Upper Lid Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift Surgery)
What is Blepharoplasty?
- A procedure for both functional and cosmetic reasons.
- Safe and effective with low-risk.
- Focuses on the contours of the upper and lower eyelids.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty:
- Targets the area between the eyebrow and eyelashes.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty:
- Targets the area between the eyelashes and the cheek.
- Involves removal of excess skin and muscle, and repositioning or reducing fat.
Purpose:
- Designed to address concerns with the upper eyelids.
Focus Area:
- The area between the eyebrow and the lash line.
Targets:
- Sagging skin
- Bulging fat
- Drooping muscles
- Hooded appearance
- Obstructed peripheral vision
Procedure:
- Incisions are made within the natural folds of the eyelid.
Anaesthesia:
- Local or twilight anaesthesia.
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty at a Glance
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Driving: Resume after 1 week
- Anaesthesia: Local or twilight
- Hospital Stay: Day case
- Exercise: Resume after 3-4 weeks
- Final Results: Last up to 10 years
- Pre-admission Tests: Blood test, MRSA screening, +/- ECG
- Addresses: Eyelid puffiness and hooding
- Downtime: 1-2 weeks
Advantages of Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
- Reduce Tired Appearance: Removes heaviness and eye bags for a refreshed look.
- Correct Vision Problems: Improves visual impairments caused by saggy upper eyelid skin.
- Long-Term Improvement: Most people won’t need another procedure for many years.
- Minimal Scarring: Scars are concealed within the natural eyelid crease.
- Expert Care: Performed by a highly skilled oculoplastic surgeon.
How Eyelid Lift Surgery Works
Procedure:
- Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
- Incision made within the natural eyelid crease.
- Excess skin and fat are removed, and the muscle may be tightened.
- Closure with fine stitches that are often dissolvable.
- Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
- Incision made under the eyelash line or via a transconjunctival approach (inside the eyelid).
- Excess skin and fat are addressed with sutures or glue as needed.
Anaesthesia:
- Upper Eyelid: Typically local anaesthesia, with or without sedation.
- Lower Eyelid: Local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia if preferred.
- Combined Surgery: Usually local anaesthesia with sedation; general anaesthesia can be used if preferred.
- Expertise: Conducted by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon.
Recovery Time Following Eyelid Lift Surgery
- Initial Recovery: 1 week (avoid exercise and strenuous activities).
- Healing: Significant progress in 2-4 weeks.
- Stitches Removal: Between 7-10 days.
- Vision: Temporary impairment due to swelling and eye lubricants, with normal vision returning within a few days.
Common Risks of Eyelid Lift Surgery
- Bruising: Lasts 1-3 weeks.
- Swelling: More severe in the lower eyelids for 2-3 weeks.
- Blurring of Vision: Typically occurs in the first week after surgery.
- Irritation, Dryness, or Excessive Tearing: May last for up to 6 weeks or more.
- Reduction in Blink**: Can be temporary or permanent.
- Minor Discomfort or Pain: Related to swelling and tightness in the eyelids.
- Dry Eye: May worsen existing conditions and could require further treatment.
- Scarring: Scars may be noticeable for 3-6 months; 1% of cases may have visible scars.
Additional Information
- Surgical Scars: Hidden within natural eyelid creases, becoming less noticeable as they heal.
- Reading Post-Surgery: Vision may be impaired initially but should return to normal within a few days.
Before Blepharoplasty Treatment:
- Consultation includes a review of medical history and surgical goals.
- Evaluation of older photos for personalized planning.
- Detailed examination of eyes, eyelids, facial skin, and tissues.
- Discussion of additional procedures if needed, such as an eyebrow lift or ptosis surgery.
Post Blepharoplasty Treatment:
- Detailed post-operative care instructions and recovery expectations are provided.
Faq
Initial recovery generally takes about one week. Stitches are removed after 7–10 days, and most patients resume desk-based activity soon after.
Most people look noticeably fresher once swelling and bruising settle in about 2–4 weeks. Fine residual swelling can continue to improve over several months.
We offer different types of eye bag removal surgery.
The first method is scarless; no visible cut is seen because the incision is made from the inside of the eyelid. The tissues are then removed or repositioned (fat-redraping), giving the under-eye area a smoother appearance. This is an ideal approach if you have tight, non-wrinkled skin beneath the eyes, which is often the case with younger patients, though it may also be appropriate for mature patients when combined with a “skin pinch” or LASER resurfacing.
The second approach, which is not scarless, is better suited to correct excess wrinkled skin and involves a small incision being made on the outside of the lower eyelid, just below the eyelashes. This allows the removal or repositioning of the fat while improving the appearance of saggy or severely wrinkled skin.
While Eyebag Surgery is a safe operation, there are risks associated with it. Some common risks include:
Infection: This is very rare; however, occasionally, the stitches may become infected or inflamed. This can be swiftly settled with oral and topical antibiotics.
Scarring: Generally, scars are hidden in the skin fold or the inner part of the lid. Stitches are normally visible for the first week, but a faint scar is visible when they are removed. Although the scar may seem thickened and red for 6 to 12 weeks, it will gradually become almost invisible after that period. While most scars heal well, long term massage with scar remodelling gel, steroid injections or LASER can improve the appearance of a thickened or reddened scar.
Large bruise or haematoma: This can be minimised by regular use of ice packs, avoiding heavy exercise for 2 weeks after surgery, and stopping Aspirin and other Anticoagulants 2 weeks before surgery. If you do experience a haematoma, you may have to undergo another emergency procedure to remove the blood clot and have your stitches redone.
Theoretical risk to vision: There is a very small chance of optic nerve damage and blindness from eyelid surgery due to undetected infection or bleeding, though the risk is much lower than that of a typical car ride.
Hollow appearance: This is rare but can occur, usually when too much fat has been removed.
Temporary poor blink: Generally, blinking returns to normal within 12 weeks.
Sagging of the lower lid: This can happen as a result of scarring between the layers of the lid or the inadvertent removal of excess skin. It can alter the shape of the lower lid and even cause watery eyes. Occasionally, this may require corrective surgery with either a skin flap/graft or a midface lift.
- Keep your head elevated, including during sleep
- Use ice packs as advised for the first 48 hours
- Avoid strenuous or eye-straining activities for at least a week
- Attend all follow-up appointments
- Stay hydrated, eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E, and avoid smoking
- Upper lids: local anaesthetic, with or without sedation
- Lower lids: usually local anaesthetic with sedation; general anaesthetic is an option
- Upper + lower together: generally local with sedation, but can be done under general anaesthetic if preferred