Everybody would like to look younger but it's not just grey hair, lines and wrinkles that can affect our appearance. Our eyes are one of our most important features and tired and saggy eyes can make us look a lot older than we actually are. Blepharoplasty is a simple operation to improve the appearance of hooded upper eyelids and baggy lower eyelids and is now available from Snowberry Lane Clinic.
Performed by our in-house surgeon, blepharoplasty is a relatively pain free and cost-effective procedure that removes excess skin and fat from your eyelids, giving them a tighter and smoother look that will improve your overall appearance and help make you look younger.
Appointments are readily available as there are no waiting lists and treatment begins with a consultation with the surgeon where he will happily discuss what improvements you would like to your eyelids, what changes are possible, what limitations there are and how he would carry out these changes. To help you fully understand the procedure, here are some of the more common questions we are asked.
How is the procedure carried out?
You will come into the clinic on the day of your operation and be free to go home the same day. The operation is carried out using state-of-the-art Radiofrequency Surgery to achieve optimum results with little or no pain. Radio frequency is used to remove fat from the lower lid bags and excess skin from the upper lid.
What type of anaesthetic is used?
Eyelid operations are carried out under ‘twilight' anaesthetic. Your eyelids will be anaesthetized with local anaesthetic.
What happens after the operation?
Both of the eyes will be padded for at least one hour and on removal of these pads you will need to put cold packs onto your lids to reduce any bruising. Because of this you will not be permitted to drive yourself home after the procedure so please make alternative arrangements. Any stitches used in the procedure are dissolvable and do not need to be removed.
How long will it take to recover?
This procedure is virtually pain free and it is unlikely you will even need Paracetamol. Your eyelids will feel a little uncomfortable for the first week after your operation but this should quickly settle. They may also feel gritty or watery but this can be easily alleviated with painkillers such as Paracetamol. There could be some bruising and swelling around your eyes, the amount of which varies from person to person and should only last a couple of weeks.
The wounds from eyelid surgery generally heal very well and are not usually noticeable to other people. In some patients with very oily skin they may take longer to settle and to fade but can be easily hidden with make-up. If pulling down of the eyelids (ectropian) happens after surgery it is nearly always temporary and will settle as the swelling goes.
Are there any risks?
The risk of having an operation on your eyelids is small and although bleeding, infection and healing problems can occur, they are rarely serious. We recommend taking Arnica for a week before and after the procedure to help reduce bruising.
It is advisable not to take Aspirin two weeks before and the week after your operation and you should not smoke on the day of your operation. Modern anaesthetics are very safe and before your operation you will be seen and assessed by the anaesthetist who will discuss the possible risks.
Will the problem ever come back?
In time, loosening and bagginess of the eyelids can slowly come back, although this normally takes several years and varies from person to person. If you have any concerns about the result of your eyelid surgery, then you can return to the clinic to see your surgeon.