Eyelids and the area around the eyes are the first facial areas to face the signs of aging. After the age of 30, the changes that gradually occur are the progressive loss of volume (fat) in the area of the lower eyelid.
The formation of intra orbital fat ( eye bags) in lower eyelids
The appearance of dark circles
The face begins to lose its youthful appearance while the tired sad look is now a fact.
At the same time we have excess skin on the upper eyelid (dermatochalasis) and projection of fat in the upper outer corner of each upper eyelid.
All these changes in the eyes are the main characteristic of incipient aging of the face, which are accompanied by other changes in the central and peripheral oval of the face and neck.
First of all Dr Kretsis will examine the problematic area in order to decide whether you have an issue that needs to be treated by a blepharoplasty operation, such as excess skin in the upper eyelid area, or you are facing drooping of the eyebrows and you need a Brow Lift operation.
In the lower eyelid the loss of the fat will be estimated as well as whether if there is formation of excess skin. The shape of the eye is carefully examined, as well as the ratio of the orbit and the zygomatic bone, in order to avoid complications. These measurements are necessary in order to prevent complications and changes to the shape of the eye.
However, in many cases the aging of the lower eyelids may be exclusively due to loss of fat volume in the lower eyelid area. In this case the anatomical deformity is corrected by adding fat in the lower part of the orbits or by Mid Face Lift operation, giving a youthful eye shape. The injection is done by the form of microinjection under local anesthesia.
In the case of excess skin and fat in the area, an incision is made in the upper eyelid in order to remove the problematic points. In the case of eye looseness caused by drooping eyebrows, we perform a brow lift operation.
Anesthesia: Usually local
Duration: 45 min
Recovery: In 4-5 days the sutures are removed, swelling and bruising subside gradually with cryotherapy in 48-72 hours. The patient is able to return to her former activities in 3-4 days.
Complications: Very rare.
The operation: As in upper eyelid operation, if we have an issue of excess skin (bags) and fat in the area, then an incision is made as close to the eyelashes as possible in order for the incision to be less visible.
The excess skin is being removed while the fat gets relocated to its former position, at the lower area of the orbit. We avoid fat removal because it makes the orbit look empty, aged and tired.
The fat rearrangement around the orbit restores the appearance of tired look and provides a vivid look same as in younger age. It should be emphasized that for the ages between 30 to 55 years the excess skin formation is quite rare, thus we choose to perform another form of blepharoplasty called trans conjunctival blepharoplasty, a procedure without incisions that provides effectively correction of aesthetic deformities while avoiding all the complications that may arise from the classic blepharoplasty.
Anesthesia: Usually sedation or general anesthesia
Duration: 1-1.30 hours
Recovery: The swelling and bruises subside within 4- 5 days with cryotherapy and special eye drops treatment. Back to work in 6-7 days. The result is visible after the first week, but the final outcome starts to form after a month.
Complications: The lower eyelid is an operation with a greater frequency of complications than the upper eyelid operation. Usually, most complications concern the aesthetic quality of the operation on the eye shape.
Changes in the eye shape (round eye), are rare complications, usually caused by unexperienced plastic surgeons. Hematoma occurrence as well as some eye muscle injury which result to diplopia are rare complications too.
Is the modern blepharoplasty technique (no cut, no touch technique), during which the incision in the lower eyelids is avoided. Through a tiny incision in the inner part of the eyelid (conjunctiva) the downward fat is rearranged and repositioned in its original position.
This surgery gives the huge advantage of scar absence in the lower eyelids, thus all the complications that can arise from the change in shape of the eye (round eye ectropion) are avoided. It provides speedy recovery 1-2 days, and absence of sutures. It is the operation of choice for a restful youthful appearance that lasts many years.
Blepharoplasty is an operation that, after the right choice of technique, relieves the patient from any lower eyelid deformities.
Before and After | Blepharoplasty