Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is one of our most popular procedures here at Centre for Surgery in London, and for good reason. The outcomes achieved after this procedure can significantly boost patients’ self-confidence. Many people opt to combine an eyelid lift with a mini facelift to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation effects.
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The eyes help to define the face as a whole, and how they appear can say a great deal to others. Many people may be upset and frustrated when they get told they look tired when they feel full of energy. The eyes play a crucial role in nonverbal communication, and the ageing process can significantly alter our facial expressions over time.
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The muscles that support the position of the eyelids tend to weaken with age, causing the eyelids to develop a stretched appearance. Underlying fat may also bulge outwards, which may cause people to develop puffy eyes and the formation of dark circles under the eyes. Many people are more likely to develop heavy eyelids or dark circles under the eyes due to genetics, which can make people look significantly older than they actually are. In other cases, droopy eyelids may, in severe cases, affect vision.
If you have noticed saggy or puffy eyelids, blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, could be an appropriate treatment. Patients should be aware of several essential aspects of the procedure to ensure they get the best results.
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Eyelid Surgery procedure
Eyelid surgery is a highly delicate procedure which requires high levels of precision to achieve the best results. Your surgeon uses very fine instruments and techniques. The blepharoplasty procedure typically takes between one and three hours to complete, depending on the extent of surgical correction required and whether upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both are addressed in the same procedure. Eyelid surgery is designed to surgically remove excess skin and fat by tightening the eyelid muscles. This helps lift the area around the eyes, which helps them appear more open and youthful.
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As with any surgery, blepharoplasty involves a period of recovery after the procedure, which may involve a small degree of bruising, swelling and mild discomfort. Any side effects experienced will subside quickly, and the results seen after surgery will make the procedure worthwhile. Your surgeon and our post-operative nurses will closely monitor you at all stages after your procedure. It is common to experience dry eyes, accompanied by tightness or a burning sensation. These symptoms will typically subside within two weeks. You should be able to carry out most daily activities after 14 days. Any sensitivity to light can be improved by wearing dark sunglasses when going out in public to minimise the impact of strong sunlight, which could affect healing.
Patience is key during recovery after eyelid surgery. Although most people can return to desk-based work after ten days, the final results of surgery typically become visible approximately 6 to 8 weeks later. This is why it is essential to make time for adequate rest. Having successful eyelid surgery should be viewed as a positive experience, and the vast majority of patients who have a blepharoplasty tell us they wish they had the procedure many years earlier.
How to choose the best Eye Lift Surgeon
Blepharoplasty is a highly delicate surgery as the procedure is carried out close to the eye itself. Choosing a surgeon who regularly performs this type of surgery is crucial to give you the best chance of achieving excellent results with minimal risk of complications. When deciding how to find the best eyelid surgeon in London, we recommend conducting thorough research and avoiding hasty decisions based on low blepharoplasty prices abroad. This could result in suboptimal results, potentially requiring a corrective procedure for botched eyelid surgery.
When considering eyelid surgery, we always recommend having the procedure performed locally. In other words, the country you live in and preferably close to home, as he will need a robust system of social support during the first week of recovery after a blepharoplasty. Living near your surgeon’s practice offers peace of mind, as you can easily be assessed if you are concerned about any side effects or complications after surgery. If you do decide to have surgery in the UK, but far from where you live, you should look to stay somewhere local for the first couple of days after surgery in the event of any complications of blepharoplasty.
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At your consultation, ask plenty of questions, including how many blepharoplasty procedures your surgeon has performed. Viewing before and after photos of eyelid surgery will help give you an idea of the potential results that can be achieved. An expert Surgeon will listen carefully to what you are trying to achieve and will want to ensure your expectations are realistic, giving yourself the best possible chance of achieving an excellent outcome. Getting a feel for all aspects of the procedure, including where it will be carried out, is very important. The clinic or plastic surgery hospital should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Having several consultations to ensure you are comfortable with a particular surgeon can be helpful. Once you have decided on your choice of surgeon and clinic, you may wish to revisit them and ask further questions; we would actively encourage this. Blepharoplasty is a highly delicate surgery performed near the eyes, and you must be sure you are in the best possible hands.
Is Eyelid Surgery Permanent?
Blepharoplasty surgery produces permanent results, but cannot stop the natural ageing process. The skin and underlying fat around the eyes will continue to stretch with age, which can affect the results of eye lift surgery, although this can take many years to develop. Patients can undergo a second eyelid surgery 5 to 10 years after the initial procedure to achieve further eyelid tightening. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend a brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, instead of a second blepharoplasty procedure. Patients who undergo lower eyelid surgery, also known as eye bag removal, generally do not need to have the procedure repeated later in life.
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Will scars be noticeable after Eye Lift Surgery?
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether eyelid surgery will result in visible scarring. Fortunately, a skilled surgeon will skillfully position incisions for blepharoplasty surgery in the natural skin folds of the eyes, making them barely visible once they have fully healed. This will help minimise potential scarring after eyelid surgery.
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The ideal results of blepharoplasty surgery should make you appear youthful and refreshed without necessarily looking like you have had a surgical procedure. It is vital to have realistic expectations of what eyelid surgery can achieve. Patients with droopy eyelids that may impair their vision can achieve excellent symptomatic relief through surgery. This is an addition to attaining a youthful appearance without drastically altering your overall facial appearance.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for Blepharoplasty Surgery?
Centre for Surgery is the leading plastic surgery clinic in London and is home to some of the best plastic surgeons in the UK. We carry out hundreds of blepharoplasty and eyelid surgery procedures each year at our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone.
We invite you to schedule an in-person consultation with an expert eyelid surgeon to discuss your expectations and treatment goals. Getting the best results after eyelid surgery depends on your Surgeon having a comprehensive understanding of what you would like to achieve from the procedure. You will also be shown before-and-after photos of eyelid surgery to give you an idea of how you could look after the procedure. Everyone has unique preferences, and although you won’t look the same as in a particular photo, you will have a clear idea of what blepharoplasty results can be achieved with eyelid lift surgery.
Call us today on 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below to book a consultation and start your journey towards achieving youthful and refreshed eyes.
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