Rehabilitation after blepharoplasty will require the patient to comply with all the recommendations of the doctor.

Under this condition, the recovery period will pass easily and without any consequences for the patient's body.

Skin healing depends not only on a successful operation, but also on the characteristics of the patient himself - his age, individual tissue structure, and the presence of chronic diseases.

Usually the recovery period lasts two weeks, then the patient returns to his usual way of life.

Feel

Pain is practically not observed, however, some consequences cannot be avoided. The skin of the eyelids is thin and sensitive, easily injured.

Therefore, after the operation, unpleasant symptoms appear:

1. Edema, they most often cause anxiety in patients. Swelling of the eyelids for 7-10 days should not cause concern. This is a normal skin reaction to intervention. Daily puffiness will decrease, this process is accelerated by cooling compresses.
2. Bruises (subcutaneous hematomas) occur due to damage to blood vessels during surgery. Although the external manifestations of a hematoma look ugly, they do not pose a danger to the patient.

   Bruises go away in 2-3 weeks. For large hematomas, the surgeon may additionally perform a puncture to remove residual blood.

3. Discomfort in the eyes. Cramps, a feeling of dryness, stiffness of the eyelids, photophobia, lacrimation often accompany blepharoplasty.

   To eliminate the symptoms, eye drops with an antiseptic are prescribed. They moisturize the mucous membrane of the eyeball and help to avoid infection.

All the consequences will disappear on their own after a while without medical intervention. Blepharoplasty is a low-traumatic operation, so no special actions are required from the patient.

As with any other cosmetic surgery, it is important to follow a number of doctor's recommendations. This is a condition for the speedy recovery and prevention of complications.

Bans by day

In the postoperative period, it is required to lead a moderate lifestyle, give up bad habits.

Any actions that load the organ of vision are limited - watching TV, working at a computer, reading literature. The load on the eyes will increase the unpleasant symptoms (dryness, lacrimation) and slow down the rehabilitation period.

Heavy physical work, body tilts lead to blood flow to the eyeballs and cause edema.

What not to do during the rehabilitation period:

• visit the bath and sauna, take a hot shower for a month. All thermal procedures can provoke bleeding;
• wash your hair for the first 3 days;
• you can apply makeup, retouch eyes after 10-12 days, avoiding the area of ​​the postoperative scar;
• visit the pool, dance, aerobics and other active sports for 30 days;
• lift weights, bend over sharply for a month, this helps to avoid an increase in intraocular pressure;
• rub the damaged area of ​​the skin with your hands or stretch for 10 days, otherwise the risk of infection of the wound increases;
• wear contact lenses for 2-3 weeks so as not to irritate the conjunctiva and not to bring pathogenic microbes;
• take alcohol, drink coffee, smoke for 2-3 weeks. Bad habits disrupt blood circulation, which will lead to swelling and vascular injury.
• eat spicy and salty foods, as it retains fluid and thereby increases swelling;
• expose your eyes to direct sunlight for several weeks;
• eat citrus fruits, take blood thinners for 10 days to avoid bleeding.

All recommendations on lifestyle and restrictions are given by the doctor. If they are observed, it is possible to avoid complications and prevent the appearance of keloid scars. It is allowed to take any medicines only after consulting a surgeon.

How is recovery going?

Blepharoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia. Usually the patient goes home on the first day, but sometimes he remains under the supervision of medical staff throughout the day.

If a suture surgical material was used, it is removed 6-7 days after the intervention, for this you will have to visit a plastic surgery clinic. Today, absorbable threads that do not require removal are more often used.

Granulation of the postoperative incision continues for 1-4 weeks. Connective tissue appears in this place, which grows into small blood vessels.

A month after blepharoplasty, a thin, inconspicuous scar remains. Fully rehabilitation is completed after 2-3 months. The scars after the incision become invisible, and the person will be able to enjoy an excellent aesthetic result.

The duration of recovery depends on the type of intervention performed.

lower eyelids

After the operation during the day, ice packs are applied to the eyes. The aseptic patch should remain for 3 days, then the fresh scar is lubricated with Levomikol.

Dressings during this period are carried out daily with the treatment of the incision sites with antiseptic solutions, for example, furacilin.

On the seventh day, Lioton gel is used to reduce the hematoma, which is gently applied to the eyelids, while it is forbidden to apply it directly to the scar.

upper eyelids

The recovery period is somewhat longer, however, swelling and bruising are less pronounced. Recommendations are the same as for lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

Transconjunctival

This is the most sparing operation, since the incision is made along the inner shell of the eye. No suture is required as the skin is not damaged.

