Objective:
to rejuvenate the look or treat droopy eyelids that hinder the field of view

Over the years, the skin ages and loses its elasticity. The area around the eyes is the most affected, as it is the region where facial expressions are more noticeable. Thus, there is greater flaccidity in this region, both in the lower and upper eyelids, therefore, Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery, is ideal to give the patient a more youthful and attractive look, treating the flabby skin, eliminating fat deposits, and removing excess skin, to ultimately, restore its natural contour. Whether for health reasons, limited field of view due to the upper eyelid, or aesthetic issues, this procedure aims to rejuvenate and improve the patient’s quality of life.

The surgical procedure is very simple and takes about 2 hours. Anesthesia can be local, local with sedation or general, depending on medical advice. Incisions are made in specific regions, to extract the skin excess, eliminate fine wrinkles and correct the fall in the lower eyelids; as well as removing this excess and sagging upper eyelids, promoting eyelids repositioning. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures or skin patches and the results will show up naturally.

Preoperative: before the procedure, the patient answers a questionnaire about his lifestyle, his health, and expectations. At the consultation, laboratory tests are requested and based upon the results, recommendations are provided for taking or pausing the use of certain medications (as well as for adjusting the doses of the routine medications being taken); also, the patient is advised to stop smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages days before surgery – it is also important to avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants and natural remedies. Absolute fasting of 8 hours is required on the day before the surgery (solid and liquid foods).

Postoperative: after the procedure, the doctor evaluates each case and prescribes the best medication to optimize the cicatrization process. There may be discomfort, irritation, dry eyes, swelling, and even bruises in the operated area, so it is necessary that the patient alternates the use of lubricating ointment and cold compresses, and may even cover the area with gauze. It is worth mentioning that light sensitivity and/or excessive lacrimation are common in the first weeks.

Regarding the resumption of activities, the orientation is, to wait about three days to be able to read and five to ten days to return to work; regarding contact lenses, return to wear them only after the doctor’s reassessment. If the postoperative period goes well, after three weeks, the patient can return to his normal routine, including alcohol consumption. Over the months, the result is much more natural and definitive. However, even after surgery, it is recommended to follow a balanced diet and the frequent use of sunscreen to avoid, as much as possible, the natural aging of the skin and, thus, prolonging the results.