Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, also known as Blepharoplasty, aim to correct the sagging skin on the upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes that can make you look older and more tired than you really feel. Sometimes this procedure has also a health benefit, as it helps improve your vision by removing the excess skin that restricts your field of view.

It is important to know that blepharoplasty won't remove crow's feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows.

Blepharoplasty can help enhance your appearance and your self-confidence. It can help bring a refreshed look to your eyes, but it won't necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or change your life.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, and realistic in their expectations. Bear in mind that upper eyelid surgery will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage. Blepharoplasty can be performed alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or brow lift.

After surgery the upper eyelids no longer look saggy and the skin under the eyes is smooth and firm. Healing is a gradual process, and your scars may remain slightly pink for six months or more after surgery. For many people the alert, youthful look as a result of eyelid surgery is permanent.

the operation

Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on its extent. Your surgeon will make incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids, in the creases of your upper lids, and below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow's feet or laugh lines at the outer corners of your eyes. He will then separate the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, remove excess fat, and trim sagging skin and muscle if needed. At the end of surgery, the incisions are closed with fine sutures.

Some people have a pocket of fat beneath the lower eyelids but don't need to have any skin removed. In this case the surgeon will perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty. He will make an incision inside patient's lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar. The incision is then closed with dissolving sutures. This procedure is usually performed on younger patients with thicker, more elastic skin.

Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia that numbs the area around your eyes, along with oral or intravenous sedatives. You'll be awake during the surgery, but relaxed and insensitive to pain. A fairly common procedure, you will be able to go home afterwards.

recovery

After surgery, your doctor will lubricate your eyes with ointment and may apply a bandage. Your eyelids will feel tight and sore as the anaesthesia wears off, but you will be given pain medication to wear off the discomfort.

• Keep your head elevated for several days.
• Use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising. (Bruising varies from person to person and generally lasts between two weeks to a month.)
• Our dedicated nurses will show you how to clean your eyes, which may be gummy for a week or so.
• For the first few weeks you may also experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and temporary changes in your eyesight, such as blurring or double vision.
• The stitches will be removed two days to a week after surgery. This will help the swelling and discoloration around your eyes to gradually fade.

In most cases, Mr Yelland will use resorbable stitches that do not need removal. In case of the normal ones, he will remove them on day 4-5 after surgery. This will help the swelling and discoloration around your eyes to gradually fade.

Most people feel ready to go back to work in a week to 10 days. By then, you'll probably be able to wear makeup to hide the bruising that remains. Don't worry if you feel sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for several weeks. To avoid bigger discomfort, please wear sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out.

• You will be able to read or watch television after two or three days.
• You won't be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks, and even then they may feel uncomfortable for a while.
• You should keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days.
• Avoid more strenuous activities for about three weeks. It's especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports.
• You should also avoid alcohol, since it causes fluid retention.

learning more

If you would like to discuss whether Blepharopalsty is right for you, or if you would like to learn about other cosmetic options, please call our clinic to schedule a consultation with the surgeon.

other procedures

more information

The confidential consultation provides the opportunity to meet your specialist surgeon who will take full details of your medical history and discuss your concerns. Your specialist surgeon will indicate and explain the most appropriate procedure, treatment and aftercare. The confidential consultation takes place in a relaxed atmosphere and provides you with the opportunity to be fully informed. Mr Yelland is happy to see cosmetic patients on a self-referral basis.

If you would like a consultation to be arranged for you, please fill in the form or contact us by telephone at (01273) 621144. Arranging a medical consultation does not obligate you to anything other than attending the appointment. There is no obligation to proceed with treatment. This is entirely a matter for your decision, after the surgeon has decided on the feasibility and accepted you as suitable.

Specialising in Cosmetic Surgery, Breast Augmentation (Breast Enlargement), Breast Implants, Breast Uplift (Mastopexy), Breast Reduction, Macrolane, Breast Implant Removal and Replacement, Male Breast Reduction, Pectoral Implants for Men, Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Mini Abdominoplasty (Minituck), Liposuction (Liposculpture), Upper Arm Lift, Thread Veins, Facial Rejuvenation (Wrinkle Removal / Line Injection, Restylane), Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty), Juvederm Ultra, Chemical Peel, Fat Transfer

Cosmetic Surgery services provided in Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, London and the South-East of England.

• Sussex - Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Worthing, Hastings, Haywards Heath
• Surrey - Redhill, Reigate, Gatwick, Guildford, Horsham, Crawley, Sutton, Camberley
• Kent - Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Chatham, Ashford
• Hampshire - Portsmouth, Southampton
• Wiltshire - Salisbury, Andover
• Berkshire - Swindon, Reading
• Isle of Wight
• London