Blepharoplasty
Eyelid Surgery
‘The eyes are the window to your soul,’ as William Shakespear once said. We look people in the eyes to decipher what they think and how they feel.
But as we get older, the skin around the eyes ages too. Eyelids become ‘heavy’ and ‘bags’ appear under the eyes that make us look tired, sleepy and uninterested in the person we are talking to.
Moreover, sun exposure, smoking and genes accelerate the natural aging changes to our eyes.
It is a safe and effective cosmetic procedure that restores the eye’s natural and youthful appearance.
Eyelid surgery also improves the eyelids’ symmetry and restores vision in the case of sagging upper eyelid skin or eyelid changes caused by Thyroid Eye Disease. Disfiguring conditions like thyroid require highly specialized surgeries.
Dr. Demetris Stavrou performs those treatments at the European Institute of Plastic Surgery clinics in Cyprus, Greece and Malta. Patients usually combine it with rhinoplasty or neck lift.
What Is Eyelid Surgery?
Every year, thousands of people undergo eyelift surgery to look better and boost their confidence. Droopy eyes, eyelid puffiness and under-eye ‘bags’ not only make you feel older but can also impair vision.
Eyelid reshaping is a safe and small surgery performed on an outpatient basis. It aims to restore a more youthful and soft shape to the eyelids by removing the excess skin, muscle and fat in the upper lids or lower eyelid – or both.
Common alternative terms are cosmetic eyelid surgery, eye lift, eyelid rejuvenation and blepharoplasty.
The surgeon removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids without pulling the skin too tight or hollowing out the eyelids. This way, the patient gets a more youthful and natural appearance without looking like a different person after the surgery.
Eyelid surgery takes about two hours. The surgeon will suggest general anesthesia or local anesthesia depending on the case.
The results will last for several years and can be permanent for most patients.
Benefits
Eyelid surgery helps women and men restore a youthful appearance and get back their confidence. Read bellow all the main reasons.
- Smoothens wrinkles of the lower eyelid
- Restores a fresh, less tired look
- Reduces sagging skin and bags under the eye
- Removes excess fat that causes puffiness in the upper eyelids
- Treats loose skin creating folds in the upper eyelids
- Corrects droopiness of the lower eyelids
- Makes patients look younger
- Improves vision impaired by sagging eyelids
Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery
The eyelid surgery can reshape the upper or the lower eyelid space or both.
Upper Blepharoplasty
The upper eyelid surgery deals with the contours between the eyelashes and the eyebrow.
As we age, there is usually a hang of the upper eyelids. Other patients might have a congenital swelling of upper eyelids, called ‘drooping eyelids.’ In both situations, eyelid surgery helps to regain a youthful and radiant configuration.
For the upper eyelid, the surgeon uses detailed techniques to reshape the eyelid and remove or reposition the bulging fat pad to its natural place.
Lower Blepharoplasty
The lower eyelid surgery deals with contours between the eyelashes and cheek.
With aging, our youthful visage and appearance in the lower eyelid space fade away. The under-eye ‘bags’ make people look exhausted, even if they are not.
For the lower eyelid, the surgeon removes excess skin, muscle and fat. In some cases, there is a depression running from the inner eye corner to the cheek, also known as ‘tear trough deformity.’ This can be corrected by repositioning the fat in this area with caution to avoid a hollow appearance.
If the patient is diagnosed with ectropion before the surgery, this surgery will correct this condition too.
What Does The Operation Involve?
Step 1: Anesthesia
The first procedural step is local anesthesia or general anesthesia performed by a certified anesthesiologist.
Step 2: Incisions
Dr. Stavrou starts the plastic surgery by marking the individual lines and creases of the eyelids. He then places the incisions within the natural eyelid creases to keep the scars as invisible as possible along the lid’s natural folds. Hence, once patients heal, it is very hard to tell if they have had an eyelid rejuvenation.
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
The surgeon removes extra skin, muscles and fat from the upper eyelids, leaving the right amount of fat behind to create a new, fresh look. In the case of pre-existing upper eyelid hollowness, the surgeon repositions these tissues to fill the hollows.
