Blepharoplasty in Mallorca: Complete Guide to the Surgical Technique

By Dr. José Ignacio García Ceballos FCCP – Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon – Mallorca Medical Group

Blepharoplasty is one of the most demanded facial surgeries in Spain and, specifically, in Mallorca. It is an intervention that corrects excess skin, fat and muscle laxity of the upper and lower eyelids, restoring a more rested, youthful and harmonious look. In this complete guide, Dr. García Ceballos FCCP, plastic surgeon specialized in periocular surgery in Mallorca, explains in detail the surgical technique, its variants, the recovery and the expected results.

“Well-executed blepharoplasty does not change the patient’s identity: it preserves it. Our surgical goal is always a natural result that respects the periocular anatomy and projects vitality without artificiality.” – Dr. José Ignacio García Ceballos FCCP, Mallorca Medical Group

What is blepharoplasty and when is it indicated?

Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery to remove excess skin (dermatochalasis), herniated fat that generates eyelid bags and muscle laxity that causes drooping of the upper eyelid or tired appearance of the lower eyelid. The main indications include:

• Dermatochalasis superioris: excess skin in the upper eyelid that may even interfere with the visual field.
• Infraorbital fat pads: accumulation of fat in the lower eyelid that projects deep dark circles under the eyes.
• Mild palpebral ptosis: drooping of the upper eyelid giving the appearance of chronic fatigue.
• Palpebral asymmetry: difference in aperture between both eyes with an anatomical cause that can be surgically corrected.
• Global periocular rejuvenation: combination of the above factors as part of a comprehensive aesthetic evaluation.

The usual age of presentation is between 40 and 65 years, although in cases of congenital ptosis or early onset dermatochalasis surgery can be performed earlier. Dr. Garcia Ceballos always performs an individualized functional and aesthetic assessment before proposing any surgical plan.

Types of blepharoplasty: upper, lower and transconjunctival.

There is no single blepharoplasty technique. The choice depends on the patient’s anatomy, the type of alteration and the treatment objectives:

• Upper blepharoplasty: Transcutaneous approach through an incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid. It allows removal of excess skin, resection or redistribution of fat and correction of levator dehiscence in case of mild ptosis. The scar is perfectly hidden in the palpebral sulcus.
• Transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty: Millimeter subpalpebral incision below the lash line. Ideal to remove excess skin and fat bags in the lower eyelid. It also allows to tighten the orbicularis muscle and reposition the lateral canthus if there is laxity.
• Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty: Internal approach without skin incision, through the conjunctiva. Reserved for young patients with good skin tone and prominent fat pads without excess skin. No external scar and faster recovery.
• Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty: The most complete for comprehensive periocular rejuvenation. It can be associated with canthopexy, endoscopic brow lift or periocular laser in the same surgical procedure.

Steps of the surgical technique: what happens in the operating room

The surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation or, in combined blepharoplasties, under general anesthesia supervised by a certified anesthesiologist. The usual duration ranges from 60 to 120 minutes depending on the complexity. Dr. Garcia Ceballos’ surgical protocol at Mallorca Medical Group follows these steps:

1. Preoperative marking: With the patient seated and the gaze at rest, the amount of skin to be resected is delineated using pinch forceps and skin marker. This step is critical to avoid asymmetry and lagophthalmos.
2. Field preparation: Cleaning with povidone iodine, placement of corneal protectors and local anesthesia with epinephrine to minimize bleeding.
3. Incision and skin resection: Precise excision of the marked skin ellipse. In the upper eyelid, a minimum band of 20 mm of skin is always preserved to ensure complete ocular closure.
4. Orbital fat management: Careful opening of the orbital septum to access the fat compartments. Conservative resection or repositioning of the fat into the nasojugal sulcus to simultaneously correct the eye circles.
5. Closure and stitches: Suture with prolene or 6-0 nylon in loose stitches or continuous suture. In transconjunctival, closure with resorbable suture or without suture.
6. Application of cold and bandage: Cold compresses and antibiotic eye drops at the end.

Recovery after blepharoplasty: week by week

Blepharoplasty recovery is one of the best tolerated processes in facial surgery. The following is the usual outline:

• Days 1-3: Moderate periocular edema and hematoma, palpebral tension sensation. Cold compresses are applied and the head is kept elevated. Stitches not removed.
• Days 4-7: Progressive reduction of edema. Removal of stitches between the 5th and 7th day. The patient can read and work in front of the screen with sunglasses.
• Week 2-3: Most of the edema has subsided. Appearance presentable with light make-up. Return to work possible.
• Month 1-3: Scar maturation. Functional result consolidated. Scars turn pink and then white.
• From the 6th month: Definitive result. Virtually invisible scars in the natural eyelid crease.

Throughout the postoperative process, Dr. García Ceballos performs a personalized medical follow-up with scheduled check-ups, comparative clinical photography and direct communication with the patient.

Expected results: naturalness and durability

A properly planned and executed blepharoplasty offers results that last 10 to 15 years. The benefits most valued by Dr. Garcia Ceballos’ patients at Mallorca Medical Group include:

• More open and rested look without loss of facial identity.
• Elimination of bags and dark circles with a natural look.
• Improvement of the visual field in cases of functional ptosis.
• Hidden scars in anatomical folds, imperceptible at a conversational distance.
• Possibility of combination with other rejuvenating procedures in the same procedure (brow lift, fillers, canthopexy).

The natural result is an absolute priority in Dr. Garcia Ceballos’ protocol. Unlike more aggressive approaches that generate the so-called “operated effect”, his technique preserves the periocular volume and respects the anatomical position of the lateral canthus, avoiding the involuntary cat’s eye.

Why choose Dr. Garcia Ceballos FCCP for your blepharoplasty in Mallorca?

Dr. García Ceballos is an FCCP certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, trained at the UZ VUB in Brussels (Universitair Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit Brussel), one of the European reference centers in facial plastic surgery. His Belgian training and specialization in periocular surgery differentiates him from other providers in Mallorca who approach blepharoplasty from non-surgical specific specialties.

Mallorca Medical Group works with European hospital level surgical protocols, certified operating rooms, its own anesthesiology team and continuous postoperative follow-up. The clinic does not offer standardized “packages”: each patient receives a personalized assessment, a surgical plan adapted to his or her anatomy and objectives, and direct attention with the surgeon before, during and after the intervention.

If you are considering blepharoplasty in Mallorca, request your appointment at mallorcamedicalgroup.com and find out if you are a candidate with an individualized medical assessment.

Blepharoplasty Frequently Asked Questions

Book your assessment with Dr. García Ceballos at mallorcamedicalgroup.com and take the first step towards a more rested and natural look.