You and your surgeon have discussed it, and a day has been scheduled for your eyelid surgery. By removing excess skin and fat, you’re on your way to improving your appearance and gaining confidence. The length of your blepharoplasty depends on several contributing factors. We will discuss key elements of your procedure and break down each step so you understand how long does blepharoplasty take.

What Is a Blepharoplasty?

A blepharoplasty is more commonly known as eyelid surgery. A cosmetic procedure performed by a male or female plastic surgeon to improve the appearance of the eyelids, creating a rejuvenated appearance. The procedure consists of removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper, lower, or both lids, depending on the type of blepharoplasty you are undergoing. A blepharoplasty is a quick and effective way to improve the appearance of:

Drooping eyelids
Puffy eyes
Under eye bags
Sagging skin
Upper eyelid folds

How Long Does Blepharoplasty Take?

In most cases, blepharoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure. Before the procedure begins, you may be given medication via IV or injection to numb the area around the eye and help you relax.

Upper eyelids: If you are having a blepharoplasty performed on the upper eyelids, your surgeon cuts along the fold of the eyelid. This helps minimize the appearance of scarring. Excess skin, muscle, and fat are then removed before the surgeon closes the incision. The actual procedure for the upper eyelids is the shortest of the three options, taking approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Lower eyelids: Much like the upper, your surgeon will create a cut in the skin just below your natural crease or inside the lower lid. Again, fat, muscle, and skin are either removed or distributed. A lower blepharoplasty takes just slightly longer than an upper at about 90 minutes.
Upper and Lower Eyelids: Both the upper and lower eyelids can be enhanced during the same procedure. The surgeon will do one and then the other. If you have decided to undergo both upper and lower blepharoplasty, you’ll need to plan for it to take up to two and a half hours.
Blepharoplasty and other procedures: Blepharoplasty can be performed with other cosmetic procedures like a forehead lift or chemical peel. If you have multiple enhancements done, the procedure can take considerably longer depending on what other procedures you have performed.

Factors Affecting the Duration of Blepharoplasty

Aside from the type of procedure and the number of procedures you are scheduled to have done, there are a few other factors that can have an effect on the duration of your blepharoplasty.

Anesthesia: Anesthesia will be given at the time of the procedure. Depending on the type of anesthesia, it can cause a lengthy surgery and more time in recovery.
Anatomy: If tailored techniques or other special accommodations, this can extend the duration of the procedure.
Health: If you have any pre-existing conditions or reactions to medications, this can lengthen the procedure time.

Possible Complications and When to Seek Medical Help

With any surgery, there are inherent risks. Your care team will go over these risks before any procedure is performed. They will also provide instructions on how to care for your eyelids subsequent to surgery and monitor your healing progress. Some risks of eyelid surgery are:

Infection, bleeding, or seeping
Dryness and irritation
Difficulty closing the eyes
Injury to eye muscles
Discoloration
Blurred vision
The need for a follow-up operation

You’ve learned the approximate duration of the different forms of blepharoplasty. This is important information to know but does not encompass the entirety of the process. On the day of surgery, your surgeon will likely instruct you to arrive at your appointment early. Your care team will give you any pre-op instructions, explain the procedure again, and give you post-operative instructions.

After surgery, you are likely to spend some time in recovery; how long is at the discretion of your surgeon. If the surgery was relatively smooth, expect minimal recovery time, typically 30 minutes. In total, expect your blepharoplasty surgery to take anywhere from one to three hours.

Starting Your Consultation

The information provided is a general approximation. For a better understanding of how long your surgery will take, consult with an experienced physician. Your plastic surgeon will ensure that you have a well-rounded understanding of the entire process and what to expect during your eyelid rejuvenation. Considering the duration of surgery and your recovery time will be key in setting realistic expectations and fostering a smooth healing process.

References:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022). Blepharoplasty.