Blepharoplasty is the surgical removal or repositioning excess skin, fat and muscle from the upper and/or lower eyelids.
Who is suitable for Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty can correct drooping upper eyelids or puffy bags below the eyes, features that can make you look older than you feel, or that can interfer with your vision. Blepharoplasty will not remove crows-feet or other facial wrinkles around the eyes or lift sagging eyebrows. Any of these may be treated with a face-lift or brow-lift.
Most patients are older than 35, but surgery may be suitable earlier if you have a family history of baggy eyelids.
What to expect at the initial consultation?
At the initial consultation Mr Colville will carefully examine your eyes and lids to assess the quantity of excess skin and fat, the quality of the muscle and the bony relations to the eyeball. Because the function of the eyelid is primarily to protect the eyeball, Mr Colville will want to establish that you have a normal visual function. He will need to know if you wear lenses (contacts or glasses) and whether you have had any eye surgery or corrective laser surgery.
You should also mention if you suffer from any eye-related problems such as dry eyes or excess tearing. At this stage, Mr Colville will discuss all aspects of the operation with you, assess whether blepharoplasty is suitable for you and whether the operation will meet your specific needs.
Where does the treatment take place?
Your operation can take place at either Parkside Hospital Wimbledon or St Anthony’s Hospital Cheam. Normally, the surgery is performed in the morning, allowing you home later the same day.
What can go wrong?
In general, when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, blepharoplasty is safe and results are entirely predictable, with an associated high-degree of patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, no surgery is without risk and Mr Colville will explain the risks and possible side-effects of treatment with you at your consultation.
How long will it take to recover?
You should be able to read and/or watch television comfortably within two to three days of your operation. It will not be possible to wear contact lenses for up to three weeks after the operation, and even then you may suffer some discomfort for a while.
Most people return to work after a week to ten days, with strenuous activity kept to a minimum for the first week following the operation. You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind and other eye-irritants for several weeks, but sunglasses will provide some protection.
How satisfied can you expect to be with the procedure?
Blepharoplasty leaves patients looking more youthful and more alert in almost every case, and they frequently experience improved self-confidence from an improved appearance. The healing process is gradual and scars may appear pink for six months or more after surgery, eventually fading to a thin, nearly invisible white line.
Mr Colville can discuss the exact nature of your treatment, including procedure details, recovery times and any possible side-effects at a consultation. This will reflect your exact circumstances and needs. The information included here is provided for general guidance only.