EYE BAG REMOVAL
Contents
WHAT IS A BLEPHAROPLASTY PROCEDURE AND WHY IS IT
PERFORMED?
A blepharoplasty procedure can help men and women of all ages to
overcome the inevitable signs of skin ageing above, below and
around the eyes.
This procedure is typically performed to produce a fresher and
more youthful eye appearance. The ultimate aim of the surgery is to
remove or relocate fat and smooth the loose, lined, crepey skin
that can be associated with sun damage and the ageing process. A
successful blepharoplasty procedure will create a brighter,
fresher, more youthful eye area and improve the overall facial
appearance without leaving obvious signs that surgery has taken
place.
An upper blepharoplasty procedure can help those who have loose
or hanging skin on the upper lid area and a full and heavy creased
appearance below the eye brow margin.
A lower blepharoplasty procedure is typically performed to
improve a tired eye appearance caused by localised areas of lined
skin, excess fat and puffiness beneath the eye area itself – these
problem areas are commonly referred to as ‘eye-bags’.
Early signs of ageing and sun damage tend to affect the fragile
skin around the eye margin long before other facial areas become
affected. It is consequently quite common for patients to request
this procedure prior to or as a complementary procedure to other
facial surgery, such as a facelift or laser resurfacing procedure
in later years.
HOW IS A LOWER OR UPPER BLEPHAROPLASTY PROCEDURE
PERFORMED?
When performing an upper blepharoplasty procedure, the surgeon
will normally excise a narrow crescent
shaped portion of skin and underlying tissue from the middle of
the upper lid, leaving a microscopic incision, which will follow
the natural crease line of the upper lid.
A lower blepharoplasty procedure involves the surgical removal
or relocation of fat just below the surface of the skin, or the
removal of loose skin. This procedure is performed through an
incision, normally just below the lower lash line.
Younger patients may only need fat removing from beneath the
lower eye area. Such fatty deposits can be
hereditary and can be removed from the inside of the lower lid,
thus completely avoiding any external excisions. This advanced
procedure is known as a transconjunctival blepharoplasty.
These procedures can be performed singularly or in combination
and can be performed under both local and general anaesthetic. The
type of anaesthetic will often dictate how long a patient is
expected to stay in
hospital to recover. A procedure performed under local
anaesthetic will commonly be performed as a day case
and a procedure performed under general anaesthetic will
commonly involve an overnight stay in hospital. Under normal
conditions a blepharoplasty procedure can take from one to one and
a half hours to perform.
WHAT KIND OF MEN AND WOMEN REQUEST THIS
PROCEDURE?
- Men and women of all ages who are generally unhappy with their
aged or lined appearance
- Men and women who suffer from looking tired or “jaded”, even
when they are well rested
- Women who need to avoid eye make up (which has a tendency to
look “caked on” or to disappear into skin folds as lines and
creases develop and deepen)
- Men and women who feel that their self esteem or confidence are
affected by their concerns and feelings about their ageing facial
appearance
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS LIKE?
This particular procedure can provide encouraging and relatively
speedy results, freeing men and women from a
prematurely puffy and/or an unattractively lined and wrinkled
facial appearance.
Advanced corrective procedures require a very precise technique.
Consequently, a blepharoplasty procedure should only be provided by
a Consultant Plastic Surgeon who is fully qualified and well
experienced to skillfully perform this type of surgery.
Improved results may take place almost immediately following
surgery, but will be obscured by the inevitable bruising and
swelling that takes place following this type of procedure. After
the initial swelling has settled down (usually after the first
week) subtle improvements to the contour and newly refined eye area
will take place for up to six months following surgery.
Once wounds are healed sutures (stitches) usually leave no
obvious trace. Sutures are either absorbable or unabsorbable. If
they are the latter, they will need to be removed after
approximately five days.
HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER BLEPHAROPLASTY SURGERY AND WHAT IS THE
RECOVERY PERIOD LIKE?
The blepharoplasty procedure results in the area being quite
tender and bruised following surgery and the actual eye area can
become sensitive and dry.
Analgesic tablets (pain killers) are always provided for any
discomfort, and usually an antibiotic / anti-inflammatory
cream.
Patients are encouraged to stay as mobile and upright as
possible during their early recovery stage to help reduce any
swelling or bruising. Patients usually describe the way their eyes
feel, as ‘uncomfortable’ and ‘tight’, rather than painful in the
initial recovery stages. Bruising and swelling can also be
minimised by patients keeping
their head elevated during rest and sleep in the first two to
three days following surgery and by the regular postoperative use
of cold compresses. Artificial tears are also provided to smooth
irritation.
In the early days following discharge, patients are strongly
advised to avoid any level of activity that would put undue
strain on the newly operated areas, to keep their hands and
fingers away from their eyes and to pay meticulous attention to
their personal hygiene.
Patients will also be advised to take a specific amount of
recovery time away from work, dependent on the type of
work they perform. Patients are asked to avoid direct sunbathing
on the eye area for at least 12 months following surgery due to
sensitivity to sunlight. Initially it is good practice to wear sun
glasses.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS INVOLVED IN BLEPHAROPLASTY
SURGERY?
All surgery involves an element of risk from developing
complications. However, cosmetic surgery is usually undertaken
voluntarily and only when a patient is in good health. Therefore,
the probability of experiencing complications following this kind
of surgery are substantially lower than for those who undergo
surgery due
to ill health.
The importance of a thorough pre-operative consultation with the
actual consultant surgeon who will perform your
operation cannot be over stressed. You need time to consider all
the benefits and risks of blepharoplasty surgery and the
opportunity to reflect and consider all the information the surgeon
offers you before you make a decision regarding your potential
surgery.
Risks such as healing, dry eye, red eye, optical changes and
scarring will all be discussed openly at consultation, as well as
our scrupulous efforts to manage and minimise these risks to their
lowest possible potential.
Due to the additional healing and infection risks experienced by
patients who smoke, heavy smokers may be
precluded from having eye surgery until they cease or
substantially reduce their cigarette intake. This is due to the
blood supply to tissue and coughing post operatively.
The fine incisions made during this procedure are generally well
hidden and discreet. However, the appearance of scars, which
generally fade progressively after surgery, are a highly individual
matter and cannot be guaranteed.
WHAT NEXT?
With Vive, each consultation is tailored to an individual’s
needs, but the process will always involve a thorough evaluation of
your present and past medical history and physical examination of
the problem area. Your consultant plastic or specialist surgeon
will take time to listen to your concerns and will take care to
ensure that you have a thorough understanding of what can be done
to help, the procedure itself, the recovery stages and a clear
explanation of the risks involved.
You are positively encouraged to ask any questions that you may
have and to look at photographs of others who have had the same
type of surgery that you are considering. If you would find it
helpful, our advisory team may be able to arrange for you to speak
with a previous patient who is willing to discuss their experience
with you over the telephone.