Upper blepharoplasty, also known as an upper eyelid lift, is a procedure that removes any loose or excess skin, which may cause wrinkles or hooding. After the procedure, you will appear more youthful, refreshed and less tired.
People often dislike the appearance of their upper eyelid. It can be too large, sit too far forward, and cause the eyes to look puffy, giving you an aged appearance. An upper blepharoplasty is often a good solution.
The upper blepharoplasty enhances the curvature of the eyelid and removes any bulging. This procedure will avoid moving the brow position or hollowing out the upper eyelid, which can often give an unnatural and undesirable appearance.
Candidates
Upper blepharoplasty is appropriate for those who wish to change the appearance of their upper eyelid, by making it appear less puffy or fat. This is often a popular procedure with older patients, as ageing can change the appearance of the eyes and make them less aesthetically pleasing.
This procedure is suitable for both men and women, with most patients being over 35 years old. However, in some instances, it may be necessary to have the procedure at an earlier age.
It is important that candidates always have realistic expectations of what the surgery can achieve, as sometimes results may not be as noticeable as imagined.
Procedure
Prior to any surgical procedure, you will have a consultation with one of the surgeons at Centre for Surgery. This will allow you to discuss your medical history, as well as discuss the surgery and your wanted outcomes. It is recommended that you stop smoking two weeks before the procedure. You should also stop taking certain medications in order to minimise the risk of bleeding during the procedure.
An upper blepharoplasty is performed under a local anaesthetic, but can also be performed under general anaesthetic.
Before you are given an anaesthetic, the overhanging skin on the eyelid will be marked to ensure the incision is made in the right position and angle. Once the anaesthetic is administered, the incision will be made. This incision will be made in the natural crease of the eyelid. This will allow for the scar to be hidden after the procedure. Excess fat, skin or muscle is then removed from the eyelids. The incision is then stitched up. The surgeon will generally also apply sutures.
The procedure will take around one to two hours.
Recovery
During recovery, you will have to wear the applied suture for around one week.
It is advised that you should take a week off work. During this time you will not be able to drive. For the first few days, you should avoid any strenuous physical activity, including swimming. You should also avoid wearing contact lenses and rubbing your eyes.
After surgery, you will notice bruising, swelling and redness. This may take a few weeks to subside. To help with any side effects, you can:
- Sleep in an elevated position: for the first few days after surgery, you should use multiple pillows to keep your head upright.
- Use cold packs: cold packs, or even frozen bags of peas wrapped in a tea towel, are an effective way to reduce swelling.
- Use eyedrops: keep your eyes clean by using eyedrops.
- Wear sunglasses: this will help to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, you will be able to take pain management medication.
You will be able to notice scars from the incisions. However, these scars will be in the eye creases to decrease noticeability and will fade over time.
Side effects
After the procedure, it is common to experience bruising, puffy eyelids, and watery eyes. These are all normal and will fade after a few weeks. You will have scars from the incision, which will look pink, but will fade over time and should not be noticeable.
Risks
As with every medical procedure, there are certain risks which may occur. Potential risks include:
- Blurred or double vision
- Noticeable scarring
- Asymmetry of the eyes
- Haematoma – this is a pool of blood which collects under the skin and should disappear after a few weeks without any intervention.
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
Interested in an upper blepharoplasty? Centre for Surgery currently offers this procedure. Contact us today to book an appointment or schedule a consultation.