Upper blepharoplasty

Every woman’s dream is to have an open, youthful look. However, the skin of the eyelids is the first one to develop wrinkles when affected by aging and gravity. To rejuvenate and widen the gaze, Yurchenko Team doctors offer their patients blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids.

Upper eyelid surgery, or upper blepharoplasty, is a a plastic surgery that rejuvenates the upper eyelid and outer corner of the eye by removing excess skin, herniated fat pads, and muscle fibers. It helps to improve the appearance of the eyes, eliminate signs of aging and correct functional problems associated with drooping eyelids.

Indications for surgery

Recommendations for the upper blepharoplasty are:

• Drooping of the upper eyelids that affects the field of vision.
• Excessive skin on the upper eyelids.
• Herniated fat pads.
• Signs of aging in the eye area.

Changes in this area can occur due to fluctuations of hormonal levels, congenital features of the connective tissue of the eyelids, and genetic predisposition to herniated fat pads. Therefore, the operation expedience is determined not by age, but by the clients’ preferences and presence of indications.

Who is eligible for this procedure

This procedure is suitable for both men and women who have problems with the upper eyelids, want to improve the appearance of the eyes, or have functional visual impairment due to excess eyelid skin. For a more distinct rejuvenating effect, other plastic surgeries can be performed simultaneously with upper blepharoplasty. For example, a temporal lifting, brow lifting, mid-face lifting, surgical facelifting with Aptos threads or a comprehensive surgical facelifting.

How to get ready for upper eyelid blepharoplasty

The first step is to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon. They assess the condition of the skin, determine the scope of the intervention, and discuss the expected results of the surgery.

Before the procedure, patients are scheduled for preoperative examination. If the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, the workup includes: complete blood count, urine test, biochemical analysis (ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, total protein, total, direct and indirect bilirubin, glucose), coagulation panel, WR, HBsAg, HCV, HIV, Blood type, Rh factor, ECG, chest X-ray (not required if you did one this year). You will also make an appointment with your GP and an anesthesiologist. If the upper eyelid surgery is performed under local anesthesia the list of tests is slightly reduced. 

If you have any fillers, they must be removed by a cosmetologist. In addition, Botox injections are not recommended for at least three months before the surgery.

Stages of the surgery

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is not a complicated surgery that takes up to 1 hour with preoperative care and suturing. It is performed under local or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia is chosen by the anesthesiologist, considering the patient’s age, concomitant diseases, and contraindications.Eyelid lifting begins with marking. The next step is to administer anesthesia. Then the doctor cuts the skin, removes excess tissue and fatty deposits, and applies sutures.

One of the types of upper eyelid plastic surgery is upper blepharoplasty with canthopexy, a surgery to change the shape of the eye, i.e. to form a fashionable foxy eye effect. This possibility can be discussed with your doctor before surgery.

Postoperative period and recovery

It takes time to recover after surgery. The first days after eyelid surgery are the most difficult for the patient. Swelling, aching pain, and a feeling of eyelid distension are the body’s natural reaction to plastic surgery. We recommend using cold compresses for the first 48 hours to reduce discomfort and fight swelling. For this purpose, all patients are given a special cooling mask upon discharge.

Sleeping should be exclusively on the back and on a high pillow to reduce swelling. Note: It is strictly forbidden to sleep facing the pillow and wetting the face. Also, it is necessary to avoid bending forward, cooking hot food (no standing over hot pots, pans, or ovens) and drinking alcohol for a week after surgery. All this is required to minimize swelling.

Treat the scars with chlorhexidine solution once a day for 14 days after the surgery. On the seventh day, the doctor removes sutures and examines the operated eyelids. After that, you can apply basic skincare. If bruises remain, you can use heparin ointment or Lioton, but do not apply it to the scars. To improve healing after suture removal, 5–10 sessions of microcurrent therapy are recommended.

It is also worth avoiding exposure to the sun, high temperatures, and physical activity during one month. Therefore, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats are mandatory for patients undergoing a circular eyelid lifting procedure. You can enjoy the first results in 10–14 days, and the final result will be visible 2–3 months after the surgery. Yurchenko Team doctors emphasize the importance of adhering to recommendations, staying patient, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Possible complications

Certain complications may occur after an upper eyelid lifting, although they are relatively rare. One of the most common complications is swelling and bruising, which can remain for several weeks. In some cases, patients experience severe pain that requires medical intervention. Also, infections are possible, which can occur if you do not follow the recommendations for wound care.

Sometimes patients have eyelid asymmetry, which may require additional correction. You may feel dryness of the eyes, tearing, or temporary blurred vision, which usually lasts for a few days or weeks. In rare cases, you may have problems with closing your eyes, which can lead to corneal irritation.

Another possible complication is the formation of keloid scars or hypertrophic scars, which can be noticeable and require additional treatment. Serious complications may require a second surgery to correct the problems. Despite these possible complications, most patients who follow all the doctor’s recommendations are satisfied with the surgery results.

Duration of the effect and result

Correctly performed blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids will delight you with an open gaze, the absence of a drooping eyelid for at least 5–7 years. But the duration of the effect depends on regular skin care, maintaining a stable weight, using sunscreen, and following a healthy lifestyle. In addition, apparatus and injectable cosmetic procedures prolong the eyelid lifting result. But they cannot replace blepharoplasty, they only complement it.

Why choose Yurchenko Team?

Our international Yurchenko Team consists of specialists, each with their own area of expertise. In the field of plastic surgery, there are over 70 types of procedures, each with a million details to consider. By dividing responsibilities, each of the team’s doctors has the opportunity to deepen their expertise in a specific area. We believe in delivering high-quality results in our areas of specialization, rather than attempting to do everything at a mediocre level. This is the core of our philosophy. 

All procedures are carried out at three locations: Kyiv, Bukovel, and Limassol.  This allows our patients to choose the most convenient and comfortable location for their treatment.