmetic surgery for the eyes. Either the upper eyelids or the lower ones or both are tightened to give a better look to the face and the eyes. Excess fat or droopiness, bags under the eyes are removed and this also results in a younger and more rested appearance. It has to be done by a qualified plastic or cosmetic surgeon, preferably one who has lots of experience in carrying out this procedure.

Why Is It Done

A person can suffer from droopy eyes or eye bags under the eyes at any time; in fact some younger people, too, have this problem. It can be aggravated by smoking, lack of sleep, odd work timings (such as people in the hospitality industry) and more. And, of course, as a person grows older, the muscles slacken and the pull of gravity all causes ‘ageing’ eyelids. All these problems can be solved by blepharoplasty.

How Is The Surgery Done

Normally the surgeon makes an incision in the natural crease line of the upper eyelid. Excess fat, skin, sagging muscles are all removed and the skin is given a tightened look. This is done under anesthesia. For the lower eyelids, the incision is made under the lashes and if required, extends up to crows’ feet which are also tightened. Again the skin is moved upwards and outwards and the excess trimmed off.

The incisions are closed with very fine dissolvable sutures to minimize visible scarring. Sometimes if there are dark circles under the eye, these can be erased with laser chemical peel at the same time. The surgery will take 1 ½ to 2 hours and will usually require an overnight hospital stay unless you are getting only the upper or lower eyelid one, in which case it may be done on an outpatient basis.

Recovery Time

The surgeon will put some ointment in your eyes and bandages to protect them. There will be some bruising and swelling which should subside within 10 days. You should be able to resume normal work after a week to ten days, but avoid strenuous activities and swimming for three weeks.

Side Effects

You may have blurred vision, though this is more an effect of the ointment in the eyes. There may some watering or tearing of the eyes, light sensitivity and double vision for some time. You should avoid wearing contact lenses for about two weeks, and make-up for at least a week or two.

Cost Of Surgery

Since this is a surgery to make you look good, it is not covered by insurance. So you have to pay for it and the cost can range from $1500 to $7500.

Other Resource:

http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Cosmetic_Procedures/Eyelid_Surgery_for_Women.html
http://www.cosmeticsurgeryconsultants.co.uk/Blepharoplasty.htm
http://www.miamibeach411.com/cosmetic/pro_eyelid.html