You should not take aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Nurofen for two weeks before your surgery. These drugs can increase the risk of post-operative bleeding and have an adverse effect on bruising. If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking for two weeks before surgery and a week afterwards. Smoking reduces the blood flow to the skin and can prevent healing. You will need someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days at home.

Blepharoplasty is generally a very safe operation but inevitably, as with any surgery there are a few risks, these include haematoma formation (internal bruising), which rarely will require removal of the sutures to wash out any blood clot that has formed underneath the skin. Occasionally, eyes water in cold or windy weather during the first week or two after surgery. Very occasionally these symptoms can be more prolonged. There is a small risk that the lower eyelid may droop after surgery, usually this corrects itself as the swelling subsides, but very occasionally further surgery is required. It is uncommon to get prolonged redness in the scars, but occasionally this can be a problem, particularly in very fair skinned people.

Blepharoplasties can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. If both upper and lower eyelids are to be treated, it is usual to have your operation under general anaesthesia. In the upper lids, an incision is usually made in the natural crease line, approximately 8-10mm above the eyelashes. The incision is usually extended into one of the natural laughter lines. The excess skin and fat in the upper lid is then removed and a fine suture is passed between the skin edges to close the wound. The suture generally runs beneath the skin so that there are no external stitch marks. There are a number of techniques that can be used to treat the lower eyelids. If the main problem is due to lower eyelid bags without any loose skin, it is often possible to perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty, which involves making an incision on the inside of the eyelid so that there are no external scars. If there is a significant amount of loose skin, a more traditional lower lid blepharoplasty, which involves making an incision beneath the lash line and outwards into one of the natural crow’s feet needs to be made. Through this incision, the skin can be tightened and any underlying fat repositioned or removed.

Sometimes if there is a very loose lower eyelid, a lateral canthopexy needs to be performed in order to tighten the lid to prevent sagging of the lower eyelid after surgery.

There is usually mild swelling or bruising after blepharoplasty. During the first few nights after surgery, it is helpful to sleep with your head elevated on two to three pillows. Your eyelids may feel dry at night. You will be prescribed some eye ointment to take home, in order to make you more comfortable during sleep. During the first week you should avoid bending down, as this tends to increase the swelling. The stitches are removed one week after surgery. Most patients can return to work after 10-14 days. It is important to avoid strenuous sporting activities for 3-4 weeks after surgery. You should avoid wearing contact lenses for 2 weeks following blepharoplasty surgery.

Following your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to book an appointment one week post-operatively for removal of any non-dissolvable sutures. If you need pain relief, you can take over –the-counter painkillers, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. It may take 24 hours to recover from your anaesthetic. During this time, you should not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign any important documents.

If you have any concerns following your procedure, you should contact the office or our emergency number outside normal working hours for advice. If you find that your swelling, redness or pain gets worse or if you develop a high temperature, it is important to contact us as soon as possible at the practice.