What kind of anesthesia is blepharoplasty? Blepharoplasty is a safe way to tighten and rejuvenate the skin of the eyelids. Eyelid surgery and local anesthesia

To correct both the upper and lower eyelids, aesthetic surgery is performed - blepharoplasty. Drooping eyelids and bags under the eyes make the face appear older and tired, and can also contribute to poor vision. Aesthetic eyelid correction can eliminate these problems.

Circular blepharoplasty

Since blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure, it is performed under general anesthesia to ensure complete pain relief throughout the entire procedure. What type of anesthesia should be used during this operation: general or local? Will surgery hurt?

Local anesthesia

Most often, blepharoplasty is performed under local anesthesia in combination with sedation. This operation can be performed under general anesthesia if the patient is terrified of being conscious during any surgical procedure. Before using medicated sleep, you must undergo a thorough examination and obtain permission from your doctor.

The operation is simple and plastic surgeons perform it in about an hour. Since the surgical intervention is low-traumatic, it is better to choose local anesthesia. This anesthesia will reduce the risk of developing post-anesthesia complications and you will be able to go home the same day, a couple of hours after the procedure. It will hurt a little only in the place where the anesthetic injections are given, but this is tolerable, unlike the side effects after medicated sleep. Therefore, surgeons prefer to perform the operation under this method of anesthesia.

Transconjunctival blepharoplasty

Local anesthetics block nerve conduction, so there is a temporary loss of sensation in a limited area and the patient is not in pain during the operation. After a few hours after eyelid correction, the numbness will completely disappear. If the patient experiences pain after the procedure, the doctor will prescribe a pain reliever.

Sedative therapy is used before surgery, during correction in combination with local anesthetics and after it. It allows you to achieve complete calm and relaxation of the patient, and he will not worry that it will be painful when performing surgery under local anesthesia.

While under observation after performing blepharoplasty under local anesthesia, the patient must immediately contact medical staff if there are any negative sensations. For example, it is unbearably painful, a burning or itching sensation in the operated area, and so on. The supervising doctor will be able to provide first aid in a timely manner if complications develop.

Medication-induced sleep

Under general anesthesia, the patient is unconscious with a complete absence of pain throughout the body. To perform blepharoplasty, the patient is given such anesthesia if he is afraid that it will be painful under the local one or if transconjunctival aesthetic plastic surgery must be performed. In this operation, the surgeon makes an incision on the inside of the eyelids.

Only anesthesiologists perform anesthesia with complete loss of consciousness for patients undergoing surgery. Patients first undergo a full examination and undergo additional tests prescribed by the supervising physician. Anesthesiologists must conduct a preoperative consultation in order to identify the presence of allergic reactions to medications, previous serious illnesses, and so on.

Throughout the surgical procedure, the anesthesiologist monitors the condition of the patient being operated on. There is no pain for the person being operated on under general anesthesia when the surgeons perform all the necessary manipulations. After waking up completely, the patient does not remember the details of the operation due to complete loss of consciousness.

If it is possible to perform blepharoplasty under local anesthesia, it is better to refuse medicated sleep, because it will not hurt in any case. The rehabilitation period will pass much faster and without unnecessary post-anesthesia complications, and the patient will be able to return home earlier.

Preparation

Young woman having a consultation about blepharoplasty

Preparation for eyelid surgery depends on the type of anesthesia. Before using local anesthetics, preparation is minimal and does not require much effort. It is necessary to stop drinking alcohol 24 hours before the procedure, and you should also refrain from smoking. You should tell your surgeon if you are taking other medications, especially those that make your blood difficult to clot. If the operating doctor has prescribed you to take additional sedatives, you must follow the instructions.

General anesthesia requires more careful preparation. It is very important to quit smoking two months before the scheduled date of aesthetic surgery - blepharoplasty. Smoking greatly affects the lungs and after medicated sleep it can even provoke pneumonia. It is also not recommended to consume alcoholic beverages during the day before surgery, and then avoid it for the entire recovery period.

Blepharoplasty is the correction of the upper and lower eyelids. During plastic surgery, bags under the eyes and drooping eyelids are removed.

Surgery is performed both under local anesthesia and with the help of medicated sleep.

