The upper eyelid lift is one of the most frequently performed eyelid corrections in Germany.
The skin on the eyelids is particularly delicate and sensitive. The ageing process can be observed quite early on the eyelids, so that some people with drooping eyelids consider an upper eyelid lift at a relatively young age.
The extent of eyelid skin sagging depends on age and individual skin condition.
Even moderate eyelid drooping can make the affected person look very tired and bored. This is particularly true in the morning, when the eyelids are more swollen than usual.
At an advanced age, the skin of the upper eyelid can reach right up to the edge of the eyelashes. The eyelid tires quickly due to its own weight. A restriction of the field of vision (upwards and outwards) is present in pronounced cases.
During the consultation at the Yuveo Clinic Düsseldorf, your desired upper eyelid lift result can be simulated in front of a mirror.
Contents
Yuveo Clinic
Special features of upper eyelid correction
A relatively minor surgical procedure with a major effect: it makes your eyes shine again!
Upper eyelid lift
Lacrimal gland
Surgical procedure to lift the upper eyelid
As a rule, we have to take the excess skin, fatty tissue and muscles into account when correcting the upper eyelid. Sometimes the sagging lacrimal gland and a drooping eyelid also play a role. Whether the last two points should be corrected during upper eyelid correction depends on the extent of the change on the one hand and on the individual wishes of our patients on the other.
What happens to the skin, fat and muscle?
In most cases, it is not enough to simply remove the skin during an upper eyelid lift. The excess of the eye ring muscle used to close the eyelid must also be removed. There is also usually a protrusion of the fatty tissue of the eyeball, which must also be corrected.
Hemostasis is performed with fine electric forceps or needles, which are used to obliterate the small blood vessels in order to avoid bruising.
We must protect the eyelid lifting muscle during these actions, otherwise the upper eyelid may drop.
If too much of the fatty tissue is removed, the eye can collapse into the eye socket, which greatly impairs the aesthetics.
If too much skin is removed, there will be problems with eyelid closure.
In the practiced hands of our plastic surgeons in Düsseldorf, however, the upper eyelid lift is a minor procedure that gives the face a more alert and younger appearance.
What is the significance of the lacrimal gland in upper eyelid correction?
The lacrimal gland, which is located on the outer upper part of the eyelid and is not normally noticeable, can in some cases protrude due to sagging of the surrounding tissue and lead to a protrusion of the upper eyelid.
This change can also be corrected as part of an upper eyelid lift by moving the lacrimal gland to its original location.
Frequently asked questions about upper eyelid lift surgery
What is the general procedure for correcting the upper eyelid?
The upper eyelid lift can be performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia.
At your request, light sedation(twilight sleep) is also possible. This is always associated with more comfort.
Upper eyelid correction takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. A longer operation time can only be expected in special cases.
Before anaesthetizing the patient, we mark the incision line with an adhesive ink. The lower incision line is usually the naturally existing upper eyelid crease.
We then use a forceps test to mark the excess skin and then apply the anesthetic.
At the end of the upper eyelid lift, we suture the wound with fine suture material and additionally stabilize it with a stapling plaster.
Is it possible to combine an upper eyelid correction with a lower eyelid lift?
The lower eyelids are usually also affected, at least if the upper eyelids are more severely droopy, so it may make sense to Combine upper eyelid lifting with lower eyelid correction (e.g. for bags under the eyes) . The operation will take longer and there may be more swelling and bruising, so you may have to take it a little easier and cool the upper eyelids for longer.
However, you benefit from the fact that you only have to allow for one healing phase. This also applies to leave of absence from work.
What is the aftercare for upper eyelid correction?
In the first few days, frequent cooling leads to less swelling and accelerates wound healing. However, it is important not to overdo it with the cooling, otherwise the result can be conjunctivitis, regardless of the upper eyelid lift performed.
An elevated position of the head while sleeping is recommended after an upper eyelid lift for the same reason. Decongestant measures are useful and necessary until the swelling has subsided.
The suture material can be removed after approx. one week. The fine staple plasters should also only be removed when the stitches are removed.
The eye must not be rubbed for a further week.
The final result can be expected approximately 3 months after the upper eyelid lift.
What prices and costs can be expected for an upper eyelid lift?
The costs of an upper eyelid lift are variable in Germany. The following factors play an important role here:
- The extent of the upper eyelid lift
- The time frame of the hospital stay
- The costs for general anesthesia or sedation
- Your plastic surgeon who will carry out the treatment.
The costs of an upper eyelid lift are usually not adjusted to the extent of the operation, although the mere upper eyelid correction of the skin and muscles is less expensive than the additional removal of fatty tissue and possible modeling of the deep-set lacrimal gland.
The average costs in Germany are around 1200 to 3000 euros. In addition, there may be a twilight sleep (sedation) and a short stay in hospital, which is not normally necessary. However, the latter is recommended for certain secondary illnesses. You should expect to pay between 200 and 400 euros for the sedation and around 300 to 900 euros for the inpatient stay.
For more details and exact costs, please ask our plastic surgeons at the Düsseldorf clinic.
Fact check
- Practitioners: Dr. Schumann and Dr. Schumann-Averkiou
Treatment duration:
about 30 to 45 min.- Anesthesia:
local anesthesia or twilight sleep - Hospitalization:
outpatient - Aftercare:
Cooling, elevating the head - Remove stitches:
after about 1 week - Costs: on request
Further information and related topics
Technical terms:
Upper eyelid correction is also known as upper eyelid lifting and, in medical terms, upper eyelid blepharoplasty.
Enophthalmos = sunken eye
Further questions
What complications can occur during an upper eyelid lift?
Combination surgeries
A combination of upper eyelid surgery with lower eyelid surgery, forehead lift or facelift is possible.
