| UBL | Upper Blepharoplasty Surgery |
|---|---|
| Procedure | Aesthetic concerns about the upper eyelid include excess skin, hooding and fat protrusions. Hooded eyelids can obstruct the vision. It can sometimes be beneficial to lift the eyebrows instead or in addition to the lids. An upper blepharoplasty (=eyelid surgery / eyelid or lid lift) can remove redundant skin, muscle, and fat. If the lid margin sits low (=blepharoptosis), a different surgery is required. The operation in this case aims at lifting the lid rather than removing skin. This is more complex surgery. Upper eyelid surgery is performed under a local anaesthetic. Combined upper and lower eyelid surgery is done under a general anaesthetic. The wounds are repaired with sutures under the skin which do not require removal and dissolve within four months. |
| Scars | Upper eyelid crease with short sidewards extension |
| Operation time | 1 hour |
| Anaesthesia | Local |
| Hospital Stay | Day Surgery |
| Benefits | Aesthetic, Psychological, Functional |
| Risks | Bleeding, Infection, Scar problems (stretched, thick, abnormal pigmentation, red, retracted etc.), Skin discoloration, Skin cones, Wound separation, Slough, Necrosis, Pain, Irritation, Nerve injury (Numbness, weakness), Bruising, Swelling, Hollowness, Cysts, Overcorrection, Undercorrection, Asymmetry, Recurrent redundancy, Aesthetic imperfections, Eye injury / irritation / dryness, Cornea abrasion, Double / blurred vision, Sympathetic ophthalmia, Blindness, Contour irregularities, Need for further surgery (+/- skin grafts), Lagophthalmos (Inability to close eyes), Brow ptosis (=droopiness), Allergic reaction. N.B. Most complications are unlikely. Serious risks or death are rare |
| Risk factors | Alcohol, Poor tissue quality can cause recurrent laxity, Asymmetry cannot be entirely corrected, Contact lenses shortly after surgery, Previous eye surgery / laser treatment / problems (e.g. dry eyes), Low sitting brows, Too early or excessive mobilisation, Wound interference without surgeon's agreement; Contraindications which preclude surgery unless discussed otherwise in the consultation: Smoking / vaping / nicotine / recreational inhalations within 6 weeks before and after surgery, Contraception with estrogens or HRT tablets (if under general anaesthetic), Air travel over 2 hours within 6 weeks before and after surgery (if under general anaesthetic), Air travel under 2 hours within 2 weeks before and after surgery, Overweight (Body Mass Index = BMI of 27 and over), Recent weight changes over 6kg, Pregnancy (if under general anaesthetic), Raised blood pressure (if poorly controlled), Bleeding tendency (Stop herbal products or supplements for two weeks before surgery), Diabetes or immunosuppression (if poorly controlled) |
| Optimising factors | Diet rich in Vitamin C and protein, plenty of fluids, fresh air, sufficient sleep, scar massage, sun protection. Dry eyes usually settle within 4 months after surgery. Microwaveable wheat bags and eyelid massage (as directed by) me can help. |
| Discomfort | 1 week |
| Bruising | 2 - 3 weeks |
| Recovery | Driving and light activities 1 week, Physical work & sports 4 weeks |
| Acceptable appearance | 2 - 4 weeks for most patients (This is subjective) |
| Final result | 6 - 18 months |
| Alternatives | No Surgery, Make-up, Fillers, Fat transfer, Laser, Botulinum toxin |
Anstey Hall
Maris Lane
Cambridge
CB2 9LN
