Blepharoplasty in Pune: Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is surgery on the eyelids. With age, the thin eyelid skin stretches, the muscle under it loosens, and the fat that cushions the eye can bulge forward. The result is a heavy, hooded upper lid or puffy bags under the eyes that make a person look tired.

• Upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes a measured strip of excess skin, sometimes with a little muscle and fat, through a cut placed in the natural crease.
• Lower eyelid blepharoplasty treats bags by removing or repositioning fat, and sometimes by tightening loose skin. The cut is either just below the lashes or on the inside of the lid (transconjunctival), where it leaves no outer scar.

Both can be done in the same sitting. Eyelid surgery is often combined with a facelift or with fat grafting to a hollow under the eye.

Who may benefit, and how is suitability assessed?

You may be suitable if you have:

• upper-lid skin that rests on the lashes or makes the lids feel heavy;
• excess skin that blocks the upper part of your vision;
• puffy bags or loose, crinkly skin under the eyes;
• realistic expectations and good general health.

The assessment includes your eyesight, dry-eye symptoms, eyelid tone and the position of the eyebrows and the lifting muscle. Tell the doctor about thyroid eye disease, glaucoma, previous eye surgery, contact lens use, high blood pressure and blood thinners. A drooping lid caused by a weak lifting muscle (ptosis) or a low brow needs a different or additional operation.

What are the options for tired-looking eyes?

Option	What it can do	Limitations
Upper blepharoplasty	Removes hooding; lighter, more open lids	A fine scar in the crease; does not lift the brow
Lower blepharoplasty	Reduces bags and smooths loose lower-lid skin	Longer bruising; small risk of lid pulling down
Botox	Softens crow’s feet and can slightly lift the brow tail	Lasts a few months; does not remove skin or fat
Dermal fillers or fat grafting	Fills a hollow tear trough	Do not remove bags; fillers are temporary
Brow lift	Raises a low brow that pushes skin onto the lid	A separate, larger operation
No treatment	Accept current appearance	None

How is blepharoplasty performed?

1. Marking: with you sitting up, the excess upper-lid skin is measured and marked so enough skin remains for the eyes to close fully.
2. Anaesthesia: local anaesthetic numbs the lids; sedation may be added.
3. Upper lids: the marked skin is removed, a strip of muscle and some fat are trimmed if needed, and the cut is closed with very fine stitches along the crease.
4. Lower lids: through a cut under the lashes or inside the lid, bulging fat is removed or moved to fill the hollow beneath it, and loose skin may be trimmed.
5. Dressing: an antibiotic ointment and cold compresses are applied. You go home the same day with someone to accompany you.

How should you prepare, and what should you ask?

• Stop smoking well before and after surgery.
• Tell the doctor about all medicines and supplements that affect bleeding, such as aspirin, blood thinners and fish oil.
• Get an up-to-date eye check if you have dry eyes or wear contact lenses.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home and help for the first day.

Questions to ask:

• Is my problem extra skin, bulging fat, a low brow or a drooping lid?
• Will my eyes close fully afterwards?
• Where will the scars be?
• How long before I can wear contact lenses or eye make-up?

What is recovery like?

Time	What to expect for most patients
Days 1-3	Swelling, bruising and tightness; cold compresses and head raised while resting; vision may be blurry from ointment
Days 5-7	Stitches removed; bruising starts to fade
Weeks 1-2	Many return to desk work; make-up and contact lenses once advised
Weeks 2-6	Most swelling settles; avoid heavy exercise and rubbing the eyes
Months 2-3	Scars soften and the final shape is clear

Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect the healing skin.

What are the risks of blepharoplasty?

Swelling, bruising and some watering or dryness of the eyes are expected at first. Other risks include:

• Dry or irritated eyes, usually temporary.
• Difficulty closing the eyes fully for a while, if too much skin is removed or swelling is marked.
• Lower lid pulling down (ectropion or scleral show), more likely after lower-lid skin removal.
• Asymmetry or a scar that is visible or lumpy, sometimes needing touch-up surgery.
• Infection, uncommon.
• Bleeding behind the eye: rare but serious, as it can threaten sight.

Seek urgent help for severe or increasing eye pain, sudden swelling or bulging of the eye, or any loss of vision.

What results can you expect?

The upper lids look lighter and more open, and under-eye bags are reduced. Many people say they look more rested rather than different. Upper eyelid results often last many years; skin keeps ageing slowly, so some heaviness can return later.

What affects the cost of blepharoplasty in Pune?

• Upper lids, lower lids or both.
• Technique for the lower lids, such as fat repositioning.
• Anaesthesia and facility, especially if sedation is used.
• Combined procedures, such as a brow lift, facelift or fat grafting.
• Medicines and follow-up visits.

Upper eyelid surgery done because excess skin blocks vision may be considered by some insurers; cosmetic eyelid surgery usually is not covered.