Eyelid surgery is a procedure that has been growing in popularity in recent years, especially with more and more people getting blepharoplasty in Liverpool and surrounding areas.
As you age, it is common for your skin to lose elasticity, especially around the eye area, where it is much thinner and loses volume. This is where blepharoplasty comes in. Blepharoplasty, often referred to as an eyelid lift, removes excess skin, muscle and fat from the upper and lower eyelids, reducing sagging skin and vision obstruction.
At New Birkdale Clinic, we offer blepharoplasty and have seen its positive impact on individuals firsthand.
Keep reading to find out more about the cosmetic surgery procedure.
Types of Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is not a one-size-fits-all kind of procedure, and there are several types of blepharoplasty that you can undergo, each targeting different areas.
The types of blepharoplasty that plastic surgeons provide include:
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Upper bleph eyelid surgery is arguably the most popular type of blepharoplasty, and it involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper eyelid to reduce the appearance of sagging.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower blepharoplasty targets the lower eyelids, removing or repositioning the excess skin and fat pads under the eyes that make the eyes appear puffy. The removal of these pads also reduces the look of eye bags and removes sagginess, creating a more rejuvenated look. If you are primarily concerned with puffiness and bags beneath the eyes, our dedicated eye bag surgery page covers this in more detail.
Combined Upper and Lower
Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty combines lower and upper eyelid surgery, targeting all areas surrounding the eye to create a fresher, tighter, more youthful appearance. This procedure is particularly popular for those experiencing vision interference from sagging skin, which is often associated with age.
The Blepharoplasty Procedure: What Does the Surgery Involve?
If you are considering undergoing a blepharoplasty, you may be wondering what to expect from the procedure. The surgical steps for blepharoplasty are as follows:
Pre-operative Consultation
Before you are even guaranteed that you are eligible for the procedure, you first need to undergo a pre-operative, initial consultation. During this consultation, you will outline exactly why you wish to undergo the procedure, and your surgeon will decide whether or not your anatomy is compatible with the blepharoplasty operation.
If you are eligible for the procedure, your surgeon will arrange a date for it. You can find out more about the experience and credentials of our team on our meet the surgeons page.
Marker
Before the procedure can begin, your surgeon will mark your eyelid skin. This allows them to understand how much fat and skin need to be removed to achieve the desired results.
Marking takes place when you’re sitting up so that the surgeon can get the full picture of the severity of your sagging and ensure the marks are in the right place.
Anaesthesia
Blepharoplasty is performed under local anaesthetic, which means that patients can go home the same day of the procedure. The eyelids are injected and numbed, ensuring the patient feels no pain during the surgery.
Incision
Once the anaesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make a precise incision on the eyelid. This incision tends to follow the natural crease of your eyelid, ensuring that any scarring caused blends seamlessly into your eye’s natural shape.
Tissue Removal
Through the incision, the surgeon can then remove any redundant skin, muscle and fat pads which are causing the skin around the eyes to sag. At this stage, if necessary, the surgeon may also tighten the muscles and reposition the fat you already have to fill any hollow areas and create an even look.
Closure
Once the surgeon is happy with the eyelid positioning and the fat removed, the incision is closed with very fine sutures. Usually, these sutures are dissolvable, helping ensure your recovery is straightforward and you won’t need a return visit to have the stitches removed.
Recovery Timeline and Aftercare for Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty has a shorter recovery timeline than other procedures, with recovery taking around 2 weeks.
In the first couple of days, you will experience swelling and bruising, so it is essential to keep your head elevated and apply cold packs during this time to help reduce swelling.
After 10 days, your stitches should have dissolved, and swelling should be gradually subsiding.
Most people who have undergone the procedure return to normal activities at the two-week mark, and most bruising and swelling should have subsided, though it is still recommended to avoid strenuous activities during this time.
How Much Does Blepharoplasty Cost in the UK?
The cost of blepharoplasty really depends on the clinic you choose to work with, its geographical location, and the expertise of the surgeons involved. You can typically expect to spend around £2,000 to £6,000 on blepharoplasty in the UK, and if you’d like to know how much we charge for the procedure at New Birkdale, you can check out our facial surgery prices.
Risks, Complications and How to Minimise Them
Like all surgical procedures, blepharoplasty carries some degree of risk, and while serious complications are rare, particularly when the procedure is performed by an experienced, qualified surgeon, it’s important that every patient goes into treatment feeling fully informed and confident in their decision.
What is the Downside of Blepharoplasty? Common Side Effects
Most patients will experience some degree of swelling, bruising and mild discomfort in the days following their surgery, along with temporary dry eyes, irritation, and some sensitivity to light. These effects are a completely normal part of the healing process and typically settle within two to three weeks, gradually improving as the eyes recover.
Less Common Risks
A small number of patients may experience eyelid asymmetry, temporary difficulty fully closing their eyes, or changes in sensation around the treated area. Scarring is also possible, though incisions are carefully placed within the natural folds of the eyelid to keep them as discreet as possible. In very rare cases, patients may notice changes to their vision, and anyone experiencing this should seek fast medical advice.
How to Minimise Your Risk
Selecting a qualified and experienced surgeon is the most crucial step a patient can take. At New Birkdale Clinic, every blepharoplasty procedure starts with an in-depth consultation and pre-operative assessment to ensure the patient is suitable for the surgery.
Patients can further minimise their risk by closely following all pre and post-operative guidelines, attending follow-up appointments, avoiding smoking in the weeks leading up to the surgery, and being open and honest about their complete medical history during the consultation. For further reassurance, take a look at our why choose us page, which outlines our approach to patient safety and care.
When to Seek Advice
If you notice increased redness, significant pain or any changes to your vision in the days after your procedure, it’s important to contact your clinic without delay, as early intervention is always the most effective approach.
Book Your Consultation With New Birkdale Clinic Today
Through this guide, you should now have a better understanding of what blepharoplasty is, what to expect from the procedure and the recovery process.
At New Birkdale Clinic, we are proud to work with a range of experienced surgeons, all of whom are equipped to help you regain your confidence through blepharoplasty. You can read what our patients have to say on our testimonials page.
Interested in the procedure? Book a consultation today.
