Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Healthy eyes and a healthy eye area make a person look young, dynamic and lively. The most common eyelid concerns are excess skin and fat on the upper eyelid, and bags, hollows and lines on the lower eyelid. People with these concerns tend to look tired, older, sad or unrested. As a result, they may face questions from those around them, and their self-confidence and social life may be affected. Eyelid surgery can correct these problems and help people feel energetic and confident.
How is eyelid surgery performed?
Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can be performed separately on the upper and lower eyelids, or combined with a brow lift, forehead lift or mid-face rejuvenation. Botox and filler treatments around the eyelids can also be added to these operations.
Eyelid surgery can be performed under either general or local anaesthesia.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is divided into 2 types: upper and lower eyelid surgery.
1. Cosmetic upper eyelid surgery
In cosmetic upper eyelid surgery, excess skin on the upper eyelid can be removed together with bulging fat.
2. Cosmetic lower eyelid surgery
In cosmetic lower eyelid surgery, excess skin and fat pads are removed. However, when there are hollows in addition to bags, only part of the fat is removed and the rest is used to fill the hollows. In this way, both the bags and the hollowing are corrected.
Duration of surgery
When blepharoplasty is performed on its own, without any other cosmetic procedure, surgery on the upper and lower eyelids takes 2–3 hours.
Recovery after surgery
Apart from some pain on the day of surgery, which is relieved with painkillers, significant pain is not expected after the operation. The patient is discharged on the same day or after one night in hospital.
Swelling and bruising around the eyelids and eyes usually appear and generally subside within 1–2 weeks. The stitches are removed after 5–7 days, and patients usually return to work and daily life within a few days.
On the upper eyelid, the incision lies within the natural eyelid crease; on the lower eyelid, it runs just below the lash line. In the long term, it does not leave a bothersome scar.