Blepharoplasty

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic surgical procedure performed on the eyelids. During this procedure, excess skin and muscle are removed from the upper and lower eyelids, and excess fat tissue is either removed or reshaped.

Why is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

The eyelids are one of the areas where signs of aging are most evident and noticeable. Due to its structure, the skin of the eyelids is both very mobile and very thin, making wrinkling almost inevitable as one ages. Changes in the eyelids are evaluated in terms of their movements and the relationship with the forehead and cheeks. In cases where there is bagging, wrinkling, or sagging due to aging or hereditary factors, eyelid surgery can correct these issues by improving the quality of the supporting tissues that make up the eyelids.

Techniques for Eyelid Surgery

Because the skin on the eyelids is very thin and has natural folds, scars will be barely noticeable in the long term. Therefore, efforts are made to hide scars in less noticeable areas. Incisions are made along the crease lines of the upper eyelid and just below the lashes on the lower eyelid. Generally, looseness in the muscles and ligaments of the eyelids is corrected, and excess sagging fat tissue and loose, wrinkled skin are removed. Additional interventions on surrounding structures can also be performed to eliminate a drooping and aged appearance not only of the eyelids themselves but also due to surrounding structures. Procedures such as brow lifting or cheek tissue correction may be suitable for the patient.

Anesthesia Method and Duration

Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia and typically takes 1-3 hours. The patient will not feel any pain during the surgery. After the operation, a feeling of tightness in the eyelid may be experienced, and swelling may prevent the upper or lower eyelid from fully closing for a while. Protective eye treatments and massage as recommended by the doctor may be necessary. The patient can be discharged on the same day.

Recovery Process

For the first 24 hours after the surgery, care should be taken not to rub the eyes. Dressings that do not cover the eyes are removed by the cosmetic surgeon 4-5 days after the operation. Stitches are removed 7 days after the surgery. Once the stitches are removed, swelling and bruising around the eyelids will gradually disappear, and you will start to look and feel better. You can read and watch television 2-3 days post-operation and typically return to your daily routine within a week.

Post-Operative Care

• Avoid activities that strain the eyes for the first 2 days.
• You can bathe 4-5 days after the operation.
• You can drive from the 5th day onwards.
• Avoid applying makeup for at least 1 week.
• Use sunglasses to protect from direct sunlight.
• If you wear contact lenses, you can start using them again after the redness in your eyes subsides.

Ebopras; European plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery qualification. As can be viewed on the official website at Ebopras.org, it is a postgraduate qualification given as a result of the written and oral exams organized once a year by the European Plastic Surgery Association. Ebopras is a Quality Recognition.

Op. Dr. Hakan TEYMUR received this certificate on 6 November 2016.