Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Aurora is now part of The Private Clinic, a nationwide group of clinics with over 35 years of experience specialising in Cosmetic Surgery and Skin and a Trust Pilot 5 star rating. For comprehensive information, before and after photos and costs on blepharoplasty procedures click here

Our team of expert plastic surgeons are located in Birmingham, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Glasgow, London Harley Street, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

Blepharoplasty is an eyelid surgery procedure used to remove excess skin and puffiness from the upper and lower eyelids – correcting drooping, providing an eyelid lift or tightening excess skin folds below the eyes. Upper eyelid surgery can be used to correct asymmetry, if one eyelid is heavier or droopier than the other. Or it can be used on both eyelids to subtly open up the eyes and make you look not different, but simply less sleepy. Lower eyelid surgery can be used to remove eye bags in the under eye area, again making you look fresher and less tired. Scars are well concealed in the natural folds of the skin, so nobody should ever know you have had surgery.

Considering Blepharoplasty surgery?

If you look in the mirror and think that your face looks tired, there’s a good chance that it’s the area around your eyes that’s making you feel that way.  Excess skin in the upper eyelids can give your eyes a hooded, droopy appearance that makes you look permanently sleepy. And having excess skin in your lower eyelids can make your eyes look puffy and less “open”, which also gives the eyes a tired look.

This phenomenon can be caused by the ageing process, but it is not always the case. Some people are simply genetically predisposed to having more skin and tissue in one or both eyelids.

How will it impact your life?

After blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), your eyelids will look fresher and more youthful. Puffiness and skin wrinkling on your upper and lower eyelids should be reduced. Your eyes will appear more open and many people feel more confident about their appearance, as they feel they look younger and less tired.

Is Blepharoplasty surgery right for you?

Blepharoplasty can be performed on both the lower and upper eyelids. It involves removing excess fat, skin and muscle from the eyelid, via an incision which is carefully concealed in the natural folds of the eye. The wound is then carefully sutured to allow it to heal.  Blepharoplasty surgery typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete. If the operation is performed on just the upper or lower eyelids, less time is needed. An overnight stay is often required to minimise post-operative swelling and bruising.

After surgery and beyond…

Most side effects from this type of surgery are temporary. It is normal to have blurred vision, which may last up to 2-3 days. Bruising and swelling around the eyes may also occur. Some patients have experienced dryness and itchiness to the eyes after eyelid surgery: this symptom may last for approximately one week. More serious side effects are rare and are discussed in our information videos which we would encourage you to watch.

After having blepharoplasty surgery, you will sometimes be required to stay in hospital for one night, in order to minimise swelling and bruising.  After this, you are free to return home, but will need to come back to hospital approximately 5 days after surgery to have your stitches removed. You can expect to resume normal activities within 7-10 days after surgery.

The scars will initially be reddish pink in colour, before fading to silvery white in time – though the surgeon will position the incisions to make sure any scarring is usually well hidden anyway.  You can also expect some swelling, which can take a while before it settles completely to give you your final result.

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