Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty, Eye Lift, Eye Bag Removal)

When eyelid surgery is performed under local anaesthetic it is not necessary to stay overnight at the cosmetic surgery clinic whereas an overnight stay is required if surgery is performed under general anaesthetic and this is included in the price of your cosmetic surgery package. Normally upper eyelid surgery alone is performed under local anaesthetic with lower eyelid surgery being performed under either local or general depending on the chosen surgical method. After the surgery you are taken every 2–3 days for a free check up to the clinic. Recommended stay in Prague is 6–7 days after the surgery, so your Prague plastic surgeon can remove your stitches on the day of departure.

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING EYELID COSMETIC SURGERY

Eyelid surgery (also known as eye bag removal or blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic eye surgery to remove fat usually along with excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision.

However, it won’t remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under your eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage.

First of all, we assess your eyesight and tear production, as well as your general state of health. The surgeon will then describe the treatment in detail, the anaesthetic used, and advise you as to how to prepare for your operation (for example, it is important to stop smoking at least a week before treatment).

Blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures such as a facelift or neck lift.

THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR EYELID COSMETIC SURGERY

Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently. Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your Prague plastic surgeon.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

PREPARATION – EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

You should come to the operation without make-up. Pharmaceuticals containing acetylsalicylic acid (Acylpirin, Aspirin, and Anopyrin etc.) should not be used for 3 weeks before the Eyelid Lift cosmetic surgery, as they decrease clotting time of blood.

If you are a smoker you are advised to stop smoking or at least to cut down on cigarettes. Smoking slows down the recovery process and it can also increase the risk of complications.

OPERATION – UPPER EYELIDS COSMETIC SURGERY

Upper Eyelids surgery itself lasts 1 hour, performed under local anaesthetic with a mild sedative. Firstly, incisions are made to the eyelid skin, initially to loosen the excess skin and muscle, then to remove it. The incisions are then closed using very fine sutures; any sign on the surgery tends to disappear within three months, because of the eyelid’s excellent healing capacity. Our Prague plastic surgeons use classical stitches, which need to be removed 6–7 days after the eye lid plastic surgery.

OPERATION – LOWER EYELID COSMETIC SURGERY

Our Prague plastic surgeons use two different methods to reduce excess skin and fat pads in the lower eyelids. At your free consultation the plastic surgeon will advise you which method is more suitable in your case.

1. Firstly there is the traditional surgical method. The incision is made to the skin and muscle just one millimetre underneath the eyelashes. The excess skin is removed and the incision closed with very fine sutures. This incision heals very nicely almost without a trace. The plastic surgeon uses classical stitches, which need to be removed 6–7 days after the surgery.
2. Secondly there is the transconjunctival method also called laser eyelid surgery. The incision is made inside the lower eyelids with a laser or radio scalpel and the fat pads are removed plus any excess skin is removed by the surgeon during the process. The greatest benefit of this method is because no stitches are required, then no visible scars remain and it is very suitable for younger clients with little or no excess skin below the eyes. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and takes approximately 1 hour, during the surgery the surgeon places metal lenses on your eyes to protect them from the laser. In order to enhance the results our Prague plastic surgeons might suggest some laser resurfacing of the area below your eyes to remove any tiny wrinkles, if so this will be incorporated at no extra charge provided it is undertaken at the time of the surgery.

The most common operations are performed on the upper or lower eyelid, on both areas together or combined with other facial, body or breast surgery.

POST-OPERATIONAL COURSE – EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

After the operation, an ophthalmic cream is applied, along with a dressing soaked in a very cold saline solution, to reduce discomfort and inflammation. The principal swelling and bruises will vanish within a week, make-up can be worn 10 days after the surgery, and it is possible to go out with sun glasses on within 4–5 days, the stitches are removed 6–7 days after the eyelid lift surgery.

During the first few days after the operation sleeping on the back is recommended so as to prevent the appearance of swelling on one side of the operated lids. It is important to get as much rest as you can, this way your recovery will be faster.

At your Prague recovery apartment after the operation, sterile compresses (squares) with cool boric acid, or, as the case may be, boiled water (after cooling off) should be put on the lids every 3–6 hours. One day before the stitches are removed, the plasters on the lids should be greased with Opthalmo-septonex. They should be removed in the evening, and in the morning the stitches must be thoroughly greased once more.

Most patients are able to get back to everyday activities after 10–12 days.

HOW WILL I FEEL AFTER THE SURGERY?

You will probably feel tired and sleepy particularly during the first three days after the surgery. You will be given some painkillers and tablets to reduce the swelling.

You might also feel unhappy after a few days. This is normal and is caused due to the stress, general anaesthetic, lack of patience with the healing problems, more pain than you expected or the fact that because you underwent eyelid surgery abroad you miss your home and family.

IS THE EYELID SURGERY RECOVERY AFTER EYELID SURGERY PAINFUL?

Many of our clients report they feel little or no pain, however, when you leave the clinic you will be prescribed painkillers as a precaution. You are likely to feel some swelling and discomfort and perhaps some numbness in the areas where surgery has been performed.

POSSIBLE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS – EYELID SURGERY (BLEPHAROPLASTY)

The specific risks and the suitability of cosmetic eyelid surgery for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO PRAGUE?

• Cotton buds
• Bigger sunglasses
• Clothes that do not need to be pulled over your head. Cardigans or blouses/shirts that have front fastening buttons or zips are the best.

Lynn from the UK – Eyelid Surgery Abroad Review – Beauty in Prague

Karol from the UK – Facelift Surgery Abroad Review – Face & Neck Lift

Upper Eyelid surgery in Prague – Beauty in Prague Review

Male Upper Eyelid surgery Review – Beauty in Prague

Page last reviewed by Tamara Ždiňáková on September 3, 2019.