Eyelid Surgery
The purpose of Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty) is to reduce droopy or hooded eyelids and eliminate bags under the eyes.
What does the procedure involve?
Blepharoplasty is normally carried out under general anaesthetic but can also be carried out using local or “twilight” anaesthesia. With lower lid surgery an incision is made under the lower lashes or on the inside of the eyelid. The skin is then freed from the underlying tissue and excess skin and fat is removed. The incision is then closed. With upper eyelid surgery an incision is made along the eyelid crease and unwanted skin, fat and muscle is removed before the incision is closed. The scar is hidden inside the natural fold of the upper eyelid.
What are the benefits and what are the risks?
Benefits
People who have had eyelid surgery generally look younger and less tired as bags and droopy skin is removed.
Risks
After surgery you may experience blurred vision, though this should be temporary. As with all surgery infection may occur but this may be reduced by not touching the area around the eye and avoiding the use of mobile phones which can spread infection. Scarring may occur where the incisions have been made and in some cases eyes may look asymmetrical. In very rare cases bleeding may occur behind the eye which can lead to blindness.
Is it the right procedure for me?
Often droopy eyelids or puffy baggy lower eyelids are hereditary and surgery can help to rectify these. Many people also choose to have eyelid surgery as they become older and the skin stretches and thins, due to a loss of elasticity, giving the appearance of bags under the eyes. Eyelid surgery will do very little for wrinkles or crows feet and these are best treated with alternative procedures such as Botox, peels and laser treatments.
If you suffer from glaucoma or dry eyes, whereby you don’t produce enough tears, then you may be at a higher risk to the problems outlined above. It is important that all people considering eyelid procedures go to see an eye specialist (ophthalmologist) to discuss whether surgery would be suitable for you.
How long does the procedure take?
The procedure can take between one and three hours.
What happens after surgery?
Depending on the type of surgery you have had (local or general anaesthetic) you will generally be required to stay in hospital overnight and may need to take up to a week off from work. You will need to keep your head elevated for a few days, including whilst you sleep, to avoid swelling. Eyelid surgery is considered to be fairly comfortable. However, following the operation your eyelids are likely to feel tight and sore and bruising and swelling is to be expected. Bruising should go down after a couple of weeks whereas it may take up to several weeks before swelling completely goes down. The area around your eyes will feel sticky and itchy for several days and will need to be cleaned regularly. During the operation dissolvable stitches or surgical glue may have been used to close the incision, alternatively if stitches need to be removed these will be taken out after about a week of having surgery.
How much is it likely to cost?
Prices range from between £2,500 and £5,000
Responses to Eyelid Surgery
Ask an Expert about Eyelid Surgery
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Dominic on 03.08.2007 at 04:03 (Reply)
hi,
i’ve been wanting to get my eyes done for a while now but only for the fact that i have bags and dark circles underneath my eyes. if i was to get this surgery would it remove them slightly,moderately or completly? i know it depends on the patient and all that but on average would you say it was reasonable to expect them to be almost unnoticable? that is, assuming the treatment corrects my problem and if it doesn’t can you advise me on what would? and also how much does the treatment cost?
Also, does any of your procedures include chemical peels? i’ve looked on the site but i can’t find anything on them.
Finally, do any of your clinics work with cosmetic dentistry?
thank you very much, i await to read your reply =) thanks again
Hi Dominic,
Thanks for getting in touch. Anne, who heads up MYA non-surgical has looked at your question and this is what she has got back to me with.
“Eye bags are caused by fat pushing through the wall of the eye muscle, this can develop at quite a young age and is usually an inherited condition that runs in the family. Lower eyelid surgery is particularly effective with this condition and can achieve excellent results.
The dark circles are not quite so straight forward; these are caused by dark pigmentation under the skin or by very thin translucent skin and eyelid surgery will not remove them from around the eyes. There are several products on the market believed to assist with shadows around the eyes; most of which contain Vitamin K, however, for this problem make-up is probably your best solution. Maybelline Everfresh Cream Concealer is particularly effective.
