Blepharoplasty is an extremely requested surgery by both women and men to find serenity and youth in the gaze. Different surgical guidelines, depending on the initial defect, can lead to a variation in the surgical approach. The latter can be very simple and superficial, or more complex and in-depth. Thanks to blepharoplasty, it is possible to correct imperfections related to the aging of the peri-ocular region, but also to modify the shape of the eyes by making them, for example, more "oriental" or vice versa, more "Caucasian". Blepharoplasty can be complete (that is, the upper and lower eyelids are operated on at the same surgical time) or simple (only one area is operated on at a time: upper or lower). The consultation with Dr. Tommaso Battistella will shed light on the results you can obtain and with what type of procedure.

 

Pre-operative recommendations

It is advisable not to schedule surgery immediately before or during the menstrual period. Inform the surgeon of any treatment with drugs such as: cortisone, antihypertensive, contraceptive, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant, cardioactive or tranquilizing drugs, etc. 

Stop taking medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Ascriptin, Bufferin, Cemerit, Vivin C, etc.) at least 10 days before surgery. Patients being treated with oral contraceptives are advised to stop taking them one month before surgery. It is necessary to abstain from smoking (active and passive) for at least two weeks before surgery (the incidence of complications is 10 times higher in patients who smoke). The onset of colds, sore throats, coughs and skin diseases should be flagged. Should there be a need to take any drug not reported during the anesthetic interview, inform immediately Dr. Battistella to assess its use. Do not eat or drink from midnight the day before: fasting is required. 

The day of the surgery 

Wash your hair, carefully remove any make-up from the entire face, paying particular attention to removing mascara from the eyelashes. 

Bring to the clinic: 

- Original pre-operative examination reports. 

- Clothing: 

• wear comfortable clothes; 
• a not particularly tight T-shirt; 
• cotton linen (underwear and socks); 
• practical clothes to wear during your stay in the clinic; 
• a pair of slippers. 

- Payment of the procedure - The payment for the procedure must be received on the day of the surgery: 

• by cash; 
• by check 

Accommodation in the clinic includes a single or double room depending on the number of surgeries on the day and departmental needs. Therefore, in order to avoid disturbing those who have just undergone surgery, only one visitor / partner per person is allowed. 

After the blepharoplasty surgery

It is normal for the eyelids to swell (edema) and bruise (ecchymosis), often this is more evident on one side than the other, but this should not be of any concern. Small bruises can also form in the conjunctiva and their reabsorption will be slower. 

In order to accelerate the reabsorption of edema and bruises (which over time will tend to spread downwards), it is useful to apply cold compresses on the eyelids; ice cubes in a cellophane bag placed on a folded handkerchief over the eyelids. These cold compresses should be kept on the eyes for about twenty minutes and repeated 2-3 times in the first 1-2 post-procedure days. In order to accelerate the reabsorption of edema, it is also recommended to sleep in a semi-sitting position. 

During the first 12/24 hours it is normal for a few drops of serum mixed with blood to come out of the wounds, and they can be dried with a sterile gauze. 

Edema sometimes makes it difficult to completely close the eyelids and consequently the conjunctiva could become irritated. In these cases, the use of eye drops or ophthalmic ointments is recommended, especially at night. 

Anesthesia can cause transient paresis of some eye muscles, this can enhance the difficulty in closing the eyelids. These phenomena are of short duration and tend to disappear spontaneously within 24/48 hours. 

Sometimes wound healing can cause irregularities of the eyelid edge, which are not permanent and can disappear faster with appropriate exercises or massages that, if necessary, will be recommended by Dr. Tommaso Battistella. 

More rarely, post-procedure swelling can stretch the lower eyelids downwards, causing the so-called ectropion. This complication is transient but, in the most serious cases (those in which a scar retraction occurs), it may require revision surgery. Do not use contact lenses for at least 10 days. 

Although after 2-3 days it is generally possible to resume work, a period of rest should be followed until the stitches are removed. For at least a month, avoid exposure to the sun or intense heat. The patient will have to carry out check-ups at Dr. Battistella’s office as per specific guidelines. After the first consultations deemed appropriate by the professional, the patient will have to come for a check-up after one month, three months, six months and one year from the operation. A post-operative check-up is to be performed on an annual basis to check on the progress of the result over time. The post-operative check-up is of high importance for the successful outcome of the surgery and it is therefore necessary. 

Don’ts

- Using contact lenses for at least 10 days.

- Weight lifting (e.g. children or shopping bags) for the first 10 days. 

- Taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) drugs for the first 20 days. 

- Exposure to the sun or other sources of intense heat (sauna) for the first few months. 

Dos

- Absolute rest during the first 24 hours.

- Applying cold packs (ice) on the eyelids for 20 minutes 2-3 times a day for the first / second post-procedure day. 

- Scrupulously following the prescribed pharmacological therapy. 

- Sleeping on your back (belly up) and with your head raised (by placing two pillows under the mattress) for the first week. 

- Resuming sporting activities gradually after 15-20 days.

- Wearing sunglasses when going out for the first 30 days.