Eyelid Surgery Plastic Surgery Procedure


Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can be carried out under general anaesthetic, which means you are asleep during treatment.  Typically, you are required not to eat or drink for six hours prior to treatment, although small amounts of water are sometimes allowed. Heart rate, blood pressure and urine may all be tested prior to the procedure. Eyelid surgery operations usually take one to three hours to complete.  The procedure begins with the administration of the anaesthetic. A local anaesthetic will help relieve pain and a general anaesthetic, will help you fall asleep. An overnight stay is usually only required if both eyelids are treated and a general anaesthetic is used.

Transcutaneous Blepharoplasty

The most common type of blepharoplasty is called, transcutaneous blepharoplasty. Here, tiny incisions (cuts) often extending to the corner of the eye are made in the creases and natural lines of the upper eyelid, and in the wrinkles at the corners of the eye. In lower eyelid surgery, incisions are made just below the eyelashes in the lower eyelid. Through the incisions, the skin is separated from the fat and the muscle and then excess fat and skin are removed together with any sagging muscle. Fat may also be repositioned as well as or instead of being removed. The incisions are then closed using fine stitches or surgical glue. The surgeon usually applies ointment to prevent eyes from drying. Bandages may be placed over the eye to aid healing or sterile tapes placed, to support the eyelids.

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty

In transconjunctival blepharoplasty, fat may be removed or repositioned from the inside of the lower eyelid if there is no surplus skin. This procedure does not involve incisions.

A resurfacing laser can be used following the procedure to tighten the external skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, giving eyes a more youthful appearance.

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