The mucous membrane in the incision sites heals quickly. Rehabilitation occurs in the shortest possible time without pain.

laser

The recovery process is very fast because the laser beam leaves behind thin cuts.

They heal without scarring, in addition, during the operation at a high temperature, the blood vessels are “sealed”. This means that swelling and bruising will be minimal.

Asian Eyes (Singapuri)

This is a rather complex intervention, during which not only excess skin is removed, but also the shape of the eyes is corrected.

The rehabilitation period lasts 2 weeks.

injection

A short operation, its duration is half an hour. During this time, the surgeon injects drugs that dissolve fat pads.

Rehabilitation lasts 3 days.

Skin care

Proper skin care is of great importance. Immediately after the intervention, cooling bandages and compresses should be applied to the eyes, the procedure is carried out every few hours during the first two days.

After the operation, the doctor applies a sterile gauze bandage or antiseptic patch on the eyes, these protective equipment is removed for 2-3 days.

If the surgery was successful, the use of special ointments is not required. Bruising and swelling will go away on their own.

The drug (if necessary) will be prescribed by a doctor, for example, Levomikol ointment is used for the speedy healing of tissues.

It is forbidden to use conventional cosmetic eyelid skin care products during the rehabilitation period. As soon as the wounds heal, the doctor prescribes an ointment with Chinese mushroom extract. The product improves skin elasticity. The ointment is applied twice a day for two weeks.

Wash your face after blepharoplasty. A mild soap is used to cleanse the skin. Touching the eyelids for the first 7 days is not recommended.

You can take a shower already on the second day after the intervention, however, you need to make sure that water does not get on the postoperative scars.

Exercise and massage

Gymnastics is an important part of the recovery period. Exercise strengthens the muscles of the periorbital region, promotes the removal of fluid, getting rid of swelling, and reduces the risk of postoperative complications.

You can start classes on the second day after the intervention.

1. Look ahead, look left and right, then up and down. Repeat slowly on each side.
2. Raise your eyes to the ceiling and blink a few times.
3. Close your eyelids tightly and hold this position for 3 seconds, then open your eyes wide. Eyebrows cannot be moved.
4. Place your fingers on your eyelids, but do not press on them. Try to open your eyes without removing your hands.
5. Tilt your head back, while the gaze should be fixed on the tip of the nose. Slowly return to the starting position.
6. Close your eyes and place your fingers on your temples. Gently push the skin to the side so that the eyes become narrow, like those of Asians.
7. Pull the edge of the lower eyelid with your finger, trying not to touch the postoperative area. Look at the ceiling for a few seconds.

All exercises are repeated 5-6 times at a slow pace.

You can start massage on the seventh day after surgery.

With your fingers, press on the points located in the area of ​​​​the outer corners of the eye, lower eyelid, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe eyebrows.

Patient Calendar

Consider the key points of the postoperative period by day:

1. 1 day. Swelling and bruising are pronounced. Upon returning home, immediately apply a cooling compress to the eyelids. Take pain medication if needed.
2. 2 -3 day. Begin to perform a set of exercises recommended by the doctor. You can wash your face and take a warm shower, while making sure that dirty water does not get into your eyes. Be sure to bury the antiseptic solution. Observe visual restrictions (no need to spend a long time reading literature).
3. 3 -5 day. If absorbable sutures were not used during the operation, you should visit the clinic to remove the suture material.
4. Day 6 You can remove the antiseptic plaster applied to the skin.
5. Day 7 Bruising and swelling of the eyes are visibly reduced. You can start working duties, but the use of decorative cosmetics is prohibited. Sunglasses should be worn outside.
6. Day 10 Hematomas are almost invisible. If there are no discomfort, it is allowed to tint the face.
7. Day 14 Thin threads are located in the folds of the skin and are almost invisible.
8. 45 -50 day. All the consequences of the procedure completely disappear. You can lead a normal life and resume playing sports.

Procedures

After the intervention, the following physiotherapy is recommended:

1. Soft peeling. Solutions with a minimum concentration of fruit acids are used, they moisturize the skin, neutralize bags and blue around the eyes. The combination of peeling with a massage procedure is effective, but these cosmetic procedures are carried out a week after the operation.
2. Lymphatic drainage massage It is designed to remove metabolic products and toxins from the skin by stimulating lymph flow. The procedure has a tightening effect on the skin.
3. Lifting and moisturizing the skin. The patient is assigned ultrasonic lifting in the later rehabilitation period.

