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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Blepharoplasty (BLEF-uh-ro-plas-tee) is surgery that includes repairing droopy eyelids by removing excess skin, muscle and fat. As you age, your eyelids stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. As a result, excess fat may gather above and below your eyelids, causing sagging eyebrows, drooping upper lids and bags under your eyes. Besides making you look older, severely sagging skin around your eyes can impair your peripheral or side vision. Blepharoplasty can reduce or eliminate such impaired vision.
Blepharoplasty is usually done on an outpatient basis. To help decide if blepharoplasty is right for you, find out what you can realistically expect, and take time to explore the benefits and risks of blepharoplasty.
- Surgery of the eyelids. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. http://www.aafprs.org/patient/procedures/blepharoplasty.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- What is cosmetic eyelid plastic surgery? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Eyelid surgery risks and safety information. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery.html?sub=Eyelid%20surgery%20risks%20and%20safety%20information. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Losee JE, et al. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5023372&searchStr=blepharoplasty#5023372. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- What to expect during your eyelid surgery consultation. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery.html?sub=What%20to%20expect%20during%20your%20eyelid%20surgery%20consultation. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. http://www.surgery.org/consumers/procedures/head/eyelid-surgery. Accessed May 16, 2011.
- Vasconez HC, et al. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. In: Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5315770&searchStr=blepharoplasty. Accessed May 16, 2011.
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