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Blepharoplasty

What is a Blepharoplasty?

The Upper Lid Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift is a procedure to remove excess skin from the upper eyelids that causes a hooded or tired looking appearance. An upper lid blepharoplasty is also known as an eyelid lift. This is a surgical procedure to remove excess or loose skin from the upper eyelids. As we age, the skin loses its elasticity and the skin becomes loose in the upper eyelid. This drooping skin can hang over the eyelid itself and interfere with the vision and cause a tired look. The medical term for loose upper eyelid skin is dermatochalasis. Alternative procedures that may help improve the appearance of skin laxity around the eyes include Morpheus8 Prime or CO2 lasers.

How is an upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) performed?

The blepharoplasty or eyelift lift is performed under a local anaesthetic in our clinic as a day case procedure. We provide the upper eyelid lift in Cheshire at our Knutsford clinic, CLNQ. You will have an initial consultation with the surgeon who will take a full history and perform examination of the area. You will discuss the possible treatment options for your specific concerns and highlight the risks and benefits of these options. If you are suitable for a blepharoplasty, a suitable appointment can be made for the procedure. Before the procedure, the surgeon will assess the amount of excess skin and fat in the eyelid. They will then mark the amount of skin to be removed from the eyelid. The surgeon will then use some local anaesthetic eyedrops and injections to numb the area. The skin is then removed along with any excess fat or muscle if required. The skin is then sutured using stitches to close the wound and dressings applied.

What are the risks of blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is usually performed under a local anaesthetic as a day case procedure. With all procedures there may be associated risks or complications. The potential risks and complications of blepharoplasty include:

Bruising, Swelling, Bleeding Collapse

It is normal to get some swelling after any treatment and this usually takes a few days to settle. Some patients may also experience bruising or bleeding which is can be related to medication being taken. Some medicines such as aspirin and herbal supplements can increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. This procedure can cause prolonged swelling in some patients.

Blindness

Blindness is a very rare complication of blepharoplasty. This may result from bleeding around the eye and eyeball called a retrobulbar haematoma. If this is left untreated, it can progress to cause blindness and so if it occurs it requires urgent treatment. This is uncommon following an upper eyelid lift.

Asymmetry

All patients will have some degree of asymmetry. These asymmetries may be more noticeable following the procedure. There may be asymmetries in scar position, size, and shape between the two sides. Some degree of asymmetry is to be expected but additional surgery may be required to improve more significant asymmetry.

Ptosis

Ptosis is drooping of the eyelid and can happen temporarily following surgery due to swelling. This may however be more long term if there is damage to the levator during the procedure.

Scarring

Any surgical procedure will result in scarring. The scar is permanent but in most people it will improve and fade with time. In some patients, hypertrophic or keloid scarring may occur resulting in raised, red and lumpy scars.

Infection

Infections are uncommon following these procedures although they may occur. Usually these would improve with use of oral antibiotics.

Eye Related Complications

There are specific eye related issues that include:
Ectropion - Scarring can result in pulling of the eyelid away from the eyeball. This may result in an inability to close the eye fully, which can result in injury to the eyeball. This is a rare complication that may require additional surgery.

Additional Reading


Corneal Injury - Some patients may experience some inflammation or dryness of the cornea (eyeball surface). Corneal abrasions may also occur if there is any injury to the surface of the eyeball. This will usually resolve but may require additional treatment with eyedrops or ointments.
Dry Eyes - Permanent problems involving decreased tear production may occur after this procedure. Patients with dry eyes prior to treatment should inform us of this. Additional treatments such as lubricants may be required.
Epiphoria - Excessive tearing may result from damage to the tear duct system. This may require further surgery to correct.

Under or Over Correction

Removal of too much or too little skin can result in over-correction or under-correction, respectively. Under-correction may require further surgery to remove more skin. Over-correction may require further surgery to reconstruct the eyelid.

Blepharoplasty Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for blepharoplasty?

The blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the upper eyelid. The ideal candidate would have some loose skin in the upper eyelid causing hooding. In some patients with drooping of the eyelid this may require further ptosis correction. This procedure can be performed in both male and female patients.

How long does the eyelid lift take to perform?

The upper lid blepharoplasty usually takes about 60-90 minutes to be performed under a local anaesthetic.

Can brow ptosis be corrected with an eyelid lift?

Brow ptosis is drooping of the forehead giving a heavy appearance to the brow. This usually requires a brow lift to help improve this. We would suggest you have the brow lift first to see if this improves the appearance of the eyelid. Following the brow lift, if there is still heaviness or hooding of the eyelids you may then need a blepharoplasty.

What will I look like after a blepharoplasty?

Some patients may have some swelling and bruising following their procedure. This can give the black eye appearance and usually improves within a week or two. In some patients, it may take a little longer for the swelling and bruising to fully settle. Initially the scars will appear red and with time these will fade and become less noticeable.

How much is a blepharoplasty?

The cost of an upper eyelid blepharoplasty under local anaesthetic is £4250. The price would be more if you are considering the procedure under a general anaesthetic.

What is the aftercare following a blepharoplasty?

Following your procedure, you will usually have some dressing tapes applied over the incisions. Try to leave these in place until you are seen at about 7-10 days for your suture removal. We recommend that in the first 48 hours, you sleep with a few pillows under your head to help reduce swelling and bruising. Try and keep the incisions dry for the first week until you have the stitches removed. You should use some lubricant for the first few days following your blepharoplasty. You should avoid wearing contact lenses for the first 2-3 weeks. You will have an appointment to return to clinic for suture removal after 7-10 days. We would recommend using silicone scar gels after 2 weeks. Avoid any strenuous exercise for the first 4 weeks.

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