Possible Risks and Complications in Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a safe and effective surgery relative to many other widely invasive cosmetic and plastic reconstructive surgical operations. The huge majority of people who undergo cosmetic blepharoplasty are happy and satisfied with their results. Few risk and complications involved in blepharoplasty are as follows.

Eyelid Infection: Infection is a possible risk with all surgery, which also includes surgery around the eyelids. There is a good blood circulation around the eyelids. So infection may occur around the eyelids, however, selected surgery performed under hygienic conditions rarely results in any serious infection.

Bleeding after Blepharoplasty: If bleeding remains continued after blepharoplasty, then eyelid wound may require reopening. This may require coagulating of the bleeding vessel and/or elimination of the clot ("hematoma"). Fat pockets and the orbicularis muscle are the most common place of bleeding.

Wound separation from Eyelid skin: The wound from the edge of eyelid skin may separate, especially with in 1 or 2 days after suture removal. A little wound separation may close impulsively or with the help of supporting tape. A larger separation may need suturing again. If wound separation is treated then it has minimal effect on the final result.

Suture cysts: After blepharoplasty, little white cysts (milia) may produce in the suture line. Most of suture cysts disappear without treatment and removal of a milia cyst is quite simple and quick.

Asymmetry Between Eyelids: Some people have good eyelids but they may not match as a pair. Such type of asymmetry between eyelids is introduced by blepharoplasty may be cosmetically disturbing. Asymmetries involved shape and height of the upper eyelid crease, digression of the lower eyelid margin, remaining skin and fat, and like that. If noticeable asymmetries remain for a reasonable period of time usually five to six months then your blepharoplasty surgeon may suggest you for re-operation.

Insufficient fat removal: Insufficient fat removal in blepharoplasty creates a noticeable or asymmetric blemish, in this case removal of fat may be indicated.

Excessive fat removal: When excessive fat is removed from the upper eyelid, it may create a lid crease that occurs too high and deep also known as "superior sulcus defect". Fat is removed from the lower eyelids may create a hollow appearance known as "inferior sulcus defect". This Hollowness may produce either immediately or years after the blepharoplasty surgery.

Excessive muscle removal: Excessive removal of orbicularis muscle from the upper eyelids during blepharoplasty can hollow the superior sulcus. Removal of orbicularis muscle in the lower eyelids may lead to destabilized eyelid closure and support.

Drooping upper eyelid: A pre-existing but unrecognized drooping upper eyelid can be operated by Blepharoplasty. This is not a saggy lid but one that rides too low, condition called as "ptosis". Though injury to the levator muscle and aponeurosis is less common but may cause ptosis to occur in a healthy levator system. After blepharoplasty mild ptosis may appear but it is rare and may persevere for few weeks to months. If the ptosis condition does not disappear with time, exploratory surgery may be suggested.