An eyelid lift is perhaps the most sophisticated aesthetic facial surgery. At first glance, upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a fairly simple operation. Remove a small fold of excess skin and you’re done!
This is how this operation is presented on the Internet:
- Perhaps the most inexpensive facial surgery is upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Prices in Moscow for this operation average 75-90 thousand rubles.
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty lasts only 30-60 minutes.
- This is almost the only plastic surgery on the face that can be done even under local anesthesia (although most specialists still recommend general anesthesia);
- Blepharoplasty of the upper and lower eyelids can be done in one operation, which will take approximately an hour and a half.
- A patient after circular eyelid surgery almost always feels great and can leave the clinic literally after 2-3 hours (although many surgeons still recommend staying in the clinic for one night).
And, indeed, all this is true!
The result of upper eyelid blepharoplasty in the BEFORE and AFTER photos. The patient's eyes were returned to their original almond shape.
You also think that this is just a wonderful and very easy operation, don’t you? I am not at all surprised that upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty seems such a simple procedure to you. But I want to dissuade you a little from this, to warn you against frivolity and mistakes.
What's so difficult about a simple eyelid lift?
The anatomy of the eyelids is very complex, since the eyelids belong to the appendage apparatus of the eyeball and carry an important functional load - there are a lot of subtle anatomical structures, many features that require understanding and knowledge of various correction techniques. I'm not even talking about the fact that each patient's eyelids are different and the shape of the eyes can be specific. There may be ethnic characteristics (for example, plastic surgery of Asian eyelids is a rather specific operation), as well as age and non-standard structure from birth. Suppose you decide to save money and choose a young surgeon. As long as everything goes “as planned”, it’s not so bad. Well, it didn’t turn out as well as you expected, well, the shape of the eyes became rounded (a typical complication with blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids - “fish eyes”) or some kind of “pump” formed on the scar. Your young doctor may say that everything undesirable will go away on its own over time, or maybe not...
But blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids is still a relatively predictable operation; with the lower eyelids everything is much more complicated and there is an order of magnitude greater risk. The patient's dissatisfaction with changes in the shape of the eyes or some not too noticeable aesthetic shortcomings of plastic surgery is not so terrible - in the end, it is easy to redo it. It is worse if a serious complication occurs after blepharoplasty. In this case, real panic often begins, not only in the patient, but (which is much worse) also in the inexperienced surgeon. Who should I run to?! In such desperate cases, they call me and my most respected colleagues - experienced plastic surgeons. To be honest, we all really dislike such calls. On the one hand, a person is in trouble, a young colleague is terrified and confused - it is very difficult to refuse. On the other hand, complications are sometimes very serious, including infection of the orbit and loss of vision. In such cases, you have to think about how much you can help (after all, this is not always 100% possible!) and about the enormous professional responsibility that you take on instead of a young surgeon.
An eyelid lift is indeed a very effective and not at all difficult operation for the patient if everything is done professionally. However, unsuccessful blepharoplasty can become a problem, the solution of which will require a lot of patience, strength and nerves. I'm not even talking about money...
Vera Alentova
The idol of millions of Soviet and Russian moviegoers, Vera Alentova, has never hidden the fact that she resorts to plastic surgery to always be in shape. However, at some point, the star of the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears,” according to fans, went too far and changed her appearance beyond recognition.
After a series of surgical interventions, including several eyelid lifts, one of Alentova’s eyes became larger than the other. In addition, many viewers notice that the actress’s facial expressions are almost atrophied due to overly stretched skin.
What are the complications after blepharoplasty?
First, we list complications that can be corrected quite easily by having repeat blepharoplasty performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. These include:
- Distortion of the shape of the eyes - the so-called “round eye”. This complication occurs after upper blepharoplasty. Its reason is usually a too short incision, which the young doctor is forced to make because he does not have the technology we call the “invisible suture” (you can also find an article about this technology on my blog). Easily corrected by repeating the operation with the correct incision and invisible stitch.
- Defects of transconjunctival blepharoplasty, which very often does not give the desired result when removing fatty hernias of the lower eyelids. Repeated blepharoplasty with external incisions (along the eyelash growth line) allows you to correct
More serious complications of lower blepharoplasty include inversion of the lower eyelids (ectropion) of varying severity. When performing upper blepharoplasty, an inexperienced doctor may damage the muscle that lifts the upper eyelid, which leads to ptosis (drooping of the lower eyelid).
Such complications are no longer so easy to correct. You need not just a good plastic surgeon, but one of the best.
Among the very bad complications I can include retrobulbar hematoma, which, if treated inadequately, can lead to blindness.
In case of severe complications, even timely reoperation may not give a 100% good result.
Janice Dickinson
The famous model Janice Dickinson has been called “the witch” for many years. Perhaps due to the fact that the star has always been obsessed with preserving eternal youth, and back in the late 1990s she began to actively reshape her appearance, doing liposuction, changing either her lips and cheekbones, or her nose and chin.
Soon it came to the upper eyelids, which Dickinson decided to pull higher. The result is a face-mask with obvious signs of asymmetry.
And yet, upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty is my favorite surgery!
An eyelid lift can amazingly rejuvenate your look and transform your entire face. Rehabilitation after this operation is usually very easy and completely painless.
Blepharoplasty of the upper and lower eyelids is indicated not only for women, but also for men, not only for elderly patients, but also for young people with congenital characteristics and hereditary problems.
Just one piece of advice: contact qualified and experienced plastic surgeons! Then you can be sure that your operation will take place without unnecessary problems and complications! In the hands of a qualified doctor, you will be calm and completely confident that even if something suddenly goes wrong, they will immediately notice it and prevent all possible troubles in a timely manner. Remember that surgery always involves some risk, and it is best to try to minimize it rather than add unnecessary problems to yourself.
