Blepharoplasty is generally done using local anesthetic.
You may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. The duration of the
surgery is dependant on the amount of tissue to be removed, although
the procedure usually takes about 45 minutes.
When performed on the
upper eyelids, your doctor will remove the excess skin,
muscle and fatty tissue that tend to accumulate along the
eyelids. The incisions are made along the natural folds in
the skin so that as they heal they become difficult, if
not impossible, to see over time. The stitches are self-absorbing
and dissolve over the course of a week.
When performed on the lower eyelids,
provided there is not too much excess skin, your doctor
will make the incision inside or behind the eyelid. This
technique allows the removal of fatty tissue while avoiding the need
for an external incision. If there is excessive skin or muscle folds
below the eye, an incision may also be made just below the base of the
eyelashes. As this incision heals, the fine scar should also become less
visible.
