Blepharoplasty should improve the eyelid region without compromising eye protection, closure or expression. The operation may address upper-eyelid skin, lower-eyelid fat or both, but complaints such as “heavy eyes” and dark circles can also arise from brow descent, true ptosis, hollowing, pigment, edema or midface position.
What should be diagnosed before surgery?
- Upper-eyelid skin excess versus eyebrow descent
- True eyelid ptosis and frontalis compensation
- Lower-eyelid fat prominence versus hollowing
- Eyelid tone, canthal support and ocular vector
- Dry eye, previous eye surgery and difficulty closing the eyes
- Malar edema, festoons and midface descent
- Previous fillers, threads, biostimulators or energy treatments
What is Hybrid Blepharoplasty?
Dr. June Favarin’s Hybrid Blepharoplasty is an individualized framework rather than a fixed package. Upper surgery generally uses minimal skin removal and preserves the orbicularis muscle. Lower fat may be approached transconjunctivally through two internal access points for selective treatment of the three compartments.
Depending on the diagnosis, the plan may include canthopexy, conjunctivo-Müller treatment for selected mild ptosis, microfat for structural hollowing, nanofat for superficial skin-quality indications, or video-assisted brow and midface surgery. Not every patient needs every component.
Eye health comes before aesthetics
Dry eye, thyroid eye disease, eyelid laxity, previous refractive or cataract surgery, pterygium treatment and prior blepharoplasty can change the plan. Ophthalmologic assessment may be requested. Removing more tissue is not necessarily better; over-resection can produce hollowing, lagophthalmos, retraction or an altered expression.
Previous injectables and ultrasound
Old filler can contribute to edema, contour changes or an inaccurate diagnosis. Patients should report all previous products and procedures. Dermatologic ultrasound may help locate residual material and fibrosis. Hyaluronidase is considered selectively for hyaluronic acid and cannot dissolve PMMA, silicone, biostimulators or fat.
Risks and limitations
Potential complications include bleeding, infection, chemosis, dry-eye symptoms, temporary blurred vision, asymmetry, visible scars, difficulty closing the eyes, lower-eyelid malposition, sensory change and revision surgery. Double vision or vision-threatening bleeding is uncommon but requires immediate assessment. No operation guarantees perfect symmetry or eliminates every shadow, pigment change or sign of aging.
Recovery after blepharoplasty
| Period | What may occur |
|---|---|
| First 72 hours | Increasing swelling, bruising, tearing, tightness and light sensitivity |
| 7–14 days | Progressive improvement; some patients feel socially comfortable |
| Following weeks | Residual edema and asymmetry continue to settle |
| Several months | Scars and final tissue position mature |
Combined brow, midface, laser or facelift procedures extend recovery. Sudden visual change, rapidly increasing one-sided swelling or severe pain requires urgent care.
Blepharoplasty in Brazil for international patients
The journey begins with remote screening, medical history and photographs. The final surgical plan is confirmed in person. Surgery is performed at Hospital São José, and return travel depends on postoperative examination rather than a fixed promise.
The bilingual Belvivere Concierge assists with accommodation, transportation and scheduling. Clinical decisions remain with the medical team. Learn more on the Hybrid Blepharoplasty page.
This article is educational and does not replace an individualized medical evaluation.
