Blepharoplasty

They may concern only the upper or lower eyelids, or all four eyelids at once.
Blepharoplasty can be performed alone or in combination with other facial cosmetic surgery (brow lift, temporal lift, cervico-facial lift, or even medical and surgical therapy (laserbrasion, peeling, dermabrasion). These procedures may be performed during the same operation or during a second operation.
Blepharoplasty is designed to reduce the signs of aging in the eyelids and replace the "tired" look of the eyes with a more relaxed and rested appearance. In particular, it opens the eyes by subtly correcting excess skin on the upper eyelids.

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An examination followed by an examination of the eyes and eyelids will have been carried out by the surgeon in search of anomalies that may complicate or even contraindicate the procedure.
After a morphological and dynamic analysis of your eyes, your surgeon, having understood your request, will guide you in choosing the best treatment.
He/she will offer you the safest and fastest solution to achieve the desired result. Thus, he/she may sometimes advise against the intervention and propose a different solution to achieve the expected result, for example, filling the rings with hyaluronic acid injections combined with upper eyelid surgery.
A specialized ophthalmological examination will frequently be requested in addition in order to detect a possible ocular pathology (insufficient tears…).
A preoperative check-up is carried out in accordance with the prescriptions.
The anaesthetist will be seen in consultation at the latest 48 hours before the operation.
No medication containing aspirin should be taken within 10 days of the procedure.
Types of anaesthesia and hospitalization conditions:
Type of anesthesia:
Three procedures are possible:
• Pure local anaesthesia where an anesthetic is injected locally to ensure insensitivity of the eyelids
• Local anaesthesia extended with tranquilizers administered intravenously ("vigilant" anaesthesia).
•
Classic general anaesthesia during which you are completely asleep.
The choice between these different techniques will be the result of a discussion between you, the surgeon and the anesthesiologist.
Hospitalization conditions: Usually the operation is performed on an "outpatient" basis, i.e. with a same-day outing after a few hours of supervision. However, in some cases (hypertensive patient) a short hospital stay may be preferable. The entry is then made in the morning (or sometimes the day before) and the exit is authorized the next day.

Each surgeon adopts a technique that is unique to him/her and that he/she adapts to each case to obtain the best results. However, common basic principles can be retained:
Skin incisions:
• Upper eyelids: they are hidden in the groove located at mid-height of the eyelid between the moving part and the fixed part of the eyelid.
• Lower eyelids: they are placed 1 to 2 mm below the eyelashes and can extend a little outside.
The outline of these incisions naturally corresponds to the location of the future scars, which will therefore be hidden in natural folds.
Notes :
For the lower eyelids in case of isolated "pockets" (without excess skin to be removed), blepharoplasty by the trans-conjunctival route can be performed, i.e. using incisions placed inside the eyelids and thus leaving no scars on the skin.
Corrections:
From these incisions unaesthetic fat hernias as well as excess loose muscle and skin is removed. At this stage, many technical refinements can be made to adapt to each case and according to the surgeon's habits (canthopexies or fixation of the external angle of the eye to treat lower eyelid laxity or lipostructure for the treatment of dark circles).
Sutures:
They are made with very fine sutures, usually non-absorbable (to be removed after a few days).
Depending on the surgeon, the number of eyelids to be operated on, the extent of the improvements to be made and the possible need for additional procedures, the operation can last from half an hour to two hours.

There is no real pain, but possibly some discomfort with a feeling of tension in the eyelids, slight eye irritation or some visual disturbances.
During the first few days, you should rest as much as possible and avoid any violent effort.
The postoperative consequences are essentially marked by the appearance of edema (swelling), bruises and tearing, the extent and duration of which vary greatly from one individual to another.
During the first few days, it is sometimes impossible to close the eyelids completely or there is a slight detachment of the outer corner of the eye, which no longer applies perfectly to the globe. These signs should not be a cause for concern, as they are usually quickly reversible.
The threads are removed between the 3rd and 6th day after the operation.
The stigmas of the intervention will gradually fade, allowing a return to normal socio-professional life after a few days (6 to 20 days depending on the case).
Scars may remain a little pink during the first few weeks but make-up is quickly allowed (usually from the 7th day).
A slight induration of the treated areas may persist for a few months but is not perceptible to those around.
MEDICAIM is looking for the best specialists for you and we will offer you several renowned doctors.
MEDICAIM organizes your entire stay for you: post-operative nursing care, biological follow-up, therapeutic, nutritional and psychological support.

About Blepharoplasty

As far as the surgical procedure is concerned: by choosing a qualified and competent Plastic Surgeon, you limit these risks as much as possible, but do not completely eliminate them.
Fortunately, complications are rare with blepharoplasty performed properly. In practice, the vast majority of interventions are performed without any problems and patients are fully satisfied with their results.
Possible complications:
Haematomas: most of the time without gravity, they must be evacuated if they are too large.
Infection: exceptional during blepharoplasty except for a few rare micro-abscesses developed on a stitch and easily treated by small local treatments. A simple conjunctivitis will be prevented by the usual prescription of eye drops during the first few days.
Healing anomalies: very rare in the eyelids where the very thin skin usually heals in an almost invisible way.
The use of a plastic surgeon from the MEDICAIM network ensures that he/she has the necessary training and competence to avoid these complications or treat them effectively if necessary.