Blepharoplasty

Why undertake Blepharoplasty?

Your Blepharoplasty Journey

Have a chat with our advisors

Attend consultation with Dr. Sleiter

Book your surgery date

Pre-operative exams

Day of surgery

Removal of stitches (after 7 days)

Post-op visit after 4 to 6 weeks

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces excess skin (hooding) of upper eyelids and can improve the lower eyelids by removing fat and or skin. Eyelid surgery is very popular because it’s effective in eliminating the signs of ageing and restoring the patient’s youthful appearance.

There are several factors that contribute to patients wanting surgery in the eyelid region. The combination of loss of skin elasticity and gravity are the two most important. In the upper eyelids, an extra fold of skin forms that can hang over the eyelashes and obstruct vision. Excess skin on the lower eyelid causes wrinkles and bulges. The thin membrane (ligament) that holds the fat in place weakens with age, allowing the fat to protrude into the lids.

Blepharoplasty delivers long lasting results that are more predictable compared with other procedures. Cosmetic surgery on the upper eyelid lasts five to seven years whilst surgery performed on the lower eyelid rarely needs to be repeated.

The Surgery

There are several Blepharoplasty techniques that aim at removing excess skin, muscle, and underlying fatty tissue. In the lower eyelid region, fat tissue can, at times, be repositioned rather than removed.

Even though blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to look younger and more “refreshed” it can also improve visual impairment in patients that have so much excess skin that it obstructs their peripheral vision.

A full blepharoplasty takes approximately 1 hour if both upper and lower eyelids are done at the same time. Stitches are applied in both upper lids and will remain for about a week. The lower lids do not require sutures if the incision is made on the inside of the lid.

Proceidure time:

The procedure lasts in average 60 minutes.

Post-op and Recovery:

Within one to two weeks you should expect the swelling and bruising on the upper eyelids to fade away. The upper lids show the incision line and take a bit longer than lower lids to look great. Expect to stay home from work and limit your activities for several days after surgery to allow your eyelids to heal. Some patients experience dry eyes after surgery, but the condition rarely lasts more than two weeks.

Complications:

As with any surgical procedure, there is some degree of risk. Complications and bad results from blepharoplasty are rare, but sometimes they do occur. Problems that can occur include bleeding, infection, dry eyes, abnormal discoloration of the eyelids, abnormal folding in or out of the eyelid skin, an inability to fully close the eyes, a pulled-down, lower-lid lash line, or a possible loss of vision. However rare they might be, it is important to be aware of potential complications before you decide to have the surgery.