   The procedure is carried out using agents with absorbable and anti-inflammatory properties. The doctor may recommend the use of drugs such as Lidaza, Mexidol.

4. Microcurrent therapy- exposure to a weak pulsed current on the skin. Restores cell energy, accelerates tissue regeneration, relieves pain, improves microcirculation.

All cosmetic and physiotherapeutic procedures remove the consequences of the operation and shorten the rehabilitation period.

The video provides information about the indications for blepharoplasty and additional recommendations for the recovery period.

Complications after blepharoplasty are a relatively common problem. Therefore, before such an operation, a thorough diagnosis and consultation with a doctor is necessary. This plastic surgery involves the correction of the upper and lower eyelids.

Quite often, patients develop swelling after blepharoplasty, which soon disappear. But there are other consequences, more long-term nature. We'll talk about all of them below.

Note! "Before you start reading the article, find out how Albina Gurieva was able to overcome vision problems using ...

With a competent approach to preoperative examination, defects can be avoided by predicting in advance the possibility of their occurrence.

Complications that go away on their own

Hematomas

Limited hemorrhages in the cavity or tissue in case of vascular damage. Hematomas look like patches of blue or purple skin, gradually changing first to green and then yellow (they disappear completely after that).

Most common in blepharoplasty:

• Retrobulbar hematoma - if large vessels are damaged, blood flows out and accumulates in the space behind the eyeball, which causes acute pain due to increased intraocular pressure, eye mobility is limited. It is the most dangerous variant of a hematoma and requires repeated surgical intervention.
• Subcutaneous - is formed under the upper layers of the skin, with damage to small vessels. The most common side effect. It does not pose a danger and does not require active measures.
• Tense - occurs with significant bleeding, stretches the surrounding tissues forming an accumulation of blood. Eliminated by puncture and suturing the vessel in the damaged area.

Edema

Edema after blepharoplasty can be both mild and severe, in the form of rollers under the eyes or around the eyelids. They are considered to be the norm during the recovery period. They are caused by the accumulation of fluid in damaged tissues.

The intensity depends on:

• complexity of the operation;
• the physical condition of the patient;
• implementation of the recommendations of doctors.

Edema after bepharoplasty disappears faster when using medications and cosmetics. In the case when the swelling persists for more than 1-2 weeks after the operation, it is necessary to consult a surgeon.

Complications requiring special treatment

Below we will consider those of the latter that most often require additional operations.

Diplopia

In this case, the muscles of the eyes are affected and a bifurcation of visible objects occurs. The cause of diplopia is a malfunction or damage to the oblique muscle.

May go away on its own during the postoperative period. Otherwise, surgery is required.

Ectropion

Eversion of the lower eyelid. Failed blepharoplasty is often the cause of its appearance. In this case, too much skin is removed during the operation and the lower eyelid turns outward. This prevents it from closing and causes dry eyes. Such a defect is eliminated by gymnastics and massage, the imposition of additional sutures. If the measures are not effective, then repeated plastic surgery is necessary.

Scarring

Late complication after blepharoplasty. Normally, scars should not be noticeable. Hypertrophic scars occur when the wound is not properly sutured or when the seams diverge. Eliminated by excision, laser correction, the use of special ointments.

Wound infection

It can occur when hygiene standards are violated during surgery or in the postoperative period. The symptoms are:

• the appearance of edema;
• redness;
• soreness at the site of infection;
• increase in body temperature.

In this case, drug treatment, the appointment of antibiotic therapy is necessary.

Blepharoptosis

Lowering of the upper eyelid with damage to the muscles of the eye or oculomotor nerve. It is bilateral and unilateral. Omission can be complete (covers the entire pupil) and partial (the edge of the eyelid closes one third or half of the pupil). Causes mechanical impairment of vision, can lead to development and diplopia. Occurs predominantly in elderly patients.

Divergence of seams

Occurs as a result of severe swelling, mechanical damage or infection. With this complication, the likelihood of scarring is high. After eliminating the cause of the discrepancy, the sutures are re-applied.

tearing

Lacrimation increases with:

• infection and inflammation of the lacrimal glands;
• displacement of the lacrimal openings;
• narrowing of the flow channel;
• postoperative swelling that presses on the tear ducts.

Asymmetry

In the case of a poorly performed operation, there is a possibility of eye asymmetry. It can be congenital and may worsen after unsuccessful blepharoplasty.

