Blepharoplasty

Puffiness or swelling about the eyelids is produced by any one or more of three possible factors:

• Weakened eyelid muscles (the orbicularis muscles) allow the orbital fat to billow forward under the influence of gravity. This produces puffiness of the eyelids which is constantly present, but can be made to disappear by standing in front of a mirror and contracting your eyelid muscles such as in squinting. Surgery can be used to tighten the muscle sling with resuspension in the outer aspect of the lower eyelid (a procedure known as canthoplasty).
• Excessive fatty deposits about the eyeball produce bulges or bagginess. These fatty deposits are compartmentalised and when present in excess, the fat pushes the overlying thin eyelid muscle and skin forward producing the baggy contour defect. Removing the excessive fat or strengthening the retaining membranes (skin and muscle) corrects this issue.
• Excessive fluid accumulation about the eyes. This occurs commonly as a result of allergy and is usually worse on getting up in the mornings and improves as the day goes on – with the redistribution of body fluids on rising from the recumbent to the erect posture. Fluid accumulation is not corrected by surgery and if present may lead to a more protracted post-surgery recovery. Some morning swelling can be expected in all patients for some variable time after eyelid surgery.

Recovery from Blepharoplasty takes between one and three weeks. In the second week scar massage will commence to promote healing and reduce swelling. There may be a feeling of eyelid tightness or eye dryness and or sensitivity to bright light immediately after the procedure. For best long-term results, for the 7 – 10 days after surgery normal activities should be reduced. The eyelids will be sensitive for six weeks or so following surgery and should be handled according to your own level of comfort. Returning to work depends on your job demands, our surgeons will advise you regarding this. You may be able to return to light work within one to two weeks. You should avoid any strenuous exercise for the first 6 weeks.

The surgical incision for upper eyelid reduction will usually almost completely fade within six weeks. What generally remains is a faint scar that is barely visible because of its position, blending into the eyelids’ normal creases. The incision for lower eyelid correction is either made inside the eyelid and so it is not noticeable, or just beneath the eyelashes on the outside, which heal quickly and are rarely visible after the first few weeks.

We all fear pain and have very different thresholds at which we perceive pain. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anaesthesia wears off, but any associated pain is usually mild and should easily be relieved by mild analgesics. Our surgeons will ensure that you have prescriptions for post-operative pain relief before leaving the clinic or hospital.

Cosmetic blepharoplasty surgery will not stop the biological clock but will reset it. Although there are many factors determining the overall individual result, on average you can expect from 6 – 10 years of improvement. Unfortunately, the ageing process is progressive and after a period of years you will again develop ageing facial features including a recurrence of inelastic skin around the eyelids and perhaps weakened eyelid muscles. Usually further improvement can be obtained by a redo of your eyelid surgery which often needs to be less extensive than the original procedure, or alternatively a forehead repositioning or browlift may be indicated.

A General Practitioner referral is required for all consultations with our specialist plastic surgeons. There are now strict criteria by Medicare to be eligible for eyelid surgery, so your procedure is classified as medical and not cosmetic. If your vision is impaired by the excess skin in the upper eyelid or if you suffer with eyelid ptosis (droopy eyelids). Our surgeons will discuss these with you and determine if you qualify for the Medicare rebate.