Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a technique that involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and fat in order to correct droopy eyelids.

Your eyelids stretch as you become older, and the muscle that supports them weakens. Excess fat can build up above and below the eyelids, creating droopy upper eyelids, sagging eyebrows, and bags beneath the eyes. Sagging skin around the eyes might also impair your peripheral vision and make you look older. Undergoing eyelid surgery/blepharoplasty can help reduce or even eliminate these issues.

If you have excess loose skin on your upper and/or lower eyelids that is obstructing your peripheral vision, you may want to consider eyelid surgery.

Your surgeon may suggest eyelid surgery if you:

• Have excess fat deposits in the upper eyelids

• Have loose/sagging skin that folds or affects the natural contour of the eye

• Have excess skin/fine wrinkles on the lower lid, bags under the eyes, or drooping lower eyelids

• Are in generally good health

• Are a non-smoker

• Have realistic expectations of surgery

Your surgeon may not recommend surgery if you:

• Want to improve uneven eyes or “crows feet”

• Have drooping eyebrows

• Have symptoms of dry-eyes

• Have an eye infection/eye disease

• Are a smoker

• Have a severe illness/infection

Step 1 – Anesthesia
Your surgeon will recommend the best choice of anesthetic for you. The options include intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.

Step 2- The Incision
To correct the upper eyelid, an incision will be made within the natural crease on the eyelid. This will allow the surgeon to remove or reposition fat deposits, tighten the muscles, and remove excess skin.
To correct the lower eyelid, an incision will be made just below the lower lash line. After the incision is made, the excess skin on the lower eyelid is removed, and the excess fat can be repositioned or removed.
An alternate technique to correct the lower eyelid is called a transconjunctival incision; this technique allows the surgeon to remove or redistribute excess fat without removing the skin.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions
Incisions made on the eyelid are usually pulled together with sutures or glue. If your surgeon decides to use sutures, they should be removed in about one week.

Step 4 – Results
As the swelling and bruises subside, the results of your eyelid surgery will become visible. The end result will be a more defined, smoother eyelid.

Eyelid surgery is a relatively short surgery. On average, upper lids take around 45 minutes, and the lower lids take approximately 1 hour.

Day 1
When your anesthesia wears off, your eyelids will feel tight and swollen. You will be able to return home, but you’ll need someone to drive you home since your eyesight may be blurred and your eyes may be covered in gauze. Allow your body to rest and heal by taking at least two weeks off work.
When you return home, it is recommended to sleep on two pillows to keep your head elevated and lay on your back to avoid turning your head to either side.

Week 1
There will be swelling and puffiness around the eyes, but this is entirely normal and part of the healing process. Your eyelids may feel numb, and the incisions surrounding your eyes may be noticeable and pink in colour. Additionally, your eyes may be watery or dry, and you may have some sensitivity to light.
A few days after surgery, you may have double vision or blurriness. Wear dark sunglasses during this time, especially if you plan on going outside.

Month 1+
During the first few weeks, you should avoid excessive screen time that may dry out the eyes (e.g., computers, phones, tv, iPad)

You should avoid strenuous exercises such as running and swimming. Bending and lifting should also be avoided as these movements cause you to lower your face down, causing increased blood flow to the eyes.
After approx. two weeks, light makeup can be worn, and contact lenses can be used. However, sunglasses should still be worn when outside to protect the eyes against sunlight and harsh winds.
After about six weeks, the final result of your eyelid surgery should be visible, but some mild swelling may reside. After that, your eyes will begin to appear rejuvenated and refreshed.

Approximately after six weeks, you should be able to see the final results of your eyelid surgery. However, mild residual swelling may still be present as the tissues around your eyes continue to adjust.

Eyelid surgery can offer you a more youthful appearance that you can enjoy for a long time. In addition, eyelid surgery (especially on the lower lids) offers exceptionally long-lasting results. Patients who have their lower lids treated rarely require retouching. When performed on the upper eyelids, the effects usually last seven years.

The cost of a eyelid surgery depends on things like geographic location, surgeon/surgeon experience, and whether the surgery is for the upper lids, lower lids, or both. The average cost of eyelid surgery ranges from $4000 – $8000 in Canada.

As with any surgery, there are risks to undergoing eyelid surgery. Some of which include:

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Irritated and dry eyes

• Noticeable scarring

• Difficulty closing eyes

• Muscle injury

• Skin discoloration

• Temporary vision loss (or, in some rare cases, loss of eyesight)

• Blood clots

• The need for a follow-up surgery

2,578/2,756 people who have undergone eyelid surgery have rated the procedure “Worth It” (94%)

• Source – Realself.com