Dry eye syndrome

Lack of lacrimation in violation of lacrimal secretion. Main symptoms:

• dryness;
• sensation;
• pain;
• photophobia;
• possible itching and redness.

It occurs as an independent complication, and in combination with others (ectropion, blepharoptosis).

Cyst

The remains of the epithelium that has not been removed can form cysts, white or yellowish, located along the suture line. They can atrophy and disappear on their own. If this does not happen, they are removed surgically.

Keraconjunctivitis

Inflammation affecting the cornea and conjunctiva when the mucous membrane of the eye is infected. Treatment consists in the appointment of antibacterial drops.

These complications usually do not go away on their own. When they appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to identify the cause and prescribe a plan to eliminate the identified defects.

It is extremely rare to encounter such serious complications as visual impairment and, but the risk of their occurrence should not be completely ruled out.

In order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of a clinic and follow all the recommendations of doctors, especially in the postoperative period.

The recovery period after aesthetic operations is not always smooth. The process of tissue healing has its own characteristics and its own speed, individual for each person.

Seals after blepharoplasty appear under surgical sutures or in their immediate vicinity, most often during the correction of the lower eyelids. Typically, patients describe their problem using the words “bump”, “pea”, “roller” or “sausage”. In fact, it can be a variety of formations:

• forming scar tissue is the most common option, in many cases it is not considered a problem, there are high chances that over time the excess volume will resolve itself;
• local swelling at the site of suturing - also refers to the expected and non-dangerous consequences of plastic surgery;
• cyst - a consequence of incorrect suturing of the incision;
• bulging of the eyelid in violation of the connection of the cartilage of the ciliary edge of the eyelid with the muscle;
• lumps of fat in place complementing blepharoplasty;
• pyogenic granuloma.

Thus, we can talk about both a variant of the norm and a developing complication. In this article, we will talk about the causes of each of the above seals and what treatment should be.

Violation of scarring processes: main factors and consequences of their influence

The formation of scars at the site of surgical incisions is a natural and inevitable process, for more information about its course, see the article "". The appearance of swelling in the first week after blepharoplasty and the presence of excess connective tissue within 2-3 months after surgery are inevitable side effects that you need to mentally prepare for in advance and not panic. However, these processes may have individual characteristics:

• In some patients, after 10-14 days, no traces of intervention remain on the eyelids, while in others, even after a few months, the “bumps” along the seam are well felt under the skin, and sometimes can be seen with the naked eye.
• The rate of resorption of seals can be different on the right and left. In addition, the scar itself is often heterogeneous along its length - the end sections of the incisions located in the corners of the eyes retain the volume for the longest time.
• Due to natural swelling and active growth of connective tissue, scars can look like they are located directly on the outer parts of the eyelids for a long time. This is not a mistake of the surgeon, but a feature of tissue healing. As the excess collagen is absorbed, the traces at the incision sites will turn into thin stripes, hide in the natural folds of the skin and cease to remind of themselves.

In most cases, such cicatricial seals appear after lower blepharoplasty. Normally, they should resolve after 12 weeks - in addition to the individual characteristics of the body, the technique of making incisions and suturing, as well as the total volume of the intervention, is important here. Adverse effects on tissue healing processes have:

• chemical and thermal burns: exposure to laser radiation, as well as irritating, drying solutions, including those used for disinfection, and so on. That is why you will have to forget about peeling the area around the eyes after blepharoplasty for a while;
• suppuration: the presence of an inflammatory process in the wound always leads to excessive growth of connective tissue;
• incorrect matching of the edges of the incision, strong skin tension and other errors of the surgeon when suturing;
• disruption of the immune system;
• hereditary predisposition to excessive growth of connective tissue in response to damage (formation or).

In addition, excessive physical impact on the injured areas of the skin can lead to sealing of the seams - in particular, the habit of rubbing the eyes after waking up and active massage of the operated area (many patients “prescribe” it to themselves on their own in the hope of dispersing swelling). The fact is that the collagen fibers of a young scar are located chaotically and cannot withstand stretching of the wound edges. To avoid these complications, doctors usually apply special patches-strips over the sutures and strongly recommend not to touch the eyelids with your hands in the first weeks after blepharoplasty: any physical impact promotes blood flow, increases the rate of collagen formation, prevents the resorption of excess connective tissue - as a result, instead of thin "threads » Rough scars may remain on the eyelids.

