Blepharoplasty
Eyelid Lift Manchester and Cheshire
What is a Blepharoplasty?
At CLNQ in Cheshire & Manchester Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Lift is a procedure to remove excess skin from the upper eyelids that causes a hooded or tired looking appearance. As we age, the skin loses its elasticity and the skin becomes loose in the upper eyelid. This drooping skin can hang over the eyelid itself and interfere with the vision and cause a tired look. The medical term for loose upper eyelid skin is dermatochalasis. Alternative procedures that may help improve the appearance of skin laxity around the eyes include Morpheus8 Prime or CO2 lasers.
How is a blepharoplasty or upper eyelid lift performed?
The blepharoplasty or eyelift lift is performed under a local anaesthetic in our clinic as a day case procedure. We provide the upper eyelid lift in Manchester or Cheshire at our Knutsford clinic, CLNQ. You will have an initial consultation with the surgeon who will take a full history and perform examination of the area. You will discuss the possible treatment options for your specific concerns and highlight the risks and benefits of these options. If you are suitable for a blepharoplasty Manchester or Cheshire patients will receive a suitable appointment made for the procedure. Before the procedure, the surgeon will assess the amount of excess skin and fat in the eyelid. They will then mark the amount of skin to be removed from the eyelid. The surgeon will then use some local anaesthetic eyedrops and injections to numb the area. The skin is then removed along with any excess fat or muscle if required. The skin is then sutured using stitches to close the wound and dressings applied.
The Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
What are the benefits of eyelid surgery?
The benefits of blepharoplasty go beyond cosmetic improvement. Patients often report a dramatic boost in confidence as well as practical improvements in their quality of life. By removing drooping skin from the upper eyelids, patients often find their eyes look more open and youthful. Reducing puffiness and eye bags from the lower eyelids gives a fresher appearance and a smoother contour beneath the eyes.
When excess skin has been obstructing vision, surgery can also improve the visual field. Overall, the results are long-lasting and enhance both the function and aesthetics of the eyes.
What are the types of blepharoplasty?
At CLNQ in Manchester and Cheshire, patients can choose from several types of blepharoplasty, tailored to their individual needs. During your consultation with our team of plastic surgeons you can discuss your aims and they will help you make an informed decision about the right procedure for you.
Upper Eyelid Lift
This removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids, restoring a defined eyelid crease and creating a more youthful and alert appearance. This can be done under local anaesthetic.
Lower Blepharoplasty
This reduces under-eye bags, puffiness, and fine lines. The procedure can involve repositioning fat to smooth the transition between the eyelid and the cheek, or tightening skin where needed. This is usually performed under general anaesthetic.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty
This is performed from inside the eyelid, meaning there is no visible external scar. This approach is often recommended for younger patients who have under-eye bags without significant skin laxity.
Combined blepharoplasty
This treats both the upper and lower eyelids in a single procedure, offering a complete rejuvenation for those with concerns in both areas.
Recovery After Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a good candidate for blepharoplasty?
The blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the upper eyelid. The ideal candidate would have some loose skin in the upper eyelid causing hooding. In some patients with drooping of the eyelid this may require further ptosis correction. This procedure can be performed in both male and female patients.
How long does the eyelid lift take to perform?
The upper lid blepharoplasty usually takes about 60-90 minutes to be performed under a local anaesthetic.
Can brow ptosis be corrected with an eyelid lift?
Brow ptosis is drooping of the forehead giving a heavy appearance to the brow. This usually requires a brow lift to help improve this. We would suggest you have the brow lift first to see if this improves the appearance of the eyelid. Following the brow lift, if there is still heaviness or hooding of the eyelids you may then need a blepharoplasty.
What will I look like after a blepharoplasty?
Some patients may have some swelling and bruising following their procedure. This can give the black eye appearance and usually improves within a week or two. In some patients, it may take a little longer for the swelling and bruising to fully settle. Initially the scars will appear red and with time these will fade and become less noticeable.
How much is a blepharoplasty?
The cost of an upper eyelid blepharoplasty under local anaesthetic is £4250. The price would be more if you are considering the procedure under a general anaesthetic.
What is the aftercare following a blepharoplasty?
Following your procedure, you will usually have some dressing tapes applied over the incisions. Try to leave these in place until you are seen at about 7-10 days for your suture removal. We recommend that in the first 48 hours, you sleep with a few pillows under your head to help reduce swelling and bruising. Try and keep the incisions dry for the first week until you have the stitches removed. You should use some lubricant for the first few days following your blepharoplasty. You should avoid wearing contact lenses for the first 2-3 weeks. You will have an appointment to return to clinic for suture removal after 7-10 days. We would recommend using silicone scar gels after 2 weeks. Avoid any strenuous exercise for the first 4 weeks.
What are the risks of blepharoplasty?
As with any surgery, blepharoplasty carries risks. At CLNQ, patients are fully informed during their consultation. Risks include:
– Bruising, Swelling, Bleeding – It is normal to get some swelling after any treatment and this usually takes a few days to settle. Some patients may also experience bruising or bleeding which is can be related to medication being taken. Some medicines such as aspirin and herbal supplements can increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. This procedure can cause prolonged swelling in some patients.
– Asymmetry – All patients will have some degree of asymmetry. These asymmetries may be more noticeable following the procedure. There may be asymmetries in scar position, size, and shape between the two sides. Some degree of asymmetry is to be expected but additional surgery may be required to improve more significant asymmetry.
– Scars – Any surgical procedure will result in scarring. The scar is permanent but in most people it will improve and fade with time. In some patients, hypertrophic or keloid scarring may occur resulting in raised, red and lumpy scars.
– Eye Related Issues – There are specific eye related issues that include: Ectropion – Scarring can result in pulling of the eyelid away from the eyeball. This may result in an inability to close the eye fully, which can result in injury to the eyeball. This is a rare complication that may require additional surgery. Corneal Injury – Some patients may experience some inflammation or dryness of the cornea (eyeball surface). Corneal abrasions may also occur if there is any injury to the surface of the eyeball. This will usually resolve but may require additional treatment with eyedrops or ointments. Dry Eyes – Permanent problems involving decreased tear production may occur after this procedure. Patients with dry eyes prior to treatment should inform us of this. Additional treatments such as lubricants may be required. Epiphoria – Excessive tearing may result from damage to the tear duct system. This may require further surgery to correct.
– Blindness – Blindness is a very rare complication of blepharoplasty. This may result from bleeding around the eye and eyeball called a retrobulbar haematoma. If this is left untreated, it can progress to cause blindness and so if it occurs it requires urgent treatment. This is uncommon following an upper eyelid lift.
– Ptosis – Ptosis is drooping of the eyelid and can happen temporarily following surgery due to swelling. This may however be more long term if there is damage to the levator during the procedure.
– Infection – Infections are uncommon following these procedures although they may occur. Usually these would improve with use of oral antibiotics.
– Under or over correction – Removal of too much or too little skin can result in over-correction or under-correction, respectively. Under-correction may require further surgery to remove more skin. Over-correction may require further surgery to reconstruct the eyelid.
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