Taking care of your appearance can be tough when it seems as though gravity and nature is against you. As we age, the elastic in our skin loosens, and as a result, sagging eyelids are common. It’s only natural to be disheartened by the ageing process, not least because the eyes are such a focus of attention, and lines, wrinkles and loose skin cannot be easily hidden or disguised with make-up.
If you’ve decided enough is enough, then eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, could be the long-term solution you’re looking for.
What’s involved in eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?
Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both areas. It involves a small incision across the upper lid deep in the lid crease and lower lash lines for the lower lid and the removal or reposition of any excess skin and fat pockets.
In some cases, usually for lower lid blepharoplasty, the procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic, requiring an overnight stay in hospital, but in almost call cases of upper lids, a local anaesthetic will suffice, making it possible to return home shortly after treatment.
While blepharoplasty is a highly effective treatment for sagging eyelids, it should be noted that this treatment does have its limitations – it won’t lift sagging eyebrows or remove all wrinkles from the eye area.
What it can do which is a unique procedure at Manchester plastic surgery is lift a sagging cheek at the same time a tightening a heavy lower lid. This we call a lower lid blepharoplasty and mid-face lift.
Almost all patients who need lower lid surgery have some degree of cheek sag and we can offer a multi-problem solution within the same operation. Contact us if you think your cheeks look sad and tired as this may be the perfect solution for you.
Are there any risks?
All surgery carries risk so it’s important to be aware of what they are before you decide to go ahead with surgery. When you attend your initial consultation, we will cover all the risks associated with blepharoplasty and we will explore your relevant medical history to ensure this is an appropriate treatment for you.
With blepharoplasty in particular, it’s important to note that there are a number of minor complications which can occur. For example, you can experience dry eyes, or have temporary swelling of the eyelids giving an out-turned eyelid appearance. This is very rare for upper lids but common for lower lids and means that lower lid and mid face lift surgery are not instant fixes. There is recovery required but as is always the case, to get a long lasting robust rejuvenation, the more you try to get out, the more you have to put in.
It’s important to follow our instructions post-surgery to give yourself the best chances of a quick and problem-free recovery.
Is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) right for you?
If you’re considering eyelid surgery, you can make an appointment to attend an initial consultation with Mr Adam Goodwin, our facial rejuvenation specialist. It’s important to appreciate that every patient and every surgery is different, so a one-to-one consultation is vital.
Mr Goodwin is a highly experienced surgeon and his approach will entail assessing your skin and facial structure to give you a good idea of the results you are likely to see. He will provide you with information about recovery times, aftercare and the possible risks attached to the surgery.
This consultation is an ideal opportunity for you to find out all you need to know about blepharoplasty so that you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right treatment for you.
Contact us to arrange an initial consultation.
