Blepharoplasty is the surgical name for an eyelift surgery - also known as tarsoplasty, cosmetic eyelid surgery, eye bag removal or eyelift. Lots of people have eye liftfs to help combat the ageing process by removing wrinkles and worry lines.

To find out what happens when you have an eyelift or eyelift surgery read our guide below...

Part of body affected: The eyelift or bletharoplasty procedure is performed on either the upper or lower eyelids or both. 

Condition addressed: Blepharoplasty surgically removes:·

• Excess skin or subcutaneous fat from the lower eyelids.·
• Loose skin hanging over the eyelashes.
• It does not remove crow?s feet or dark circles.

Nature of the benefit: An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can significantly improve peripheral vision which is necessary for day-to-day tasks including reading and driving.  A lower eyelid blepharoplasty enhances the appearance of your eyes so that you look younger and more refreshed.  

For whom it is/not suitable: If you are over 18 years of age and in good health, you could be a suitable candidate. Certain pre-existing conditions can place you at greater risk for complications and you are not a suitable candidate for eyelift surgery, if you have:·

• Glaucoma·
• Dry eyes·
• Hyperthyroidism ·
• Cardiovascular disease·
• High blood pressure·
• Insufficient orbital bone structure to support the procedure 
  

Type of procedure: There are several types of surgical blepharoplasty of eyelift, these include Transconjunctival blepharoplasty, which removes excess fat (but not skin) from beneath the lower eyelid. There is also a surgical procedure known as Transcutaneous blepharoplasty, which is performed on either the lower or upper eyelids to remove excess skin, upper eyelid blepharoplasty, Lower eyelid blepharoplasty and even Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery).   

Description of the procedure: The eyelift surgery takes one to three hours under anesthetic. If you undergo a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, your doctor will make an incision at the back of the eyelid to remove the excess fat.  If you have an upper eyelid (transcutaneous) blepharoplasty, you surgeon will make an incision along the top of your eyelids, but if you have a lower eyelid blepharoplasty the incision will be below the lashes of your lower eyelids. Asian blepharoplasty creates an upper eyelid with a crease from an eyelid without a crease to reshape the skin around the eye.  

Potential risks or side effects: In the days and weeks after the eyelift procedure, you are likely to experience the following side-effects:·

• Pain, swelling and bruising·
• Sticky and watery eyes·
• Dry or itchy eyes·
• Light sensitivity·
• Double vision

Complications are quite rare but can occur. These include:·

• Uneven or multiple folds·
• A sunken appearance ·
• A symmetrical eyes·
• Facial nerve injury·
• Infection·
• Clots
• Bleeding behind the eye, leading to permanent blindness  
  

Nature and length of recovery process: You will only have to remain in hospital for one day or possibly overnight. Even once discharged from hospital, you will need to rest until the full effects of the anesthetic have worn off.   

You will usually be allowed to return to work or your everyday activities within seven to ten days.  Side-effects should disappear within the first month, while scarring will take several months to fade. You can expect to see the full effects of the procedure after several months.  

Length of benefit: The results of surgical blepharoplasty or eyelift surgery can last for years. For some individuals the results will be permanent.  

What you can do to extend benefit: Undergoing a brow or facelift  with a blepharoplasty can minimise the effects aging will have on developing loose or excess skin over the years. Following a post-operative programme will also help you obtain the best results. This may include:·

• Avoiding strenuous activities such as sports, lifting or bending·
• Minimising head and neck movements·
• Keeping your head elevated while sleeping·
• Not wearing contact lenses·
• Not using cosmetics·
• Avoiding exposure to the sun

After a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, skin resurfacing, a chemical peel  or carbon dioxide laser can further enhance the appearance of your eyes.  

Alternative or related therapies: Non-surgical blepharoplasty, injectable fillers, skin resurfacing, chemical peel, carbon dioxide laser, epicanthoplasty, brow lift, facelift

If you don?t have a great deal of bulging fat or loose skin, you might be a candidate for non-surgical blepharoplasty. Taking less than ten minutes, this eyelift surgery procedure uses injectable fillers (Juvederm or Restylane) to firm up the area between the upper cheek and the lower eye.

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