Anesthesiologists argue that performing surgery under local anesthesia is more appropriate than using medicated sleep, but only if surgery is performed on one of the eyelids - upper or lower.

In addition, the choice of type of anesthesia will be influenced by the complexity of the operation.

Target

Local anesthesia for blepharoplasty, first of all, helps to avoid the risk of complications that may appear after general anesthesia.

Its action is aimed at blocking nerve impulses, which allows for loss of temporary sensitivity of the eyelids.

Before the operation, sedative therapy is prescribed along with anesthetics, which allows you to completely eliminate anxiety and relax.

Advantages

When performing local anesthesia, the risk of complications is minimized.

Within a few hours the patient can leave the hospital, whereas with general anesthesia you will need to remain under the supervision of medical staff for 24 hours.

The rehabilitation period with the use of local painkillers will take less time, in contrast to medicinal sleep, and after about 10 days the patient will be able to almost completely return to their normal lifestyle.

When is it appropriate to use general anesthesia?

For transconjunctival aesthetic plastic surgery, general anesthesia is required, since the incision is made from the inside of the eyelids.

When performing plastic surgery of the upper and lower eyelids at the same time, surgeons still recommend resorting to medicated sleep.

Correction of two eyelids at once is more difficult for the patient, and the operation itself takes twice as long.

Photo: Before and after surgery

Methods

Blepharoplasty under local anesthesia is performed using one of two methods:

application;
injection.

The application or superficial method involves applying an anesthetic drug to the area where surgery will be performed. The nerve endings become numb and sensitivity is completely lost.

Injection or infiltration anesthesia is carried out by injecting an anesthetic under the skin into the area where the operation will be performed.

Sedatives are often administered along with anesthetics to make the patient completely relaxed.

Necessary tests

Before undergoing blepharoplasty, regardless of the type of anesthesia, it is necessary to undergo an examination and tests.

When using local anesthesia, the doctor is provided with:

general blood analysis;
general urine analysis:
coagulogram;
blood for sugar;
examination for HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis;
electrocardiogram;
fluorography (preferably within the last six months).

Only if all the necessary tests and examinations are available can an operation be scheduled. In addition, before surgery, consultation with a therapist and anesthesiologist is necessary.

Video: How the operation is performed

Preparation

Before using local anesthetics, preparation for surgery will not require any complex manipulations.

The patient needs:

do not drink alcohol the day before surgery;
refrain from smoking;
inform the surgeon about taking all medications over the past 3 days;
in some cases, the doctor may prescribe sedatives a few days before the procedure, the use of which is mandatory.

Immediately before the operation, the plastic surgeon:

marks the areas of skin that will be removed;
the face is wiped with a disinfectant;
then the surgical areas are pinched or an anesthetic gel is applied.

After these manipulations, the doctor begins to perform blepharoplasty. The time of the operation largely depends on the complexity of the operation. Most often, the procedure does not take more than 20–40 minutes.

Is it painful to have blepharoplasty under local anesthesia?

When performing blepharoplasty under local anesthesia, the tactile sensitivity of the nerve endings is completely lost, so the patient does not feel pain.

At the same time, you can still feel the touch of a scalpel and the moment of suturing.

Painful sensations can only be present at the moment of injection with the injection method.

Once the procedure is completed, the patient is given an anesthetic injection.

After the operation, the anesthesia gradually wears off and discomfort appears.

Important! If you experience severe pain, burning or itching after blepharoplasty, you should immediately contact your supervising doctor.

Are there any contraindications?

Since blepharoplasty under local anesthesia is still a surgical intervention with the use of mandatory anesthetics, there is a list of contraindications for which the operation is not performed.

Any surgical intervention is contraindicated for persons suffering from:

severe cardiovascular diseases;
eye diseases (glaucoma, dry eye syndrome);
diabetes mellitus;
blood diseases (thrombocytosis, hemophilia, etc.);
mental disorders;
malignant tumor.

If the patient is terrified of going under the surgeon’s scalpel while conscious, general anesthesia can be performed at the patient’s request.

What you need to know about the postoperative period

After the anesthetic wears off, the patient should know that pain cannot be completely avoided.

If you experience severe discomfort, your doctor may prescribe painkillers.

