Eyelids – Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure of the upper eyelids and / or lower to remove wrinkles, excess skin and fat pockets. This procedure will bring an improvement to the skin and fall. The scars are placed within natural lines and creases, fading with time and eventually become barely visible. We must always bear in mind that the desired outcome is to improve your appearance and renew their spirits, not perfection. Blepharoplasty can be performed as an outpatient procedure, without hospitalization, under local anesthesia, with or without sedation, or in some cases with general anesthesia. The duration of this surgery is 1-3 hours for both eyelids and the stitches are painlessly removed between 5-8 days later. After surgery, there may be some swelling around the eyes, lasting generally for a week, sometimes up to several weeks. Most patients return to activities after 1-2 weeks but you may need sunglasses and to apply cream on the eyelids during this period. Early results appear after the first week, and the final result may take several months to appear but remain for several years.

>> FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS THERE AN IDEAL AGE TO OPERATE ON THE EYELIDS?
There is no ideal age, but there is the ideal opportunity. This opportunity is determined by the presence of excess skin and/or fat, and usually occurs after forty years.

WILL THERE BE VISIBLE SCARS? WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?
As the skin of the eyelids is very thin, the scars tend to be disguised in the furrows of the skin and in some cases unnoticeable. These results can be seen after period of maturation of the scar (about six months). Because of their location, they can be disguised with a light makeup, very soon after surgery.

Some patients may have a tendency to unsightly scarring (hypertrophic and keloid scarring). This tendency should be discussed during the initial consultation as well as their family history. Light-skinned people tend to develop this kind of healing less often.

There are several medical and surgical means of improving such unsightly scars, at the appropriate time. However a hypertrophic scar or keloid, should not be confused with the natural evolution of healing. Any questions about scar evolution should be clarified during you check up after the surgery, when you can make a more accurate evaluation.

IS THERE A WAY TO FIX HYPERTROPHIC SCARS?
There are several medical and surgical means of improving such unsightly scars, at the appropriate time. Not to be confused, however, the "middle period" of the normal healing (the 30th day until the 12th month) as a complication scar. Any doubt about its development should be clarified with your doctor.

WHAT TYPE ANESTHESIA IS USED?
Most of the cases are operated under local anesthesia (sedation). In special cases general anesthesia may be used.

IS THERE ANY POST OPERATION PAIN? Usually not. However, if it occurs, it can be combated with the use of common painkillers.

IS THIS SURGERY RISKY? Every medical act includes a variable risk and Plastic Surgery, as part of medicine is no exception. You can minimize the risk, by adequately preparing each patient, but not eliminate it completely.

ARE THE EYES VERY SWOLLEN? FOR HOW LONG?
Yes, but usually after the first 3 days it begins to decline. The edema (swelling) of the eye varies from patient to patient. There are those that already on the 4th or 5th day have a very natural look. Also there are others that will achieve this result after the 8th day or 2 weeks. Even so, the first three days after surgery are where there is more "swelling" of the eyelids. The use of sunglasses may be useful at this stage as well as the use of cold to reduce the severity of edema. Only after 3 months is when we can say that the residual swelling is mild.

HOW LONG WILL I STAY IN HOSPITAL?
Local anesthesia: 6 to 12 hours.
General Anesthesia: Up to 24 hours.

HOW LONG DOES THE SURGERY LAST?
About 90 to 120 minutes. Depending on the case, there are details that can extend this time. However, the time of surgery should not be confused with the length of stay of patients in the Surgical Center, for this also involves a period of preparation for anesthesia and also postoperative recovery.

WHAT ARE THESE PURPLE SPOTS" OBSERVED IN SOME CASES?
They are nothing more than the infiltration of blood in the underlying skin (esquimoses), and even in the conjunctiva, and are due to surgical trauma. These facts should not be considered as complications, but a transient and reversible complication.

WHEN WILL I REACH THE FINAL RESULT?
After the 3rd month. However, after three weeks we will have much of the desired result, and in subsequent weeks much improvement can be seen.

WILL MY EYES REMAIN SHUT AFTER SURGERY? Not necessarily. It may be recommended to place bandages soaked with saline solution for several minutes, several times a day.