Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for this type of surgery?
If you have had certain previous diseases of the eyes or protruding eyes, you may not be a good candidate for this type of surgery. Patients with “dry eye” syndrome should first be assessed by an ophthalmologist.
A blepharoplasty will not remove the lines caused by squinting and will not improve drooping (ptosis) of the brow or forehead. Nor is it a substitute for a facelift.
Blepharoplasty will not eliminate allergies and allergy-related swelling.
If certain chronic conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, obesity or respiratory illnesses are poorly controlled, or you are immunocompromised, require anti-coagulants (blood thinners), or you are an active smoker, you may not be a safe candidate for this procedure. See also: Smoking and BMI.
What kind of scars will I have and where will they be located?
There are always scars from these incisions but the incisions are designed to be as inconspicuous as possible and it is unusual that they can be detected by the casual observer.
For upper eyelid blepharoplasty, the scar will be located in the crease of the upper eyelid. For lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the scar will be either hidden underneath the eyelashes, or inside the eyelid itself.
Since the eyelid skin is very thin, in the vast majority of patients, these scars mature into fine white lines over a period of several months after blepharoplasty.
You should avoid sun exposure for the first summer.
How long is the operation?
The actual surgical time varies depending on the amount of surgery necessary for each patient, but usually is about 2 hours for surgery on both the upper and lower lids.
How long is the hospital stay?
Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day once you have recovered from the anaesthetic. Anaesthesia can range from local anaesthesia with sedation to general anaesthesia, depending on the amount of surgery involved and whether this is combined with other procedures.
How much pain should I expect?
This is a difficult question to answer definitively. Every patient has a different pain tolerance. However, we will prescribe sufficient pain medication throughout your recovery period to ensure the discomfort you feel is manageable.
Most people feel tender and bruised after surgery, but are not in a great deal of pain.
What happens after the surgery?
Your eyelid incisions will be covered with a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor, which should be reapplied two to three times a day.
You may shower 24 hours after your surgery although you should avoid direct contact between the shower spray and your incisions.
Depending on the thinness of your skin, you will have a variable amount of bruising around your eyes. Most of this will be gone 10 to 14 days post operatively. In a small number of patients, this can persist for longer periods of time.
When can I go in the sun?
You should avoid exposing your new scars to the sun for at least six months or until they have matured well. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin's pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is unavoidable, use a strong sun block and good sunglasses.
Exposure to ultraviolet light will irreversibly and prematurely age your skin in addition to increasing the chance of developing skin cancer. So, the bottom line is that you should minimize exposure of your unprotected facial skin to prolonged sunlight. You may find that your eyes are more sensitive to sunlight after your surgery.
When will I be able to go back to work and resume my normal activities?
You should be up and about in a day or two, although you should plan on taking it easy during the first week after surgery. In general, it will take about a month before you're back to all of your normal activities.
We encourage you to start walking almost immediately after your surgery to diminish the risk of blood clots in your legs, as a result of immobilization from the anaesthetic. Even while you are resting, you should be moving your feet and ankles frequently to promote circulation in your legs. In our experience, this will help you will recover much faster, and with fewer complications.
Strenuous aerobic activity can be resumed at approximately four weeks post operatively. By and large, you should let your body be your guide. If it doesn’t hurt, go do it. If it does hurt, stop.
If you have a sedentary job, you should anticipate about ten days off work. Occupations involving vigorous physical activity or a great deal of reading or computer work will require a longer period of healing – usually three to four weeks prior to resumption of work.
How long will the results last?
Since gravity does not cause significant changes in the eyelids, the results are very long lasting. However, patients with severe allergies may experience recurrence of bagginess of their lids.
It is very unusual to need a second blepharoplasty.
