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 surgeon 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 blepharopasty
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 customers to request
this procedure in their late thirties or forties, 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
microscope incision, which will follow the natural crease line of
the upper lid.
A lower blepharoplasty procedure involves the surgical removal
of fat just below the surface of the skin and loose skin around.
This procedure is performed through a microscopic incision,
normally just below the lower lash line.
Younger customers 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.
In the instance of 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.
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 procedure requires 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 skilfully perform this type of surgery.
Improved results will 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?
Whilst a blepharoplasty procedure results in the area being
quite tender and bruised for a week 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. Customers are encouraged to
stay as mobile and upright as possible during their early recovery
stage to help reduce any swelling or bruising. Customers 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 customers keeping
their head elevated during rest and sleep in the first two to three
days following surgery and by the regular post-operative use of
cold compresses. Artificial tears are also provided to smooth
irritation.
In the early days following discharge, customers 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.
Customers will also be advised to take a specific amount of
recovery time away from work, dependent on the type of work they
perform. Customers 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 also good practice to wear
sunglasses.
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 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 customers 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?
At VIVE Life Care 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 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.