Eyelid Surgery FAQs

• Would I be a candidate for blepharoplasty?
• Will there be scars around my eyes?
• What sort of anesthesia is used?
• How long do the results last?
• What's the recovery period like?
• What are the main risks of eyelid surgery?
• Can I have blepharoplasty done along with other procedures?

Would I be a candidate for blepharoplasty?

Possibly, if you're in general good health, and you do NOT have:

• Thyroid disease
• High blood pressure
• Dry eyes

You'd have to understand what blepharoplasty can and cannot do, and we'd cover all that during your initial consultation . For instance, it cannot:

• Remove dark circles under your eyes (unless they're connected to large bags, in which case the darkness can be lightened but not necessarily eliminated)
• Remove crow's feet
• Replace skin elasticity lost to sun damage or age

Will there be scars around my eyes?

Any time there's an incision, there'll be a scar. The question is: how visible will the scars be? For blepharoplasty, they'll be hardly visible at all when they've finished healing.

Incisions will be placed in the natural creases and folds of the upper and lower eyelids. If you're having fat removed from the lower eyelids, they can be placed inside the lower lid, so the scar will not be visible.

What sort of anesthesia is used?

Usually there'll be a local anesthetic along with some intravenous sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed.

How long do the results last?

If you have fat removed from around your eyes, it won't return. Some procedures, such as lifting droopy upper lids, may include removing excess skin and tightening muscles as well as removing fat.

But those fat cells are gone forever, and since most blepharoplasty does include some fat removal, that makes most results very long-lasting.

What's the recovery period like?

You can return to work after 2 or 3 weeks. In that period:

• There'll be some bruising and swelling and you can use ice to help relieve it (always wrap the ice in something). The swelling could last even a month or 6 weeks, probably in the lower lids and on the cheeks.
• The stitches will dissolve (sometimes they have to be removed by your surgeon).
• There may be some paper tape or steri-strips over some areas; don't remove it.
• Keep your head elevated when you sleep and don't put any pressure on the treated areas.
• Blurred or double vision may linger for a few days.
• Short walks are a good idea after several days, to encourage good circulation.
• Some people experience some dryness of the eyes. If you use contact lenses this could interfere with resuming their use. Normally you can put them back in after about 5 days.

What are the main risks of eyelid surgery?

Usually, any complications after eyelid surgery are rare:

• Slight asymmetry in scarring
• Some trouble with closing your eyes when you sleep (very rarely permanent)
• Bleeding may continue after the surgery's over. This would be worst if it occurred at the back of the eye socket. Severe bleeding here can put pressure on the optic nerve and cause permanent vision damage.
  
  Such bleeding can be treated however, by opening the blepharoplasty incisions, and by some medications to reduce the pressure in the eye.

Can I have blepharoplasty done along with other procedures?

Yes, that's a popular way to do it. It's often done along with:

• Facelifts
• Forehead lifts
• Laser skin resurfacing

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