Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty, also known as eye-bag removal or eyelid surgery, involves excising excess skin and fat from the eyelid in order to produce a more alert and youthful appearance.

As we get older, our skin naturally loses some of its elasticity. This may cause the eyelids to develop accumulations of loose skin that, in the upper lid, may fold over, producing a hooded effect. In the lower lid the result may be deepening furrows or creases.

In addition, advancing years also results in weakening of our facial muscles. This may allow the fat that naturally sits around the eye, and which protects and cushions it, to protrude through the weak muscle, producing even larger bags.

Who is suitable for Blepharoplasty?

• Men and women who have developed significant eye-bags with advancing years

• Patients who have a familial tendency to develop prominent eye-bags in their early twenties

• Patients with significant eye and eyelid changes associated with thyroid disease

What to think about at this stage?

It is important that before you see the surgeon, you consider what you are trying to achieve from your surgery. In particular, you must understand that the surgeon will only be removing the skin and/or fat from the area immediately around the eye. Blepharoplasty does not affect wrinkles, folds and creases that lie away from the area around the eye socket itself.

How is Blepharoplasty performed?

• The operation may be performed under local anaesthetic alone, local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic

• Either the upper or lower lids, or both may be performed at the same operation

• Incisions are made in the natural lines of the eyelids. These allow for both skin excision and fat removal

• If only fat removal is required, then the surgeon may opt to remove the fat through an incision hidden just on the inside of the lower eyelid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty)

• It takes about forty five minutes

• Many patients go home the same day. Some patients may stay in hospital for one night

• If your work is not physical, expect to return to work within one week

• Expect to be back to normal physical exercise within two to four weeks

Following the operation

As with all surgery, you must expect to feel bruised and sore. Your eyes are likely to be swollen. For a few weeks expect the eyes to look watery. You may be asked to keep your head elevated for a few days to help the swelling go down. This will be further aided by the use of cold compresses.

For a while, as a result of both swelling and skin excision, closing of the eyes might feel a little tight. This generally settles as the swelling subsides.

Any sutures are removed after three to five days. To begin with, the scars will be somewhat pink. However, as with all scars, they will fade over a period of time. In many patients, they are all but invisible. However, it is important to remember that no surgical scar ever totally disappears.

Risks & Complications

Cosmetic surgery is amongst the very safest of medical procedures. However, all patients must understand and accept that no surgical procedure is absolutely free from risk.

For further information concerning the risks and complications associated with Eyelid Surgery, please refer to Risks and Complications of Blepharoplasty.

At Consultation, Mr Rezai will discuss these risks with you.

How long will the results of your Blepharoplasty last?

For the great majority of patients, the results of their blepharoplasty are permanent. Of course, the younger a patient undergoes surgery, the more likely that further eye-bags may develop with time.