Eyelid Surgery: A Younger and More Refreshed Look

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is one of the most effective surgeries for reducing signs of aging on the face. With aging, the skin around the eyes loses elasticity, eyelids sag, and swelling occurs. This gives the person a tired, old, and unhappy appearance. Eyelid surgery eliminates these problems and achieves a younger, more refreshed look. At our clinic, it is safely and effectively performed by our experienced plastic surgeons.

Eyelid surgery can be performed on two areas: upper eyelid and lower eyelid. Upper eyelid surgery involves removing sagging skin and excess fat tissue. Lower eyelid surgery eliminates under-eye bags and wrinkles. Both surgeries can be done separately or together. Which area to treat is determined according to the patient's needs.

Eligibility assessment for surgery begins with a detailed examination. Eyelid structure, skin quality, fat distribution, and muscle tone are examined. Eye health is also checked. If there are eye diseases such as dry eye syndrome or glaucoma, they may need to be treated first. Also, your general health condition, medications you use, and expectations are evaluated. Realistic expectations are important for successful results.

The pre-operative preparation process starts a few weeks in advance. If you smoke, you need to quit at least 2 weeks before. Smoking negatively affects the healing process and increases the risk of complications. The use of blood-thinning medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen should be stopped. You should not consume alcohol the day before surgery. On the day of surgery, you should come without makeup and fasting.

Upper eyelid surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Surgery duration is approximately 1-2 hours. An incision is made from the natural fold of the eyelid. Excess skin and fat tissue are removed. If necessary, muscle tissue is also corrected. Incisions are closed with very fine stitches. Since the incision site is in the natural fold of the eyelid, the post-operative scar becomes almost invisible.

Lower eyelid surgery can be performed with two different techniques. In the transconjunctival technique, the incision is made from the inside of the eyelid and leaves no external scar. This technique is usually preferred in young patients and when there is only excess fat. In the subciliary technique, the incision is made just below the lower lashes. This technique is used when there is excess skin or muscle tightening is needed. In both techniques, under-eye bags are removed and fat is redistributed if necessary.

In the first days after surgery, swelling and bruising are normal. Applying cold compresses helps reduce these symptoms. It is recommended to sleep with your head elevated. For the first 48 hours, you should avoid using your eyes excessively. You should limit reading, watching television, and using computers. Regular use of eye drops keeps your eyes moist.

Stitches are removed 5-7 days after surgery. During this time, you may feel slight discomfort, but pain is usually minimal. Pain relievers can be used when needed. After the stitches are removed, you can apply light makeup. However, you should avoid applying hard pressure to the eye area. For the first 2 weeks, you should stay away from heavy activities, bending, and lifting.

The healing process varies from person to person. Swelling and bruising decrease significantly within 1-2 weeks. However, complete healing can take 3-6 months. During this time, sun protection is very important. You should wear sunglasses and use high-factor sunscreen. The healing process is monitored with regular check-ups. Final results become clear 6-12 months later. The results obtained from eyelid surgery are usually permanent for 10-15 years.