Blepharoplasty – What Exactly Is It?

Published on September 7, 2015

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct deformities of the eyebrows, both upper and lower. It may be used for medical purposes, for instance, making corrections to the upper eyelid when it droops over the eye causing inconvenience to a patient who may be unable to see properly in order to drive an automobile, or to read a book.

Equally, it may be used for aesthetic purposes in order to reduce the signs of aging, making the patient look younger by removing excess drooping skin, and reducing folds of fat around the retroseptal area of the eye. This, combined with smoothing the muscles under the eyelid, will achieve the objective of producing a smooth transition from the lower eyelid to the cheek.

There is no doubt that a patient who looks younger will feel better about his or her own looks, and feel far more confident and vital.

Why Do I Need Blepharoplasty?

As we get older, the skin around the upper eyelid can change and produce eyelids that look droopy or sag, and can cause the patient to look tired, and even in some instances, angry. To add to that, the pads of fat in the upper eyelids can bulge forward, increasing the look even further.

Blepharoplasty of the upper eyelid in Houston TX, is designed to remove surplus skin from the eyelid, and at the same time reduce and re-position the pockets of fat in order to produce a much more youthful looking appearance, which, of course, has the effect of making the patient feel much more confident about his or her looks.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most common forms of facial plastic surgery and it can really make a difference to the looks of the patient. However, as with many things, it is essential to employ the services of a surgeon specifically trained in these techniques. Although the prognosis is usually very good, there can be a multitude of different outcomes, dependent entirely upon the skill of the surgeon.

For instance, every human being has variations between one side of the face and the other. The face is not exactly symmetrical, and the surgeon needs to take this into account. Every patient is different, and therefore the surgeon has to tailor the procedure to the individual. There is no “one size fits all”.

In addition, there can be little tweaks and changes which can be made to the eyelid tissue, in order to give the best result. If these are not considered, it is actually possible to enhance facial flaws rather than achieve the result that the patient expects and deserves.

Quite simply, the goal is to correct any deformities which can affect the eyesight of the patient in Houston, and achieve a much younger and healthier look.

Blepharoplasty is not something which should be rushed into without considering all the possible outcomes. It is important, therefore, to employ the services of a surgeon trained and skilled in all of the techniques if the best possible result is to be achieved.

What Is The Procedure For Blepharoplasty?

The actual surgery is usually performed under a local anesthetic, or light intravenous sedation, and will normally take between one and three hours. It can often be undertaken at the same time as other procedures such as droopy upper eyelid repair, eyebrow lift, correction of the eyebrow position, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, and even dermal fillers.

Each patient will spend as much time with the surgeon as is necessary in order to assess exactly how the procedure will be carried out, bearing in mind that every patient is different, and what is correct for one may be completely wrong for another. The process must be customized for each individual.

Normally, the surgery is performed using incisions along the natural creases of the upper or lower eyelid, and these creases then hide any resultant scarring from view, in particular when carried out in the creases immediately below the eyelashes of the lower eyelid. The incisions can be made in the inside surface of the lower eyelid, which will enable the removal of lower eyelid fat without leaving any visible scar.

After the treatment has been carried out, sometimes a stitch called a canthopexy is inserted in the outer corner of the lower eyelid, which keeps the eyelid fixed in position during the recovery process. The canthopexy dissolves after a period of between four and six weeks.

How Long Does It Take To Recover From The Surgery?

There will obviously be swelling and bruising of the area around the eyelids, but this will dissipate in one to two weeks. However, there is very little downtime from work or carrying on with the patient’s normal life.

The final results of the procedure will not become fully apparent for several months. The best method for comparison is to take photographs of the patient before and after the procedure is carried out.

Are There Any Risks Involved With Blepharoplasty?

All surgery involves some form of risk, although it may only be very small.

The final results of any form of blepharoplasty will be determined by a number of factors, not the least of which is the age of the patient. In addition to this, some other factors can affect the outcome.

These include the prominence of the eyeball, which can have an effect of the position of the lower eyelid. Looseness of the lower eyelid margin can also affect the position of the lower eyelid. Dry eye syndrome could be made worse by the damage to the tear film of the eyes.

All of these things will be taken into consideration by the surgeon, before making a decision as to whether a patient is a good candidate for the surgery or not. Most patients will be, but a qualified and experienced surgeon will not attempt to undertake surgery on a patient that she or he considers unsuitable.

The object of blepharoplasty is to correct any faults which can cause the patient problems with vision, and to correct the signs of natural aging, which will have the end effect of giving the patient confidence in his or her looks, thus enhancing the quality of the patient’s life.

For more information on blepharoplasty in Houston, Texas, click on this link: http://houstonoculofacial.com/cosmetic-blepharoplasty-houston/upper-eyelid/.