In the aging process, the skin on the face starts to become saggy due to the decrease in collagen production. This process takes place all over the face, including the eyelids. Sagging eyelids leave the patient with a tired and aged look, which can be perfectly treated through Blepharoplasty .

Blepharoplasty , or eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that consists of removing excess skin and fat bags from the upper and lower eyelids. It is eye rejuvenation surgery because it can completely reverse the signs of aging in the eye area.

This is one of the most common facial surgeries in the world, and is currently the 3rd most common cosmetic surgery in the United States. Blepharoplasty is one of Dr. João Baptista Fernandes and Dr. Fátima Baptista Fernandes who, over many years, have been dedicating themselves to the improvement of surgical techniques.

There are several Blepharoplasty techniques , so each case must be evaluated individually. However, eyelid correction surgery can be divided into two types: Upper Blepharoplasty and Lower Blepharoplasty . Both are techniques dedicated to improving both the appearance and the interference with vision caused by excess skin on the upper eyelids.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid surgery consists of removing excess skin and fat pads in the orbital area, if applicable. There are also cases in which the upper eyelids droop due to muscle weakness in the forehead or eyebrow area and, therefore, muscle tension must be restored.

Lower Blepharoplasty

In the lower eyelids, surgery can be performed in 2 ways:

Internal route: In cases where there are pockets of fat without excess skin, an incision is made inside the eyelid through which all the fat is removed. No sutures are made and therefore there are no scars. This technique is common in people under 45 who do not need to remove excess skin.

External route: a cut is made immediately next to the eyelashes, the fat pockets are removed, the excess skin is removed by applying tension and a fine suture is made, which is removed after 5 days.

Both on the upper and lower eyelids, the skin is protected by a thin strip of adhesive (steri-strep) and the eyes are not closed.

Blepharoplasty at Clínica Baptista Fernandes is performed on an outpatient basis and takes between 1 and 2 hours to be performed, depending on whether it is just the upper or lower eyelids or all four eyelids. The surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia and, after it is finished, you will have to rest for at least 1 hour using cold compresses locally.

In the postoperative period you will have to take mild painkillers, apply saline solution and antibiotic eye drops several times a day, as well as an antibiotic ointment at bedtime.

It is advisable to keep your head elevated and apply cold compresses soaked in ice water, filtered or previously boiled, 6 to 8 times during the day, in order to help decongest the eyelids and clear secretions. Five days later, the stitches are removed and healing cream is applied over the scars. At this point, you can start using make-up to hide bruises, as the dark color will disappear only 10 days after the surgery.

You can resume work between the 3rd and 5th postoperative day. During the 2 months following the surgery, you should wear large sunglasses that completely protect your eyes.