What is blephroplasty?
Blephroplasty or
'eye lift' is done to reverse the effects of aging from the eyelids
and brow.
Do I need a blephroplasty?
Blephroplasty corrects the problems such as
These conditions sometimes interfere with vision. The person has to keep the forehead furrowed to lift the eyelids to be able to see. This also causes forehead lines and sometimes headaches.
Are there different types of blephroplasty?
Yes. There are
different approaches to blephroplasty. The choice will depend upon
the patient’s requirements and the surgeon's preference. The
surgeon may advise a brow lift along with the blephroplasty to
avoid the 'frowning look'.
What will the blephroplasty scar look like?
The blephroplasty
scars are usually well hidden in the lid crease and are barely
visible.
Will it require anesthesia?
Blephroplasty is most often done after numbing the area. General anesthesia is not required.
Does blephroplasty procedure require hospital admission?
It is usually an
outdoor procedure and the patient is discharged 1 to 2 hours after
surgery. However if there is a greater risk of complications in an
individual, the surgeon may advise an overnight
stay.
What is the down time after blephroplasty?
The swelling and bruising increase a bit every day for the first 2 days and then start to decrease. Ice packs to both sides decrease bruising during this period. Patients are usually able to go out with a bit of makeup after a week’s time. For the swelling and bruising to become unnoticeable it takes about 2 weeks. Patients are advised to avoid heavy exercise for 3 weeks.
What can go wrong after a blephroplasty?
Some degree of swelling and bruising is usual after blephroplasty. There may be hematoma formation, wound breakdown or inability to close the eye completely leading to corneal exposure and keratitis.
There may be blood collection behind the orbital septum which may cause severe pain, loss of vision and if not corrected immediately may lead to blindness. This is very rare.
Does smoking affect this surgery?
Yes. Smoking is related with poor healing and skin loss. Most surgeons will insist that you stop smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery. Some surgeons may refuse this surgery all together because of your smoking history.
What other procedures can be done with blephroplasty?
People often combine forehead lift and eyebrow lift with facelift surgery. They work well together.