How long does blepharoplasty last?

Question

I had blepharoplasty and chin tuck on November 2012 and a touch up a year later on upper & lower lids. I went back for a consultation in August of this year, 2016, and it was suggested another touch up to upper and lower lids, a brow lift, and lower face lift (to help with jowels). My questions are.... how long does upper and lower eye lid surgery last and is it possible that during that amount of time I need an eyebrow lift when I didn't in 2012?

Cameron Chesnut, MD, FAAD, FACMS · Answer

This is a really great question that comes up often in cosmetic consultations: What is the duration and durability of a cosmetic surgery?
Most of that answer depends on your own, inherent physiology and anatomy. For example, an older patient will often get less durability out of the surgery as their tissues just do not respond as well as a younger person. Your genetic predisposition to agent will also play significant role.
I always tell patients that we can turn back the hands of time, but we cannot stop them from taking forwards. Basically, you will always be aging from a new point, as you continue to age after your surgery, you will always have that Headstart having begun that process from a better starting point, so you always look better than had you not had the surgery.
The type of surgery is also important; an eyelid surgery does not tend to have as much tension placed on it as say a facelift, so inherent genetic changes can play more of a role with duration there. Treatments like Botox or Dysport can definitely be preventative and prolong the need for surgery by helping to take tension off of the tissue. I always encourage my post operative patients to preserve their results with Botox or Dysport, just as we encourage young patients to start early and preserve what they already have!
To ensure you are receiving the highest level of care, seek out a modernly trained, new-school dermatologic surgeon, oculoplastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained in one of these “core four” cosmetic specialties. Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery help to identify a highly trained surgeon.
Cameron Chesnut
#realself500 Physician

Derek Ford, MD · Answer

Eyelid surgery results should last for many years &mdash; and for the rest of your life, you will always look better than you would have without surgery. However, the aging process does continue after having cosmetic surgery. Without photos or knowledge about the details of your previous surgeries, it's not possible for me to say whether you need a follow-up upper and lower eyelid surgery. If you undergo a brow lift, that may produce a slightly more rested and alert appearance without additional eyelid surgery.

Jill Hessler, MD · Answer

The eyes are often the first place to show signs of aging.  There are two reasons the upper eyelids can appear tired.  This appearance can be the result of redundant upper eyelid skin or relaxation and descent of the brow.  Frequently, and upper blepharoplasty is needed first and a browlift can be performed 5-10 years later.  There can be great variability in the timing and order of these procedures depending on one's anatomy, hereditary factors and lifestyle factors.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

As people age it is common to have some descent of the brows.  When this begins to happen the heavier brow tissue enters the orbit and pushes down on the finer upper lid skin.  It is entirely possible that the changes you are seeing now are mostly related to changes in brow position.  I usually find that results from an upper eyelid blepharoplasty are quite long-lasting, at least 10 years.

James Chan, MD · Answer

Eyelid surgery generally does not need a revision for many years.  Exceptions to this include accelerated aging due to illness, or genetics.  It is possible that you were a borderline candidate for a browlift in 2012, but now are a true candidate for a browlift.  I would speak with your surgeon or with a facial plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

How long does blepharoplasty last?

Answers (8)

Answer: Brows becoming a factor in eyelid appearance

Answer: Brows becoming a factor in eyelid appearance

Answer: Touch up or revision eyelid surgery

Answer: Touch up or revision eyelid surgery

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How long does blepharoplasty last?

Answers (8)

Answer: Brows becoming a factor in eyelid appearance

Answer: Brows becoming a factor in eyelid appearance

Answer: Touch up or revision eyelid surgery

Answer: Touch up or revision eyelid surgery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.