What many people call heavy eyelids are usually due to excess skin. Another well-known term is bags under the eyes, which is often due to aging and lifestyle. It can also be a hereditary factor, which is why it is also seen in younger people. Many people feel they look tired, unrested and older because of these conditions. Eyelid surgery helps to tighten the skin around the eyes, giving you a more alert expression and a younger look.
Eyelid surgery is performed in certain cases on medical grounds and is an operation that leaves no visible scars. Eyelid surgery removes excess skin, fat pads and muscles in the area being operated on. The result is a more alert expression and appearance, as well as tighter skin around the eyes. Eyelid surgery is performed either while you are asleep (under general anesthesia), or using local anesthesia, where you will also receive relaxing medication. You will not feel any discomfort. Some swelling around the eyes is normal in the first few days, while some bluish discoloration may last for 1-2 weeks.
Anesthesia or sedation with local anesthesia
3-7 days
Total 3-4 hours
After 7-9 days and 3-6 months
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As we get older, many people develop excess skin on their upper eyelids. Some people feel they look more tired and less alert, while others feel that their eyes feel heavier. In some cases, the skin can also obscure and reduce peripheral vision. In addition to excess skin, "bags" can develop under and around the eyes.
Surgery known as upper or lower eyelid surgery is the simplest method of removing this. Annoying fat bags may be removed at the same time, if present.
To undergo this type of surgery, it is desirable that you are in good general health and that you do not have any serious illnesses. Upper eyelid surgery is the most common plastic surgery procedure performed.
NOTE! If you are taking medication with acetyl salicylic acid, this must be discontinued 1-2 weeks before the operation. Blood-thinning medications must be discontinued 3 days before the operation, but only after consultation with the doctor who initially prescribed the medication.
Antiflogistics such as Ibux and the like must be discontinued one week before the procedure.
If you have tear duct problems or eye diseases, you cannot undergo this type of surgery unless approved by an ophthalmologist.
If you have normal vision (with or without glasses) and no eye problems, you can assume that you have healthy eyes.
A consultation is required prior to eyelid surgery. During the consultation, the skin, muscles around the eyes and the fat pads in the area around the eyes are examined. The surgeon will give you advice and guidance, and find the surgery that will give you the best and most lasting result.
Photographs are taken for your medical record, and you will be given a review of how the operation itself takes place and what happens along the way. This includes where the incisions are made and what happens after the operation. You will also be informed about the results you can expect, as well as possible side effects and complications.
Once your consultation is complete, you'll have the opportunity to book an operation - either with the surgeon or with our reception. We'll go through all the practical details of the procedure and give you all the information and paperwork you need to take home.
On the day of the operation, you will arrive at the agreed time and you will have a meeting and a conversation with the surgeon before you are prepared for the operation. The eyelid surgery is performed either under general or local anesthesia. Either way, you will not feel anything or have any discomfort.
The eyelid surgery lasts 1-2 hours. The surgical incisions are placed in the eyelid fold so that visibility is minimal afterwards. Normally, the scars are barely visible after a few months.
During the operation, the excess skin, as well as fat pads and muscles in the area are removed. The skin barrier that is removed is precisely calculated so that you do not end up with an "operated look". The wound is closed with stitches that are removed after 7-8 days.
After the operation, you'll stay in our post-operative ward where nurses will observe and look after you until you're ready to go home.
You are usually discharged a few hours after the operation. We recommend that you are picked up by a relative/friend and that you have someone with you the first night.
For the first 24 hours, you should be as still as possible. You should drip chloramphenicol eye drops into your eyes and apply chloramphenicol ointment at night for the first 5 nights. You will receive a prescription for these preparations before the procedure.
Pain after this type of surgery is very unusual. Some burning and reddening of the whites of the eyes may be short-lived and completely harmless. During the first few days, the skin around the eyes may feel a little tight, which can be a little uncomfortable.
For the first 24 hours, you may have some swelling, which will gradually go down after 3 to 4 days. The stitches will be removed after 7-8 days, depending on how you were stitched.
Contact lenses can be worn 14 days after the operation.
Bruising or some discoloration around the eyes is normal and to be expected. This will gradually disappear over a period of 7 days. This can be concealed with concealer or sunglasses. Regular eye makeup can be used once all crusts have fallen off. During the first month, care should be taken when applying makeup, preferably using oil or mild cleansing cream. Large and good sunglasses are recommended, as they protect the eyes and reduce the risk of eye irritation. It is completely normal to feel somewhat photophobic for a week after the operation, and your eyes will water more, i.e. produce more tears than normal.
The crusts should not be picked at. If necessary, massage them with a little baby oil until they come off, or let them fall off by themselves in the shower. Some people experience some itching in the eyes a few days after the operation, in which case a little eye wash may help. It's important not to rub your eyes, as this can cause the wounds to burst open.
You'll usually look younger and appear more awake and alert after eyelid surgery. This effect usually lasts for many years. In most cases, you will only need one operation in your lifetime, but some people need or want a second operation 8-10 years later, as the ageing process continues.
The aim of the operation is to get a more alert and slightly younger look without looking operated on.
It's important to realize that the end result will depend on each person's individuality. We rarely have two completely identical eyes, and a small degree of lateral difference must be accepted, even after surgery.
Some of the asymmetry of the brows with height difference. This may also affect the end result in terms of symmetry. The surgeon may go through this with you during the consultation.
The number of infections and bleeding after surgery is less than one per thousand. Hemorrhages above and below the eyes are common and normally disappear after about a week. Numbness on the eyelids is also common, and usually normalizes after a few months.
Closing your eyes will feel a little tight at first. This is due to the stitches that lift the edges of the skin and the fact that it is swollen after the operation. As the swelling goes down and the stitches are removed, the feeling of tightness gradually disappears.
Norsk Helseinformatikk (nhi.no) has neutral and good information about upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery, i.e. surgery of heavy eyelids and bags under the eyes.