Blepharoplasty is the medical term used for Eyelid Surgery or Eye-bag removal. It involves removing excess skin and fat from the eyelid in order to produce a more alert and youthful appearance.

As we age, our skin naturally loses some of its elasticity. This can cause a build-up of loose skin around the eyelids that, in the upper lid, can fold over, producing a hooded effect. In the lower lid the effect may be deepening furrows or creases.

Advancing years also result in a weakening of the muscles in our face. This can encourage the fat that naturally sits around the eye, and which protects and cushions it, to protrude through the weak muscle, producing even larger eye-bags.

Who is suitable for Blepharoplasty?

• Those who have developed excessive eye-bags due to advancing years
• Those who have an inherited tendency to develop prominent eye-bags in their early twenties
• Those who have had significant eye and eyelid changes due to thyroid disease

What to consider at this stage?

Before you see the surgeon, it is important to consider exactly what you are trying to achieve from your surgery.
In particular, you should understand that the surgeon will only be removing the skin and/or fat from the area in the vicinity of the eyes. The Blepharoplasty operation does not affect wrinkles, creases and folds that are distant from the eye socket itself.

How is Blepharoplasty surgery performed?

• Blepharoplasty can be carried out under local anaesthetic alone, local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic
• Either the upper or lower lids, or both may be operated on during the same operation
• Incisions are made in the natural lines of the eyelids. These allow for both skin and fat removal
• If only fat removal is required, the surgeon may choose to remove the fat through an incision hidden just on the inside of the lower eyelid (known as transconjunctival blepharoplasty)
• The operation takes about 45 minutes
• Many patients return home the same day. Some patients may stay in hospital for one night
• If your work is not physical, expect to return to work within 1 week
• Expect to be back to normal physical exercise within 2 to 4 weeks

After the operation

As is typical with all surgery, you can expect to feel bruised and sore. Your eyes are likely to be swollen. Expect the eyes to look watery for a few weeks. You may be asked to keep your head elevated for a few days to help the swelling decrease. This will be helped further by the use of cold compresses.

As a result of both swelling and the removal of skin, closing of the eyes might feel somewhat tight for a while. This generally settles as the swelling reduces.

Any sutures are removed after 3 to 5 days. To begin with, the scars will be somewhat pink. However, as with all scars, they will fade over time. In many patients, the scars are almost invisible. However, it is important to remember that no surgical scar disappear in its entirety.

Risks & Complications

Cosmetic surgery is amongst the safest of medical procedures. However, patients must understand and accept that no surgical procedure is totally without risk.
For further information concerning the risks and complications associated with Eyelid Surgery, please refer to Risks and Complications of Blepharoplasty.

At Consultation, your surgeon will discuss these risks with you.

How long will the results of your Blepharoplasty last?

For the large majority of patients, the results of blepharoplasty are permanent. Of course, the younger a patient undergoes surgery, the more likely that further eye-bags may develop over time.

For details about procedures and treatments or for a consultation, advice and prices from our Dubai clinic please call  +971 4 431 2396 or use our online form.