Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty

This is one of the most successful of all facial cosmetic operations. It is aimed at removing loose skin, bulging fat or wrinkles. The aim is to make the eyes look fresher and younger. The upper blepharoplasty removes mostly excess skin and occasionally fat from the lid to create a crisper, less heavy eyelid. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty mostly aims at removing eyelid bags and tightening the skin. These operations can be done separately or together. They are done mostly as the sole operation or in conjunction with a facelift or brow lift.

Procedure in brief

Blepharoplasty

The upper eyelid blepharoplasty removes excess skin and muscle leaving a scar hidden in the newly formed eyelid crease. If bulging fat is present it is also trimmed. This operation can be done under local or general anaesthetic. The lower blepharoplasty removes a small amount of skin and usually removes or tightens any fat bulge and loose skin and muscle. A general anaesthetic is more commonly used.

Blepharoplasty Facts

Scars

Positioned in the eyelid crease on the upper eyelid and just below the eyelid margin on the lower eyelid. Scars tend to be a little pink in the first 2 weeks and then fade to white. Eyelid surgery scars tend to be of excellent quality.

Length of surgery and hospital stay

The operation takes 45-120 minutes depending upon surgery to both upper and lowers and techniques used. Hospital stay is usually one night or as a day case.

Time off work and recovery

Allow 2 weeks ‘social downtime’. People vary in recovery. Patients are very mobile almost immediately and able to perform most tasks within the first week. There is usually mild eye watering or irritability. Bruising is always present and will be marked in the first week, mostly resolved in the second and usually gone by the third. Driving is usually possible in the second week.

Potential complications

This routine operation is a great success for the vast majority of patients, most patients having no problems. However, it is very important you understand that occasionally operations can have complications such as bleeding, infection, wound problems or variable scar quality. With blepharoplasty, additional potential problems include altered eyelid position (ectropion), eye irritability and tearing or dryness of the eye.

What is covered in costs