Blepharoplasty is performed through external incisions made along the natural skin lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids, or from the inside surface of the lower eyelid. Initial swelling and bruising take one to two weeks to resolve but at least several months are needed until the final result becomes stable. Depending upon the scope of the procedure, the operation takes one to three hours to complete.
The anatomy of the eyelids, patients' skin quality, patients' ages, and the adjacent bony and soft tissue all affect the cosmetic and functional outcomes after blepharoplasty. Factors which are known to cause complications after surgery include failure to recognize factors such as
- preexisting dry eyes - which may become exacerbated by disrupting the natural tear film
- laxity (looseness) of the lower lid margin (edge) - which predisposes to lower lid malposition
- prominence of the eye in relation to the malar (cheek) complex - which predisposes to lower lid malposition
The manner in which blepharoplasty surgery can alter a person's appearance is best appreciated by comparing before and after photos of surgical patients.