Mya will offer various Skin Peels, each varying in strength. The prices range from £85 - £250 (quote at consultation)
Primary Pumpkin Peel - £85
Power Pumpkin Peel - £95
TCA 7&2 - £250
Peptide Glycolic Peel - £85
Salycilic Resurfacer (sold as course of x3) - £150
The skin peels work by applying a chemical solution directly to the skin to carefully remove its outer layers. The peels fall into three categories depending upon their effectiveness and the desired results; Superficial (removing the outer layer epidermal), Medium (removing the epidermal and upper dermal layers) and Deep (removing as far as the lower dermal layer).
Peels can be used on most areas of the body and are great at improving the skin texture, removing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing acne scars and age spots and generally improving the overall condition of the skin.
All MYA clinics will offer Cosmetic Dentistry, with a particular focus on teeth whitening.
Book a free consultation in advance, we will carry out a free photo-skin analysis which will highlight any potential problem areas from there we can then work out a personal treatment plan to suit you.
The non-surgical treatments are available from September 2007.”
I hope this helps!
Sophie
isabell boyd on 14.08.2007 at 11:14 (Reply)
Dear Sir Madam
I have a conseltation booked with you on the 10 of september for my uper and lower eyes i would like to know how long this would take and how long i would need to take off of work alsoif you can give me an price on this and tell me were the surgery will take place i understand some places only have hospitals in london do you have one in glasgow
yours I.Boyd
Hi Isabell,
We have clinics in Newcastle for consultations and aftercare(MYA offer 3 years)
The procedure would be done in Manchester.
The time off depends on what work you do and if you want anyone to know what has been done.
Bruising usually lasts 7-10 days, as women we can use conceal after 10 days.
You should always get a new mascara, remember no makeup for 10-15 days.
The cost for upper and lower eyes is £3,800, this includes all fees, surgeon, hospital, anaesthetist and three years aftercare.
Consultations are free.
Always ask if we have any promotions.
Please let us know how you get on. Would be good to get some feedback from you on the clinic etc.
Sophie
Sophie
Kim Fountain on 26.08.2007 at 20:34 (Reply)
I had a hysterectomy in 1980 which left me with a long scar from hip to hip on my bikini line. As i was only 7 stone at the time putting on weight has resulted in an over hanging bulge, not enormous but not nice. Would liposuction be beneficial or would i need to have a tummy tuck, although I have heard that a tummy tuck isn’t recommended after that sort of surgery.
Hi Kim,
Liposuction could help and is desirable as it involves small incision marks. The best thing to do would be to come in for a consultation. This is free and we also offer a free consultation with a surgeon. Call 08000 14 10 14 for an appointment.
Sophie
Susan May Sharp on 19.09.2007 at 20:52 (Reply)
Good Evening,
I have what the Doctor calls a fatty deposit on both of my cheek bones which I am conscious of and have tried many skin treatment creams to get rid of it, to no avail. It lies below my specs more prominent on the R/H Side. I also have droopy eye lids. What can you advise & possible costs. I am 60 yrs of age.
Sue
Hi Sue,
You would need to come in for a free consultation to see whether a lower blepheroplasty would be suitable. This is removal of the lower eyebags and tightening the loose tissue.
Call 08000 14 10 14 for a free consultation.
Sophie
kevin donoghue on 06.10.2007 at 21:28 (Reply)
Hi
I have a droopy eyelid I would like to get corrected. The only one affected is my upper right eyelid, would it still cost between £2,000-£3,000?
Hi Kevin,
Unfortunately with this we can’t say without seeing you. Feel free to come in for a free consultation. Call 08000 14 10 14.
Sophie
Liam on 20.10.2007 at 23:54 (Reply)
Hi
My names liam and im 18, The problem is i have really bad dark circles under my eyes! Iv tried concealer i dont like to but i have tried it and none off it works!
I really want surgery i have thort about it for so long its the only thing i hate about myself its becoming a majour problem!