In the first days, swelling of the eyelids appears, and in some cases the formation of hematomas is possible. The patient experiences pain in the eyes.

Complications

When performing local anesthesia, there is also a risk of complications. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to the anesthetic used may occur.

With the injection method, due to a doctor's mistake, an anesthetic can be injected into a blood vessel. In this case, the patient experiences pain and burning, and the formation of severe swelling and bruises is possible.

Incorrect calculation of the drug leads to an overdose, which causes a toxic reaction. A high concentration of local anesthetic in the blood is no less life-threatening than during general anesthesia.

The rehabilitation period after blepharoplasty lasts 2–3 weeks. During this time, the patient should:

limit eye strain;
in the first days, do not make sudden movements or bend over;
limit physical activity;
avoid thermal procedures and direct sunlight;
wear sunglasses;
do not use cosmetics;
do not wash your face until the stitches are removed;
do not wear contact lenses.

Following simple steps will help prevent the development of such unpleasant complications as extensive hematomas and suture dehiscence, which will require repeated surgery.

Anesthesia or general anesthesia

Which method of anesthesia will be used during blepharoplasty largely depends on the wishes of the patient.

After passing all the necessary tests and consulting with a doctor, it is decided which type of anesthesia is more appropriate.

Since this operation does not represent a serious surgical intervention, in the absence of any contraindications and with the consent of the patient, local anesthesia is performed.

The risk of complications with local anesthesia is minimal, in contrast to the use of medicated sleep.

Modern anesthetics and sedatives completely relieve the patient from feelings of anxiety and relieve pain during the operation, putting him into a light sleep.

General anesthesia induces sleep, and awakening occurs after all the manipulations. As a rule, the patient does not remember any parts of the surgical procedure.

Coming out of medicated sleep is much more difficult than with local anesthesia.

In any case, the patient can decide for himself whether to use general anesthesia or local anesthesia.

Anesthesia or local anesthesia? When performing certain plastic surgeries, the patient can independently choose one of two proposed options. If you decide to do traditional abdominoplasty, then anesthesia will definitely be chosen, even without your participation. But if you just want to have eyelid surgery, then here you can express your preferences regarding pain relief. Blepharoplasty is sometimes performed under local anesthesia, which pleases patients who want to avoid complete immersion in sleep during surgery. What are the obvious and not noticeable features of eyelid correction under local anesthesia?

Eyelid surgery and local anesthesia

If you decide to undergo blepharoplasty, this does not mean that the possibility of general anesthesia is automatically excluded in your case. Avoiding anesthesia during surgical correction of the eyelids is possible only with a technically simple and small-scale operation, for example, with upper blepharoplasty. Of no small importance is the moral state of a person, who must be psychologically prepared to undergo surgery while conscious.

Speaking about the advantages of using local anesthesia during plastic surgery on the eyelids, it is worth mentioning the following points:

extremely low risk of developing possible complications, since more “heavy” drugs are used during anesthesia
the patient can move his eyelids and open and close them at the request of the doctor, which makes it easier for the latter to carry out the operation
the risk of under- or over-correction of the eyelids is reduced
opportunity to go home on the day of surgery

But since plastic surgery, regardless of the level of technical complexity, is a surgical intervention, blepharoplasty under local anesthesia has its pitfalls. So:

During the operation, the patient will have high blood pressure due to nervous tension. This phenomenon in itself is not dangerous, but it will be less convenient for the doctor to work
there is still a risk of allergic and other reactions to drugs
Many surgeons fundamentally work only with patients under anesthesia, so as not to be distracted by anything during the operation

How is the operation performed?

Whether local or general anesthesia is ultimately used, the patient follows the same rules regarding the preoperative period. So, you should not take blood-thinning medications, and stop drinking alcohol and smoking 2 weeks before the intervention. The patient submits a list of tests, and doctors also compile his allergy and anesthesiological history so that during the operation there are no complications or threats to the health and life of the patient.

Before the operation, the plastic surgeon applies special markings on those areas of the eyelids where eyelid surgery will be performed. Then an antiseptic is applied to the entire face and painkiller injections are administered. After the anesthetic takes effect, the plastic surgeon begins manipulations.

After the operation is completed, the patient spends several hours in the ward under observation. If no complications arise, painkillers (tablets or injections) are prescribed, then the patient is discharged home.