If large fibrous bands nevertheless began to form at the site of the incisions, you should contact the specialist who performed the operation, another plastic surgeon or a dermatologist for help:

• Do not self-medicate! The simplest advice, and often the most difficult to follow, is to follow the instructions of the surgeon who performed the operation and give the body time. Usually, healing drugs are prescribed by the doctor for the first few weeks, then special anti-scar ointments and / or hardware procedures can be added - lymphatic drainage, etc. The process is accompanied by regular check-ups, and if something goes wrong, the specialist changes his appointments.
• A few weeks after the operation, the doctor may decide to accelerate the process of resorption of the connective tissue by injecting hormonal drugs - glucocorticosteroids. In some cases, you can get by with their local application, but only after complete healing of the incisions.
• If the scar cones remain in sight and continue to remind of themselves 2-3 months after the operation, the tactics of their treatment can be revised again - up to excision. But sometimes you just need to wait: the natural “movement” of the sutures into the skin folds can take quite a long time due to the fact that sometimes they last up to 6 months.

Nodules at the site of suture resorption

To fasten the edges of a surgical incision in the eyelid area, as a rule, atraumatic thin threads with a round section are used, which completely biodegrade within 10-14 days. This process is impossible without the participation of the immune system of our body, which enhances circulation in the area where a foreign body is detected. An active flow of blood and tissue fluid to the site of the suture causes local edema, which, upon external examination and palpation, can be defined as “bumps”, “peas” or “nodules”. Normally, as the threads dissolve, all such seals gradually disappear. This process can be disrupted by:

• slowing down of blood circulation in the area of ​​the surgical wound, when, due to the general massive swelling, the outflow of blood through the venules and veins is difficult, there is stagnation of tissue fluid;
• disorders in the immune system;
• too superficial arrangement of threads in the skin.

The last option is the most common. In this case, only individual pieces of threads will resolve, and their other fragments will cut through to the surface. This situation is not considered a complication, since the “extra” suture material is easily removed, and the injured skin heals quickly and without a trace. If the problem is swelling, then this is exactly the case when a good massage will help. Only it should be carried out not at random, but according to the correct technique - so as to stimulate the outflow of lymph and venous blood, normalize the flow of arterial blood rich in oxygen and nutrients, and tone the tissues. The surgeon will tell you what the movements should be. He will also recommend the correct frequency and duration of sessions.

In general, you can wait for the biodegradation of threads up to 2-2.5 months. If during this period the seals caused by them do not disappear, the doctor may perform small incisions or punctures of the skin and remove the suture material, or prescribe a course of special absorbable drugs in injections.

Lumps of fat

If blepharoplasty was combined with lipofilling, seals of different sizes may appear due to uneven distribution of transplanted fat cells, and also if the graft was not well processed and lumps remained in it. Such a complication is especially noticeable on the lower eyelids, since the skin here is very thin and any, even a small "knot" immediately comes to the surface. Over time, the lumps may spontaneously dissolve, but may remain unchanged. To treat this condition, there are several working methods:

• massage, which at an early stage of engraftment allows you to make seals flatter and even out the surface of the skin;
• the introduction of fillers based on hyaluronic acid - they are able to smooth out the boundaries of the fat lump and temporarily make it less noticeable;
• repeated lipofilling to correct the unsatisfactory result of the first procedure - it works in the same way as contouring with fillers;
• liposuction of excess, protruding fat cells.

In each case, the most suitable of the options for correcting the defect that has arisen is determined by the plastic surgeon.

Eyelid cyst after blepharoplasty

This seal is usually located in the immediate vicinity of the surgical incisions and looks like a yellowish or whitish ball. In its structure, it is a cavity filled with liquid.

The reason for the development of a cyst is the incorrect processing of the edges of the wound, when the epithelium is immersed deep into the tissues during suturing. The content accumulates gradually, which leads to a constant increase in the volume of the neoplasm - as a result, it can grow up to about 0.5 cm. The life of the defect is from 1 to 3 months. During this period, he must be observed without taking any action. If after 12 weeks the cyst does not resolve on its own, it is removed surgically.

Pyogenic granuloma (botryomycoma)

This vascular neoplasm is benign in nature and develops on the mucous membrane of the eyelid in response to tissue damage. To start the process of abnormal proliferation of blood vessels, sometimes quite a minor microtrauma, not to mention full-fledged incisions, is carried out during blepharoplasty.

