Eyelid surgery is one of the more popular cosmetic surgeries because it is relatively simple, it requires minimal postoperative recovery, and the results can be stunning. This operation involves cutting away the fat that causes bags beneath the eyes and removing wrinkled, drooping layers of skin on the eyelids.
Blepharoplasty is often performed along with a face-lift or with other facial rejuvenation procedures, especially forehead lifts. Incisions follow the natural contour lines in both upper and lower lids, and the thin surgical scars are usually barely visible and blend into the eyelids’ natural lines and folds, although that can depend on how your skin scars.
A talented surgeon can avoid some of the typical mistakes, such as creating a scar that sits above the fold of the upper eyelid, overpulling the skin, or removing too much of the fat pad areas, which would create a sunken, drawn appearance. Risks of dry eye and damaged tear ducts are also a concern. (Sources: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, January 2009, pages 353-359; and Survey of Ophthalmology, September-October 2008, pages 426-442.)
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty, a variation of eyelid surgery, is performed by making an incision inside the lower eyelid. It avoids any scarring on the lower lid and may reduce the possibility of the eyelid pulling down, a postoperative complication in some patients. It is a useful technique when fat only, and not skin or muscle, needs to be removed from the eyelid area.
It is important to note that the upper eyelid may improve, negating the need for surgery there, if a forehead lift can produce a more positive effect. This also reduces risk to the eye area or obvious scarring. This option should absolutely be discussed with your surgeon.