Are there possible complications after a blepharoplasty?

All surgeries carry risks and rewards, and it is the task of the consultant to help patients understand the balance of these two factors. If the rewards outweigh the risks, patients feel confident and comfortable with their decision to undergo a surgical operation. So if you’re considering having surgery to address drooping eyelids, known as a blepharoplasty, what risks do you need to be aware of?

Setting realistic expectations

The first thing to understand is what a blepharoplasty actually addresses. It is not a fat removal procedure, but is a way of removing excess skin from around the eyelids. Going into an operation with incorrect expectations about what it will achieve will no doubt result in disappointment.

After the operation, patients may experience puffiness around the eyes, blurred vision and bloodshot eyes. Although these symptoms can be expected in the short term as part of the normal healing process, sometimes patients will pick up an infection as their incisions heal. This can make these symptoms last longer. Your surgeon will offer advice about healing times and if you feel your eyes are taking longer to heal than they should, you may need a short course of antibiotics to treat an infection.

One of the other side effects that can occur is that the skin around the eyelids is tightened too much, leaving little ‘hollows’ underneath the eyes. This is entirely down to the skill off the surgeon; and a skilled, accredited and regulated surgeon will be well aware of these risks and work to mitigate chances of this.

Check accreditations

The best way to avoid this is to ensure that you are seeing a professionally accredited surgeon. Coventry and Leamington cosmetic surgeon Mr Alan Park is a member of three professional associations, the Royal College of Surgeons, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. This means that you can be assured that he operates to the highest industry standards.

Look at previous examples of blepharoplasty

Another good idea is to ask to see photos of blepharoplasty procedures that your surgeon has undertaken previously. Mr Alan Park has an extensive catalogue of images he will be happy to take you through so that you can have a look at his approach and have confidence in the expected outcome.