Pyogenic granuloma has the appearance of a round or lobular formation of dark red or burgundy color, up to 2 cm in size. Growing to a large volume, it can lift the skin of the eyelid, and be felt with pressure. The term for the appearance of botryomycoma varies widely: in some cases, the neoplasm occurs already a few days after the operation and rapidly increases in size, in others, its growth can begin only after 2-3 months.

• If there is a dark red seal on the mucosa of the operated eyelids, it is not necessary to massage it, rub it with ointments and irritate it in any other way. All efforts aimed at resorption of the "pea" can give the opposite result: the neoplasm can begin to bleed, accelerate its growth.
• It is not difficult to remove such a granuloma. After confirming the diagnosis, it is excised surgically or evaporated with a laser. Moreover, there is no special urgency in this procedure, so the surgeon will prescribe the time for its implementation, taking into account the condition of the operated tissues of the eyelids.

As you can see, there is no single reason for the appearance and universal procedures for removing seals on the eyelids after blepharoplasty. It is important that according to the external description, even if there is a photograph, it is not possible to establish the cause of the development of a “nodule” or “bump”. Therefore, in order to accurately determine the nature of the problem and receive personal recommendations for its treatment, it is necessary to consult with a doctor in person - preferably with a surgeon who performed the operation.

Expert opinions:

Plastic surgeon, MontBlanc clinic

If the problem arose during early rehabilitation, this may be a variant of the norm, but, in principle, this happens very rarely. It is important to monitor how healing is going and whether an inflammatory process is developing, the signals of which will be throbbing pain, soreness when touched, local reddening of the skin, etc.

In such a situation, you need to urgently contact the operating surgeon. In general, this should be done in case of any doubt and questions: it is better to call, make an appointment for an unscheduled appointment and ask about everything that worries you than to worry or self-medicate. Indurations can also be normal after canthopexy if internal sutures are applied. Then they look like a small dot and diverge for a maximum of several months. After the end of the rehabilitation period, if, of course, the plastic was performed correctly, there should not be any such formations on the eyelids.

The area around the eyes is sensitive and prone to fading. Therefore, the age-related changes that occur to her tend to be corrected in the first place. But the result is not always successful. Complications after blepharoplasty arise for various reasons, develop at an early and late postoperative stage. What causes them, how to solve the problem?

Read in this article

Types of complications

Problems with the appearance of the eyelids, well-being can be detected immediately after the operation. These are early complications, which are not always possible to recognize on their own. After all, many of them can be perceived as a mandatory accompaniment of blepharoplasty. Therefore, at an early postoperative stage, it is customary to visit a doctor often.

Problems may arise later, when the appearance and well-being should already return to normal. Late complications are such that they are hard to miss.

• Bleeding. Caused by different reasons, it may have a different character. If the injured vessel is located close under the skin, the hematoma may resolve itself. It is more dangerous when the damaged area has a large diameter. The blood continues to seep outward, forming a dark, painful, swollen spot. If nothing is done, the complication can lead to scarring of the eyelids, seals. An even more threatening scenario provokes damage to the blood vessel behind the eyeball. From this, a retrobulbar hematoma occurs, signaling itself with pain, limited movement of the muscles of the visual organ, and its protrusion. The eye looks swollen, the skin is purplish black. Subsequently, the complication may threaten the loss of organ functions.

• Eyelid ectropion after blepharoplasty. The problem leads not only to external changes. From this, the eyes become asymmetrical, the skin is pulled down, so that part of the organ is visible, which should normally be hidden. The complication causes other problems: dryness of the mucous membrane, discomfort, inability to close the eyelids.

• Infection. If it was brought during the operation, then inflammation develops soon after the intervention. The suture zone becomes red, hot, sore. The patient may detect an increase in temperature, a deterioration in general well-being.

Late

The fact that blepharoplasty was not entirely successful may become clear a month after it, at the end of the rehabilitation period. And there are many complications here:

• lacrimation. The volume of fluid from the corresponding channels may increase due to their narrowing. The latter provokes irritation, hence the increase in secretory activity. But more often the problem develops against the background of edema due to the movement of the channels.

• Asymmetry. Different eyelids after blepharoplasty are obtained due to incorrect suturing or improper tissue healing. This is not just an aesthetic defect. Sometimes asymmetry leads to lagophthalmos, that is, non-closure of the eyelids.

• Blepharoptosis. With it, the upper eyelid looks constantly lowered and slightly enlarged. The complication often develops in older patients. But it can also be found in the young, if the muscle was damaged during the operation.

