An eye lift procedure can be performed for any of the following reasons;

• A tired look is the most common reason for eye lift surgery. Hereditary factors and changes with age can cause a drooping of skin and the tissues under the skin, with protrusion of the underlying fat causing the ¨heavy eyelid¨ look, commonly associated with bulginess on the inner aspect of the eyelid.
• The procedure can remove excess skin, muscle and fat in the lower lid, which gives a lined appearance and the presence of ‘bags’ under the eyes.
• The appearance of the eyelids may be asymmetrical and blepharoplasty may be performed to improve symmetry.
• Saggy upper eyelid skin, known as ptosis, can obstruct the visual field (you may not be able to see the full extent of your lateral vision). In this case, ptosis surgery is performed to remove this obstruction and improve vision.

The surgery acts on the eyelids to free and remove the excess skin and tighten the orbicularis muscle, as well as removing the excess fat, if necessary, and removing the eyelid bags.

At the Aesophy, we perform laser-assisted blepharoplasties, which eliminate the need for visible cuts in the skin, leave less haematoma, reduce inflammation and enable faster recovery.

Your surgeon will assess your suitability for eyelid surgery during your initial consultation. They will evaluate you for any factors which may increase surgical risk, like diabetes, thyroid eye disease and issues with dry eyes. If you smoke, your surgeon may also recommend that you stop for a few weeks before the surgery, as smoking can slow down the recovery process.

During an upper eyelid lift, your surgeon will make precise markings to indicate areas with excess fat and skin. They will then make an incision along the natural eyelid crease and remove any excess skin, fat or muscle. Patients with dry eyes will have less tissue removed to avoid increased exposure of the eye to air and worsening of symptoms.

The incision is then closed and the scar is hidden from sight within the natural fold of your eye. Sutures (sticky thin strips) or tissue adhesives are applied with care to smooth out the area around your eyelids and eyebrows and help it heal.

How long the procedure takes will depend on the level of surgery required, but generally eyelid surgery would be expected to take between 45 minutes and two and a half hours. You should make sure someone is available to take you home and watch over you for several hours following your surgery.

An essential part of your initial consultation is having a detailed discussion with your consultant to understand your expectations from upper eyelid surgery. Your consultant will discuss what results are realistic and achievable, and may ask you to bring in older photographs of yourself. This will help your surgeon plan the procedure to suit your facial features and history.

Most patients report that they are satisfied with the results of their eyelid surgery and experience an improved self image, while those with ptosis benefit from improvements to their visual field.