Is it painful to have blepharoplasty under local anesthesia?

To ensure that the patient does not feel pain and is not under anesthesia, two methods are used.

The first is called application, which involves local application of an anesthetic cream or spray. After this, the area becomes numb, but the cream does not affect the deeper layers. This method of pain relief is usually used for Botox or filler injections.
The second method is injection. From the name it is clear that the anesthetic drug is injected into the tissues using an injection, which allows the active substance to penetrate the subcutaneous fat fiber and muscle. Typically the drug contains lidocaine, ultracaine and bupivacaine.

The injections themselves are quite unpleasant to endure, because the injections are administered to a considerable depth, and the periorbital area itself is very sensitive. When the operation itself takes place, there will be no pain, but all manipulations will be felt - the pressure of the instruments, the moving threads during suturing. The process will resemble dental treatment with anesthesia, when the movements of dental instruments in the oral cavity are felt, but without pain.

During blepharoplasty, the patient will see the light of surgical lamps, and also, if a laser is used instead of a scalpel, the person lying on the operating table will also have to inhale the smell of burnt meat. Not everyone can cope with such an ordeal calmly, so sedatives are often added to local anesthesia to put the patient into a calmer, sleepier state.

If the patient has a low pain threshold or is too sensitive, then intravenous sedation is usually recommended. Consciousness is switched off, which makes this option of pain relief almost equivalent to anesthesia, with which they differ only in the dosage of drugs and the possibility of spontaneous breathing.

How long the pain relief will be provided depends on the amount and concentration of the drug administered. The individual characteristics of the patient’s body also have an impact. There have been cases when during surgery the patient feels that the effect of the painkiller is decreasing. In such a situation, you need to tell the plastic surgeon about this, who will administer an additional injection.

Possible complications after blepharoplasty

The most dangerous complication of local anesthesia is an allergic reaction to the components of the drug, which can lead to anaphylactic shock. To avoid this, the surgeon and anesthesiologist examine the patient's health status and, if there is reasonable doubt, perform a sensitivity test. This test is also performed at the request of the patient. But even if the test turns out to be positive, then with the wide variety of modern anesthetics available today, it will not be difficult for doctors to replace the substance in the drug that causes an allergy in the patient.

Side effects of local anesthesia may include puncture of the vessel, which will cause the patient to feel a burning sensation during the injection. After surgery, puncture of the vessel may lead to the formation of a bruise. There is also a risk of impaired spontaneous breathing, but this complication occurs in patients with a history of serious respiratory dysfunction. But for such patients, local anesthetics are generally contraindicated.

Let's sum it up

The choice of a particular type of anesthesia is influenced by whether upper or lower blepharoplasty will be performed. The individual characteristics of the patient’s body also contribute to the selection process. Patients themselves can express their preferences in choosing pain relief, but the plastic surgeon has the final say. But patients should remember that the use of one or another type of anesthesia does not affect the quality of the operation - only the level of professionalism of the doctor affects this.

Pain and discomfort are constant companions of any surgical intervention, especially if it is performed in an area with very thin and delicate skin.

However, very often blepharoplasty under local anesthesia is even necessary, because in case of asymmetry of skin folds (and this happens very often), only by talking with the patient and controlling how the line of the future scar lies in the natural fold of the skin and what distance remains from the eyebrows, you can get a symmetrical result. Many women are interested in whether it is painful to have blepharoplasty under local anesthesia. This question can best be answered by patients who have already undergone surgery and all the difficulties of the rehabilitation period.

Eyelid lift POV

These are the impressions the plastic surgery left on the women who were operated on by the surgeon (names have been changed):

