Blepharoplasty

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is one of the most common procedures in plastic surgery, giving a refreshed, youthful, and rested appearance. It accentuates the eyes, making them livelier, while also improving eyelid functionality, mucus membrane contact with the eyeball, eye hydration, and overall smooth operation.

The primary purpose of blepharoplasty is to correct excess skin and remove the sagging skin from the eyelids, as well as address fat accumulation around the eyes, which, when accumulated, creates the well-known “bags.”

The eyes are a key feature of our face, attracting attention from others. Over time, both the upper and lower eyelids gradually succumb to gravity as collagen and elastin, which support the tissues, decrease.

For the lower eyelids, the loss of skin elasticity and the accumulation of fat deposits can contribute to a tired, aged appearance and the formation of dark circles under the eyes.

With blepharoplasty, we can rejuvenate our gaze, eliminating wrinkles and signs of aging around the eyes, erasing years and fatigue.

When is Blepharoplasty performed?

Under-eye bags, eyelid skin sagging, and a tired, sad expression are some of the signs that may lead someone to seek a plastic surgeon. These could result from the progress of time or genetic factors, especially when they appear at a young age.

Blepharoplasty is used in the following cases:

• When the eyes appear tired and sad
• When eyelid skin thins with time, creating a deflated appearance
• When loose skin “hangs” over the upper eyelids, coming in contact with the eyelashes and causing irritation due to sweat entering the eyes
• When bags appear under the eyes, and the person’s age seems older than it is
• When the lower eyelids show signs of sagging skin
• When the eyes seem “overburdened” with skin, limiting the field of vision
• When frequent headaches occur from the effort to open the eyes
• When a woman struggles to apply makeup to the upper eyelids
• When the eyes secrete tears even though no obstruction of the tear duct exists

Where is the procedure performed?

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids (upper blepharoplasty), lower eyelids (lower blepharoplasty), or both simultaneously. Upper blepharoplasty focuses on the area between the eyebrow and the eyelashes, while lower blepharoplasty targets the area between the eyelashes and the cheeks. Essentially, blepharoplasty involves either removing excess skin from these areas or reducing the underlying fat to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing ratio.

Before the surgery:

Before the procedure, a detailed facial photography session is conducted, and precise measurements are taken. Dr. Boukouvalas designs the incisions and the areas for fat cell minor excision.

How the procedure is performed:

The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and mild sedation. The entire procedure is painless and performed in a very minimally invasive manner.

In upper blepharoplasty, excess skin is removed through a small incision in the eyelid fold. In lower blepharoplasty, a half-millimeter just below the eyelash line incision is made , making it virtually invisible. Additionally, because there are usually more fat cells in the lower eyelid, their removal is done in a way that ensures a completely natural result.

Specially designed stitches are placed in such a way that they “hide” in the fold of the upper eyelid for upper blepharoplasty. As for the lower eyelid the incision is sutured intradermally. Depending on the patient’s needs, the procedure can involve only  the lower eyelids or just the upper, though it is often advised to treat both (upper and lower blepharoplasty).

Augmentative Blepharoplasty:

Blepharoplasty can be combined with liposuction/fat grafting in cases where the area around the eyes appears hollow and aged. In this case, fat is taken from the abdomen (this is common for most cases), processed, and then injected into areas with volume loss.

The stem cells in the fat used for autologous fat grafting help regenerate the skin and surrounding tissues. This process is performed alongside blepharoplasty, adding only a small amount of additional time for both procedures to be completed simultaneously.

Post-surgical recovery & final results:

Healing from blepharoplasty is swift. One week after the surgery, the stitches and small adhesive strips are removed. During this time, 90% of the swelling is absorbed, and there are no visible bruises. Therefore, the patient can return to work and daily activities without any restrictions.

After the procedure, the doctor will place cold compresses on the eyes for a few hours, and the patient can return home the same day. Special lubricating ointment will be provided for sleep to prevent dryness in the eye area, along with artificial tears for daytime use.

Swelling may occur on the same day and the following days, but it is completely normal and usually subsides on its own quickly. Pain is generally minimal or nonexistent, but if discomfort occurs, simple painkillers will suffice.

Stitches will be removed after 5-6 days, and the patient can return to work. Makeup and cosmetic products can be used after 7 days.

Results of Blepharoplasty:

After blepharoplasty, the results are striking and immediately visible. The expression remains the same without alteration, while the eyes gain the brightness of youth, appearing refreshed with no signs of fatigue or aging.

The results of blepharoplasty ensure the removal of excess fat around the eye area, without disrupting the natural look, making the eyes more attractive.

These results also bring psychological benefits, boosting the patient’s confidence and self-esteem, improving overall facial appearance, and giving a look of certainty for the future.

It’s time to get the youthful and expressive eyes you’ve always desired.