Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

What does this involve?

Blepharoplasty is carried out under a general anaesthetic and usually requires a one night stay in hospital, or in some cases, the procedure can be carried out as a day case, with no overnight stay at the hospital. Alternatively, Upper Blepharoplasty can be carried out under local anaesthetic (you will be awake during surgery) on a day case or outpatient basis. Your surgeon will advise which type of anaesthetic is the most appropriate in your case.

For surgery on the upper eyelids, an incision is made into the natural line/crease in the eyelid. For surgery on the lower eyelid, an incision is made just below the eyelashes. In both cases, the resulting scars will run along the eye's natural folds, concealing them as much as possible. Excess skin, fat and/or muscle is removed and the when surgery is complete, the incisions are closed with very fine stitches.

When will I recover?

You will be taken from the operating theatre into the Recovery Suite where you will be looked after until you are fully awake following the anaesthetic. After this, you will return to your room, where your nurses will check your dressings and monitor your pulse and blood pressure at regular intervals. 

Your anaesthetist will prescribe painkillers and you should take these regularly for the first few days. Pain can slow down your recovery, so please discuss any discomfort with your nurses.  There may be a drip in one of your arms - this is to keep you well hydrated. This will be removed when you are able to drink a satisfactory amount.

You will have light dressings on your eyes - usually using paper stitches. A lubricating ointment may be applied to your eyes to prevent them from becoming dry. Cooling eye masks/ice packs are sometimes used to minimise swelling.  Until the affects of the anaesthetic have passed, you will need to rest.

You will be visited by your surgeon who will assess your progress and answer any questions or concerns you may have and providing you are not feeling nauseous, you may start to drink and eat when you feel ready.

You will be visited by the Cosmetic Surgery Specialist Nurse before you are discharged home. She will give you advice regarding eye care, the wearing of support stockings, and discuss your post-operative activity.

Hospital contact details will be provided should you require any advice once you have returned home, and a post-operative follow-up appointment with your surgeon will be arranged.

The length of time you will need to take off work will depend on your type of employment and please follow your surgeon's advice regarding how long to avoid exercise and driving. You must avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and swimming for approximately four weeks after surgery.

Avoid applying eye make-up until advised by your surgeon - this is usually a few days following the removal of your sutures.

Contact lenses must not be worn for at least two weeks following surgery, and initially they may feel uncomfortable when you resume wearing them.

You will receive a post-operative telephone call from the Cosmetic Surgery Specialist Nurse one to two days after your discharge home to ascertain your progress and well being.

At your post-operative follow-up appointment your surgeon will assess your progress, arrange for the removal of stitches, and give advice on when you can resume your normal activities.

What risks should I know about?

Blepharoplasty is a commonly performed and generally safe procedure. However, all surgery carries an element of risk.

The possible complications of any surgery can include an unexpected reaction to a general anaesthetic, excessive bleeding, developing a blood clot (usually in a vein in the lower leg, known as a DVT - deep vein thrombosis) and infection. Signs of infection include uncontrolled pain, redness, swelling, oozing from wounds, and fever. 

After a Blepharoplasty you are likely to have some discomfort/pain, swelling, and bruising. Your eyes may feel tight and be difficult to close when you go to sleep. These are temporary and should subside after the first few weeks. You will be left with visible scars following your surgery. Initially they will be red and slightly raised, but they should gradually soften and fade over the following months.

In some cases, the eyes feel sticky or dry and itchy for the first week or so. Occasionally the eyes can become watery and/or sensitive to light for a few weeks. Some patients experience blurred or double vision for a few days.

It is possible to develop a collection of blood in the skin around the eye (a haematoma). This may resolve naturally, but if this is not the case, the haematoma may need to be drained.

There is a small possibility that swelling of the lower eyelid can cause it to be pulled away from the eye (ectropion). This usually settles on its own, but occasionally requires further surgery.

In very rare cases, difficulty in closing of the eyes at night is permanent and there is a possibility that you may still not be satisfied with the appearance of your eyes following a Blepharoplasty.

Circle care

Blepharoplasty is carried out at various Circle state of the art locations, which provides you with the best facilities and superb patient care.  We have a dedicated team of surgeons and nurses who will guide you through the process from first consultation to after-care and will be available to answer any questions or queries you may have