How long does blepharoplasty last?

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

Eyelid surgery results should last for many years — 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.  

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.

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.

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.

 An upper and lower blepharoplasty usually lasts 10 to 15 years. A brow lift is only performed when patients have low set eyebrows relative to the eyelids. For many examples of both eyelid surgery and brow lifts, please see the link and the video below

Generally if there is no brow ptosis (drooping of the eyebrows) then an upper blepharoplasty lasts about 5-10 years in most patients.  That is not to say that gradual re-stretching of the skin may occur and if there is any degree of brow ptosis that "bunching" of the upper eyelid skin may occur to some degree.  Surgery results don't last to a certain point then "drop off a cliff" as it is a gradual process.  Gravity is relentless on our bodies and ongoing aging occurs right after the surgery is over.  Lower eyelid fat blepharoplasty generally lasts longer on the order of 10 years or more.  If skin is removed from the lower eyelids then gravitational forces on the midface and lower eyelids can re-stretch the tissues downward in under 10 years.  Some patients who undergo upper skin blepharoplasty will notice their brows will droop some after surgery as they no longer subconsciously have to pull upward on the brow tissues to lift the upper eyelid skin out of the way.  Without seeing you in 2012 and how it looks now it is hard to render an opinion on the "need" for a brow lift at this point.   Most patients undergoing lower facelift surgery have improvement of the jowls for 7 years or longer, but patient skin types, overall health, sun-damage/exposure, and genetics can cause variations in aging and surgical success as well as longevity.  Seek out a well-respected surgeon in your community with great reviews and if possible with experience from friends or family members you know.    Best regards.

Hello Sandrarou,The results from a blepharoplasty should last between 5 and 10 years before your start noticing some of the signs of aging your original surgery corrected.  Having a touch up one year later and then recommended another touch up three years later would definitely not be expected.  As far as your question about now needing a brow lift, the need for that can happen over a 5 year period.  A lot of that would depend on your anatomy.  Furthermore, a brow lift may be the better treatment instead of a tuck up eyelid procedure, depending on how things look.  Since it sounds like you are a little skeptical of your surgeon, you may consider getting a second opinion from a facial plastic surgeon to help determine what is best for you.  I hope that helps and good luck.