Blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery) is a procedure that involves removing or repositioning skin, fat, and sometimes muscle from the upper or lower eyelids.
Apart from being performed for purely aesthetic purposes, it can also be considered when the tissue around the eyes starts to interfere with vision, becomes difficult to keep clean or dry, or changes in a way that leads to discomfort, heaviness, or irritation.
If you’re considering having eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), it’s worth understanding what makes a suitable candidate and what the procedure involves in more detail.
Physical signs that might indicate eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) could be suitable
Eyelid surgery is sometimes recommended when the upper lid has become redundant or starts to fold over itself, especially if that tissue pushes into the field of vision or collects moisture.
This can happen gradually with changes to skin structure and soft tissue volume, and it can affect one or both sides. Some people also experience discomfort when reading or focusing for long periods, caused by these changes in the upper eyelid.
Lower eyelid surgery may be considered when there’s a bulge or noticeable change in the tension or support of the lower eyelid that affects how it sits against the eye. This can lead to dryness or irritation.
Essentially, not all of the reasons for having a blepharoplasty procedure are cosmetic concerns – there can be some concerns that can interfere with daily life and comfort.
Who is a suitable candidate for a blepharoplasty procedure?
Firstly, suitable candidates will be concerned about the tissue on their upper or lower eyelids. However, being a candidate for blepharoplasty isn’t just about the eyelids themselves.
Surgeons will also need to assess overall health, how the eyes function day to day, and what’s causing the problem. In some cases, the issue might not be the eyelids at all—for example, your surgeon may find that excess skin on the eyebrows or forehead could be contributing to the change.
During a consultation, your surgeon will assess your suitability in terms of your individual features, your current health and your health history. Suitable candidates are typically in good health without any significant untreated eye conditions, history of poor wound healing or uncontrolled chronic illnesses.
Your expectations for the procedure can also contribute to your suitability, as it’s always important that patients have realistic expectations for both the results of the surgery and what the process will involve.
What questions to ask during a consultation with your surgeon
If you’re considering blepharoplasty, your consultation is a good time to focus on the technical side of the procedure and understand exactly what’s involved.
Firstly, you should feel comfortable asking your surgeon any questions that you already have about the procedure. You should also be able to ask them anything about their experience or qualifications to help you feel more comfortable about the surgical journey.
If you aren’t sure what to ask, you may find that some of these questions may be helpful:
- Is my upper eyelid heaviness coming from the upper eyelids or another area, such as the brows?
Asking this question will help to ensure that a blepharoplasty is the right option and will focus on the right areas. If your surgeon can determine that upper eyelid heaviness is actually stemming from excess tissue or tissue laxity on the brows or forehead, then another procedure, such as a brow lift or forehead lift, may actually be more suitable. - What can I expect during the recovery period and for my results in the longer term?
Before committing to undergoing the procedure, it’s helpful to know what to expect during your recovery and how the procedure may affect how your eyes function in the longer term. During recovery, you can normally expect temporary dryness and discomfort, which you may need to manage with eye drops and sometimes medication. As for the longer term, discussing if the results can influence blinking or anything else to do with eye function will also be important. - Are both sides likely to need surgery, or can my concerns be addressed on one side only? Some people only have symptoms on one side, but it may still be recommended to operate on both for symmetry or support. Your surgeon can explain why one or both sides are being considered.
- Will the surgery involve skin removal only, or also muscle and fat adjustment?
There are different approaches to blepharoplasty depending on the cause of the issue. In some cases, fat is repositioned rather than removed, and sometimes the muscle layer is involved. Knowing the approach helps you understand what recovery might involve. - What will I need to do to prepare for the surgery?
While your surgeon will make sure that you’re informed of the preparation process before undergoing your procedure, it is still helpful to ask about the process in more detail and begin to feel more prepared sooner.
If you will find it helpful, you may like to prepare a list of questions for your surgeon before your consultation. That way, you won’t forget anything during the consultation, and you’ll be able to make any notes to think about afterwards.
Dr Cope: Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney and North Shore
If you’re experiencing discomfort, heaviness, or irritation around the eyes, if your vision is being affected by the skin of the upper lid or if you would simply like to change the appearance of the skin around the eyes, a consultation with a surgeon can help determine whether blepharoplasty is appropriate and what kind of approach could be helpful.
With locations in Sydney and North Shore, Dr Charles Cope is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who can plan your blepharoplasty procedure according to individual needs.
An informative consultation will help you find out if you are a suitable candidate for blepharoplasty and allow you to ask all of your questions. It’s a helpful step in the planning process for your procedure, and can help you feel more ready for the journey ahead.
Please get in touch with our team to arrange your consultation with Dr Cope.
