Blepharoplasty in Buenos Aires —
Eyelid Surgery

What is blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty — also called eyelid surgery — is the surgical procedure that removes excess skin, muscle and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. Its goal is to correct the appearance of tiredness or aging in the look without altering the features or expression of the face. The result is a fresher, more open and rested look that reflects how the person truly feels.

Upper blepharoplasty

The upper eyelid accumulates skin over time. This skin redundancy creates a fold that falls over the lash line, giving a heavy and sleepy appearance that does not disappear even after a good night's sleep. In more advanced cases, the excess skin can partially compromise the upper visual field. Upper blepharoplasty precisely removes this excess skin through an incision hidden in the natural fold of the eyelid. The result is a lighter eyelid and a visibly more open look.

Lower blepharoplasty

The lower eyelids are the area where bags and structural dark circles originate. Unlike dark circles from tiredness — which resolve with rest — under-eye bags are caused by the herniation of orbital fat through the weakened septum. This fat forms visible prominences that create shadows and the appearance of permanent dark circles. Lower blepharoplasty repositions or resects this fat, tightens the orbicularis muscle and removes excess skin, durably correcting the appearance of dark circles or under-eye bags.

Combined blepharoplasty (four eyelids)

Many patients present changes in both upper and lower eyelids. In these cases, combined blepharoplasty — addressing all four eyelids in the same surgical procedure — offers the most complete and symmetrical result. Performing them simultaneously also optimizes recovery: there is only one postoperative period instead of two.

Who is a candidate for blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is indicated when eyelid changes represent an aesthetic or functional concern for the patient. I evaluate each case individually at the consultation, but the following signs are the most common:

• Excess skin on the upper eyelids that gives a tired appearance or makes the eyes "look smaller"
• Under-eye bags visible even after a good night's sleep, originating from herniated orbital fat
• Deep structural dark circles caused by the projection of eyelid fat and secondary shadows
• A feeling of heaviness in the upper eyelids, sometimes with frontal headache secondary to the effort of keeping them open
• Patients undergoing a Deep Plane Facelift who wish to include look rejuvenation in the same surgical procedure
• Good general ocular health, without severe dry eye or uncontrolled glaucoma
• Realistic expectations: blepharoplasty improves the appearance of the eyelids, it does not treat periorbital wrinkles or brow descent

Blepharoplasty can be performed from the age of 35–40 onwards, depending on the individual clinical presentation. There is no upper age limit: what matters is the eyelid anatomy and general health status. At the consultation we assess whether blepharoplasty alone is sufficient or whether it would be beneficial to combine it with Necklift, temporal fossa lift, Deep Plane Facelift and Lip Lift for complete facial rejuvenation in a single surgical procedure.

The procedure: how it is performed

Blepharoplasty is an outpatient surgery of moderate complexity, lasting between 1 and 2 hours depending on the number of eyelids operated on. It is performed under local anesthesia plus sedation — making it far more accessible than procedures under general anesthesia — and the patient can return home the same day of the surgery.

1. 1
   Consultation and preoperative planning Evaluation of eyelid anatomy, photographic analysis of the frontal and profile views, review of ocular medical history and basic preoperative studies. We determine whether one or both pairs of eyelids will be operated on and whether it will be combined with other procedures.
2. 2
   Local anesthesia plus sedation The surgery is performed with local anesthesia infiltrated into the eyelids, complemented with intravenous sedation for greater comfort. The patient is relaxed and pain-free throughout the procedure, but does not require intubation or general anesthesia.
3. 3
   Incisions in natural folds For the upper eyelid, the incision follows the natural fold of the eyelid, remaining completely invisible when the eye is open. For the lower eyelid, the incision is located just below the lash line. In some lower blepharoplasty cases without excess skin, the incision can be made via the transconjunctival route — from inside the eyelid, with no visible scar on the skin.
4. 4
   Tissue correction Excess skin, orbicularis muscle and eyelid fat are precisely removed or repositioned. The goal is not to remove as much as possible, but to balance the natural proportion of the eyelid. Excessive resection produces unnatural results: the conservative and anatomical approach is always the guide.
5. 5
   Closure and discharge The incisions are closed with fine sutures that are removed between days 5 and 7. Ice is applied and relative rest is advised. The patient is discharged the same day with postoperative care instructions.

Recovery: what to expect week by week

Blepharoplasty recovery is notably shorter than that of other facial surgery procedures. Most patients can resume their usual activities within 1 to 2 weeks. Here is what happens at each stage:

• Days 1 to 3: periorbital swelling and bruising, completely normal. The eyes may look purple and slightly swollen. Cold is applied and rest with the head elevated is recommended. There is no significant pain.
• Days 4 to 7: swelling begins to visibly subside. Sutures are removed. It is already possible to shower normally. Many patients are comfortable going out in an informal setting.
• Days 10 to 14: most of the swelling and bruising have resolved. With makeup, most people can return to work and social activities. This is when international patients typically plan their return home.
• Week 3 onwards: full return to routine, including moderate exercise. Direct sun exposure on the eyelids is avoided for an additional 4 to 6 weeks.
• At 2–3 months: final result visible. Scars finish maturing and become virtually invisible.

Results: long-lasting and natural

The result of blepharoplasty is long-lasting. The skin and fat that are removed do not regenerate: the excised tissue does not come back. The look is rejuvenated in a lasting way. Natural aging continues at its usual pace, but the improved starting point is maintained over the years.

In the upper eyelids, the improvement has a duration that varies from patient to patient, tending to last for years before laxity may reappear significantly. In the lower eyelids, the correction of bags from herniated fat is very stable: that fat, once repositioned or resected, does not herniate again in the same place.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the goal is always a result that looks natural and consistent with the patient's features. Blepharoplasty does not modify the shape of the eye or alter expression: it simply eliminates what makes it look tired. The ideal result is that those around the patient notice that she "looks great" without being able to identify exactly what changed.

Cost of blepharoplasty in Buenos Aires

The fee for blepharoplasty at my practice in Buenos Aires is defined during the valuation consultation, depending on whether only the upper eyelids, only the lower eyelids, or both pairs combined are operated on. When blepharoplasty is performed together with the Deep Plane Facelift, we optimize the overall rejuvenation result in a single surgical procedure. As a personalized medical service, we do not publish prices — everything is arranged during the initial consultation.

Combined with the Deep Plane Facelift, blepharoplasty represents an opportunity to optimize the overall result of facial rejuvenation without proportionally multiplying the cost. At the preoperative consultation we assess whether that combination is appropriate for your case and how it affects the cost and recovery planning.

Frequently Asked Questions about Blepharoplasty