When the doctor said that she would do blepharoplasty under local anesthesia, whether it would hurt or not, I didn’t even think about it, to be honest. For the entire hour that the operation was going on, to my great surprise, I chatted with her, talked about my recent vacation, my family, and didn’t even notice how it all ended. (Irina, 36 years old).
The most unpleasant thing, in my opinion, is the “recovery” after general anesthesia, but there is little benefit from it for the body. Therefore, I immediately asked whether it was painful to do blepharoplasty under local anesthesia. She assured me that the most I would feel was an injection of anesthetic into my eyelid and the very fact that something was being done to my face. Indeed, I first felt pain only in the ward, when the anesthetic wore off. But this quickly passed after taking a painkiller. And so, everything is great, I recommend it to everyone! (Mila, 44 years old).
I underwent the operation quite easily and did not feel any particular pain or severe discomfort. All the difficulties began the next day, when I had already come to my senses a little. It was painful to open my eyes and even just blink, let alone read or watch TV. The huge bruises made me look like a panda. She was, of course, very upset, but she said that it should be so. On the second day, however, I felt much better. The discomfort finally went away along with the bruises in about a week. I am very pleased with the result. (Margarita, 30 years old).

What to expect after surgery?

It is not painful to do under local anesthesia. The doctor will administer the drug intravenously or give an injection directly into the eyelid. You will be fully conscious and able to talk to the surgeon.

As a rule, if the operation is performed correctly, patients do not experience unbearably severe pain in the postoperative period. Slight pain, swelling, and bruising are natural phenomena that are observed in all women. They usually go away on their own within 7-14 days and do not require special treatment. You can preliminary evaluate the result after 1 - 2 months.

What problems does blepharoplasty solve?

Eyelid surgery in most cases is the correction of various age-related changes: hernias of the lower eyelids (commonly called bags under the eyes), sagging skin, wrinkles. Depending on the indications, plastic surgery of the lower, upper or both eyelids is performed. In more rare cases, blepharoplasty is used to correct birth defects and change the shape and size of the eyes.

Where do bags under the eyes come from?

With age, some people's soft tissues (skin, orbicularis oculi muscles) lose their elasticity. Subcutaneous fat accumulates, resulting in the formation of hernias or so-called bags under the eyes. The formation of hernias is influenced by genetic predisposition and lifestyle - poor nutrition, lack of sleep, overwork, stress, alcoholism. Some women face this problem after giving birth. Sometimes, due to anatomical and genetic predisposition, hernias occur in adolescence at 15-16 years old and can be corrected then.

What types of eyelid surgery are there?

There are two main types: classical and transconjunctival. The classic version is performed on the lower and upper eyelids: the hernia and overhanging skin of the upper eyelid are removed. Transconjunctival blepharoplasty only relieves hernias. It is usually done at the age of 30-35, when there is no sagging skin yet. After such an operation there are no scars left, because the incision is made under the skin, on the mucous membrane of the lower eyelid. It is done with a scalpel or laser. Operations in both cases give the same results. The laser makes the operation less traumatic, as it immediately seals the vessels, the bleeding stops, and bruises do not form.

The type of blepharoplasty is chosen according to the indications: if you need to have plastic surgery of the upper and lower eyelids due to a hernia and excess skin, then it is recommended to do a classic operation. Yes, after a classic operation, white stripes remain on the eyelid, but it is not possible to remove excess skin in any other way.

Is it possible to get rid of hernias without surgery? For example, adjust your diet and rest regime?

A hernia, if it has formed, will not go away on its own. If a person leads a healthy lifestyle, gets enough sleep and eats right, but has bags under his eyes, this is an aesthetic problem that requires a surgical solution. But many live with bags under their eyes and are successful in all respects.

What still makes you go for plastic surgery?

Patients say that this cosmetic flaw really prevents them from feeling confident at work and at home. They are irritated by bags, drooping eyelids, and feel physically uncomfortable. Moreover, men undergo blepharoplasty not much less often than women. But the men hide the fact that they went through the operation. And women are increasingly no longer ashamed of aesthetic operations and openly talk about them.

Are there any contraindications?

Contraindications may include severe cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, blood diseases, progressive myopia, oncology and other diseases that pose an immediate threat to life.

Does blepharoplasty require special preparation?

They prepare for it in the same way as for any other operation. The preparatory complex depends on the method of anesthesia: local or general. Before surgery with local anesthesia, it is enough to undergo standard examinations: blood tests for biochemistry, general tests for infections and coagulogram (clotting). You may need to consult a therapist or specialist who is seeing you for some chronic disease. For example, see a cardiologist for heart problems. If the operation is planned under general anesthesia, an ECG, fluorography or chest x-ray and consultation with an anesthesiologist will be needed.

What determines the choice between general and local anesthesia?

