Eyelid reshaping surgery (blepharoplasty) in Oxford

Why choose Nuffield Health Oxford Hospital for your eye lift surgery?

Our ultra modern and technologically advanced private hospital puts us at the forefront of cosmetic medical care not just in Oxfordshire, but the UK. Our experienced cosmetic surgeons are some of the finest in the country and are well supported by our dedicated matron-led nursing team.

If your thinking about having eye lift surgery then call our cosmetic surgery team in Oxford to ask any questions you have, or to simply arrange an initial consultation to establish if blepharoplasty is right for you?

What happens during blepharoplasty?

A blepharoplasty can be done under a local anaesthetic injected into the eyelids or under general anaesthetic. The operation take up to an hour and a half.

Your surgeon in Oxford will make a cut in the natural skin crease of your upper eyelid or below your eyelashes in your lower lid. They will remove any excess skin and fat and close the wound using very fine stitches.

Going home after your blepharoplasty surgery in Oxford

If you have local anaesthetic you should be able to go home a few hours after the operation. If you have general anaesthetic you will need to wait until all the affects have worn off. You may need pain relief when the anaesthetic wears off. You may experience swelling and bruising following this procedure. To control this your surgeon may recommend using cold compresses. Be sure and discuss how to do this with your surgeon.

Other symptoms you might experience are dry or itchy eyes, temporary sensitivity to light or wind, watery eyes and blurred vision.

After 3-5 days you will need to come back to have any stitches removed.

Your surgeon may recommend:

• Keeping your head upright for a few days (including sleeping upright)
• Do not use eye makeup until you are released to do so
• Use any medications you are given
• Avoid bending down
• Clean your eyes with plain water only

Some patients experience blurred vision. This should improve after a few days. Do not drive until your vision is totally clear.

The bruising and swelling can get worse during the first and second day after surgery. The black eyes may make you look pretty bad at first. However, the bruising and swelling begin to disappear rapidly after this time, with bruising turning yellowish after ten to fourteen days.

Make up can be applied from about five days after surgery and most people feel confident enough to return to normal activities (and back to work) after 10 to 20 days. Impact exercise is best avoided in the first month.

Contact lenses should not be worn for two weeks after surgery.

Avoid applying eye make up on the day you have your stitches removed.

The below is a guide as to the stages of recovery following blepharoplasty. Please note all patients heal at different rates.

1-3 days

• Bruising and swelling get worse a day or two after surgery – you will have black eyes.

3-7 days

• Fine stitches are removed
• Bruising and swelling on the decline
• You can wear your make up from about day 5

7-14 days

• Bruising turning yellowish now
• No contact lenses for two weeks
• Back to work from 10 days onwards

6 Months

• You can begin to judge the final result.

Every surgical procedure has a risk of complications. Be sure and discuss any concerns you might have about these risks with your surgeon.

Specific complications of eye lift surgery

Although very unlikely, possible complications after blepharoplasty include:

• Too much skin is removed
• Bleeding into your eye socket
• Corneal abrasion
• Double vision
• Cosmetic problems.