Lower Eyelids.
What is Lower Blepharoplasty?
Lower blepharoplasty encompasses a variety of different procedures all aimed at restoring the youthfulness of the eyes. The choice of procedure determines the location of the scar and the ability to treat the underlying issue. My preferred techniques place an incision just under the eyelashes. This incision gives me excellent access to the treat the main causes of eyelid ageing: excess skin, sagging of the eye muscle, bulging eye bags and droopy eyelids. A midface-lift is an extension of a lower blepharoplasty and involves lifting the cheeks and improving the nasolabial folds. It is a very powerful technique and can markedly improve one’s appearance, almost as much as a facelift.
Lower blepharoplasty is a complicated operation and the choice of technique must be carefully considered. Our consultation is key in helping you choose the right one.
Who is a Blepharoplasty for.
Procedure Overview.
PROCEDURE TIME
2-3 hours.
HOSPITAL TIME
Day/1 night.
WORK OFF TIME
2 weeks.
NO gym FOR
3 weeks.
NO DRIVING
2 weeks.
GARMENT
Eyepads.
FOLLOW UP
1,2,4,6 weeks.
The Consultation.
Our consultation will initially focus on what it is you don’t like and would like to improve. It is important to get this right as it may be that what you want can’t be achieved with this operation and requires something else such has skin improvement or injectables. A full medical history will be followed by a clinical examination and photographs. We will then look at your photos and discuss what options are available to you. You will be shown a presentation of the procedure including recovery, risks and alternatives, followed by photos of pre- and post-op results. The consultation will be followed up with a comprehensive letter supplemented with some leaflets to help you decide. A quote will be sent separately.
The Planning.
Once a surgery date has been booked, you will be seen again, free of charge, to go through the operation in detail, answer any questions you may have, and prepare you adequately for surgery. This is a good opportunity for a friend to come for support. Importantly we advise no surgery within 2 months of a holiday abroad to ensure you have recovered fully.
This is a good opportunity for a friend to come for support. We advise no holiday abroad within two months of surgery.
The Procedure.
The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic. Some patients go home the same day but most stay overnight because vision may be a little blurry immediately after surgery. I will advise you on a choice of eyepad garment to purchase so that you can wear it immediate post surgery to aid with swelling. You will be discharged the follow day with lots of eye drops as the eyes can feel dry and watery for up to two weeks after surgery.
The Aftercare.
Use a cold eye compress regularly for 48 hours to reduce the swelling. Despite this most patients develop impressive black eyes and so you are advised to have a big pair of sunglasses. Most patients are socially acceptable at 2 weeks with a little make-up.
Patient Reviews
I chose Mr Holmes and the Methley Park Hospital because I was interested in going down the lesser invasive route (R-Lift). I was incredibly nervous during my first consultation however Mr Holmes described the whole process in a no-nonsense way which was easy for the ‘lay person’ to understand. As a result, I felt informed and comfortable during the first meeting. One thing I really appreciated was there was no ‘big sell’ during the consultation, it was very much a case of yes, I can do this for you but I’m not going to talk you into it. Furthermore, all the risks of the surgery were also explained. Although I did look around at other surgeons, I always really knew I would book the surgery with Mr Holmes after that first consultation. Mr Holmes also has a fabulous sense of humour which makes the whole process so much easier. One of my worries was that the surgery would be obvious and make my face look a bit ‘unnatural’. I am pleased to report this is not the case and I am beyond happy with the results. After six weeks there is still some swelling which needs to go down, but it hardly notices, and I have been complimented twice in the last week with people telling me “I look so well!” I must also mention the rest of the team (Rama, Mr Holmes Anaesthetist, the nurses, the ladies who brought me tea, sandwiches and biscuits) they were all absolutely amazing; I felt really looked after from the minute I entered the hospital to leaving the following day. I would thoroughly recommend Mr Holmes, and his team, if you are thinking of this type of surgery.
Procedure risks.
Immediate Risks.
- Infection
- Bleeding – mainly bruising
- Poor scarring – the scars are usually very well hidden
- Blindness – reported in the literature at 1:30,000
- Chemosis: this is swelling to the whites of the eye and is very common. It can persist for up to 2 months.
- Double vision. This usually settles once the anaesthetic has worn off
Early Risks.
- Asymmetry
- Ectropion – this is where the eyelid drops down due to swelling and can be very noticeable and troubling. We will talk extensively about this and I will tell you my washing line analogy.
- Dry eyes – this settles once the swelling of the eyelids has improved
- Cyst formation due to a buried or persistent stitch – this is easily correctable when identified
- Eyelid numbness
- Corneal injury – this is damage to the lens of the eye and can be painful. It is treated with medicated eyedrops.
Late Risks.
- Persistent dry eyes
- Persistent swelling, usually due to fluid, of the cheeks
- Residual wrinkly skin
- Chronic ectropion
Interested in a
Facelift?
If you are interested to learn more, and would like to come for a face-to-face or virtual chat, please send me and my team a message, and we can get in touch to arrange your consultation.
If you are interested to learn more, and would like to come for a face-to-face or virtual chat, please send me and my team a message, and we can get in touch to arrange your consultation.
