Oculoplastic Surgery by Dr. Anna Barinova

Questions and answers

• What services does your clinic provide?

  We specialize in oculoplastic surgery, ophthalmology, aesthetic procedures and modern vision diagnostics.

• Is there an ideal age for blepharoplasty?

  No. Blepharoplasty is performed based on indications, anatomy and how the patient feels, not on age. I have performed blepharoplasty on patients as young as 15 - for example, in cases of pronounced anatomical features or congenital conditions that significantly affected their appearance and quality of life. After all, a woman should enjoy her reflection in the mirror. And if the problem can be solved with minimally invasive surgery, why not?

• What should I look for when choosing a surgeon?

  I would advise looking beyond attractive before-and-after photos. It is important to understand whether the surgeon specializes in this particular area, how often they perform these operations, how natural the results look, and whether they work not only with aesthetics but also with function. The eyelid is a very delicate anatomical area where a few millimetres can significantly change the result.

• Is loss of fat pads an indication for blepharoplasty, or can surgery be replaced with other procedures?

  Not always. Volume loss on its own does not mean surgery is needed. Sometimes the problem can be solved with lipofilling, injectable or device-based treatments. But if there is excess skin, pronounced fat herniation or age-related tissue changes, surgery often gives a more predictable and longer-lasting result. The most important thing is to treat the cause, not the "symptom".

• Which blepharoplasty is performed most often - upper, lower or combined?

  Upper blepharoplasty is the most common, because the upper eyelids are often the first to create a tired or heavy look. But very often patients need not a single operation but an individual combination of techniques. So there is no universal answer here.

• How long does the operation take?

  On average, from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity, the extent of the surgery and whether additional procedures are performed.

• How long is the recovery?

  The main recovery period usually takes about 1-2 weeks. Swelling and bruising fade gradually, while the final maturation of the tissues takes much longer. Even so, most patients return to their social life fairly quickly.

• Are there any aftercare recommendations after blepharoplasty?

  Yes, and they are very important. In the first days - cold compresses, sleeping with the head elevated, limiting physical activity and strictly following the surgeon's recommendations. But the main rule is simple: post-operative care is part of the result.

• How soon can a repeat blepharoplasty be performed?

  This is very individual. The tissues usually need to fully heal and stabilize, so we can assess whether a repeat operation is needed only after some time - often months or even years. Repeat blepharoplasty always requires a particularly delicate approach, because working with previously operated tissues is more difficult.