How difficult is blepharoplasty?

It has been done for a long time and is well proven; it does not pose a danger to life and health. But any wound can fester, become inflamed, and the stitches can come apart. Most often we are talking about aesthetic complications. Jeweller's precision is needed, then scars will not be noticeable and the patient will be satisfied. But various asymmetries occur, including inversion of the lower eyelid. This occurs due to the cutting of an excessive amount of soft tissue of the skin, then the cartilage of the lower eyelid cannot stand it and pulls down. Ophthalmological complications are also possible. The mucous membrane is indirectly affected, sometimes conjunctivitis, keratitis, lacrimation, and dry eyes develop. But these are rather exceptions to the rule and are quite rare.

Is it possible to correct the consequences of an unsuccessful operation?

Any unsuccessful scar can be corrected, but only after six months. If the postoperative suture is torn, it must be sewn up immediately. It will look unaesthetic, but you will have to be patient. After six months, you can make a correction.

How quickly does the patient leave the hospital and return to normal life?

If the operation was performed under anesthesia, the patient remains in the hospital overnight and goes home the next day. You can leave after surgery with local anesthesia within a few hours.

As a rule, sutures are removed on the 4-5th day. They usually return to work after two to three weeks, when the swelling goes away. Some go to work the day after surgery. It depends on whether the patient wants to hide the operation or not. After 2-3 months, no traces remain. All scars completely disappear.

Are there any peculiarities of recovery after eyelid surgery?

The skin of the eyelids is very delicate; after plastic surgery, bruising and swelling appear. On the 4-5th day the swelling goes away, but the bruise remains for 10-14 days. The average recovery time is 2-3 weeks. For some it heals faster, for others it heals more slowly. No special medications are prescribed after surgery. At the patient's request, physiotherapy is performed to speed up healing. Before the stitches are removed, you cannot wash your face because of the special bandages on your eyelids. For two weeks after surgery, you must remain calm and avoid lifting heavy objects. You can resume sports activities after a month.

Does eyelid surgery solve the problem for life or does it need to be repeated periodically?

It all depends on your lifestyle. As a rule, this operation is repeated after 10-15-20 years.

Choose!

Experts often have different opinions. Where one recommends blepharoplasty, another recommends a forehead lift and lipolifting, a third recommends thread lifting, a fourth recommends correction with endotins, and a fifth thinks that deep peeling will help you. At the same time, everyone will convincingly prove that they are right, citing many reasonable arguments. Whose recommendation to choose is up to you.

Personal experience

Tatyana, 49 years old, veterinarian

I had lower eyelid hernias. I felt uncomfortable because of this. At first I wanted to remove only the hernia of the lower eyelids, but then I decided to tighten the upper eyelid and completely put my eyes in order. I had surgery about 4 years ago.

The operation took place under local anesthesia. It is quite painful and generally an eerie feeling. The most difficult test is being injected with painkillers before surgery and pulling out hernias. Then the excess skin is cut off and stitched. The operation lasts 30-40 minutes. Then I lay with ice for about an hour or two. Anesthesia before the eyes and after the operation is felt quite strongly: the eyes see double or triple. I walked staggering, as if I was carrying a vessel of water and was afraid of spilling it. I went home the same day.

Before the stitches were removed, I slept for 3 days, half-sitting; sleeping as usual (especially on my side), bending over, making sudden movements, and lifting anything heavy during this period is prohibited. If blood rushes to the eyelids, a hematoma may form. After 3 days, the stitches were removed. I had no bruises or hematomas, only a slight yellowing, and, of course, fresh scars stood out under my eyelashes. After 2 weeks I went back to work. Almost nothing was noticeable. The only thing is that the shape of the eyes changed after the operation, became more rounded, and thin seams under the eyelashes still remain.

Maxim Osin:I recommend performing upper and lower eyelid surgery under general anesthesia. And local anesthesia is used when it comes to surgery of only one eyelid; when correcting both eyelids at once, surgery under local anesthesia is difficult to tolerate. White stripes-scars on the eyelids really remain forever.

Nina, 46 years old, manager

In the first days after the operation, I went on business, left the house, went to the car, it seemed to me that it was faulty. I leaned over to check if everything was okay. The blood rushed to the face and a hematoma formed on the eyelid. I had to cut it again and clean it out. This still left a stain. As a result, I had this operation again, but with a different doctor.

