The term blepharoplasty is familiar to those among the medical community, especially in the plastic surgery arena, and among lay people who have considered a treatment to improve their appearance. However, less familiar is the term’s exact meaning and how it can safely offer the results to address their aesthetic concerns. Therefore, we believe in educating our patients about the significance of this surgical procedure and the improvement to their well-being.
The term blepharoplasty means “eyelid surgery.” It does not refer to a particular kind of procedure, nor is it a synonym for cosmetic plastic surgery on the upper eyelids, although it is certainly used that way. Blepharoplasty may refer to a plastic surgery operation performed on the upper eyelids to create a lifting effect (known as upper blepharoplasty). It is also used to discuss a surgery that eliminates under-eye bags (called lower blepharoplasty).
This blog will talk briefly about upper blepharoplasty, an effective surgical operation that can significantly impact your overall facial appearance.
What is an eyelid lift?
A surgical eyelid lift is a procedure that reverts the signs of aging on the upper eyelids, namely eyelid laxity, wrinkles, and excess skin that encroaches on the eyelashes. The correct medical term for this operation is upper blepharoplasty, although simply using the name blepharoplasty is not incorrect. The procedure produces a lifting effect, which explains the name, but it must not be confused with ptosis repair, which raises a droopy eyelid or to expect the result of a brow lift.
Non-surgical options exist that may temporarily improve the quality of upper eyelid skin, but none can achieve notable and long-lasting results. These procedures have been previously addressed on our website blog.
We have thoroughly explained the specific steps of an upper blepharoplasty on our website; so, without being too detailed, the following is a summary of the procedure:
The first and most crucial step in upper blepharoplasty is estimating the amount of skin to remove to achieve the most significant improvement in eyelid appearance while not jeopardizing its function. This step is achieved by adhering to basic anatomical principles coupled with surgical expertise acquired with experience. The surgeon carefully marks the area to be excised, considering that if they remove too much skin, the patient’s corneal integrity and visual health will be compromised.
The second step involves removing the skin with a scalpel blade or other surgical device, such as a laser. This step is straightforward, and experienced hands will accomplish it with relative ease.
Unless the patient and the surgeon have previously agreed to a more complex approach, the last step involves closing the wounds with sutures. These may be absorbable, in which case they do not need to be removed, versus non-absorbable, which will need to be removed 5 to 7 days after the operation. It is important to note that absorbable sutures may cause more inflammation at the wound site.
What results can I expect from an eyelid lift?
An eyelid lift or upper blepharoplasty can achieve only so much in terms of aesthetic improvement. Patients must clearly understand this point before proceeding with the operation; otherwise, they will be sorely disappointed with the results.
First and foremost, an eyelid lift, although the name might indicate otherwise, will not raise a droopy eyelid; only ptosis repair can achieve this. Nor will this operation offer the same result as a brow lift. We extensively cover ptosis repair and brow lift procedures in their respective sections and previous blog notes.
Who is qualified to perform an eyelid lift?
On the surface, an eyelid lift may seem like a relatively innocuous and straightforward operation that any medical professional with some surgical or cosmetic training can perform. In reality, this could not be further from the truth.
Upper blepharoplasty is a complex operation that requires meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive knowledge of anatomical nuances to achieve a successful result and prevent significant complications. An excellent result is achieved by subspecialized training and years of surgical experience. Additionally, the operation’s success can only be guaranteed if it is performed on the right patient. The correct procedure done on the wrong patient will not offer good results! Therefore, a qualified surgeon will discern whether blepharoplasty is the right procedure for the patient.
In summary, an eyelid lift is a great option when excess skin and laxity are a patient’s primary concerns. It is a straightforward procedure, but it is not a simple operation. The conscientious patient will pay close attention to this fact and seek a well-qualified oculoplastic surgeon to ensure the best possible result.
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