A blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, is a procedure which aims to give the eyes a more youthful appearance. It does so by targeting the excess skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids, helping you look more alert and rested.
Patients who consider a blepharoplasty are typically showing signs of aging around the eyes. These can include drooping upper eyelids, creating an additional fold and disrupting their natural contour, or an accumulation of fat in the upper and lower eyelids, causing swelling of the periocular tissue.
A blepharoplasty does not correct wrinkles on the forehead or at the corners of the eyes. When your surgeon assesses you, he or she will determine whether you would benefit from combining an eyelid lift with a face and neck lift, which would rejuvenate your entire face at once.
What are the different blepharoplasty techniques?
When used in the correct context, each blepharoplasty technique produces reliable and sustainable results, giving a refreshed and rejuvenated look to the eyes, creating a smooth contour at the lower eyelid level, and a more youthful and rested appearance. Eyes will lose their sad, tired or angry look. During your appointment, your surgeon will assess your entire face before sitting down with you to determine the best treatment plan.
1) Upper eyelid lift
During this procedure, an incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, starting near the inner corner and ending at the outer corner of the eyelid. The surgeon is careful to conceal the incision in an existing natural crease. Given its location, the scar becomes practically invisible.
The excess eyelid skin is removed. Fatty deposits can be repositioned or removed, and eyelid muscles can be tightened if necessary.
The final result is a youthful and refreshed look, as your eyes will appear more alert.
2) Lower eyelid lift
During this procedure, an incision is made below the lash line of the lower eyelid (subciliary), or on its inner surface (transconjunctival). With the subciliary approach, the excess skin is removed and the fat and/or underlying muscle are repositioned or removed if necessary. The scar is nearly invisible as it is concealed below the lower lashes. With the transconjunctival approach, an incision is made through the conjunctiva (thin membrane coating the inner surface of the eyelid). This approach is solely used to redistribute or remove excess fat from the lower eyelid; it is not suitable for patients with excess skin.
Frequently asked questions
An upper or lower eyelid lift lasts about 75 minutes; a surgery combining both procedures takes about 2 hours. You must also plan some time for preparation before entering the operating room, and time to recover from the surgery. You should therefore plan to take a day off from work for your surgery.
You must avoid any intense physical exercise during the first two to three weeks following your surgery in order to give your body a chance to heal comfortably. You can resume your normal physical activities four weeks after your surgery. It is important for you to listen to your body. It will tell you if you are ready to exercise and how much exercise you can handle. Pain or discomfort when exercising is a sign that your body is not quite healed and that it would be better to wait a few weeks before trying again.
It is also crucial to avoid prolonged sun exposure in order to allow optimal healing of your wounds. It is recommended to apply sunscreen (minimum SPF30) and wear a hat when you go outdoors, regardless of weather conditions, to protect your face.
Infection
Despite the use of standard preventive measures and antiseptic techniques, there remains a slight chance of infection at the surgery site. An infection could cause redness, pain, heat or swelling on your face. It may also cause a fever of 38.5°C or more. We recommend that you contact us immediately if you notice any of these symptoms, so that we may perform the appropriate tests and administer any necessary treatments.
Hematoma
During your surgery, we are careful to cauterize the blood vessels, so as to minimize blood loss. It is normal for there to be traces of blood at the site of your incisions. Bleeding rarely continues beyond the surgery and in few cases, a hematoma (accumulation of blood) may form in your face.
If you experience significant and disproportionate pain in your face within 24 to 48 hours of your surgery, if your face seems to swell or your vision suddenly changes, contact us immediately so that we may reexamine you prior to your follow-up appointment.
The ideal patient for this procedure is in good general health, physically fit and at an ideal body weight (or has reached a stable weight after significant weight loss).
This surgery may not be suitable for you if you smoke or have complex health issues for which you are currently being treated. If you are significantly overweight, it is recommended you lose some weight before surgery to ensure the most aesthetically appealing result and decrease your risk of complications. Furthermore, this procedure is not performed on patients who are not psychologically prepared for surgery.
Blepharoplasty results in a rejuvenating effect that can last for many years. However, your appearance will continue to evolve over time, as with any cosmetic surgery. With time, you may appear younger than you would have without the procedure, but your skin will not look taut or abnormal.
However, it is important to pay attention to skin care and avoid sun exposure in order to extend the effects of your surgery.
The final cost of your treatments will be calculated on an individual basis in accordance with your needs. In general, an upper eyelid lift costs $3,915, whereas a lower eyelid lift costs $5,665. A surgery combining both procedures costs $6,900. However, additional charges may apply if the patient has a particular condition or if different surgeries are combined.
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