Your eyes and eyelids are often the first thing others notice about you. Aside from their protective function, eyelids are undeniably an important part of your facial attraction.
Unfortunately, the skin of the eyelids over time, often “sag” and the fat pockets located in the orbit become more and more prominent. This is usually caused by the aging of the skin, as the subcutaneous tissues lose their elasticity.
This causes the classic full upper eyelids or bags under the eyes.
This condition may run in the family. Young people can also suffer from this condition, mostly due to family factors, such as the anatomical construction of the eye socket.
Too much and/or oily skin can affect the aesthetics of one’s face, which may make you look tired and older. In some cases this may even cause functional problems such as reduced vision, or “heavy” upper eyelids.
The eyelid surgery performed to correct this condition, is called “blepharoplasty”, and aims to improve the aesthetic appearance of the face.
Blepharoplasty is best done by someone who is specifically trained for this particular surgery. The surgery is usually done under local anesthesia and outpatient conditions, therefore without hospitalization.
When considering surgery, discuss your expectations openly with your ophthalmologist. Always keep in mind that the anticipated result is an improvement but not perfection.
The redundant skin and/or excess of fat tissue of the eyelids often occurs in conjunction with other eye disorders, such as a drooping eyebrow or eyelid. The correction of these different conditions sometimes takes place during one single operation, obviously the results will be dependent on the various anomalies involved. If several conditions are treated simultaneously, you should definitely read up on the available information about the associated diseases. Sometimes it is only after blepharoplasty that it becomes clear that there is an additional abnormality that needs to be corrected.
€1950 / eye
When considering surgery, discuss your expectations openly with your ophthalmologist. Always keep in mind that the anticipated result is an improvement but not perfection.
The redundant skin and/or excess of fat tissue of the eyelids often occurs in conjunction with other eye disorders, such as a drooping eyebrow or eyelid. The correction of these different conditions sometimes takes place during one single operation, obviously the results will be dependent on the various anomalies involved. If several conditions are treated simultaneously, you should definitely read up on the available information about the associated diseases. Sometimes it is only after blepharoplasty that it becomes clear that there is an additional abnormality that needs to be corrected.
To avoid high or unrealistic expectations, you will undergo a preliminary consultation prior to surgery. A thorough eye and eyelid evaluation will also be made. We also need to be up to date on your entire ophthalmic as well as general medical history, and whether you take any form of medication. Special attention should be taken in particular for thyroid disease, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, use of anticoagulant medication and medication that may increase the likelihood of dry eyes. Any previous allergic reactions to medications or local anesthetics, are very important. You should also stop any homeopathic medication, as some plant extracts have anticoagulative characteristics. This is especially true for garlic, ginseng, gingko baloa, and others.
If in doubt, always consult your GP.
Blood thinning drugs, and drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid , like aspirin, should not be taken for some time before the procedure. Always consult your GP, whether this is possible or not. If you still continue taking them without our knowledge, this could cause serious complications. You must also stop all non-steroid anti-inflammatory medical products. More information can be found in our information leaflet on the use of blood thinners in eyelid surgery. You may always contact us, or your GP to know which medication may or may no longer be taken.
If possible, and if your GP allows you to do so, we recommend that medication should only be re-started at least one week after surgery.
Some medications that are available in Belgium, and which are known to contain acetylsalicylic acid (= active ingredient in aspirin) include Aggrenox, Alka Seltzer, Aspirin, Aspro, Cardiphar, Dispril, Sedergine, Tampyrine, Acenterine, Asaflow, Cardio Aspirin, Afebryl, Duo aspirin, aspirin-C, Nogrimine, Perdolan compositum, Troc, Cephyl. This list is not complete. These should therefore be discontinued 14 days before surgery, with approval from your doctor.
The surgical technique is obviously dependent on ones physical characteristics, and the amount of skin and subcutaneous fat tissue that needs to be removed. Therefore, no intervention is comparable.
If you wish, you may be administered a mild sedative half an hour before the procedure. Once you arrive in the operating room, you will be marked with a pen to allocate which area of the skin will be removed and where the prominent fatty pockets are located. If possible, the incision is usually drawn at the location of the natural eyelid fold.
Then, the entire face is disinfected and your head is covered up to remain sterile. The whole face will remain completely free, to avoid any claustrophobic sensation , and so that we can keep an eye on the symmetry of the four eyelids. Then the eyelids are anaesthetised by a few injections on the outside and sometimes on the inside. This may feel slightly sensitive, similar to the anesthesia that you undergo at the dentist. As a result you will feel nothing during the surgery.
Eight to nine millimetres above the eyelid margin a piece of skin is removed. Afterwards, if necessary the fatty pockets are also removed. The surgery itself takes about an hour.
After surgery the wound is closed with a continuous suture. If the stitch does not spontaneously release/dissolve, you need have it removed after five to seven days.
At the end of surgery, you may sometimes feel that your eyes cannot fully close. Not to worry, because the muscle that is used to close the eyelids, is still anesthetized. Once the anesthesia wears off, these symptoms will gradually decrease.
If there is skin excess present here as well, the incision will be made along the outside of the lower eyelid. This allows us to remove the excess skin directly. After a while, the scar will usually disappear under the eyelid almost completely. When this incision needs to be extended to the side, then it may still remain slightly visible. The lower eyelid may be a millimetre lower after surgery. It is also a very close call as to how much skin and fat should be removed.
If there is no skin excess present, the incision will be made along the inside of the eyelid. A major advantage then is the absence of a scar. Obviously in this case we cannot remove excess skin.