Even if it doesn’t prevent aging, eyelid surgery helps to aesthetically turn back the clock, allowing you to look 5-8 years younger. Eyelid correction smoothes sagging skin and also eliminates bags under the eyes that form due to fat deposited around the lower eyelid. But it’s not only aesthetic problems that can be eliminated in this way as, if the sagging upper eyelid dangles onto the eyelashes it can also obstruct the field of vision.
Eyelid surgery
When is eyelid surgery warranted?
Over time the skin of the upper eyelid becomes thinner and may droop and sag onto the eyelashes, which can not only interfere with vision, but also makes applying makeup difficult for women. In addition to wrinkles, weakening of the support structure on the lower eyelid can also cause the formation of bags under the eyes, which cause the under-eye area to swell and creates a tired-looking effect. The surgical solution retightens and smoothes the area around the eyes. Eyelid correction can be applied to the lower and upper eyelids separately or the two interventions can be performed simultaneously.
What happens at the first consultation?
Our plastic surgeon will examine you during a personal consultation, introduce you to the applicable techniques and show you, based on their references, what your expected best outcome will be if you decide to have surgery. He also informs you of the type of correction he is proposing for you and answers any questions you may have.
Preparing for surgery
As with all surgeries, before eyelid surgery you will need to have a full examination that includes laboratory tests. In our private hospital, we perform all the necessary tests at the same time to save you time and make your preparations for surgery more convenient. You will then receive some lifestyle tips to help you prepare for surgery and to speed up your recovery. These include quitting smoking - at least temporarily - as nicotine slows the healing processes, consuming adequate amounts of fluids, vitamins and trace elements (vitamin C, selenium, zinc) and avoiding the use of aspirin, ginkgo biloba and other natural remedies, because these affect blood clotting.
What happens during surgery?
During eyelid surgery, the loose, wrinkled skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids is removed along with the adipose tissue causing the puffiness, and the muscle tone around the eyes is restored. To correct the upper eyelid, an incision is made in the so-called supratarsal crease, followed by removal of excess skin tissue. During plastic surgery of the lower eyelid the incision is made under the line of the lashes, from where the plastic surgeon removes the appropriate section of the puffy, soft part, and restores the sagging muscles here too. Bags are not always formed under the eyes, but if they are, they are excised from the eye cavity through a hidden incision. Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia as it is important during surgery that you work with our plastic surgeon to open or close your eyes upon request. In some cases, on special request, it is possible to use general anesthesia, depending on the medical opinion. At the end of the procedure, the plastic surgeon places an adhesive bandage on the surgical area to prevent wound infection and suppress the formation of edema in the affected area. The duration of eyelid surgery is 1-1.5 hours, depending on the type of correction. Incisions made during eyelid surgery remain almost completely hidden, so only the youthful look can be telltale.
Recovery, regeneration
After eyelid surgery you only have to spend six hours in our private hospital before you can return home after the observation. The stitches may be removed 5-7 days after surgery. Although in all other cases our plastic surgeons only work with absorbable sutures, this is not feasible with eyelid surgery, which uses very tiny stitches, and it would not be advisable to wait for the special sutures to absorb on their own due to the conspicuous site of the surgery. The affected area will be swollen and bruised for days, hence we recommend a cold chamomile compress to relieve the symptoms. For sleeping it is advisable to raise your pillows, and for two weeks avoid strenuous physical activity or bending over during your daily activities. Do not use makeup during this time. After two weeks you can gradually resume your previous rhythm of life, and after three weeks light exercise is allowed. Neither the solarium, sunbathing, nor the sauna are advised for two months. Our plastic surgeon will call you back for a postoperative examination at specified intervals. Although we try to filter out all risk factors during preoperative eyelid surgery examinations, unforeseen complications can occur. At the first consultation your plastic surgeon will inform you about these and how to avoid them.