• hot eye effect. It is observed after additional correction of the eyelids, if it was carried out too early. Another reason for the problem is excessive skin removal during surgery. With this complication, the closure of the eyelids is disrupted, and, consequently, the moistening of the surface of the eye.

Lagophthalmos or non-closure of the eyelids after blepharoplasty

• Rough seams. Scars after blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids are observed more often than with the correction of the lower ones. Normally, they should be hardly noticeable even with closed eyes, since after 3-5 months they turn into the thinnest and not different in color lines.

• Divergence of seams. The edges of wounds resulting from surgery are fastened with threads that are absorbable or require subsequent extraction. They hold tissues until new cells form. But the body is able to reject the synthetic suture material. And healing for various reasons is sometimes slower than the resorption of biodegradable threads.

• cysts. Cavities with fluid may form along the edge of the scar. They are benign, but the presence of a complication violates the aesthetics of the appearance. Cysts do not disappear on their own.

• "Empty Eye" Syndrome. If the wrong technique is chosen to correct defects, the patient may complain about the lack of results after blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids. This happens in some cases of getting rid of hernias in this area. The result would be better with redistribution of fat.

Reasons for the appearance

Complications after eyelid correction with the help of plastic surgery can have a different origin. The reasons are divided into several groups:

• medical errors. Insufficient qualification of a specialist can cause any of the problems mentioned above. Excision of excess tissue leads to asymmetry, muscle damage leads to drooping of the upper eyelid. The divergence of the seams is the result of their incorrect imposition. Many problems are caused by an infection introduced during the operation. It slows down healing, which delays swelling, provokes the formation of thick scars. Dissatisfaction with the result, when the operation does not help to get rid of folds and wrinkles, is a frequent consequence of the insufficient art of the doctor. Therefore, you need to choose a specialist not only for the price of the intervention, but also for the feedback of patients.

• Failure to comply with the conditions of preparation for blepharoplasty and postoperative rehabilitation. Usually, the patient is informed about what is allowed and prohibited during these periods. Ignoring the rules can cause most of the complications. For example, taking blood-thinning drugs provokes bleeding, making it difficult to heal. So after that you can expect any problem. The same happens when the patient does not want to give up smoking, starts physical activity too early, takes poor care of the stitches, and refuses procedures aimed at accelerating recovery. Even malnutrition, which should be easy after blepharoplasty, can cause complications.

• Features of the patient's body. To a greater extent, this applies to the process of scar formation. If blepharoplasty is the first intervention performed, the tendency to form hypertrophic and keloid scars on the eyelids can be an unpleasant surprise.

Useful video

For information on why complications occur after blepharoplasty and how to prevent them, see this video:

What to do for the patient

Usually, in the contract concluded with the clinic, possible problems that may arise after the operation are mentioned. And the doctor informs about the possible complications, and most importantly - talks about how everything should go normally. If the patient notes that the external postoperative signs are different from her, you should immediately go to your doctor. Most complications require his intervention, and possibly consultation and treatment with another specialist. Sometimes only a new operation can save. In other cases, with the same problem, conservative treatment is sufficient. For example:

• Dissatisfaction with the outcome of the intervention is resolved in different ways. Sometimes it is enough to expose the eyelids in the folds after blepharoplasty. Grinding or fractional thermolysis procedures are used. In other cases, only one more operation will save.

• Bleeding can be stopped by suturing the damaged vessel. And sometimes a puncture is enough to remove the blood. If a vessel injury caused the appearance of a retrobulbar hematoma, conservative treatment by an ophthalmologist is necessary, possibly surgery.

• Scars after blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids, if they are too noticeable, can also be brought to an acceptable appearance. For this, there are procedures for laser resurfacing, mesotherapy or fractional thermolysis. And sometimes the use of special creams is enough.

Useful video

To learn how mesotherapy can help solve the problem of scars after blepharoplasty, see this video:

Whatever the complications after surgical correction of the eyelids, they are all amenable to correction. Even better, try to avoid them with . If problems still arise, you should consult a doctor immediately, it may be worth consulting with several specialists.

Like any other surgical operation, blepharoplasty carries certain risks of complications and negative consequences. Most of them are very rare and are the result of ignoring the doctor's prescriptions.

In more rare cases, the fault is the doctor's mistake, or the predisposition of the patient's body. It even happens that the patient sees different eyes in the mirror after blepharoplasty, what to do in such a situation? We will try to answer this and other questions. In any case, negative consequences are very rare, but you simply must be aware of them.

