Eyelid lift - Blepharoplasty

Large, sparkling eyes go a long way to creating an especially positive charisma. Unfortunately, the skin around the eyes is rather thin and delicate, so it is especially susceptible to sagging and the building of folds. Over time, dark circles, bags and crow’s feet develop. Some patients are born with drooping eyes. The eyes appear smaller in size and there is an overall facial expression that appears tired and old.

A surgical eyelift can help to create a more youthful looking appearance and is more effective in the long term than cosmetic treatments such as injections with fillers or wrinkle treatments using the substance botulinum toxin.

An eye lift is usually carried out on an out-patient basis under local anaesthetic in around one hour. A combined upper and lower eye lift takes approximately 2 hours depending on whether only skin, or muscle and surplus fat is to be removed. On the lower eyelid, the incision is made just below the lower eyelash or on the inner side of the eyelid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). On the upper eyelid, the incision is made in the eyelid’s natural crease (see diagram). From this point it is possible to remove sagging skin and fat pads which are bulging beneath it. The incision is sutured using a special technique and extremely fine material so that the scars are barely visible.

Combined Eye and Brow Lift

An eyelid lift is often combined with a brow lift, which can be performed endoscopic or mini-open in the sense of a forehead lift, or also from an incision within the brow hair. In order to achieve the desired results in terms of the eventual appearance of the eyes, either of the two procedures may be adequate - eyelid lift or brow lift – or we may recommend a combination of the two. It all depends on the individual, and we will be happy to advise you exactly what is best for you in a personal consultation.

Aftercare and Recovery

Should the surgery be carried out on an out-patient basis, it is absolutely essential to have time to recover after the operation, so you will not be fit to drive a car under any circumstances. In the first few days following surgery, it is necessary to pay particular attention to certain precautionary measures. You should attempt to keep your eyes closed whenever possible and cover them with cold compresses as much as possible. This precautionary approach after surgery is highly favourable as it helps to give excessive bleeding and swelling little chance of developing in the first place. However, after a few days, unavoidable colouring of the skin can be carefully covered with make-up. The temporary wearing of sunglasses also protects the eyes and conceals the effects of the operation. We also recommend resting with a raised upper body and avoiding any strain on your eyes through reading or watching television.