Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper Eyelid Lift – Upper Blepharoplasty London by Centre for Surgery

An upper eyelid lift is also known as an upper blepharoplasty or upper eyelid surgery and is designed to lift sagging eyelids upwards to reverse signs of ageing. The procedure is quick and straightforward to carry out with a local anaesthetic. As we begin to age, the upper eyelids begin to droop. This is also known as “eyelid ptosis” or “ptotic eyelids”. The eyelid skin begins to lose its elasticity with age, resulting in the position of the upper eyelids dropping downwards, and this particularly affects the outer portion of the upper eyelids.

People who have upper eyelid ptosis often appear fatigued and constantly sleepy as the eyes do not appear to be fully open. This can make people appear older than they actually are. In some cases, excessive sagging of the eyelids can cause drooping eyelid skin over the surface of the eye and interfere with vision. Apart from drooping eyelids, people can develop puffy eyelids as excess fat accumulates within them.

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An upper eyelid lift, or upper blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure designed to lift sagging eyelids and create a more youthful and refreshed appearance. As we age, the skin on our eyelids can become lax and start to droop, leading to a tired and aged appearance. This condition is known as “eyelid ptosis” or “ptotic eyelids”.

During the upper blepharoplasty procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision in the natural crease of the eyelid and remove excess skin and fat. This results in a tighter and smoother eyelid contour and can also improve the patient’s field of vision by removing any obstruction caused by the sagging eyelids.

The surgery is most commonly performed under local anaesthesia with or without oral sedation. The procedure is relatively quick, with patients able to return home the same day.

Upper eyelid ptosis can also cause the eyes to appear less open and give a sleepy, tired, or aged look. Blepharoplasty can help address these issues by lifting the eyelids and creating a more alert and energetic appearance. Additionally, the procedure can help remove puffiness in the eyelids caused by excess fat accumulation, further enhancing the patient’s appearance.

An upper blepharoplasty has several benefits, which is why it is a commonly requested procedure at Centre for Surgery. Advantages of having an upper eyelid lift include:

• A significant improvement in your overall facial appearance
• A more alert and energetic look
• Achieve larger and wider eyes for increased youthfulness
• Eliminate puffy upper eyelids
• Significant boosting of self-confidence and emotional well-being
• Address visual impairment caused by eyelid ptosis
• Straightforward and quick surgery to perform
• Rapid recovery with minimal risks
• Excellent long-term results that could last more than ten years.

People who choose to have eyelid lift surgery can take years off their appearance and help them to look increasingly energetic and refreshed.

When considering upper eyelid surgery, there are several factors you may wish to think about when booking an in-person consultation:

• Have you noticed excessive skin folds affecting your upper eyelids?
• Do you have puffy upper eyelids?
• Do you have droopy or sagging upper eyelids?
• Do you have eyes that appear partially closed despite feeling alert and energetic?
• Do you have visual impairment from the upper eyelids that may block your vision?

When performed by an experienced eyelid surgeon, eyelid surgery is a technically straightforward procedure that can be easily carried out under a local anaesthetic. The surgery is designed to make your eyes appear younger and refreshed. People who have upper eyelid surgery no longer experience people telling them how tired they look. An upper eyelid lift is suitable for patients of any age, although we recommend being between 40 and 60 to get the best results. In this age group, most people may have noticed a degree of eyelid ptosis. They will respond favourably to upper eyelid lift surgery while still having a certain amount of skin elasticity.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is technically straightforward to perform. It is a skin-deep procedure which allows it to be carried out under a local anaesthetic as a day case which means you will be able to go home once you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic. An upper bleph takes no more than 60 minutes to carry out for correction of both eyelids.

Once you have been admitted for the procedure, you will be asked to lie comfortably on the operating table with your head supported in a specialist moulded gel headrest to optimise the position of your head. You will need to keep your eyelids closed during the procedure continuously. The surgeon will then use a marker pen to mark out the planned incision lines. The eyelids will then be cleaned with a skin disinfectant solution, followed by the application of sterile drapes to maintain a sterile field. The surgeon will then inject a small amount of local anaesthetic into the eyelid skin. Although it may feel slightly uncomfortable for a few seconds, the upper eyelids will then become fully numb. The surgeon will make the upper blepharoplasty incision across the upper eyelid from one end of the eye to the other. The shape of the incision often resembles that of an ellipse. The size of this incision will vary depending on how much skin and underlying fat need to be surgically removed.

The surgeon will use a combination of a surgical scalpel and electrocautery to precisely remove excess upper eyelid skin and remove any excess eyelid fat. In some cases, a laser can be used to make incisions and remove excess eyelid skin. This is known as laser blepharoplasty. Once any pinpoint bleeding has been controlled, the surgeon will close the edges of the incision with fine stitches. An immediate improvement in the appearance of the eyelids will be apparent at the end of the procedure. The surgeon will then perform the same surgical steps on the other eyelid. Once the procedure is complete, your surgeon will clean the eyes with a sterile saline solution, and you will then be allowed to open your eyes once the upper blepharoplasty is finished. Once you have recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic and have had something to eat and drink, you will be able to go home once your surgeon has discussed the postoperative instructions with you.

