Eyelid Surgery Upper & Lower (Blepharoplasty)

Scars fade very quickly to become invisible within a few weeks. For an upper lid blepharoplasty, your cosmetic surgeon will place the upper eyelid scar in the fold of skin. For the lower eyelid, the scar is placed just under your lower eyelashes. Your plastic surgeon will decide if you need absorbable or non-absorbable sutures, which can be removed at your next appointment in 5 to 7 days time.

Swelling and bruising can generally last about 5 to 7 days after surgery. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on the aftercare and will carry out a review in approximately one week.

Our extensive album of other women who have recently undergone this procedure with similar concerns to you can help you more closely appreciate your likely results. While everyone heals differently, our aim is your satisfaction. Cosmetic surgery is a balance of both form and function and we are tireless in our pursuit of excellence. During your consultation your surgeon will help you have a clear understanding of your likely results. So, while we can't show your final outcome specifically beforehand, we will be able to provide you with a reassurance over your expected result.

Having confidence that you are in excellent hands with your chosen surgeon is something that should not be compromised on over either consideration of cost or convenience. Investing time in researching to find the very best surgeon for your procedure through specialist medical review websites, personal recommendation and a thorough private consultation with your surgeon are likely to give you the reassurance every patient should have before proceeding with a procedure.

In addition, the surgeon will need to consider the following factors. First and foremost – what is your overall expectation and if this within the remit of what can be carried out surgically. Your surgeon will discuss this with you in detail and will show you the results you can expect. If they can't show you many other examples from other patients, then this could indicate that they may be less experienced in carrying out this procedure.

Secondly, what other factors are present? The quality of the skin; other medical factors; smoking; lifestyle habits will all be influential in determining the outcome. It is not just the surgery or surgeon's talents alone.

Your plastic surgeon will examine your bone structure, brow position, skin elasticity, and the thickness of your skin. This will help to determine what will be the most appropriate surgery for you.

Most light activities of daily living, are possible, the same day after surgery. Driving is permitted once vision is clear – usually the day after surgery, as long as bruising and swelling are minimal. Bruising and swelling does vary from person to person so it is impossible to guarantee when things will be 'normal'. In general people take a week off work and social activities and then are back to normal with a concealer on any bruising. Flying is permitted the day after surgery. The decision as to use dissolving or removable sutures will depend on several factors and will be discussed at consultation.

In some people the eyelid skin is very soft and can stretch again over time so further skin may need to be removed. The brow may drop however giving this appearance and so a Brow Lift may be more appropriate than a second round of Eyelid Surgery. We will be able to assess this at a consultation.

If you have a concern about pre existing eye problems then you can either ask prior to your appointment or at your appointment. We may ask your own eye doctor for a report or send you for an opinion prior to a decision about surgery.

Eyelid surgery is easily achievable under local anaesthetic as an outpatient procedure in most patients. If this does not appeal however a general anaesthetic or sedation can be used. Most patients are surprised how easy it is to have surgery under local anaesthetic and are pleased to have made that choice.

If you are having Eyelid Surgery, you should avoid Anti-Wrinkle Injections on your forehead; glabella (area between the eye brows); under the eyebrows; crow's feet. All the muscles in these areas will be affected following Anti-Wrinkle Injections and can change the overall amount of skin laxity.

With Eyelid Surgery, the excess skin is removed during the procedure, and therefore with Anti-Wrinkle Injections onboard, this can give a false impression of the amount of skin available.

It is okay to have Anti-Wrinkle Injections immediately after the surgery or even on the day of surgery, after having the procedure carried out.

This is determined by the surgeon when he examines you.

Lower eyelid surgery is very bespoke and will address the many different concerns that you may have. The incision can be inside the eye (transconjunctival incision) or under the eyelash (subciliary incision) line. The transconjunctival route is appropriate for younger patients with puffy eyes and no extra skin needing removal. The subciliary incision is more commonly used and is in patients where they have skin excess. The surgery itself can address the skin alone. In addition to this, the muscle and fat can be addressed. For hollowing of the orbital area, re-draping the fat to help pad out this area can help. The muscle layer, if dropped can also be hitched up (canthopexy).

Upper eyelid surgery involves removal of the skin of the upper eyelid. This is assessed to make sure the exact amount is taken, such that your eye function is not affected. Everyone has two fat pockets in the upper eyelid and 3 fat pockets in the lower eyelid. As the skin becomes looser, the tension reduces here and sometimes the fat from these pockets can push through and create extra bulges. These will also be addressed at the time of surgery to give you the look and appearance you desire.

Your surgeon will discuss all these options with you and through the consultation and examination determine what is the best option for you.

Following an upper or lower blepharoplasty, the overall down-time is about two weeks. It depends on how your body heals also, but the bruising and swelling tend to be present for about 10 days.

For an upper blepharoplasty, the swelling and bruising is primarily on the upper eyelid but will also involve the lower eyelid, due to the effects of gravity. For lower blepharoplasty, the swelling and bruising persists on the lower eyelid and does not involve the upper eyelid.

Most of our patients are quite presentable after a week following surgery, and female patients can wear some light foundation to hide the bruising by the end of the second week.

We give full after-care instructions following the surgery which will include cold packs; anti-inflammatory solution to use; and ointment for the eyes to prevent dryness; and advise as to when you can start using make-up.

The treatment will vary depending on what surgery is required at the time of your consultation. Your patient coordinator will prepare for you a quotation that will include all your pre- and post-surgical care along with the surgery and all other costs will be included within this single fee. Finance options are also available to make your treatment more affordable.

It would be advisable to have the surgery first. With Eyelid Surgery, the skin is removed and the lid is somewhat tightened. If you have the Semi-Permanent Makeup prior to the surgery, this can stretch the skin and subsequent result of the tattoo. It is best to have the surgery and let this settle. You can then have the tattooing after 3 months.

Our surgeons are experienced in this surgery. At Bella Vou, we are carrying out eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) every week. You can be sure that your surgeon is highly experienced. Bella Vou's leading surgeons have been awarded top 100 surgeons in the World in both 2016 and 2017 in recognition for their contribution to education and patient satisfaction. Our surgeons also feature as Top Doctors on patient advisory websites such as RealSelf.

There is very little sensory change in this area. You will feel numb following the surgery due to the effects of the anaesthetic. This will last for a few hours following the surgery. Your eyes will be swollen and look slightly pulled initially. This is due to the swelling following the surgery. As the swelling resolves, the eyes will regain their natural shape.

With any surgery there can be a degree of swelling and bruising and this is dependent on how you heal as well as the surgeon’s expertise. The skin around the eyelids is very thin compared to other areas of the body. The bruising and swelling can therefore appear more extensive than other areas of the body. You can normally camouflage this with a concealer, following the surgery.

You will need to arrange a week away if you do not want people to know that you have had surgery, as the stitches will be visible during this time as will the bruising and swelling.