Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a procedure where the eyelid(s) are contoured by removing excessive skin and fat, tightening or resecting underlying muscles if necessary and occasionally placing contouring sutures inside the eyelid.

How is it done?

The procedure is done under local anesthetics (+ sedation) unless the patient prefers general anesthesia. If only the upper or lower eyelids are done, the procedure takes about 1 hour but if both upper and lower eyelids are done simultaneously, it takes about 2 hours.

The procedure

The procedure is done as day surgery. Usually a pressure dressing is applied over the eyes until discharge to control swelling and bruising.

Recovery

It is important to sleep in a sitting position (head of the bed elevated) the first night following surgery to minimize swelling and bruising. You may wash your face and shower the day following surgery. Swelling and bruising disappears in 1-2 weeks. The suture will be taken out in about 5 days after surgery. A follow-up visit is scheduled soon after surgery and later at 6 months after surgery.