Blepharoplasty upper lids

Blepharoplasty: is an operation, which removes excess skin from the upper eyelids.

The excess skin is often due to ageing, sun damage, allergies or swelling that have stretched the skin.

Removal of excess upper lid skin is carried out under local anesthesia although it can be done under general anesthesia too.

Vision Impairment: Excess, heavy skin on the upper eyelid hangs down, blocking upper or side vision.

Fatigue/Headaches: Muscles in the forehead and eyelids are overworked from constantly lifting saggy skin, causing strain.

Irritation: Sagging skin rubs against the lashes or causes excessive watering/dryness. 

Cosmetic: Sagging skin that creates folds or disrupts the natural contour of the upper lid.

The operation takes approximately 30-40 minutes for each eye.

You will lie on a operating couch, anaesthetic drops will be instilled in your eyes and face cleaned with antiseptic solution.

Mr Spiteri will use a pen to mark the skin to be removed.

Anaesthetic is injected under the eyelid skin, eyelid will go numb and the excess skin can then be removed.

The wounds are then closed with sutures. 

If dissolvable sutures are used, they will fall out in 4-8 weeks, otherwise an appointment will be arrange to removed sutures 10 days after surgery.

Ointment will be put on the wounds and eye pad applied to the lids.

Cold ice packs are administered to the eye for an hour and ice packs given to use at home to reduce the swelling.

Ointment will be given to use for a week so that the lids heal safely.

Please arrange a driver or taxi for transport home.

If possible keep the eye pads left on overnight to help reduce bruising, do not panic if there is some small signs of bleeding.

Gently clean the eyelids with cotton wool pads soaked in sterile saline solution.

Keep eyelids out of direct sunshine, wear sunglasses to avoid scarring.

Eyes may feel sore due to the recovery, to use over the counter pain killers for relief.

Important to AVOID aspirin & Ibuprofen.

Normal for eyelids to appear bruised & swollen, commonly settle within 10 -14 days.

Make up can be worn only after 4 weeks from surgery.

Benefits: 

Improved cosmetic appearance of upper lids and wider aperture on blink.

Increased upper field of vision 

Risks:

Vision blurred for a few days

Too much skin removed and cause problems with lid closure

Some loose skin persist at the outer corner of eyelid, needing further surgery.

Severe bleeding around the eyelid wound

Infection developing in the lid wounds causing complications on recovery.

Appointment will be made for 10 day after the surgery to review the upper lids and remove sutures if they are not dissolvable.

 Days 1–3: Peak swelling and bruising, managed with cold packs and elevated sleeping.

Days 5–7: Stitches are typically removed, and most patients can return to light work.

Days 10–14: Most bruising fades, patients often feel comfortable going out in public.

2–6 Weeks: Remaining swelling subsides, you can usually resume full exercise.

3–6 Months: Final, mature results become visible