How do I choose my blepharoplasty surgeon?

It’s been said: many surgeons perform blepharoplasty. Fewer, however, have any real expertise in the ophthalmic and palpebral regions. And yet, these are particularly complex areas, whose treatment involves significant challenges in terms of potential complications and the impact of the results obtained.

Choosing the right surgeon for blepharoplasty means choosing one who specializes in :

• Oculoplastic surgery;
• Microsurgery.

An oculoplastician has extensive training in ophthalmology. As such, they have in-depth knowledge of the physiopathology of the peri-ocular region, giving them a keen understanding of the risks of complications specific to this area. For the patient, this is the guarantee of a safe procedure, with gestures adapted to the various therapeutic situations that may arise.

Technically speaking, microsurgery plays an essential role in blepharoplasty, a procedure requiring meticulous precision and the use of specific tools. A doctor trained in the art of blepharoplasty will know how to perform the right gestures: those that preserve the palpebral contours and, by extension, the patient’s identity.

The quality of the operation also depends on the surgeon’s ability to choose the right surgical gestures and to combine the various techniques at his disposal when necessary. The surgeon must therefore already have mastered all these possibilities, and in particular lipofilling (addition blepharoplasty), which is all too often neglected, even though it often proves decisive in avoiding certain pitfalls.

Finally, the doctor’s experience is obviously a criterion of choice. You can also ask the clinics where he or she works about the number of procedures he or she performs each year.

What is a blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to improve the aesthetic appearance of the eyelids. More specifically, there are 4 types of blepharoplasty:

• Upper blepharoplasty;
• Lower blepharoplasty;
• Addition blepharoplasty;
• Pinch blepharoplasty.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes excess skin and/or fat from the upper eyelid, making it look heavier – a sign of ageing that can give the eyes an unattractive, self-pitying look. The procedure significantly rejuvenates the eyes, enlarging their openness and restoring their natural expressiveness.

While every blepharoplasty is unique, this is even truer of lower blepharoplasty, which can address a wide variety of skin conditions affecting the lower eyelid: loose, wrinkled skin, fatty bags, hollow or colored dark circles, etc. The result? Smoother, plumper eyelids, for younger, brighter-looking eyes.

Addition blepharoplasty is a new technique that offers a highly attractive alternative to conventional blepharoplasty (both upper and lower), avoiding some of the associated risks of hollowing. Technically, it involves lipofilling, i.e. the injection of autologous fat. This fat fills in the volume lost as a result of aging.

Pinch blepharoplasty is an alternative to lower blepharoplasty for correcting the appearance of wrinkled or creased skin. Involving no skin detachment (the practitioner simply pinches off the excess skin and cuts it away), it has the advantage of being minimally invasive and uncomplicated. The risk of complications is virtually nil.

What questions should I ask at my first consultation?

Any surgical procedure represents an important decision, and it’s vital to be able to make it with peace of mind, without any questions left unanswered. Here are some of the questions that often arise when considering blepharoplasty:

• How do I know if I need the operation?
• Is there an ideal age for blepharoplasty?
• How should I prepare for the operation?
• What type(s) of anesthesia can I have?
• Is it painful?
• Are blepharoplasty scars still visible?
• How long before I can see the final results?
• Is it possible to make up for a botched operation?