Maxim Osin: When bending over, a bruise sometimes forms, and the stitches may come apart. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid such situations: do not bend over too much so that the blood does not rush to your face, do not understand heavy weights, etc. But this is not a rule, but rather a matter of chance. For some this happens, others behave as usual after the operation and no problems arise. Of course, it's better not to take risks.

Anastasia, 38 years old, housewife

Six days ago I had blepharoplasty of the upper and lower eyelids (transconjunctival). I look at myself in the mirror and it seems that my eyes are completely different now. One eye looks more open than the other, and the stitching on it seems to be pulling. And it feels like the seam on one eye is lower than on the other. The operation was performed by a good surgeon, according to reviews from his patients. And I myself can’t believe that a surgeon could allow such a defect in his work. Relatives console me, they say that I am finding fault with myself, others cannot see my contrived shortcomings.

Maxim Osin:A week after the operation, it is impossible to assess the result. It will be visible only a month later. In this case, the defect may be caused by swelling and will disappear over time.

Victoria, 42 years old, accountant

I had upper blepharoplasty 3 months ago. One eye was more open than the other, and there was excess skin hanging over one eye. It seemed to me that the doctor removed too little. I thought that I would have to operate on this eye again, but then gradually everything fell into place. Now everything is fine, although the seams are at different levels. On one eye the seam is completely invisible, on the other - if you know about it. As I was told, the seams may be slightly asymmetrical, since the eyes and folds of the upper eyelid do not have symmetry.

Maxim Osin:Indeed, if there is asymmetry before surgery, it persists after it.

Alla, 45 years old, lawyer

I chose my surgeon quite carefully. The doctor needs to instill confidence. During the consultation, the doctor truthfully explained that he would not be able to perform transconjunctival blepharoplasty on me. I'm over 40, so I need to do classic blepharoplasty. It will leave behind excess skin, which you will have to deal with later. But he promised to remove the bags under my eyes and showed me how beautiful I would be after the operation. She was operated under general anesthesia. A week after the operation, the stitches on the upper eyelids were more noticeable than on the lower ones. One eye was watering, I couldn’t see well - there was a feeling of a foreign body, so I used special drops. A week later, there was almost no scar under this eye, under the other it was barely noticeable, but a bag remained, as if there was no operation. It resolved only after 5 months.

Maxim Osin:The patient's age is important. If a person is over 40 years old, there is drooping eyelids and wrinkles, then transblepharoplasty cannot solve all problems - you need to choose the classic option. The bags and swelling disappear completely after a month, but sometimes they can remain for a longer time. Everything here is very individual.

Anna, 42 years old, manager

Just a couple of months ago, I took bags under my eyes for granted. I went to a cosmetologist to get a Botox injection. The cosmetologist said that hernias under the eyes can be removed and advised a doctor. I read reviews on the Internet and came across the concept of “transconjunctival blepharoplasty.” I went for a consultation, where a surprise awaited me: it was too late for me to do this type of plastic surgery, only the classics. On the 3rd day after the operation, the swelling had almost subsided, leaving only yellow bruises under the eyes. Everything looked pretty decent, only there was a clear wrinkle under the right eye, but it was there before the operation.

Maxim Osin: Transconjunctival blepharoplasty can only get rid of hernias. It is done at the age of 30-35, when there is no such problem as sagging skin. Later, more radical solutions are needed, so classic blepharoplasty is done, it removes wrinkles.

Especially for men

Mikhail, 37 years old, manager

Two weeks ago I had lower eyelid surgery. There were no indications to operate on the upper . There are no longer any traces left, except for barely noticeable scars in the corners of the eyes. I think they will disappear in a couple of weeks. Everything took place under local anesthesia. There is an unpleasant feeling from the first injection, as during dental treatment, and then when the hernia is pulled out. I can't say it hurts, but rather unpleasant. In general, everything is painless: both the operation itself and after it there is no pain. I even regretted that I did not come in my own car.

Maxim Osin: Indeed, if the upper eyelid does not droop, then you can limit yourself to plastic surgery of the lower one. This operation is quite easy under local anesthesia.