How would i go about sorting it out where would i start?
Thankyou
Hi Liam,
Unfortunately, dark circles can not be corrected with surgery.
It may be vascular, hereditary ,lifestyle or due to anaemia.
There are many creams on the market, it is a very common problem.
I am not sure how effective they can be.
Sorry I could not be more help.
Sophie
Hi
I m 28 years old married women and i m having drooping eyelid from the last two months. initially i hv not taken it seriously but now it gives a bad look and peiple are recognizing it so i just want to know that can
it be rectified with medicienes if i dont want to go for surgery and exactly what is it?
i have the medical history, i m hving a reumatic heart desease and one of my heart valve is repaired.
Is their any possibility that my problem is related with this disease or not
And my left eyelid droops more in the evening and sometimes looks like a normal in morninf when i m fresh.
Give me ur suggestions please , i m very upset and worried about my left eyelid.
Thanks
Hi,
You need to see a specialist to find out the reason for the drooping. We only perform cosmetic surgery for correction if there is no medical reason for the droopy eyelids.
Sophie
Rachel on 08.11.2007 at 18:15 (Reply)
If surgical glue is used for an eyelid operation, what happens to it after the operation? Does it have to be removed when the wound is healed or does it dissolve?
Hi Rachel,
Surgical glue tends to dissolve partially and gets removed during cleaning.
Hope this helps.
Sophie
joy on 10.11.2007 at 17:32 (Reply)
I had upper and lower lid surgery two weeks ago. My eyes are so itchy
I can hardly stand it. I ask my Dr. but he just says you just had
surgery but this is my third week and it is all the time is this normal?
Hi Joy,
If it has not stopped you should contact the company that performed the proceedure and ask their advice.
Sophie
lynn easton on 11.11.2007 at 15:33 (Reply)
do you need appontment for a consuilation and what is the cost for just the under eye treatment
Hi Lynn,
You can call 08000 14 10 14 to book in for your free consultation.
Prices are discussed during the consultation. Prices start from around £2,800.
Sophie
Anne on 14.11.2007 at 22:31 (Reply)
Hi Can you tell me if your eyes remain the same shape after removing excess skin round the top of eyelids, basically do your eyes look the same as when you were younger? Thankyou
Hi Anne,
Yes they normally remain the same shape.
Sophie
julie wensley on 15.11.2007 at 14:15 (Reply)
do u have any before and after pictures of people who have had eye lid and eye bag surgery?
Hi Julie,
At the free consultation you will have the opportunity to look at before and after pictures.
Call 08000 14 10 14 to book your free consultation.
Sophie
Lisa on 12.12.2007 at 21:15 (Reply)
Hi can you please tell me if i can have lower lid surgery under a local anaesthetic or sedative? as i am unwilling to go under a general anaesthetic. Also can you please tell me how much eyebag surgery costs. and where the surgery would take place as I live in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
Hi Lisa,
It is usually done under a brief general as a day case. The reason why local isn’t used is it causes swelling during the surgery. It would be hard to operate on.
Sophie
Ms DV Joy on 15.12.2007 at 16:27 (Reply)
I am interested Facial lazer treatment to remove deep acne scarring, some rosacea, moles, freckles, fine lines & to rejuvinate skin by reducing fine dry lines. Also required to remove deep lines on chest caused from sun exposure.
Also require facelift to be performed at the same time.
I had upper & lower blepheroplasty performed in December 2006.
I need to know costs involved and hopefully will be able to afford surgery, etc
Hi Ms Joy,
Unfortunately we don’t do laser treatments yet. We do have surgeons that specialize in face lifts so we could offer that procedure.
Costs are discussed during the free consultation.
Call 08000 14 10 14.
Sophie
Debbie on 17.12.2007 at 00:36 (Reply)
Hi, if i have my blephroaplasty in Milton Keynes (where i live) while you are visiting there, where will i have my after care check ups
Thank you
Hi Debbie,
The proceedure would be done in one of the London hospitals and the after care would be done at our London clinic.
Sophie