Eyelid lift – for a wide-open gaze

Eyelid correction/eyelid lift surgery cannot be used to improve vision. However, the field of vision is often impaired due to the drooping of the upper eyelids. After the operation of the upper eyelids, the complete field of vision becomes free again. Tearing disorders can also be partially alleviated by an eyelid lift.

In an eyelid correction, the small scars are placed inconspicuously along the folds of the eyelid. During the first three months, the scars on the outside of the eyes can be a delicate light pink in color. However, the scars can be cosmetically concealed as early as the second week after eyelid correction.

Before an eyelid correction, please inform us about existing allergies to medications, patches, or ointments. Please also inform us about any other possible pre-existing thyroid, heart or lung conditions, diabetes mellitus and any eye disorders. Also let us know if you suffer from insufficient tear production or dry eyes, or if you regularly take any medication.

Eyelid correction is a surprisingly painless procedure. A slight pressure or soreness in the first few days after the procedure is normal. However, these symptoms can be easily alleviated with painkillers, which we will be happy to prescribe for you if necessary.

If only the upper eyelid is to be corrected, the procedure is usually performed under a local anesthesia or in a twilight sleep. In the case of a tightening of the lower eyelid or a combined lower and upper eyelid correction, we recommend a general anesthesia so that the operation can be performed calmly and painlessly. A lower eyelid lift particularly requires a deeper tissue treatment, which cannot always be achieved with a local anesthetic.

Eyelid correction is usually performed on an outpatient basis under a local anesthesia or in a twilight sleep. Consequently, you can leave our clinic a short time after the procedure has been completed.

There is no generally accepted guideline for this. We recommend that you consider an upper eyelid lift if your facial expression looks tired due to drooping eyelids and this bothers you, or if you feel significantly younger than you look.

You can apply eye make-up without problems after the stitches have been removed. Light, post-operative bruises can also be easily covered with make-up.

An eyelid correction/eyelid lift can also be performed without any problems if you have permanent make-up. An experienced plastic surgeon carefully preserves this with the help of magnifying glasses.

Before the operation you need to remove your earrings and any piercings. Any skin inflammations must be pretreated independently. Please do not take any painkillers (e.g., aspirin) for two weeks prior to the operation, as these cause delayed blood clotting. You should also avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, sunbathing (including solarium) and smoking.

The following symptoms can occur during an eyelid correction/eyelid lift:

- Bruising (hematoma) and swelling

- Temporary sensory disturbances

- Temporary dryness in the eyes

Basically, yes. Should the results of an eyelid correction/eyelid lift wear off after a few years due to age, a further procedure is certainly possible. However, any correction to the first operation should only be considered after six months to a year, when the first operation has healed completely, and the final results are visible.

In principle, it is possible to combine an eyelid correction/eyelid lift with other procedures, such as a facelift. In terms of an overall aesthetic concept, this may even be advisable depending on the individual situation.

If you are considering an eyelid correction/eyelid lift surgery, we need to know if you wear contact lenses, if your vision is impaired in any way, or if your eye pressure is elevated. Please let us know if you suffer from so-called "dry eye". A preliminary ophthalmologic examination may be useful before a planned eyelid plastic surgery if the findings are abnormal.

It is normal that immediately after an eyelid correction/eyelid lift the sensitivity changes temporarily. You do not need to worry about this, because it will come back on its own after a while.

The natural aging process continues even after an eyelid correction/eyelid lift surgery. Nevertheless, you can expect a beautiful result that will last for many years. An eyelid correction/eyelid lift represents a step back in time, so to speak, which has a fantastic effect in the coming years: If, for example, one centimeter of skin is removed during an upper eyelid lift, you may not decide to have another correction for the next ten years. This is normal because the skin becomes thinner over the years and again slackens over time.

An eyelid correction/eyelid lift is performed with a scalpel, not a laser. Unlike a scalpel, which cuts through tissue like a knife, lasers burn. These burns result in significantly worse scarring and wound healing at the edges of the incision.

Due to the anatomical proximity of the incision, an eye injury cannot be completely excluded. However, this hardly ever happens in a routine operation with magnifying glasses by a competent and experienced plastic surgeon.

The stitches and the fine bandages are usually removed at the first follow-up appointment around one week after the eyelid correction/eyelid lift surgery. The dark discolorations are hardly visible after about two weeks if the healing process goes well. Depending on the extent of the operation and the course of healing, you will be able to return to your social life and go back to work after five to 14 days.

Your health insurance may cover the costs of an eyelid correction/eyelid lift if it is medically prescribed, for example, if your field of vision is significantly restricted. It is advisable to clarify if the costs will be covered by your health care insurance prior to the treatment.