One woman’s candid account of her blepharoplasty has drawn attention from viewers worldwide.
Jucélia do Rocio Chiquim underwent the cosmetic procedure, which removes excess eyelid skin, in late 2023. Nearly two years later, and after two additional non-invasive treatments, she posted videos documenting her recovery on TikTok, many of which have gone viral.
The 36-year-old educator and journalist from Curitiba, Brazil, tells PEOPLE that the decision to undergo surgery had been years in the making. “Since I was very young, I had an issue with eyelid sagging,” she explains. “It was something that always made me feel uncomfortable when looking in the mirror.”
She adds that there wasn’t a single moment that pushed her to have the procedure. “It was more of a daily process.”
After consultations with two medical professionals in November 2023, do Rocio Chiquim went to Barigui Ophthalmology Hospital in Curitiba, where an ophthalmologist performed an upper and lower blepharoplasty for a total cost of about $1,300. She later had two Plexr Plus sessions — a “non-surgical treatment method that helps lift eyelids and combat wrinkles,” according to the official Plexr website — in July 2024 and July 2025.
“The surgery itself was smooth,” she recalls. “I was a little anxious at first, but the medical team was very attentive and made me feel safe. I didn’t have any major issues, just the usual swelling and some bruising during the recovery process.”
At the end of July, she shared a compilation of her surgery and treatment results on TikTok, capturing the bruising, swelling, and everything in between. The one-minute video amassed 1.7 million views and over 120,000 likes.
Viewers had mixed reactions, with many praising the results as “beautiful” and “incredible.” Some even commented that do Rocio Chiquim looked “15 years younger” after the procedures.
Others expressed admiration for her commitment, noting that the recovery — along with the temporary drastic changes in appearance — would have been too challenging for them to endure.
For do Rocio Chiquim, however, the process was entirely worth it.
“The most uncomfortable part of the recovery was the itching during the healing process,” she says. “Otherwise, I felt generally fine, a bit anxious at times, but calm and relieved as I started to see the results gradually appearing.”
Aside from the itching, she reports that “everything else went quite smoothly,” adding that it took about a month for her to feel fully healed.
Her fully healed photos complete her transformation journey on TikTok, where she shares her satisfaction with how her under-eye area looks post-procedure.
“I feel very satisfied with the results now,” do Rocio Chiquim tells PEOPLE. “It was worth the process because I feel more confident and comfortable with my appearance.”
Friends and family also noticed the difference, she adds. “They had very positive reactions, complimented me, and some even asked for a recommendation, which made me even happier with my decision.”
“At no point did I regret choosing the blepharoplasty,” she concludes. “There were minor discomforts during the recovery, but the results were completely worth it.”
