What is Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery?
Upper and lower blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, involves the surgical modification of the tissues surrounding the eyes. The upper eyelid procedure typically focuses on excising excess skin and adjusting underlying fat pads through an incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease.
The lower eyelid procedure aims to address protruding fat bags and loose skin, often utilizing incisions placed just below the lash line or inside the lower lid. Together, these procedures modify the contour of the eye area to address genetic or age-related anatomical changes.
What makes a suitable candidate for Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery?
A suitable candidate for upper and lower eyelid surgery includes healthy individuals who have realistic expectations regarding the surgical outcomes. Patients often seek this procedure to address concerns such as genetic hooding, heavy upper eyelids that may interfere with their visual field, or prominent fat bags under the eyes.
Candidates must undergo a thorough medical evaluation with Dr Mirkazemi to ensure they do not have underlying eye conditions or medical issues that could increase surgical risks or impair the healing process.
What are the Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery options?
Patients considering eyelid surgery have several options depending on their specific anatomical concerns.
Options include undergoing an isolated upper blepharoplasty, an isolated lower blepharoplasty, or a combined procedure addressing both the upper and lower eyelids simultaneously. Additionally, patients may discuss combining eyelid surgery with other ancillary treatments, such as micro-fat grafting to address volume loss in the surrounding facial areas, or laser treatments to address skin texture, depending on their individual requirements and anatomical baseline.
Before & Afters
Disclaimer: All surgeries before & afters shown on this website are performed by Dr Mirkazemi and are published with consent by our patients. They are not guarantees that your results will be the same or similar as results will vary between individuals. The content on our page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risks and has a recovery time. Before proceeding, please seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. During your consultation, Dr Mirkazemi will carefully evaluate each individual and provide an honest and realistic assessment of what can be expected from the procedure.
Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty surgical techniques
- Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Involves an incision placed within the natural upper eyelid crease to judiciously excise excessive skin and protruding fatty tissue.
- Tarsal Fixation Upper Blepharoplasty: This technique addresses excess skin and fat while also lifting and supporting the remaining upper lid skin by fixing it to the cartilage plate deep within the upper eyelid, creating clearer definition to the eyelid fold.
- Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Performed via an incision inside the lower eyelid (which remains internally hidden), focusing primarily on the removal or repositioning of excess lower eyelid fat without external skin excision.
- Transcutaneous Lower Blepharoplasty: Performed via a sub-ciliary incision just below the lower eyelashes to allow for calibrated skin excision, fat reduction, and potential tightening of the lower eyelid structures.
- Canthopexy: A supportive technique often combined with lower eyelid surgery to re-support ligaments at the outer corner of the eyes, reducing the risk of lower eyelid malposition.
Recovery after Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
Recovery following eyelid surgery requires adherence to post-operative care instructions to support the healing tissues.
During week one, patients typically experience swelling, bruising, and temporary discomfort around the eyes, with sutures usually removed within this initial period.
By month one, the majority of visible swelling and bruising generally subsides, allowing patients to resume most social and work activities, though strenuous exercise must still be avoided.
By month three, the tissues continue to settle, and the long-lasting structural modifications become more apparent as the final stages of the healing process progress.
How much does Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery cost?
How much does Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery cost?
Factors influencing the total fee include the surgeon’s expertise, hospital facility charges, anaesthetist fees, and whether the upper and lower eyelids are addressed independently or combined.
During a comprehensive consultation at Collins St Plastic Surgery, Dr Mirkazemi provides a customized, detailed estimate that transparently outlines all associated expenses for the individual patient’s case.
Frequently Asked Questions for Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
Specific Risks and Complications For Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty involve surgical modifications to the skin, muscle, and fatty tissues of the eyelids to alter the contour and appearance of the eye area. While these procedures are focused on specific anatomical changes, they are invasive surgeries that require careful consideration of the associated clinical risks and potential complications.
The following information outlines possible risks. These are not exhaustive, and individual healing responses can vary significantly.
Procedure-Specific Complications
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Blepharoplasty can affect the tear film or the blink reflex, leading to persistent dry, itchy, or irritated eyes. This may be temporary or, in some cases, require long-term management.
- Lagophthalmos (Difficulty Closing Eyes): Particularly after upper eyelid surgery, some patients may find it difficult to close their eyes completely, especially during sleep. This can lead to corneal exposure and irritation.
- Ectropion or Entropion: In lower blepharoplasty, the eyelid margin may pull away from the eyeball (ectropion) or turn inward (entropion). These conditions may require secondary corrective surgery.
- Changes in Vision: It is common to experience temporary blurred or double vision following surgery due to swelling or ointments used during the procedure. Permanent vision impairment is an extremely rare but documented risk.
- Asymmetry: While the surgical goal is a balanced appearance, differences in eyelid height, fold depth, or contour may persist or become apparent as swelling subsides.
Long-Term Considerations
- Permanent Scarring: Incisions are typically placed within the natural folds of the upper lid or just below the lower lashes. While these usually fade, scarring is permanent and its final appearance is influenced by individual healing factors.
- Subcutaneous Lumps: Small, firm areas or milia (tiny white cysts) may form along incision lines during the healing process.
- Unsatisfactory Anatomical Outcome: The surgical result may not align with a patient’s anatomical expectations, or further changes may occur as the tissues age.
- Need for Secondary Procedures: Revision surgery may be necessary to address complications such as persistent asymmetry, lid position issues, or scar management.
General Surgical Risks
All surgical procedures, including plastic and cosmetic surgery, carry inherent risks and potential complications.
These may include infection, bleeding, fluid accumulation, delayed wound healing, scarring, nerve changes, anaesthetic risks, blood clots, and procedure-specific complications. Individual factors such as smoking, elevated BMI, underlying medical conditions, and certain medications can further influence your safety profile and recovery.
A thorough consultation and strict adherence to pre- and post-operative instructions are essential to minimise risks.
