For many people, the eyes are an expression of mood, feelings and well-being. Droopy eyelids, drooping eyelids, eye wrinkles or bags under the eyes quickly make a person appear sad, tired or sick, although he feels good. This sometimes considerably impairs the feeling of well-being. Blepharoplasty (synonyms: eyelid correction, eyelid lift) is a frequently performed plastic surgery.
Indications (areas of application)
- Reduction and/or redistribution of excess soft tissue (skin, muscle, fat) in:
- Drooping eyelids (dermatochalasis – sagging of the eyelid skin and subcutaneous tissues of the upper and lower eyelids.
- Blepharochalasis – rare, idiopathic, recurrent swelling of the eyelids, probably caused by idiopathic angioedema (swelling) of the subcutaneous tissue.
Before the operation
Before surgery, an intensive medical history discussion should be conducted that includes the patient’s medical history and motivation for the procedure. The procedure, any side effects, and the consequences of the surgery should be discussed in detail. Note: The requirements of the explanation are stricter than usual, since courts in the field of aesthetic surgery demand a “relentless” explanation. Furthermore, you should not take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), sleeping pills or alcohol for about fourteen days before the operation. Both acetylsalicylic acid and other pain relievers delay blood clotting and can cause unwanted bleeding. Smokers should severely limit their nicotine consumption as early as four weeks before the procedure to avoid jeopardizing wound healing.
The surgical procedures
Eyelid correction is usually performed on an outpatient basis. This means that you can go straight home after the operation. Normally, surgery is performed under local anesthesia (local anesthesia), or if necessary, under analgesia (painless twilight sleep). However, general anesthesia can also be used if desired. In order to achieve a symmetrical result, the eyelids are precisely measured. Depending on the problem, the actual surgery then begins. Blepharoplasty involves the removal of excess fat from the eyelids. Blepharoplasty can also be performed in conjunction with an eyebrow lift. However, blepharoplasty cannot correct crow’s feet or ethnic features. To correct drooping eyelids, a crescent-shaped piece of skin is cut out and excess fatty tissue can be removed. It is then sutured so that the scar is within a few millimeters of the eyelid crease, making it barely visible. To correct the lower eyelids, the incision is made approximately two millimeters below the lash line. Subsequently, excess fat, which is the cause of bags under the eyes, is also removed. To remove excess skin, a second incision must be made. In some cases, such as severe smile lines, a little of the muscle must also be removed to achieve optimal results. It is also possible to remove fat and muscle tissue without making visible external incisions by making the incision on the inside of the eyelids, in the so-called conjunctival sac. However, excess skin cannot be removed in this way.
Eyelid correction by laser
Eyelid correction can also be performed using CO2 laser or erbium laser. Small wrinkles are also softened by the laser. Despite laser technology, the skin must be sutured afterwards. The further course is the same as the conventional procedure using a scalpel.
After the operation
Your eyes will initially be swollen and there will be bruising. After about a week, the bruising and stitches are usually barely noticeable. To help reduce swelling, you can use moist compresses and cooling ice packs for the first few days. Stitches are removed about five to six days after surgery.
Possible complications
- In addition to swelling, bruising and discoloration of the eyelids occur
- With a tightening operation, there is also pain, swelling of the conjunctiva and a feeling of tension, which usually recedes within a few weeks.
- Sensitivity disorders may occur in the surgical area, which usually recede.
- Due to the use of local anesthetics (local anesthetics) with vasoconstrictive agents, in extremely rare cases, vision may deteriorate, possibly to the point of vision loss. Severe bleeding in the eye socket can also cause this.
- Injury to the cornea of the eye by disinfectants, instruments, etc.is possible. This can lead in individual cases to a permanent scar with reduction of visual acuity.
- Scar shrinkage can lead to distortion of the lower eyelid edge. This can lead to the eye sweat is increased (“Triefauge”).
- After surgery, there may be a disturbance of the eyelid opening.
- Patients who are prone to dry eyes may experience increased dry eyes after surgery
- If too much fat has been removed during the correction of the lower eyelids, it can lead to a “hollow-eyed appearance”
- Wound healing disorders or a predisposition to scarring can lead to scar thickening (keloids).
- Hypersensitivity or allergies (e.g., anesthetics/anesthetics, medications, etc.) may temporarily cause the following symptoms: Swelling, rash, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, dizziness or vomiting.
- Surgical risks such as more severe bleeding, thrombosis (blood clot) or embolism (blood vessel occlusion) are very rare with this surgery.
Benefits
Your eyes will look fresher, younger and more alert, giving you a new attitude towards life. Usually, the result of eyelid correction is permanent, so repeat procedures are not necessary.
