What is a blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty surgery removes excess skin, fat and occasionally small amounts of muscle from your upper eyelids.
What causes excessive eyelid skin?
The most common cause is ageing. Over time our skin can become loose and sag over the eyelid margin. The delicate tissues around our eyelid can also thin out. This can cause forward bulging of the medial fat pad, which normally sits in the medial orbit behind the eyelids.
Who is suitable for blepharoplasty surgery?
People who have excess eyelid skin which interferes with their vision. Blepharoplasty can also be done as a cosmetic procedure. This is when there is excess eyelid skin which does not interfere with vision.
Where is blepharoplasty surgery performed?
Dr Esra Sanli performs blepharoplasty operations in a day surgery OR in the clinic. Some people may choose to have blepharoplasty in the clinic to avoid the additional fees associated with the day surgery.
When might blepharoplasty surgery not be all that is required?
Blepharoplasty may not be enough in people who have other causes of a droopy eyelid such as:
- Stretching of the muscle which elevates your eyelid (Eyelid Ptosis).
- People with nerve problems such as Horner’s syndrome, Oculomotor nerve palsy,
Myasthenia gravis. - People with droopy eyebrows may require an eyebrow lift at the same time.
Your surgeon will perform a complete examination and inform you of your suitability for the procedure.
What is involved in blepharoplasty surgery?
Your surgeon would have determined your suitability for blepharoplasty surgery during your consultation. Blepharoplasty surgery can take place in the day surgery or in the outpatient clinic.
Step by step outline of the procedure:
- Your surgeon will place marks over the eyelid skin pre-operatively.
- You will have anaesthetic injections to both of your upper eyelids. If you have chosen to have your procedure at a day surgery you may be sedated prior to local anaesthetic injection.
- The surgery itself takes about 1 hour. The skin will be closed with removable sutures.
If you have chosen to be sedated, you may wake up during the procedure. You will be aware of your surroundings but relaxed due to the medications given.
Whether you have been sedated or not, you should not feel any pain during the procedure. If you do please let your surgeon know so she can help you. - On discharge you should:
- Apply ice packs to your eyelids for 15 minutes every hour for the first 48 hours
- Apply Chlorsig ointment to the wounds four times a day until review
- Sleep with your head elevated on at least 2 pillows for 2 nights
- You will be asked to come in for suture removal between 7-10 days after your surgery.
Are there any restrictions to what I can do after surgery?
- Bruising and swelling is a normal part of the recovery process. This will reduce significantly but can remain for several weeks.
- We encourage you not to do aerobic activity or weight lifting for 2 weeks after surgery.
- You may not swim with your head submerged for 2 weeks after surgery.
- You should not wear makeup for 2 weeks after surgery.
- You may fly, however we encourage that you do not travel in the 2 weeks after surgery in case of infection or other post- operative complications.
What are the problems that can happen after blepharoplasty surgery?
Every surgery has risks. The problems related to blepharoplasty can be:
- Bruising and swelling of the eyelids (very common)
- Dry eye (common)
- Scar (definite)
- The scar will be hidden in the eyelid crease. There may be some scar that extends beyond the eyelid crease. This can be managed with scar reducing creams.
- Abnormal scarring, however rare, is always a possibility.
- Infection (rare)
- Further surgery (5%)
- This may be due to slight excess skin, uncontrolled bleeding, further surgery required to the elevating muscle of the eyelid.
- Injury to the eye (extremely rare)