Why is blepharoplasty dangerous?

The modern level of plastic surgery is not able to avoid such an unpleasant moment as the consequences of blepharoplasty, there is still the danger of a small percentage of operations that end not so successfully. Non-surgical eyelid surgery eliminates most of the consequences, but the result without the intervention of a plastic surgeon will be meager. It is conditionally possible to divide the consequences into early and late. Indeed, unpleasant side effects, although rare, are numerous and some are very dangerous:

• diplopia;
• dry keratoconjunctivitis;
• subcutaneous hematoma;
• tearing;
• retrobulbar hematoma;
• ectropion;
• puffiness;
• eyelid asymmetry;
• cysts;
• infections;
• blepharoptosis;
• divergence of seams.

Edema and subcutaneous hematoma

Let's start with the simplest early complications, which can often go away on their own with time: swelling and subcutaneous hematoma. Bleeding and swelling are the most common and mildest effects. The blood from the hematoma is removed with the help of punctures, and only in some, rare cases, small incisions are required to suture the damaged vessel. Puffiness also goes away by itself, the main thing is not to be lazy to do cold compresses and take decongestants. Yes, and you will have to sleep with your head elevated to prevent blood flow to your head.

Aesthetic Consequences

Aesthetic ones include a keloid scar, eversion of the eyelid after blepharoplasty, asymmetry of the eyelids, and so on. Any of these complications spoil the appearance of your eyes, leveling the positive effect of the operation. Some of them will pass on their own, while some (most often resulting from the error of an inexperienced surgeon) will have to be corrected surgically. Also, some of these effects, such as eversion of the eyelid, can be detrimental to your health. In pursuit of beauty, an inexperienced doctor is able to remove too large a piece on the lower eyelid, which is fraught with the inability to close the eye at all. In this case, only a second operation can correct the situation, or you may have to transplant a skin flap from another place on your body.

Retrobulbar hematoma

If during the rehabilitation period after blepharoplasty you feel sharp pain, or if you feel tightness in the eyeball area (protrusion or limitation of mobility), contact your doctor immediately - there is a risk that the doctor damaged a large vessel and this caused a retrobulbar hematoma. Seals after blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids can go away on their own, but in this case it is impossible to risk, because the advanced course of the disease can even cause partial loss of vision. Moreover, the treatment is not complicated, only constant supervision of an ophthalmologist and decongestant infusion therapy are needed. Otherwise, the doctor acts according to the circumstances.

A second operation is required only in exceptional, neglected cases.

Diplopia

If you ask a surgeon why blepharoplasty is dangerous, the first thing he will remember is diplopia. This very unpleasant phenomenon appears due to severe swelling, damage to the eye muscle, hemorrhage, or as a reaction to local anesthesia. It manifests itself in the form of double vision, but usually disappears by the eighth week of the rehabilitation period. In rare cases, due to a medical error, diplopia does not go away, and strabismus or double vision remains with you until treatment is carried out in the form of reconstructive surgery on the optic nerve or muscle (most often, the dissection of the inferior oblique muscle is to blame).

Blepharoptosis

One of the rarest complications. The upper eyelid drops and often so much that it becomes simply unrealistic to open the eye completely. If a complication appeared at first, it’s too early to sound the alarm, it may be the result of a small internal hemorrhage or edema, but if the eyelid has not returned to normal after a few weeks, only a new surgical intervention will help. This means an injury to the tendons or ligaments, which will have to be corrected by an ophthalmic surgeon.

tearing

One of the mildest consequences, which never requires repeated intervention by the surgeon. Due to postoperative scarring of the tissues, the channels narrow, causing increased lacrimation. It is treated with eye drops (Lekralin, Vizin, and so on), decongestants, and, in rare cases, dilation of the lacrimal canals with a probe.

Scar healing

Scars after blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids and lower eyelids pass in three stages. First, they go through the granulation phase (lasts about a month): a new connective tissue is formed at the incision site. Then, little by little, the scar loses its shape and turns into a thin pink stripe, which in the final phase gives way to a white “thread” that does not protrude above the skin level and is noticeable only upon careful examination.

If you see that the scars are slowly healing, you will be helped by cosmetic products that the doctor will recommend to you in any case. After all, in addition to healing scars, they reduce discomfort after surgery, accelerate healing, restore the skin and maintain the functionality of cells at the incision sites.

In helping to treat pathological scars, silicone-based products with vitamin complexes have proven themselves best.