BLEPHAROPLASTY – Eyelid Surgery

Your surgeon will always discuss with you and recommend the treatment that is appropriate for you. During the consultation, the surgeon will also explain the blepharoplasty procedure, its results and benefits and the duration of the result.

As one of the most frequently performed cosmetic enhancements, Blepharoplasty, the removal of bags under the eyes and excess skin around the eyes, creates a fresh-faced wide-awake look for both men and women. Blepharoplasty can refresh a tired or weary appearance by correcting drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision. However, it won’t remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or brow lift.

Who are the most suitable candidates for Blepharoplasty? This procedure is performed on physically healthy men and women who are realistic about the outcome of their surgery. Most candidates for Blepharoplasty are generally over 40, but if you have inherited heavy eyelids or baggy eyes, you may wish to have eye surgery at a younger age. Cosmetic eye surgery can enhance your appearance, helping you to look and feel younger, as well as increasing your confidence.

WHERE THE SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED

Blepharoplasty is performed in our Harley Street clinic.

TYPE OF ANAESTHESIA

The eyelid procedure is carried out under intravenous sedation so there will be no pain and you will sleep through the operation.

THE SURGERY

Eyelid procedure usually takes between one and a half to two hours.

PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY

You will be given specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medicines.

If you smoke, plan to quit at least two weeks prior to the surgery and not resume smoking for at least two weeks after your surgery. Avoid overexposure to the sun before the surgery, especially on the abdomen, and do not go on an astringent diet, as both can inhibit your ability to heal. If you develop a cold or infection of any kind, it is important to inform the surgeon, as your surgery may need to be postponed.

You will need to arrange for someone to collect you after your surgery, as you will be unable to drive. It is also advisable to have someone to stay with you for a few days to help you out if needed.

BEFORE YOUR SURGERY

In the week before, you should not take any medications containing aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), since these products affect the blood clotting mechanism and therefore may lead to excessive bleeding during and after surgery, hence resulting in increased bruising. Taking high doses of vitamin E preparations, eating large amounts of garlic, and consuming alcohol can also produce the same result and should be avoided. If pain medication is necessary, we recommend you take ibuprofen/paracetamol.

It is in your own best interests to quit smoking, at least two weeks before and until 2 weeks after surgery. It is well known that smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels, which leads to a decreased blood supply to the skin, thus slowing and interfering with the healing process.

Be sure to inform your surgeon of any medications you take, as well as possible allergies including (drug, latex, plasters and so on).

Your surgeon will decide whether preliminary examinations are necessary, such as blood tests, an electrocardiogram, or x-rays of the lungs. If this is the case, these tests should be performed several weeks before the surgery. It is best not to wear any makeup when you come in for your operation, and to tie your hair back if possible.

THE PROCEDURE

Your operation will take place at London Centre for Aesthetic Surgery Gulf, based in Dubai Healthcare City, and is generally performed under sedation (this is not a general anaesthetic). The procedure normally takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending upon whether the upper or lower (or all four) lids are being operated on. If all four of your eyelids are to be operated on, the surgeon will normally start on the upper lids.

During the procedure, the surgeon makes a fine incision along the creases of the upper eyelid and just below your lower lashes. With upper Blepharoplasty, a small amount of excess skin is gently removed from your eyelid. During lower Blepharoplasty, small fatty deposits, which cause puffy bags under the eye, are gently and carefully removed. It may also be necessary to remove a very small amount of sagging skin. Extremely fine stitches are then used to close the incisions, in the upper lid you will have one long continuous suture per eyelid and the lower lid will have about 4 separate sutures. Small skin strips called steri-strips will be placed along the suture line, to keep the wound clean and aid healing. These need to remain in place for 3 days.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

After your operation, you will need to remain at the clinic for about 2 hours, to allow us to monitor your recovery from the sedation. You will need to arrange for someone to come and collect you, as you are not permitted to drive or take public transport for 48hrs after having sedation.

After surgery, your surgeon may use an ointment and apply some small skin strips. As the anaesthesia wears off, your eyelids will feel quite tight and sore but your surgeon will provide you with pain medication and antibiotics. You will be asked to keep your head elevated and to continue to ice the eyes over the next 12 hours, this will minimise bruising and swelling.

Your stitches will be removed three days post-surgery and once they are removed you will start to look and feel much better. After this appointment, you will return in a further 5-6 weeks for a review with the surgeon.

The incision sites around the eyes will heal very quickly, generally around a week, and you will be able to wash your hair as normal after 3 days. You may have some slight bruising around and below the eyes for about a week. Scars may remain slightly pink for up to six months after surgery but eventually, they will fade to thin, barely visible white lines, which will be hidden in the crease of the eye.

You will be able to see clearly immediately after the operation however, due to the swelling your eyes may feel heavy and tight for a few days. You should be able to start wearing contact lenses two weeks after the surgery but they may be uncomfortable for a while afterwards.

Most patients are able to return to work after 3 days. However, if you are working with the public rather than just close colleagues, then we would recommend that you take about one week off work. Bruising can normally be hidden with make-up after a few days and if you need to go outside you should wear sunglasses and apply sunblock.

ALL SURGERIES CARRY SOME UNCERTAINTIES AND RISKS

When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications from Blepharoplasty are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection or a reaction to the anaesthesia. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery. The minor complications that occasionally follow blepharoplasty include bleeding – resulting in increased bruising, double or blurred vision for a few days; temporary swelling at the corner of the eyelids; and a slight asymmetry in healing or scarring. Tiny whiteheads may appear after your stitches are taken out; your surgeon can remove them easily with a very fine needle. Following surgery, some patients may have difficulty closing their eyes when they sleep; in rare cases, this condition may be permanent. Another very rare complication is ectropion, a pulling down of the lower lids. In this case, further surgery may be required.

If you have any further questions or queries about this procedure, please feel free to call and speak to either Dr Roberto Viel, Dr Maurizio Viel or any of our nurses. Please note that it is necessary to attend a consultation prior to your operation, this is also the case with existing patients, it may also be necessary to have repeat blood tests.

To book an appointment for Blepharoplasty, please call our office on 0207 636 4272