Upper eyelid lift (dropping eyelids)

Upper eyelid lift? Remove drooping eyelids? Questions for PD Dr. Mathias Tremp

The eye area is an aesthetically important region. Accordingly, excess skin on the upper eyelids, also known as drooping eyelids, can give a very tired impression. The excess skin can be hereditary or mostly age-related and is caused by a progressive slackening of the connective tissue.

there is a significant excess of skin, the field of vision can even be restricted. An upper eyelid lift can restore a fresh, alert and youthful impression.

What methods are there for upper eyelid lift

The incision is made just below the natural eyelid crease and the excess skin is surgically removed.

If there is a clearly visible fat pad in the inner eye area, the eye socket can be opened and the fatty tissue can either be redistributed or sparingly removed.

Usually, no changes are made to the eye muscle itself. The scar is barely visible after about 3 months.

How is the operation performed?

The operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia, twilight sleep or general anesthesia and is determined individually during the consultation depending on the patient’s wishes and the extent of the operation.

What do I need to consider before the operation?

If you smoke, you must avoid nicotine for two weeks before and after the operation. This improves the oxygen supply to the skin, accelerates wound healing and allows the scar to heal more beautifully. You should also avoid blood-thinning painkillers such as aspirin or brufen, as well as high doses of vitamin E, for around 10 days before the operation. On the day of the operation, patients must avoid cosmetics and creams.

Can an upper eyelid lift be combined with other operations (treatments)?

If you have drooping eyebrows, it is recommended to perform an eyebrow lift at the same time. This can be done either via the same approach as the upper eyelid lift or via a separate incision either directly above the eyebrow (so-called direct eyebrow lift) or indirectly (so-called endoscopic eyebrow lift) with small incisions in the hair area. In the case of hollow eyes, a simultaneous fat transfer treatment can be carried out to restore the volume accordingly. In addition, the upper eyelid lift can be combined with other facial procedures (eg nose correction, lower eyelid lift, face and neck lift, eyebrow lift).

Are there alternative, non-surgical treatments for upper eyelid surgery?

If there is a small amount of excess skin, an eyelid lift can be performed using a radio frequency microneedling treatment. Other alternative options for eyelid lift are laser treatments (e.g. CO2 laser) or plasma pen. However, the results of these methods are not comparable to a surgical upper eyelid lift and are less recommended.

What are the risks of an upper eyelid lift?

As a rule, the risks of an upper eyelid lift are manageable and uncomplicated. Possible, rare complications include bruising, infections, bleeding, the eyelid tipping outwards due to excessive skin removal or dryness in the eyes.

Is an upper eyelid lift painful?

The upper eyelid lift is purely a soft tissue operation and therefore hardly painful. Paracetamol is usually sufficient in the first few days after the operation.

What should I pay attention to after the operation?

The eyelid must be cooled immediately after the operation. This will prevent any swelling or bruising. To further reduce swelling, the upper body should be elevated for the first few days and also at night. Arnica can be taken for 7 days to reduce swelling.

You should use moisturizing eye drops for 5 days, and the stitches will be removed after 5 and 7 days. You will then generally be able to go out in public and you can also wear make-up. After that, I recommend regular scar care and sun protection SPF 50. If you wear contact lenses, you can wear them again without any problems after 2-3 weeks.

When will I see the results of the upper eyelid lift and is the result permanent?

The first result is visible immediately after the operation; the swelling and redness subside after about a week. The final result will then be visible after about 6-12 weeks.

What are the costs for an upper eyelid lift?

Since the procedure is often an aesthetic treatment, health insurance companies usually do not cover the costs. An exact cost estimate can only be made after a personal consultation.

If the field of vision is significantly restricted, an ophthalmological examination may be useful in order to submit a corresponding request for reimbursement of costs.