- Lower eyelid blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery is a more complicated procedure. The incision hides under the eyelash line reaching beyond the eye’s corner. The surgeon trims away or repositions excess fat, skin and muscle. In the case of an underlying fat bulge, the surgeon performs a transconjunctival approach through the inside of the eye to ensure minimal scarring.
Step 3: Closing incisions
The incisions are closed with exceptional attention to detail using dissolvable or removable sutures. Dr. Stavrou will advise the patient on which method would be most appropriate for their situation.
After the surgery, Dr. Stavrou might apply tiny sterile bandages to the eyelids.
Where Will The Surgery Take Place?
Dr. Stavrou performs eyelid treatments in the EIPS and other accredited medical centers in Cyprus, Greece and Malta.
The European Institute of Plastic Surgery (EIPS) offers exceptional health care and meets the high standards of safety and care set by European laws. The blepharoplasty procedure takes place in a safe operation room. The surgeon uses only state-of-the-art medical equipment. The staff involved is thoroughly trained and specialized in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Stavrou wants to ensure a safe, well-controlled and comfortable surgical experience for all the patients.
After the procedure, the patient is transferred to the recovery suite and is closely monitored by the EIPS staff.
EIPS clinics provide individualized health care in a beautiful, exclusive and luxurious environment.
Duration
1-2 hours
Anaesthesia Used
General or Local Anesthesia
Hospital Stay
Day Surgery
Pre Admission Tests
Blood Tests and Electrocardiogram
Downtime
1 month
Driving
Few days
Exercise
2 weeks
Final Result
3-4 months
Recovery
The patient might experience slight swelling and bruise after the surgery.
To speed up recovery and relieve discomfort, the patient should use cold compresses and keep their head slightly elevated when lying down. Painkillers prescribed by the surgeon will help relieve further pain.
Eyes might be dry and feel sticky or itchy. Dr. Stavrou will recommend a suitable method to clean the eye area for the days following the surgery. He will also list activities and environments each patient should avoid in the weeks following the eyelid surgery.
The patient may be able to start reading after 2-3 days and return to work after 5-10 days.
More strenuous activities as well as alcohol consumption may resume after 3 weeks at least.
The appearance of the eyes will improve gradually 6 days after the surgery.
Skincare and sun protection is necessary during the recovery period. For a quick healing, follow the instruction of Dr. Stavrou precisely.
Results are long-term, and the patient will feel and look 6-8 years younger after blepharoplasty.
What our patients say!
Meet Dr. Demetris Stavrou
Dr. Stavrou is a board-certified Plastic Surgeon leading the European Institute of Plastic Surgery since 2012. He was trained in top Medical Institutions in Greece, London, Melbourne and Israel. He has extensive experience in all types of plastic surgery and an artistic eye. He is compassionate and always by the side of his patients to make them feel comfortable, secure and confident. For Dr. Stavrou, paying attention to the details is what makes the difference in cosmetic procedures.
- Assistant Professor, St George’s, University of London / Medical School at the University of Nicosia
- Honorary Tutor at the University of Cardiff, School of Medicine, UK
- MSc with Distinction in “Wound Healing and Tissue Repair”, University of Cardiff, School of Medicine, U.K
- Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS)
- International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
- ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) Instructor
- Fellowship in “Advanced Aesthetic Surgery” from the Melbourne Institute of Plastic Surgery – Monash University, Australia
- Nicosia, Cyprus +357 70088002
- Limassol, Cyprus +357 70088002
- Greece +30 6971881572
- Malta +356 79317641
Am I a Good Candidate?
Older people whose eyelids can reveal their age or make them look even older are good candidates for eyelid surgery.
Candidates typically suffer from excess eyelid fat, wrinkles and bags under their eyes.
Also, the eyelid surgery is an appropriate plastic surgery for people who experience visual obstructions due to saggy upper eyelid skin.
Specialized eyelid surgery is ideal for patients who suffer severe disfiguring conditions, including Thyroid Eye Disease.
Information