Eyelid Surgery
“Hide your eyes Darling, People can look into your heart”
Eyes are the jewel of the body. You can talk through your eyes and convey thousands of words through them. Eyes are also the first to show signs of ageing .This because the eyelids have the thinnest skin over the body which tends to grow wrinkles and loose saggy folds.
The Distressed Look
As we know ageing is unavoidable and irreversible. However, research has shown that we can considerably slow down the process of ageing.
As we age, first the skin becomes loose and droopy in the upper and lower lids ,then around the mouth and lastly the jowls. It also loses its structural support ( collagen ) and elasticity with age and sun damage.
Facial fat looses volume with age. It also looses structural support and bulges under the eyelid skin, to give a puffy, baggy look around the eyes. They are called ‘baggy eyes “ Importantly this happens irrespective of body fat fluctuations. As a combination of this , you may look tired, old and grumpy. This may give you a ‘ distressed look’.
Eyelid surgery ( blepharoplasty ) helps you correct an “established distressed look ”.
Eyelid Surgery in brief
| Surgica time | 1 – 3 hrs |
| Hospital | Can be done in rooms under local anaesthesia ( Anxious patients may need a hospital ) |
| Length of stay | 2 -3 hrs |
| Back to work | 1 wk |
| Final outcome | 4-6 mnts |
| Cost | Depends on if you want one or both eyelids done and extent of the problem. We can send you a free quote in 24 hrs |
We can give a predictable quote just on photos for upper or lower eyelid surgery.
Photo upload instructions
3 sets of photos for both eyes
1. eyes closed
2. eyes open and
3. eyes while smiling.
We encourage face to face consultation on the day of procedure or earlier
UNDERSTANDING AGEING EYES
Upper Eyelid
Eyelid skin – Skin from the upper eyelid falls down from its normal position forming a hood . This loose skin along with the drooped fat inside gives a baggy tired look. Its also makes it difficult to wear make up on the eyelids.
Fat – Ageing also looses some volume of the fat below the innermost and the outer part of the eyebrow. This gives your eye a sunken , older appearance.
Eyebrow – Youthful eyebrow is curved up on the sides. Volume loss and loose skin causes this to droop down.
Lower Eyelid
Skin- Wrinkling is maximum in the lower lid than the upper lid.
Fat herniated out of the compartments causing a puffy looking lower lid between the eyelashes and the tear trough ( baggy eyes ).
The lower lid looses its tightness , becomes lax and eventually gets everted showing the pearly white conjunctiva which does not look nice.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES ?
Eyelid surgery can be maximally benefitted by a combination of procedures like Brow lift, Injectables and Fillers, each one of them address a different elements of the ageing face
We believe in a staged approach. Its not wise to rush in to do it all in one go. Injectables and fillers as a combination help people to maintain a fine balance for long. These can be offered after 3- 6 mnts of surgery to achieve a better balance to match the healed tissues.
Blepharoplasty alone may give you a pleasing look and you can add some injectables at the lower lid later if need be.
Benefits of eyelid surgery –- It’s the only way to remove excess skin and fat
- Improves hooding
- Can reposition the bulging fat into the fat loss pockets
- Reduces puffiness of the lower lid
- Tightens the lower lid to reduce the white show
- Rejuvenates the whole of mid face complex
DR MAHADIK’s RULE OF 3
We want to educate you through this journey of beauty, so that you ask the right questions after understanding the issues.
The rule of 3 has 3 components to be studied for planning and treatment
a . Reference points – to plan a relative strategy
b . Key areas – to study what is wrong there
c . Components to treat
a) 3 KEY REFERENCE POINTS –
You cannot forget that the rest of your face is also ageing with your eyelids. We look at your ‘face as a whole’, rather than just eyes.
A relative strategy helps us to better align the 3 points of reference of the midface in relation to each other.
1) Brow position 2) Volume around cheek and 3) Eyelids
It’s a fine balance between these 3 points that restores a pleasing look of your eyes.
b) 3 KEY AREAS AND THEIR PROBLEMS
- The Brow position and upper lid – Hooding , Volume( fat) loss and upward curve of a youthful eyebrow.