The recovery after upper blepharoplasty is quick and smooth as it is considered minor surgery. You may experience certain side-effects after upper eyelid surgery including:

• Temporary double vision
• Gritty sensation in the eyes
• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes
• Mild discomfort

Any discomfort can be easily controlled with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. You’ll be able to go home once the procedure is complete and you feel comfortable. We would not recommend driving yourself home after having a droopy eyelid lift. You may have blurred vision after the procedure and will therefore require a responsible adult escort to collect you and take you home.

Most patients who have had upper eyelift surgery can return to desk-based work after 2 to 3 days. It is important to remember that you will have a small amount of bruising and swelling, which may be noticeable over the first two weeks and will generally disappear by four weeks after eyelid surgery. We would recommend wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes and hide any initial bruising you may have after upper eyelid lift surgery for the first 72 hours.

As with any type of surgery, upper blepharoplasty involves certain risks. When performed by an experienced consultant plastic surgeon, the risks of eyelid lift surgery are considered minimal. Recognised risks of this procedure include:

• Bleeding
• Wound infection
• Dry eyes
• Inability to close the eyes fully if too much eyelid skin has been removed.
• Injury to the muscles controlling eye movements
• In extremely rare cases – visual impairment

By choosing a plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery to perform your saggy eyelid surgery, you can receive the highest medical care standards to help you achieve the best upper blepharoplasty results.

Yes, an upper eyelid lift can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures to achieve a more comprehensive and dramatic improvement in the overall appearance of the face.

One common procedure that is often combined with upper eyelid lift is lower blepharoplasty, which is used to address bags and puffiness under the eyes. This can help create a more rested and refreshed appearance.

A brow lift, also known as an upper facelift, is another procedure that can be combined with an upper eyelid lift to address sagging or drooping eyebrows. This can help create a more youthful and energetic appearance to the upper face.

For more comprehensive facial rejuvenation, a facelift may also be combined with an upper eyelid lift. A facelift is a surgical procedure that tightens the skin and muscles of the face, removing wrinkles and reversing the signs of facial ageing.

In addition to surgical procedures, injectable fillers can also be used in combination with an upper eyelid lift to address wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes, such as crow’s feet.

When combined with other facial cosmetic procedures, an upper eyelid lift can deliver outstanding results, helping patients look up to 10 years younger than their biological age.

The cost of upper blepharoplasty surgery will be determined by the extent of surgical correction required. People will have differing amounts of eyelid ptosis, and if the procedure is combined with other facial rejuvenation treatments, then the cost of the procedure will increase. Corrective upper eyelid surgery for patients who have had surgery elsewhere will cost significantly more than primary eyelid surgery. The best way to find out about blepharoplasty prices in London is to have an in-person consultation with a specialist eyelid surgeon at our state-of-the-art clinic in London.

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How to finance upper eyelid lift surgery

Centre for Surgery partners with Chrysalis Finance, the leading medical finance provider in the UK. We offer a full range of finance options, including 0% finance, to help people budget for their procedures more effectively.

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Is upper eyelid lift surgery worth it?

Upper blepharoplasty is considered the most effective procedure to rejuvenate the upper eyelids. More than 97% of people who have had the procedure at Centre for Surgery are extremely pleased with the results of blepharoplasty to get rid of their saggy eyelids. Upper eyelid surgery is designed to improve the appearance of your eyes to help you look more youthful and refreshed for a significant boost in self-confidence and emotional well-being. The procedure is quick and simple to perform with little or no downtime, so most people who have upper eyelid surgery think it is worth the financial investment, given the outstanding results it can produce.

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At Centre for Surgery, we understand that choosing the right surgeon for your upper eyelid lift procedure can be a daunting task. That’s why we are committed to providing our patients with the highest level of care and expertise in plastic and cosmetic surgery.

Our team of specialist plastic surgeons are highly experienced and skilled in performing upper eyelid lifts, with a track record of delivering natural-looking results. We pride ourselves on offering a range of options to our patients, ensuring that they receive the best possible advice and personalised treatment plan.

We only work with fully qualified, experienced and reputable medical practitioners who have undergone extensive training and are experts in their respective fields. We strongly advise against choosing an undertrained doctor or so-called “cosmetic surgeon” and encourage our patients to carefully research their surgeon before committing to a procedure.

To help patients make an informed decision, we provide them with access to past patient photos and online reviews. We understand the importance of feeling comfortable with your surgeon and strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for all our patients.

At Centre for Surgery, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest level of care and expertise in upper eyelid lifts and other cosmetic procedures. We believe that every patient deserves to feel confident and happy in their own skin, and we are dedicated to helping our patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London and is home to some of the best eyelid surgeons in the UK. Most patients who choose to have upper eyelid surgery have found it to be a life-changing experience. Although there are many plastic surgeons in London, it is important to choose someone experienced in all types of eyelid surgery.

If you are considering having an upper eyelid lift, the first step is to have an in-person consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon at our Baker Street clinic in Marylebone. We understand this can be a significant decision, so we try to make the process as simple as possible. Our dedicated patient coordinators are available to explain the patient journey so that you can feel confident in your choice of Centre for Surgery in London. At your consultation, your surgeon will determine the most appropriate type of eyelid surgery based on several factors. Every patient has a unique facial anatomy with individualised goals for treatment. All surgeons will discuss the full range of treatment options, including non-surgical techniques, upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery, to help you get the best results. Call us today on 020 7993 4849 to schedule a consultation or complete the contact form below.