Eyelid surgery - Blepharoplasty

As we age, the eyelid?s skin can lose its elasticity and slackens both around the upper and lower eyelid, so that the eyes will look older, appear tired, wrinkled, and puffy. Genetic factors, frequent sunbathing or less sleeping can cause these effects in younger people, as well. These problems can be extinguished by a surgery, or at least improved. The aim of eyelid surgery is to remove the tiredness of the eyes and to restore their naturally youthful and refreshed appearance. This surgery will be performed to remove excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper and lower eyelids.

Eyelid surgery improves baggy skin under the eyes, sinking upper eyelids, or drooping eye lashes. In some cases eyelid surgery can be necessary for medical reasons, e.g. if the extreme sagging of the eyelid impairs the person?s vision. Eyelid surgery can often performed or combined with other plastic surgeries such as brow-lift or facelift, too. The most important point is to choose the right procedure for the right person.

Instructions before the operation

• Your general practitioner has to issue a medical certificate to release you to the operation.
• A routine laboratory test must be made (blood cell count, ions, liver and kidney function, Prothrombin, blood sugar, blood group).
• ECG
• Thorax Roentgen
• Smoking and drinking alcohol is forbidden.
• Do not take aspirin and any medicine containing aspirin for 2 weeks before surgery. I
• f you are regularly taking medicines, you have to discuss with your surgeon which must be taken or left off.
• Do not eat or drink or smoke 6 hours before surgery.
• Chewing-gums and drops are not permitted either.
• Before surgery you have to take off your rings, jewellery, piercing and take out your dentures, contact lenses and remove your make-up.
• The surgery of women should be performed outside the menstruation period.

The operation

The eyelid surgery is usually an outpatient surgery that is performed under local anaesthesia combined with light sedation. On request general anaesthesia can be applied, too. The operation takes about one and a half hours depending on the number of the eyelids. Patients can count with about 45 minutes if both the upper and lower eyelid is being operated/corrected. Depending on the state of the eye there are several surgery methods and different incision options. The surgeon usually operates first on the lower eyelids and then on the upper eyelids. Incisions are made along the line creases of the upper eyelid and possibly along the outer lower rim of the eye's skin. When removing fatty tissue, but not skin, the surgeon may perform an incision inside the lower rim of the eye's skin. These incisions often reach the outer corners of the eyes. The surgeon then divides the fatty tissue and muscle from the skin so that excess skin, fat, or muscle can be removed. Afterwards the cut will be stiched with a thin thread inside the skin. Stitches are removed about a week after surgery. No visible scar remains after the operation.

Hospital stay: outpatient, or one night hospitalisation

Recovery after an eyelid surgery

After the operation the patient can be taken home within hours by a friend or family member. It is recommended to spend the first 24 hours in bed and to stand up just if necessary, e.g. going to toilet or bathroom. Pain and discomfort can be managed with oral medications, but unmanageable pain should be reported to the surgeon immediately. The eyes will be covered with bandages that can be removed within 2 hours after the surgery, or immediately, if it?s uncomfortable. After the operation chilling of the surgery area with ice bags or gel is recommended, but it must be changed by the hour and mustn?t be put directly on the fresh wound. The adhesive-plaster can be removed only by the plastic surgeon within 2-3 days after surgery. Stitches will be removed in a week. Using of make-up is possible in 2-3 days after surgery. Wearing contact lenses is possible if it isn?t uncomfortable any more, but patients must be very careful when putting in or taking out of the contact lenses. Reading or watching television is allowed in 2 days after surgery. It is recommended to sleep with elevated head for 2 weeks. Normal light activities can be resumed after about a fortnight. Strenuous activities such as lifting, bending, and exercises or sports (tennis, jogging, swimming) can be resumed just after about six weeks. Avoid sunshine for 2-3 months. Sunglasses are required.

Complications

Bruising and swelling occurs following surgery, but they continue to decrease after stitches are removed. Patients can experience tearing, itchy, burning eyes, dry eyes, light sensitivity, and blurred or double vision for several days after eyelid surgery. These problems can be relieved with lubricating eye drops. There is another possible complication: scarring. Some asymmetry to the eyes is also possible.

Price

The prices below are just to your information. You can ask for a quotation if you send us pictures of the relevant area. However, the exact price of the surgery can only be given by the plastic surgeon after having a full consultation.

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If you have any questions concerning further plastic-surgeries, we gladly answer all your questions. For more information, please for a consultation appointment with our plastic surgeon.