To learn more about blepharoplasty, sign up for a consultation with Ekaterina Sergeevna Kudinova through the online registration form or by calling +7 (495) 53-23-911 or +7 (903) 790-69-58
How does blepharoplasty work?
When it comes to plastic surgery , everything is quite simple. The surgeon determines where the ideal location for the incision or puncture is. Together with the patient, the doctor marks the most problematic areas with a special medical marker.
It is this marking that will help the specialist during the operation to make the patient’s eyelids harmonious and desirable.
Anesthesia : general anesthesia only
If we are talking about non-surgical plastic surgery , it all depends on the specific method. All methods are similar in one thing: using plasma, ultrasound or laser, the skin cells are affected.
Anesthesia: local in the form of anesthetic cream or gel, in some cases not required
As a result of this impact, the processes of regeneration and restoration are activated. Intensive synthesis of collagen and elastin is restored, and cells begin to renew themselves. As a result, you will get tighter, smoother and fresher eyelid skin.
Stages
How to apply stitches after eyelid surgery
Upper eyelid surgery in progress
Removal of excess skin of the upper eyelid
Coagulation of blood vessels during surgery
Blepharoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia. The patient experiences absolutely no pain.
The duration of the operation ranges from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Directly in the operating room, markings are applied to the skin of the eyelid with a special marker. This is one of the most important stages of blepharoplasty, since the result depends on the correct identification of problems and ways to eliminate them.
The next stage is surgery. An incision is made, excess skin and fatty tissue are excised, and if necessary, cosmetic stitches are applied. The incision is made in the natural crease of the eyelid and along the eyelash edge, so the likelihood of scars is minimal.
The seam line is sealed with a thin strip of special adhesive tape. This completes the operation. You can go home one hour after surgery.
After 5 days, the stitches must be removed. The recovery period takes 10-15 days. You will be able to see the final result of the work in 1.5–4 months.
The recovery process after blepharoplasty directly depends on strict adherence to all the recommendations of the plastic surgeon.
Result
The result is a stunning aesthetic effect and increased self-confidence! The effect can last for 15-20 years if you monitor your lifestyle: eat right, maintain a normal weight, and eliminate bad habits. After this period ends, age-related changes begin, and then it is appropriate to resort to the help of classical blepharoplasty.
Also, after the operation, the saturation of the dark color under the eyes is reduced due to the leveled surface and elimination of the relief from the hernia. To eliminate it completely, you can use lightening injections from a cosmetologist or do permanent makeup.
Eyelid surgery: appropriate age
It happens that very young people apply for blepharoplasty. A child can also have drooping eyelids and characteristic “bags” under the eyes if it is a hereditary factor. In Asian countries, for example, many young people, at the first opportunity, seek to change the shape of their eyes.
This does not mean that 70 years is too late. Today's techniques allow a person of a wise age to look attractive and at the same time naturally, in order to lead a lifestyle that corresponds to his active position in life.
Recovery period
For the first hour, you need to stay in the room and keep a cold compress over your eyes. There is no strict ban on working with technology or reading as such, but on the first day, if there is tension in the eyes, a feeling of “sand” may occur. There may also be a problem with focusing. This is individual, but there is nothing wrong with these reactions. It is better to limit work with electronic equipment for up to seven days. If this is not possible, then you should lower the brightness of your monitor or screen and take breaks as often as possible.
After surgery, special bandages-plasters are attached to the lower eyelids. The doctor will remove them three to four days after the intervention. At first, bruises may appear on the operated area, and dark circles may persist for a week. This is also normal.
Upon returning home in the morning and evening, it is recommended to make compresses with chilled chamomile infusion. Sometimes blood vessels in the eyes can burst, but this is rare. In this case, the doctor prescribes drops to narrow blood vessels. Most often, it is possible to limit yourself only to disinfectants and ointments to relieve swelling and bruises (for example, badyaga or traumeel).
During this period, it is extremely important to strictly follow all the recommendations of your doctor. The speed of regeneration is individual for everyone; it is impossible to predict the exact period. But following the surgeon's instructions will definitely help speed up the process. Touching your eyelids during this period can be painful. Swelling, a bluish tint to the skin, and the appearance of ichor are also possible. It is not advisable to scratch the skin in the operated area or use decorative cosmetics.
Air travel is not recommended for the first five days. For fourteen days you should not lift weights, undergo physical activity, or tilt your head down. There is a ban on solariums and contact lenses. You cannot go to the bathhouse, sauna or swimming pool for a month. If the sun is at its peak, be sure to wear protective sunglasses.
On average, symptoms disappear completely within a couple of weeks. The eyes stop getting tired, and the condition of the skin and eyelids returns to normal. Touching is no longer painful, the eyelids stop swelling, and the dark circles become smaller.
Flaws
Eyelid correction also has its disadvantages. These include, for example, the slow manifestation of results. The final result of plastic surgery will not be noticeable immediately. You can talk about summing up the results no earlier than a few months after the surgeon’s work. Some patients are very disappointed by the lack of visible results in the first days after surgery.
Another minus is a number of restrictions. In the first month, you should not play sports, lift weights or tilt your head. You should also not be exposed to heat - baths, saunas, hot baths and hot showers are completely prohibited. It is necessary to protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation - you will need to wear sunglasses for several months. It is highly recommended not to drink or smoke at least during the recovery period.
In addition, blepharoplasty cannot cope with absolutely any imperfections. For example, correction cannot remove dark circles under the eyes.
