Dr. Sauvageau talks about blepharoplasty, the correction of baggy or droopy eyelids

Want a young and rested look? Do you find that your eyelids are too droopy or that you have bags under your eyes, causing you to look constantly tired?

Our expert blepharoplasty surgeon, Dr. Joan Sauvageau, performs this procedure at Clinique K on the South Shore of Montreal, located at 520 St-Charles Street in Old Longueuil, as well as at the Westmount branch. She explains this procedure, which is becoming increasingly popular, and which requires a very short recovery period.

 

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is surgery that corrects drooping eyelids ("blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids"). There is also "blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids," which corrects bags under the eyes.

Both procedures can be performed simultaneously or separately, depending on the person's preference and the surgeon's recommendation. Upper blepharoplasty is more commonly performed, but both procedures provide results that significantly rejuvenate the appearance, resulting in a revitalized look. The procedure involves making an incision to remove excess skin on the eyelid or under the eye. The surgeon then closes the incision.

"Blepharoplasty is one of my favourite surgeries because the results are spectacular and the intervention quite minor," says Dr. Sauvageau. "Not to mention that there is very little risk of complications, thanks to a meticulous procedure and the absence of medication.

(The patient is awake throughout the entire procedure.)

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Who is this procedure usually for?

The correction of drooping eyelids is especially popular among individuals aged 55-60 and over, including both men and women. People in their forties are also increasingly resorting to this procedure. For this age group, it’s usually people who take care of themselves a lot and really want to look their best.

 

Why do people want to correct their droopy or baggy eyelids?

In patients with drooping or heavy eyelids, or excess skin, the skin appears more wrinkled in the morning when they wake up and their vision may start to become problematic. The majority of people who turn to this procedure want a rejuvenated look and a younger appearance for years to come. In addition, many women with droopy eyelids have difficulty applying several colours of eye shadow, or their mascara often runs on the upper eyelids, etc. Of course, there’s also the aesthetic aspect, wherein people find droopy or baggy eyelids unappealing. In general, women will initiate the consultation on their own. As for men, they will often book a consultation following a woman's suggestion. However, following surgery, men commonly talk about the procedure with their close family and friends.

"I have more women than men who come to me for blepharoplasty, but it's crazy how much men tell everyone about it once they've had the procedure, because they're so happy with the results! Not to mention that, typically, men have fewer expectations pre-surgery than women.”

It is also true that in men, the eyelids tend to droop more quickly than in women, simply due to a question of eyebrow positioning. In men, the eyebrows are located directly on the upper zygomatic arch, while in women they are positioned above the arch. So in men, droopy eyelids are more common and occur earlier.

 

How much does the procedure cost and what exactly does it entail?

Blepharoplasty is a relatively simple procedure that takes about 40 minutes to perform and does not cause any noticeable pain. The patient is awake during the procedure and does not need to fast prior to the intervention.

"We start with a small prick on each eyelid, similar to a Botox injection. It's really minor and practically painless. As the area is anesthetized, the rest of the intervention is painless.”

Some patients are nervous about the fact that they are awake for the duration of the procedure. But once it's all over, they're happy to get up without feeling any nausea or pain. They feel good and relieved. A common reaction is "That’s it? That was so quick and easy!”."I always tell my patients that it's not as bad as going to the dentist, but a little less pleasant than a trip to the hairdresser’s", says Dr. Sauvageau. Upper blepharoplasty currently costs about $4,200 and lower blepharoplasty about $4,800.

 

Post-op follow-up

The day after surgery, patients can go out grocery shopping or other, with sunglasses on if they want to go incognito. A week after surgery, they return to the clinic to remove the small skin-coloured patches that were applied to the incision, as well as the small stitch.

"A week later, patients can go back to working from home. For upper blepharoplasty, the return to work can be done after about two weeks if they really do not want anyone to suspect that a procedure has been done, whereas we are talking about four weeks for lower blepharoplasty.”

Patients can resume their physical activities two weeks after surgery. The recovery time is therefore relatively short, which is something that patients truly appreciate.


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And the results?

The correction of droopy eyelids (upper blepharoplasty) and bags under the eyes (lower blepharoplasty) rejuvenates the appearance of the face, which often boosts one’s self-esteem. The scar is very inconspicuous and barely noticeable, especially in the case of upper blepharoplasty, because it’s located in the hollow of the eyelid.

"Patients feel rejuvenated. Their eyes are bigger and their colour more visible. I often hear patients say,

‘This is amazing! I look 20 years younger!’"

 

In conclusion

Eyelid correction surgery brightens the face and provides a youthful appearance. For a mild procedure, when compared for example to a facelift, the effects are significant. In general, patients resort to blepharoplasty only once.

"No, the skin is not going to start drooping again. Normally, it's a one-shot deal. Except perhaps for the patient who underwent blepharoplasty in his or her early forties and wants a second procedure 20 years later, which is also possible.”