Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure to remove fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids.
Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes. It will not remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes or lift sagging eyebrows.
The average cost of this procedure in the UK is between £1,500 and £ 2,500.
THE PROCEDURE
Blepharoplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a face lift or brow lift.
Complications from blepharoplasty are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including taking too much skin from the eyelid which results in an inability to fully close the eyes, infection or an adverse reaction to the anaesthesia.
Before The Eye Lid Surgery
There are many things you can do to have your body in optimum condition before your surgery. Read our Health Booster page to find out.
THE SURGERY
Eyelid surgery usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. Most eyelid procedures are done under light sedation and local anaesthesia, allowing the patient to go home the same day.
If you’re having all four eyelids done, work will probably be done on the upper lids first, then the lower ones.
In a typical procedure, incisions are made following the natural lines of your eyelids: in the creases of your upper lids, and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow’s feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes.
Working through these incisions, the skin is separated from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, excess fat removed, and often sagging skin and muscle are trimmed.
The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures. If you have a pocket of fat beneath your lower eyelids but don’t need to have any skin removed your surgeon may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty . In this procedure the incision is made inside your lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. It is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.
AFTER THE SURGERY
After surgery, your surgeon will probably lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anaesthesia wears off, but you can control any discomfort with the pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.
You will be instructed to keep your head elevated for several days, and to use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies from person to person; it reaches its peak during the first week, and generally lasts anywhere from two weeks to a month.) You’ll be shown how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so.
Eye drops may be recommended, since your eyelids may feel dry at first and your eyes may burn or itch. For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.
The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. Once they’re out, the swelling and dis-colouration around your eyes will gradually subside. You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a special sun cream made for eyelids when you go out.
You should avoid strenuous activities for about three weeks. It’s especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports.
Please note that this information is offered freely to individuals considering cosmetic surgery. No rights are granted and it is not to be reprinted or copied without the prior written consent of Cosmetic Surgery Net – UK . Beware that although efforts have been made to assure accuracy, many of the issues discussed here are a matter of professional opinion. Consultation with a Qualified Plastic Surgeon should be obtained to answer more detailed questions and advise you based on your personal circumstances.