Upper eyelid lift in Frankfurt: For an alert and open gaze

Introduction

What is an upper eyelid lift?

An upper eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper eyelid. The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and is one of the most common treatments in plastic and aesthetic surgery.

What are the reasons for an upper eyelid lift?

In most cases, those affected are bothered by the visual appearance of excess skin on the upper eyelid. The so-called “drooping eyelids” make the eyes look smaller and more tired. At the same time, sagging skin is a visual sign of the natural ageing process, which many sufferers would like to counteract. In rare cases, an upper eyelid lift is desired to compensate for existing asymmetry of the eyelids.

In addition to aesthetic reasons, there are also functional limitations for which an upper eyelid lift makes sense. For example, severely drooping eyelid skin can restrict the upper field of vision and/or lead to friction or even inflammation.

What happens before the upper eyelid lift?

If you would like an upper eyelid lift, we will first invite you to a non-binding consultation at our practice in Frankfurt. Here, Dr. Nichlos will thoroughly examine your upper eyelids and ask you about your wishes and expectations regarding eyelid correction. If nothing speaks against an operation, the specialist will then introduce you to the various methods of drooping eyelid treatment, explain the procedure, the risks associated with eyelid lifting surgery and the expected costs.

If you have any questions of your own, you can of course ask them at any time. If you decide to have the procedure, Dr. Nichlos will arrange a binding date for the operation with you and inform you about the necessary preparation measures. This includes, among other things, refraining from taking blood-thinning medication for a few days before the operation and, if possible, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, as these stimulants can impair wound healing.

Procedure

Upper eyelid lift Frankfurt: How does the procedure work?

On the day of the operation, you will come to the Berger Clinic. Here, Dr. Nichlos performs minimally invasive eye surgery in modern operating theatres with the support of an experienced team. An inpatient stay is not necessary. The upper eyelid lift is performed on an outpatient basis and usually only requires a local anesthetic, so that you can leave the clinic immediately afterwards. The procedure takes around 45 to 60 minutes.

As soon as you are prepared for the operation and lying comfortably, Dr. Nichlos draws the exact incision and the excess skin to be removed. In doing so, he follows the natural crease of the eyelid so that hardly any scarring is visible later. As soon as the anaesthetic takes effect, he uses a scalpel to make a fine incision along the marked line and carefully removes the excess skin. If necessary, fatty tissue is also removed or redistributed (e.g. in the case of drooping eyelids) and, if necessary, some muscle (if the eyelid muscle has slackened).

The wound edges are then carefully closed with very fine sutures and you can leave the clinic. Please note our information on aftercare, which you can use to actively support the healing process and thus the subsequent appearance of the result.

Aftercare

What happens after the upper eyelid lift?

Swelling and redness are normal immediately after the operation and can be soothed with a cooling pad. However, please wrap it in a cloth to prevent skin damage from the cold. If you are in pain, you can use over-the-counter painkillers from the pharmacy. If the pain is severe and persistent, please contact us.

After the outpatient procedure, you should give your body sufficient time and rest so that it can recover from the eyelid lift. Avoid stress and physical exertion and stop working on the computer for about a week. You should also refrain from driving and reading for the first few days after the procedure.

To avoid inflammation, it is important that you do not apply make-up to your face and especially your eyes for the first few days. The small particles can get into the wound and cause discomfort. Once the stitches have been removed about a week after the operation, you can apply make-up to your eyes again. Please ensure that you are well protected from UV radiation in the first few months after the operation. It is best to wear sunglasses and use creams with a high sun protection factor around the eye area.

Risks

What risks are associated with an upper eyelid lift for patients?

Drooping eyelid surgery is generally considered to be a very low-risk procedure, especially when performed by an experienced plastic and aesthetic surgeon such as Dr. Nichlos. Despite expertise, gentle techniques and high hygiene and safety standards, risks and complications can never be 100% ruled out.

As a rule, however, there is very little discomfort after drooping eyelid surgery. In most cases, patients experience slight redness, swelling or hematomas around the treated eye area, but these quickly subside on their own. In some cases, the skin around the eye area may also be temporarily more sensitive or feel numb. However, both are usually only temporary and quickly subside.

Wound healing disorders, inflammation, secondary bleeding or infections rarely occur after correction of the upper eyelids. In individual cases, surgery on the eyes can lead to asymmetry of the eyelids. However, this can also be avoided by choosing an experienced surgeon such as Dr. Nichlos.

Before and after

Can I see before and after pictures of upper eyelid lifts?

The comparative presentation of before and after pictures has been prohibited in plastic surgery for several years in accordance with § 11 HWG. However, during a personal consultation, Dr. Nichlos can show you pictures with the results of other patients to illustrate the possibilities of an upper eyelid lift and explain the technique used. You are also welcome to bring your own pictures to the consultation to illustrate your ideas. Together we can then see whether and how these can be realized.