- The Temple –Hollowing from volume loss
- The Lower lid and Cheek – Wrinkles , Tightening and Cheek height due to volume loss.
c) 3 COMPONENTS TO ADDRESS
- Lax skin
- Stretched muscle and ligaments ( lower lid )
- Loose or lost fat
Aim is to achieve a less tired and more vibrant rejuvenated look . You cannot get the eyelids in your 20s
Eyebrow ptosis and dark circles of stress are not addressed with this surgery.
PROCEDURE TYPES
Stopping your blood thinner medications 10 days before the procedure is very important. Avoid wearing makeup for 3 days before the procedure and bring in sunglasses to wear after the surgery
Eyelid surgery is an office procedure under local anaesthetic,unless you choose operation theatres under general anaesthesia ,with the cost involved.
The eyelids will be marked out before the surgery with a skin pen so the scars fall in the crease lines.
A horizontal curvilinear incision is made 8-10 mm above the eyelash after local anaesthetic infiltration. A premeasured ellipse of excess skin and muscle is excised ( cut out).
Fat compartments are examined and excess fat is removed. Rest of the fat is readjusted to fit well into the remaining eyelid so it does no bulge out.
After careful bleed control muscle is closed and then the delicate skin.
Lower lid surgery can be done internally from inside the lower lid or externally through skin incision.
Very narrow tapes are applied on the stitch lines as dressings. Eyes remain open and can blink immediately after surgery.
RECOVERY
| You can go home | after 2-3 hrs . |
| Sunglasses | when out of home. |
| Iced saline pads on eyelids | 2 days |
| Sleep | with their heads elevated on a few pillows – 5 days |
| Eye drops and lubricating ointments | 7 days. |
| Swelling | takes 3-4 wks to settle |
| Skin suture | is removed after a week |
| Return to work | 10 – 14 days |
| Make up | Any eyestrain like prolonged screen times and any strenuous activity – 2 wks after which makeup can be applied |
| Scars | heal exceptionally well and it is almost imperceptible to see if you had any procedure after 3 months |
RISKS
Although every attempt is made to minimise risks, every surgery comes with them.
General risks for any surgery include, bleeding, bruising infection and hematoma.
Specific risks to Eyelid surgery are ..
- Dry eyes
- Pigmentation
- Ectropion/ entropion ( inward or outward turning of eyelashes)
- Asymmetry
FAQs
# Is it painful after surgery?
Pain is not much of an issue with proper pain relief medication. Bruising and swelling remain for a bit longer, say a week or so.
# Is eyelid surgery under local anaesthesia safe
Dr Mahadik, who has an extensive surgical experience of 18 yrs has a performed numerous operations on eyelids. not only it is safer but it also allows him to test the level of correction as you are awake.
# Can you see the scars after surgery
Any surgery produces a scar. Upper eyelid surgery scar is very well hidden in the crease and heals quite well. The lower lid scar is just under the eyelashes and blends with your surrounding skin.
# What are the Alternative treatments to sagging eyelids.
Gold standard for excess droopy skin is blepharoplasty.
Some non or minimally invasive treatments can help select patients
- Botox /Dysport can help lift the brow getting some of that loose skin away from the eyelid crease.
- Lower eyelid can be resurfaced with Erbium Laser to help tighten it
- Strategically placed Fillers below the eyebrow and in the tear trough help in early stages to rejuvenate the eyelid areas.
# What is the recovery time?
“Recovery” means that there are no noticeable incision marks, swelling or bruising to the outward public. On average it is 2 weeks.
Blepharoplasty is not a painful procedure. Bruising and swelling (80-90%) settles in 2 wks and work can be resumed.
# Why do my eyes look uneven.
Asymetry in eyes is normal. Our right brains appreciate beauty more than our left and our visual fields are asymmetric. Essentially, in short, we see someone’s right face more when we regard or assess beautyFor more information about
our cosmetic and reconstructive surgery services or to book an appointment, contact us via this form!
