A lot of people are concerned that their eyes are getting more ‘droopy’ with age. That’s not a cause for any medical concern but a lot of people just prefer to do something about their droopy eyelids. Having loose eyelids is something completely normal with age because as we get older we also lose some skin elasticity. That happens because, with time, we start to lose some of the naturally occurring collagen that usually keeps our skin tight. That’s also the reason why we get wrinkles too.
But the question remains – what do we do about droopy eyelids. Well, there’s not so much we can do about them besides cosmetics or plastic surgery. The surgery is called upper blepharoplasty but is also referred to as eye lift as well. Another, cosmetic use, of the surgery is the creation of a double eyelid. This is such a popular procedure in Asia, and Singapore in general, that it is commonly known as Asian Blepharoplasty.
In this article, we’re going to talk about everything you would want to know about upper blepharoplasty in Singapore. Like who can get it, how to prepare for it, and the costs you can expect.
Table of Contents
What exactly is Upper Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a plastic surgery used to reduce droopy eyelids or to remove eye bags (also called lower blepharoplasty). This eyelid surgery is not a ‘necessary’ surgery but rather one that people choose to get if they feel unhappy with their look.
During the procedure, the surgeon will remove excess skin from the upper eyelid. This will create a more youthful look. During some procedures, the surgeon might remove some of the excess fat in the upper eyelid if need be. After the procedure is done, the doctor will close the incisions. The surgery is done under general anaesthesia (although sometimes it can be done under local anaesthesia as well).
Can anyone get upper blepharoplasty?
Generally, healthy people are suitable for surgery. That reduces the risk of complications and side effects from the surgery. It’s also important that the patients are nonsmokers and don’t have serious eye problems (in this case, if have glasses or something that doesn’t require medical help, you’re good for the surgery).
During your first consultation with a plastic surgeon, they will ask you questions about your general health and your expectations. It’s important to stay honest with them because they can offer you options suitable for your case, specifically. So, don’t hesitate and talk to one!
What about the results?
The results from upper eyelid surgery will last a long time. But you still have to know that your eyes will continue to age even after the surgery. That being said, the results last around 5-7 years after surgery. That means that after a while, you might want to do another upper eyelid procedure or another type of ‘lift’ (like a brow lift or even a facelift).
When it comes to lower eyelid blepharoplasty, you’d rarely need another surgery. The results are permanent but your eyes are still bound to change a little as you age.
What’s the recovery like from Upper Blepharoplasty?
It usually takes around two weeks to fully recover after Korean upper eyelid blepharoplasty. That’s around the time when patients feel comfortable going out. It takes around 10 days for all the swelling and bruising around the upper eyelid area to heal. Your doctor might tell you to avoid makeup for around 2-3 weeks following the surgery.
During your recovery, you should follow your doctor’s advice. He’s likely going to tell you to avoid wearing contacts for a few weeks after the surgery and to avoid any strenuous exercise. You’d also have to avoid smoking or drinking alcohol, especially if you take any prescription medicine. Another thing you’d have to follow is to always keep your eye (both upper eyelid and lower eyelid) area clean. The most important thing you have to do after the surgery is to… rest. Rest will help you recover faster and with minimal complications.
Some of the things you might experience during your recovery are mild swelling and pain, sensitivity to light and blurry vision. Your doctor might give you some non-prescription pain relief medications. The blurry vision and light sensitivity should resolve on their own in a day or two. If they don’t you should call your doctor!
What are the risks?
Even though the eyelift is considered a safe procedure there are some risks involved with it. The risks associated with upper eyelid surgery are rare but they still occur sometimes. They include the risks typically associated with surgery such as bleeding and infections. Other risks involve unsatisfactory results such as not being able to close your eyes or abnormal-looking upper eyelids. Those risks are possible especially if the plastic surgeons you go to are inexperienced.
To avoid some of the risks of upper blepharoplasty you should spend a lot of time researching and choosing plastic surgeons with over 10 years of experience.
How do I prepare for upper eyelid surgery?
You’re likely going to have some medical tests before going in for surgery. The medical tests include some blood work and an eye exam. A couple of days before the surgery you shouldn’t take any medicines or supplements that have an effect on bleeding risks (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E). Smoking is also a no-go for the same reason (for at least a week before surgery). On the day before the surgery, you shouldn’t have any alcohol either. Generally, your doctor will advise you on what to do before the surgery so you can prepare well and thus limit the risk of complications.
How to choose the right surgeon for your surgery?
As we mentioned already, the risks of complications from the upper eyelid blepharoplasty are often due to inexperienced plastic surgeon. That’s why we’ve gathered some tips on how to choose the best possible surgeon for you.
- If possible (if your country has a qualification like this) always choose board-certified surgeons.
- With at least 10 years of experience in surgery and if possible they have to specialize in eye cosmetic surgeries.
- Check their portfolio. An experienced surgeon should have a portfolio of his work.
- Research their facility. The facility they perform surgeries in should be credible and certified.
- Ask your friends and family for suggestions. If some of them had an eye lift then maybe they can recommend a surgeon.
- Look at doctor directories online and reviews. While that’s not the most accurate way to choose a surgeon (given that there are paid reviews these days), it’s still an option.
Cost of Eyelid Surgery
The final cost for upper blepharoplasty depends on a lot of factors. First and foremost it would depend on the area you live in – if you live in a high-cost area then the surgery itself would also be more expensive. Other than that there are other factors that contribute to the final cost of the surgery. Those include the surgeon’s fee, facility fee (if any), anaesthetics, anesthesiologist’s fee, any medication you might get prescribed, and consultation fees. That being said, in most cases an upper eyelid surgery is around 2000$ or more.
Your health insurance is likely not going to cover any of the costs as it is a plastic surgery procedure. In some cases, however, they might. But it all depends on the insurance company and their policy.
Final Thoughts
The upper blepharoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that a lot of people go through every year. Whether you decide to get it, it’s up to you. The surgery might help with your confidence and self-esteem, especially if you feel insecure about the way your upper eyelids look. A lot of people actually get another surgery or procedure while having upper eyelids blepharoplasty – either with a brow lift or a full facelift.
But overall, the most important thing is to keep yourself informed about the surgery, especially if you’re currently considering it. Being informed will help you choose a suitable doctor and will also help you prepare for the surgery mentally. That’s why we hope this article was helpful!
