Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) – for brighter moments

An awake, alert look and bright eyes are associated with vitality and a zest for life. As a person grows older, the eyelids become stretched out due to a weakening of the supporting muscles, and a once-living look can begin to look tired and run down. The reason for this is the natural process of aging, resulting in issues such as droopy eyebrows, sagging upper eyelids and bags underneath the eyes. This excess tissue can reduce one's own self-esteem, but also cause vision reduction or impairment.

With an eyelid correction at the highest aesthetic and functional standards, our patients can soon face the world with freshness and vivacity so that all patients can look as alive as they feel.

What is blepharoplasty?

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) involves an operation to correct the eyelids. It is a relatively easy way to reduce these unwanted signs of aging with little effort, improve vision and give a more vibrant appearance.

As a top specialist in modern aesthetic and plastic nasal and facial surgery, Dr. med. Henning von Gregory has extensive expertise with eyelid surgery. Whether for aesthetic or medical reasons, he has helped many patients with different ethnic backgrounds over the years with all different sorts of issues. During a consultation, he will discuss all your individual wishes and needs and will recommend the most appropriate options.

For more information, we cover these topics here:

• Options for treatments
• Description of the procedure
• Course of treatment and recovery
• Complications and risks
• Associated costs

Blepharoplasty – options for treatments

In order to restore the function of the eyes as perfectly as possible and to make the eyes look more open, vital and beautiful again, we show various correction possibilities here for the different problems involving the eyes. This enables patients to enjoy their natural, youthful radiance again.

Upper eyelid correction (upper eyelid tightening)

An upper eyelid correction improves the look of the upper eyelid with a small incision to remove excess and irritating skin. This then gives the eyes an open, alert and vital expression that helps patients to gain a naturally younger appearance.

Sunken eyelids (under eyelid) correction

Sunken eyelids refers to when the skin below the eyes appears darkened or sunken. This can be caused by lack of sleep, dehydration, and poor nutrition, but is sometimes also caused by a genetic disorder. The operating process uses tiny incisions to remove fat deposits.

Lacrimal sac removal (tear duct surgery)

Problems with excess tearing can stem from improper tear drainage or excess tear production. This process helps to remove a blockage via flushing out so that normal tear production can resume.

Tear trough treatment

This treatment is to the method used for similar to sunken eyelids, yet functions differently. Whereas with an under eyelid surgery in which fat is surgically removed, this procedure is done through a filler injection to fill in the trough groove.

Treatment of drooping eyelids (ptosis operation)

Ptosis refers to an excess drooping of the upper eyelid due to stretching and muscle weakening from aging, resulting in a sleepy appearance and possibly vision impairment. An operation here would remove excess tissues to create a more vigilant appearance and reduce vision issues.

Correction of all innate and acquired deformities

Many problems regarding eyelid structure can stem from genetic disorders or other deformities. No matter the individual situation, Dr. med. von Gregory has a multitude of experience in all treatments and on many different types of patients so he can suggest a procedure that will produce the desired result.

Blepharoplasty – procedure

In general, blepharoplasty is a minimal surgery and is performed under an outpatient basis, so no overnight stay is required. To note, an ophthalmologist must only be consulted beforehand if there is an eye disease. Before the procedure, Dr. med. von Gregory will draw an exact sketch of the cut on the skin. Then, on the eyelids, a local anesthetic is administered with a tiny, barely perceptible cannula. If desired, however, the procedure can also be performed under general anesthesia. For this, a few necessary examinations must be carried out no later than the day before the surgery appointment, including a discussion about which anesthesia will be used. After disinfecting the operating area and sterile cover, the excess skin is removed with absolute precision. To achieve the perfect scar healing, extremely thin sutures are used. The wound is then covered with small, waterproof, skin-colored patches. The entire procedure lasts around 45-60 minutes.

Depending on the selected surgical method, variations or further treatment may be required to achieve the desired result. Nevertheless, Dr. Gregory gives detailed information on all treatment steps in advance of the procedure, so that patients can look forward to the operation without any worries.

Blepharoplasty course of treatment and recovery – how long does it take to recover?

In order to receive the best possible results, it’s important to adhere to the guidelines both before and after the eyelid operation. After the operation, eye swelling and bruising is expected and will subside within a week. In order to reduce swelling, it is advised to use cold compresses and chilled green tea as an an anti-inflammatory.

It is also advised for the first week after the surgery to sleep with an elevated head, as well as avoiding exercise, eye creams and other makeup. More detailed information will be given by Dr. med. von Gregory for each individual patient under his expert care.Course of Treatment and Recovery Timeline

Blepharoplasty – complications and risks

Blepharoplasty is a minor procedure that Dr. med. von Gregory always plans with the utmost care and carries out with extreme precision. Thanks to his many years of experience, he is able to reduce risks to a minimum. However, as with any other surgical procedure, complications may rarely occur or there may be risks that could affect the course of surgery and recovery due to the patient's overall health or any pre-existing conditions. Possible risks include: effects from pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes), medications taken (especially anticoagulants), allergies to medicines or materials used, as well as being prone to bruising, persistent bleeding or a coagulation disorder. In rare cases, an infection in the operated area could occur. During the initial consultation with Dr. med. von Gregory, he will expertly advise on if there could be any complications for each individual circumstance. It is his personal concern that each patient feels optimally cared for before, during and after treatment. Therefore, he always takes enough time to discuss all treatment steps and to answer all questions in detail.

Blepharoplasty costs

The costs for blepharoplasty vary depending on the patient's wishes and the chosen option. As Dr. med. von Gregory has years of experience working with all different kinds of patients undergoing blepharoplasty, he can work together with all patients to create a treatment plan that includes each everyone’s personal wishes and individual needs.