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Eyelid surgery
Eye wrinkles, eye bags and droopy eyelids are more or less pronounced depending on heredity and can abnormally restrict one’s field of vision in extreme cases. This natural aging process leads to unattractive changes in the eye area and interferes with a youthful appearance. Plastic surgery on the eyelid is nearly always conducted for esthetic reasons, and only you can decide whether and at what age you want to undergo this operation.
What does this operation actually involve?
With eyelid surgery, the excess skin on the upper and lower eyelids is removed with a scalpel. The extent of the correction depends heavily on the individual condition of your eyelids. A uniform, symmetrical result can be achieved by precisely measuring the skin at the eyelids. The skin and musculature tighten by themselves when the excess skin is removed – about as much as you can pinch between two fingers. The so-called eye bags, which are composed of fatty tissue, are also gently removed in the process. If the eyelids show heavy laugh lines, a portion of the excessively thick eyelid musculature is additionally removed.
What results can be achieved?
The lower lids will be wrinkle-free after the operation, except when smiling. Also, the operation cannot lighten or stabilize the occasionally dark and extremely dark skin of the lower eyelids. A fine, thin line remains, which is aligned along the natural folds of the eyelid. The upper eyelids are markedly smoother after the operation, the vision becomes more open and the eyes appear more brilliant.
Form of anesthesia and in-patient stay
A tranquilizer shot reduces your nervousness and anxiety and ensures that you will experience the operation in a semi-conscious state. For the local anesthetic, you will receive a prick on each of the four lids with a tiny needle which you will hardly notice. However, if you don't want to experience the operation at all, you can also be operated on under general anesthesia. To do this, the necessary examinations will have to be conducted and the anesthesia will have to be discussed with the anesthesiologist on the day prior to your appointment. Keep in mind, though, that general anesthesia is always associated with additional risks.
How should I prepare for the operation?
Before the operation, you will need an ophthalmological examination in order to detect a potential restriction of your field of vision or your tear secretion. Furthermore, your ocular fundus should also be examined. Please submit the findings by the date of the operation. You should not take any pain relievers (such as aspirin) for a period of 14 days before the operation, since they delay blood coagulation. You should also abstain from alcohol and sleeping pills for the most part. Obtain a small supply of compresses as well as two to three soft cooling elements. A migraine mask is also good to have. Further preparation is not necessary. But you should be well-rested and without make-up and bring dark sunglasses.
How does the operation proceed?
Before the actual operation, the surgeon will decide which type of incision will achieve an optimum result. In order to do this, he draws an exact sketch on the skin. The excess skin is removed with a scalpel, requiring a great deal of intricate work. The stitching is done with extremely thin, continuous thread which is sunk into the skin and is not visible on the exterior (intracutaneous). The operation takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
What happens after the operation?
Directly after the operation, you will experience more or less heavy swelling in the eyes, which will recede after 1 to 2 days. You will also have bruises around the eyes. The bruise will settle in the lower lids and will disappear within a week. In most cases, the stitch will hardly be visible as early as eight days after the operation, since it lies squarely in the eyelid fold which forms when the eyes are open. But if the incision has to be made across the outer margin of the eye socket, these additional 1-2 cm long scars could be reddened for several weeks. The width of your eye slit may seem a bit smaller, which is mainly caused by the swelling. It will recede completely after several weeks.
What other risks should be taken into consideration?
If you suffer from allergies (against medications or care products, for instance) or other illnesses, it is essential that you inform us. If you tend to have conspicuous bruises or have prolonged bleeding after superficial injuries, a suitable examination should be conducted before the operation in order to rule out a coagulation disorder.
What complications might occur?
Secondary hemorrhages are extremely rare, but may occur 1 to 2 days after the operation. At this juncture, it will be necessary for the surgeon or his assistant to conduct a rapid intervention in order to prevent damage, which could possibly even lead to loss of vision. Once the lower lid has been smoothed out, it is possible that it will temporarily protrude slightly, depending on the extent of the bruising and individual scarring, and result in excessive tear production (epiphora). This risk primarily presents itself in elderly patients and in second operations. If these phenomena do not automatically subside on their own within 6 weeks, a small additional operation may be necessary. The lines of the incision may be somewhat rough and reddened for several weeks in patients who are predisposed to excessive scar formation. In this case, we will advise you on the suitable after-treatment. Slight dryness of the eyes after the operation is normal. But if your eyes become more intensely irritated or reddened, you should best consult your ophthalmologist. A small number of cases of lasting impaired vision are known in specialized literature. The cause of it is assumed to be arteriosclerosis of the ocular vessels. However, this risk is eliminated by the ophthalmological examination; we only point it out here for the sake of completeness.
What follow-up treatment is required?
Be prepared to cover your eyes with damp compresses and ice packs for 1 to 2 days. The swelling will abate faster this way. Any remnants of blood along the stitch can be removed by the cautious use of moist pads. The intracutaneous stitches are removed on the sixth to eighth day after the operation.
What should be kept in mind after the operation?
You should not strain your eyes by using creams or ointments in the first week after the operation. Also, make-up should not be applied directly to the fresh scar. Keep in mind that the skin heals best on its own. Wearing dark sunglasses will best conceal any bruises.
A brief overview:
- Anesthesia: semi-conscious sedation and local anesthetics
- Inpatient stay at the clinic: an inpatient stay at the clinic is not normally necessary
- Follow-up check-up: regularly
- Scar formation: hardly visible
- Work ability: presentable after 2-3 weeks
- Costs:
upper lids on both sides € 1,800.00
lower lids on both sides € 2,000.00
upper and lower lids together € 3,600.00