What is Upper Blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is the surgery that seeks cosmetic improvement of the upper eyelid.
This surgical technique allows excess skin to be removed from the upper eyelids , clearing the look and giving us a rejuvenated and more rested appearance.
Furthermore, when there is significant excess skin on the eyelids, it can cause eye strain and a feeling of heaviness, and surgery also provides immediate improvement in this regard, with less eye strain.
Upper blepharoplasty candidate
The most common candidates for eyelid surgery or upper blepharoplasty are women and men over the age of 40 who are in good general health.
Some patients, due to their individual features, present with apparent excess skin from a younger age. In these cases, the eyelid configuration is usually more Asian, with a lower eyelid crease, giving the appearance of excess skin.
It is important to identify patients with drooping or low eyebrows, as in these cases blepharoplasty alone does not sufficiently clear the eyelid, and a brow lift may be necessary to achieve a noticeable result.
Like any cosmetic surgery, it’s important to have reasonable expectations for eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty. This surgery will improve our appearance and make us feel better about ourselves, but it can’t achieve dramatic changes in appearance, and its effect is limited to the upper eyelid.
Any pre-existing medical problems should be controlled prior to this type of surgery, especially hypertension and diabetes, and anticoagulant medications should be discontinued.
There are no medical problems that prevent this surgery from being performed, as long as it is well controlled.
Operation
Upper blepharoplasty, also known as upper eyelid surgery, is not limited to simply “removing skin, muscle, and fat,” as it is sometimes simplified. This surgery must address complex changes that occur in the eye area with age, including the condition of the eyelid crease, brow position, and loss of fatty tissue.
Importance of a personalized analysis
Each patient has unique characteristics, and the success of upper blepharoplasty depends on a detailed analysis and the selection of the appropriate surgical technique.
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FAQ’s Blefaroplastia superior
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Blepharoplasty is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure performed on the upper eyelids and the area around the eyes to provide a rejuvenated appearance to the face.
Over time, the eyelids lose their elasticity, begin to accumulate excess skin and muscle, and end up looking droopy. To rejuvenate the look, micro incisions are made at specific points on the eyelids.
Blepharoplasty is the term that encompasses a series of procedures aimed at the aesthetic and functional improvement of the eyelids and the periocular area. Among cosmetic surgeries, it is one of the most popular since the gaze is a very important part of our expression, and these minimally invasive procedures generally have a short recovery period .
For us it is very important to highlight several aspects of this surgery.
First : Blepharoplasty is a highly personalized surgery designed for each patient’s individual characteristics. The same procedure in two different patients can have very different results.
Second : The idea that this surgery consists of removing as much fat and skin as possible is not only outdated, but also produces poor results for many patients. Some patients require skin and fat removal, but many others actually require volume redistribution and even the replacement of fat tissue lost with age through micro-lipofilling techniques.
We have two goals when we think about this surgery: Safety and naturalness .
Avoiding risks with this surgery is essential, since the eyelids perform a primary function of protecting the eyes.
Performing this surgery safely and consistently requires a deep understanding of the periocular area, specific training, and extensive experience not only in blepharoplasty but also in eyelid reconstructive surgery.
Naturalness is achieved by identifying the particular characteristics of each patient, avoiding excessive volume loss, and applying conservative criteria to the removal of excess tissue.
In our opinion, an ophthalmologist with specific training in oculoplastic surgery is the ideal professional to perform blepharoplasty surgery. Ophthalmological training is absolutely essential for performing surgery in the periocular area. Furthermore, it provides training in microsurgery, which is essential for proper eyelid manipulation. These are delicate tissues that cannot be compared to other areas of the body.
Finally, in any surgical procedure of this type, it is essential that the surgeon and patient establish a relationship of trust. To achieve this, it is necessary to listen to the patient’s concerns, support them throughout the process, provide realistic and reasonable expectations, and provide the close and humane treatment that should be inherent to the medical profession.
If you have further questions about the procedure, you can consult our frequently asked questions section on blepharoplasty.
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Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a simple outpatient procedure with a relatively quick recovery. In fact, it is performed with only local anesthesia and sedation. Thanks to this, the patient will not feel anything during the procedure. On the day of the procedure, you should arrive at the clinic with a companion half an hour before surgery, with the necessary documentation—which the doctor will request in advance—and the necessary preoperative tests.
In the operating room, the nursing staff will ensure the patient is comfortable and calm. Anesthesia is then administered, vital signs are checked, and the procedure is approved to begin.
The simplicity of blepharoplasty makes it an outpatient procedure, requiring no hospitalization. A simple upper blepharoplasty can last between 30 and 45 minutes , but if performed in conjunction with a lower blepharoplasty or brow lift , it can last up to three hours.
After surgery, the patient will be kept under observation for approximately one hour, and will then be ready to go home.
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Before undergoing blepharoplasty, the patient should explain to the doctor what they hope to achieve with the surgery. They should also keep in mind that blepharoplasty significantly improves the appearance of the eyes, but it doesn’t offer radical changes. Therefore, both doctor and patient should be aware of their expectations.
During the preoperative period for blepharoplasty, an ophthalmological examination is performed to ensure the patient’s eye health. It is also important to determine if the patient has any medical conditions, allergies to medications, or if they regularly take any medications.
On this page we explain 10 reasons to have eyelid surgery with Dr. Nieto.
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The postoperative period after blepharoplasty is one of its greatest advantages. Although the procedure is performed on a sensitive area like the eyes, the postoperative period is painless—although some discomfort may occur—with no scarring and visible results from almost the first moment. However, the patient will have to wait a few days for the swelling to subside to appreciate the results. It also allows patients to return to their daily routine immediately.
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One of the contraindications to blepharoplasty is that it is not recommended for people with health conditions that may increase the risk of facial surgery. It is also not recommended for pregnant women and patients with dry eyes, high blood pressure, diabetes, retinal detachment , wound healing problems, active infections, or blood clotting problems .
On the other hand, the doctor also does not recommend performing it on patients who have excessively high expectations for the results.
Upper and lower pouch blepharoplasty
