Knife Styles

Blepharoplasty - Eyelift

Eye lifts fix everything from tired-looking eyes to hooded lids.

What is it?

A blepharoplasty (the proper name for an eye lift) reduces hooded or droopy eyelids and saggy, puffy under-eye bags. It can give you more wide-awake, younger-looking eyes.

What can it do for you?

Nothing ages you faster than tired eyes. As you get older, it's common to develop baggy under-eye bags and heavy, hooded eyelids that make you look tired all the time. The skin around your eyes is especially thin and becomes thinner and looser with age.

When the fat pads under your eyes pull away from the bone, you end up with puffy, often dark bags. The problem can also be hereditary and lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking, sleepless nights and a poor diet can make it worse.

The procedure

A blepharoplasty is usually carried out under general anaesthetic or conscious sedation (when you're asleep, but still conscious) and takes 90 minutes to two hours.

The surgeon will mark your eyes with a pen before your operation. With upper blepharoplasty (an upper eyelid lift), two parallel cuts are made in the natural crease of each eye.

The surgeon then takes away the strip of skin and any loose skin and fatty tissue to tighten the area and leave a smoother eyelid. With a lower blepharoplasty (an eye lift on your under-eye bags), an incision's made just below the lower eyelash and the surgeon removes excess skin and fat.

Patients often choose to have the two procedures done at the same time and in both, stitches close the incisions. The scars left by an upper blepharoplasty are hidden in the natural crease of your eve. A lower blepharoplasty leaves pale pink scars along the lower lash, which fade to leave faint lines.

The cost

Anything between £2,300 and £5,000.

Recovery time

For the first 24 hours after surgery, you'll have ice packs over your eyes to reduce the swelling and bruising. Your eyelids will probably feel irritated, tight and sore, but painkillers will be available.

For the first four days after surgery, your head should be kept elevated on several pillows. Stitches are removed after four to seven days and it's advisable to return to work after about 10 days, when you can also wear make-up again.

Your eyes will be swollen and bruised for a few weeks after the surgery, so you may want to wear sunglasses during this time. You won't be able to wear contact lenses for two to three weeks.

You should avoid bending down and touching your eyes and continue to use ice packs.

Alcohol slows down the recovery process, so avoid it for as long as possible.

What can go wrong?

Your vision may be blurred or a couple of days after the surgery and you'll probably get watery, stinging eyes, too.

As with all surgery, there's a risk of infection, but this can be reduced by not touching your eyes and face. Surgeons also recommend that you don't use your mobile phone straight afterwards as this can spread infection.

If you have diabetes, dry eyes, thyroid problems or heart disease, you must inform your surgeon as these conditions can increase the likelihood of problems after the surgery.

Complications are rare, but excessive removal of fat can result in asymmetry of lids or a hollowing in the lower lid.

How long does it last?

Years. But if you smoke, sleep too little or drink and sunbathe too much, the results won't last as long.

 


Categories

Articles


Sponsors