One of the most common surgical procedures performed today is the blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery. Many individuals undergo blepharoplasty because of genetic eyelid concerns, sagging or drooping upper eyelids, or puffiness and bagginess under the eyes. The surgery results in a younger, more alert looking appearance by removing excess skin and fat from around the eyes. Some conditions may obscure vision, necessitating the surgery. Patients are overwhelmingly satisfied with lid surgery before and after photos. Learn more about the surgery below, and then contact the OCLI Vision office nearest you for a consultation.
What Is Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery?
Blepharoplasty is the removal of excess skin, fat, or muscle from either above or below the eye in the eyelid region. The surgery can be performed on the upper eyelid or the lower, and is generally very safe and effective. Most patients are women 40 years of age or older, but the surgery is steadily becoming more popular with younger patients for aesthetic reasons.
Even though the surgery has high satisfaction rates and low complication rates, patients may try natural, at-home remedies to help reduce the appearance of under-eye bags, including:
- Getting adequate sleep
- Reducing sodium intake
- Staying hydrated
- Applying a cool compress
- Applying topical treatments that contain caffeine, retinol, and vitamin K
Blepharoplasty is the fifth most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States, and modern techniques deliver more natural-looking results with less scarring.
What Is An Upper Bleph?
An upper blepharoplasty may sometimes be called droopy eyelid surgery, hooded eye surgery, upper eyelid lift, upper lid blepharoplasty, or upper bleph. This procedure specifically targets the upper eyelid, with the surgeon removing excess skin, fat, or muscle to rid the patient of drooping skin that may be obstructing vision. The result is a more alert appearance and unobstructed vision.
The difference between an upper blepharoplasty and a lower blepharoplasty is the location and the type of concerns that are addressed. For instance, an upper blepharoplasty tends to focus more on impaired vision concerns, but also corrects for aesthetic concerns when excess skin and fat are removed from the upper eyelid. The lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid lift, is used to address bags, puffiness, and loose skin beneath the eyes for cosmetic purposes.
In terms of popularity, an upper blepharoplasty is generally more common than a lower blepharoplasty, partly because insurance may cover part of the surgery if it is affecting the vision. Studies suggest that approximately 60-70% of blepharoplasty procedures involve the upper eyelids, either alone or in combination with lower eyelid surgery.
A large majority of blepharoplasty patients are women over the age of 40. Some demographic groups are more likely to have problems with eyelids earlier than others, including people with a family history of drooping or sagging eyelids, individuals that smoke, have chronic allergies, or have fluid retention issues. These groups may notice under eye bags or drooping eyelids earlier than others.
How Long Does Blepharoplasty Last?
Blepharoplasty recovery time typically takes 7-10 days, with most people able to return to normal activities around that time. The complete healing process takes about two-to-three weeks. For a lower eye blepharoplasty, patients can return to normal activities after 10-14 days, but full recovery will take at least 3-4 weeks. Patients should expect bruising, swelling, and minor discomfort during the recovery phase. If you have both surgeries at once, you should expect a longer recovery time.
It is very important to follow the instructions of your surgeon to promote fast and effective healing following a blepharoplasty procedure. Not following instructions, such as sleeping with your head elevated, avoiding strenuous activity, and applying cold compresses could extend the time it takes you to recover completely and may compromise your results. If you smoke, you should avoid smoking for two weeks before and after surgery to allow your body to heal properly.
While blepharoplasty results last for a very long time, it will not stop the effects of aging. However, patients report results lasting for 10-15 years for both upper and lower procedures and only a few require a touch up.
As with any surgery, there are risks associated with the surgery, although the risk for complications is generally very low. Potential problems include bleeding, infection, dry eyes, visible scarring, changes to vision, or asymmetry between the eyes. It is vital to find a board-certified surgeon with experience in similar conditions to yours.
Post-Blepharoplasty Care
The most critical aspect of maintaining your youthful results after blepharoplasty is sun protection. Daily use of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher around the eye area helps prevent premature aging and protects the delicate surgical sites, especially for preventing scarring.
Daily care should include gentle cleansing of the eye area with a mild, ophthalmologist-approved cleanser and applying a quality eye cream containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, or retinol, but only after you are fully healed. Staying hydrated by drinking adequate water and maintaining a balanced diet rich in antioxidants supports skin health from within.
Common products that can help maintain your appearance include:
- Artificial tears or lubricating eye drops, which are particularly important if you experience dry eye following surgery
- Eye creams specifically formulated for post-surgical care that support healing
Your Next Steps in Looking Younger
If you’re noticing persistent bags under your eyes that haven’t responded to natural remedies or your vision is obstructed because of sagging upper eyelids, it might be time to consider surgery for eye bags. Blepharoplasty is a relatively safe and quick procedure performed by qualified surgeons thousands of times annually.
Schedule an appointment with an Oculoplastics provider to discuss whether blepharoplasty is right for you. During your consultation, you can learn more about the procedure, ask questions such as, ‘how much is a blepharoplasty,’ and receive a personalized assessment of your needs.
Bags under the eyes can develop at any age, though they become increasingly common after age 35 when the skin begins losing elasticity more rapidly and fat pads beneath the eyes may shift or become more prominent.
