Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular surgical procedures. It is a procedure to remove excess skin, along with fat and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can lift drooping upper lids and reduce the puffy bags that form below your eyes.

What does the surgery involve?
For the upper eyelids the incision is made in the natural crease line that occurs 1 cm above the eyelashes. The incisions might extend into the crow’s feet or laughter lines at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through the incisions your surgeon will separate the skin from the subcutaneous layers and remove excess fat and trim sagging muscle and skin. The incisions will then be closed with very fine sutures.

For the lower eyelids the incision starts underneath the eyelashes and extends 1cm or so outwards into the crow’s feet area, the skin is then lifted upwards and outwards, gently tensioning the area and the overlapping skin removed. Again the incisions will then be closed with very fine sutures.

Are there any reasons for a patient not to have this procedure?
Patients who are actively smoking or on blood thinning medication such as aspirin or warfarin have a higher risk for postoperative complications such as bleeding, wound infections and delayed wound healing. It is advisable not to consume nicotine in any form for at least two weeks before these procedures and at least two to three weeks after. Medication such as aspirin or warfarin may need to be stopped if they are not absolutely essential at the appropriate time before surgery. This should be discussed with your Consultant or GP.

What will happen in the recovery period?
After surgery you may have lubricating ointment on your eyes and maybe a bandage. Some bruising and swelling will be experienced during the first and second weeks, however the majority of the swelling usually subsides after the first 10 days. Your eyes may feel dry at first but eye drops can help with this. Any sutures are usually removed after 5 – 7 days. Scars will form as a result of the surgery. Overall these scars heal relatively well but will differ in each individual patient.

What is the recovery time?
Recovery varies from patient to patient and it is advisable to take it easy for the first week after surgery. Most people are ready to go out and return to work after a week to 10 days. You should keep your activities to a minimum for three to five days and avoid more strenuous activities for about three weeks.

What are the risks?
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk, but complications are infrequent and minor. You can reduce the risks by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery. You should make known any thyroid disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or eye disorder such as detached retina or glaucoma.
Occasionally a pool of blood can collect under the skin after the operation (haematoma) this usually disperses spontaneously over two or three weeks. Quite commonly the margin of the lower lid is slightly pulled away from the eye during the first day or two after surgery due to swelling. This will settle on its own or with the help of steri strips. Some times tiny white cysts can appear along the stitch line.

Before and After

Video

Facts at a glance

Surgery time	1-1 1/2 hours
Hospital stay	Day case
Anaesthetic assessment	Possibly
Pre admission tests	Yes
Reasonably mobile	Avoid strenuous activities for 7-10 days
Washing	1 day
Driving	2 weeks
Sport & exercise including gym	4 weeks
Full recovery	8-10 weeks
Time off work	1-2 weeks
Bras and garments	No
Long term issues	Watering of the eyes for 1-2 weeks at times

Click here to download the Patient Post Op Care Sheet for Blepharoplasty

Why do patients request a facelift?
With the passage of time the ligaments that hold the skin of the face in position stretch and there is also a decrease in the natural fat that is present in the tissues. As a result of this the skin on the face, the brow and the neck begins to sag. Patients do not like the appearance of jowls, deep creases in the cheeks, wrinkles and bands in the neck as these are recognisable signs of ageing. This is a common reason for consultations for facelifts and neck lifts.

Are there any reasons for a patient to not have a facelift?
Patients who are actively smoking or on blood thinning medication such as aspirin and warfarin are at a high risk of complications such as bleeding or wound infections and delayed wound healing. It is advisable to not consume nicotine in any form for six weeks before a facelift and a similar time after. Medication such as aspirin or warfarin may need to be stopped (if this is not for an essential or life-threatening condition) at the appropriate time before surgery. This should be discussed with your Consultant or GP.

What does a facelift involve?
A facelift or neck lift is carried out under general anaesthesia and involves one or two nights in hospital. Following the operation there is a large padded bandage around the neck and face along with a tube drain underneath the skin to remove any blood or fluid that may collect following surgery. The drain is normally removed the day after surgery and so is the dressing around the face and neck. Patients are usually able to shower before discharge from hospital with fresh dressings and an elasticated support for the neck and cheeks. An outpatient appointment is arranged for a few days after surgery for removal of sutures.

How long does bruising and swelling last following the operation?
Bruising and swelling following surgery normally resolves within ten to fourteen days after the operation.

How much time do I need off work?
Most patients are able to return to work and to social activities within two to three weeks of their operation.

How long does the effect of a facelift last?
The effects of a facelift can last up to five to ten years following surgery. A facelift does not stop the process of ageing but can make the effect of the ageing process less obvious.

What are the complications of this procedure?
A small percentage of patients undergoing a facelift can have complications just like any other surgical procedure which include bleeding, haematoma (blood clot under the skin), infection, delayed healing of the wound, asymmetry and scars which are visible in the early post-operative stage but which normally fade over a period of months. There can also be a loss of function or injury to the branches of the facial nerve which is responsible for movements of the muscles of expression in the face. Very occasionally patients may need a small revision procedure. Depending upon the nature and extent of the procedure that you need your surgeon will discuss the potential complications with you in detail during your consultation.

Facts at a glance

Surgery time	3 1/2 hours
Hospital stay	Day case – 1 night
Anaesthetic assessment	Possibly
Pre admission tests	Yes
Sleeping position	Sleep on back if possible with 3-4 pillows for first 7-10 nights.
Reasonably mobile	Total rest 2 weeks – no bending or lifting.
Washing	Shower after 2 days. Replace garment
Driving	2-3 weeks
Sport & exercise including gym	6 weeks
Full recovery	6 weeks
Time off work	2-4 weeks depending on type of work.
Bras and garments	Yes. Worn for 2 weeks
Long term issues	Possible numbness around the incision area resolves in 2-3 months. May require scar management

Click here to download the Patient Post Op Care Sheet for Facelift

This is a procedure to remove loose or sagging skin under the chin and vertical bands in the neck, “turkey wattles”. Neck lift surgery can be performed alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.

What does the surgery involve?
It involves an incision along the front of the ear going onto the back of the ear. Sometimes it is along the border of the hair bearing scalp. This will allow tightening the fatty layer of the face and neck. It is generally performed under general anesthetic.

Are there any reasons for a patient not to have this procedure?
Patients who are actively smoking or on blood thinning medication such as aspirin or warfarin have a higher risk for postoperative complications such as bleeding, wound infections and delayed wound healing. It is advisable not to consume nicotine in any form for at least two weeks before these procedures and at least two to three weeks after. Medication such as aspirin or warfarin may need to be stopped if they are not absolutely essential at the appropriate time before surgery. This should be discussed with your Consultant or GP.

What will happen in the recovery period?
In the days after the surgery you might expect to have some swelling and bruising. Both should settle in four to ten days. There may also be some feelings of tightness, burning, pulling and numbness which are quite normal for the first few weeks and resolve on their own.

Any discomfort can be controlled by taking paracetamol or medication provided by the hospital. Aspirin and anti inflammatory medication should be avoided as these can promote bleeding. Likewise smoking needs to be refrained from two weeks before surgery and two or three weeks after surgery to allow the best possible healing.

If there are sutures these will be taken out a week to ten days after surgery.

What is the recovery time?
You should be able to return to work in one to two weeks depending on your type of employment. However you will need to avoid physical exercise such as the gym or sports for at least three weeks, possibly longer. A full recovery will take between 3-6 months.

What are the risks?
A small percentage of patients undergoing this procedure can have complications just like any other operation which include: bleeding, haematoma (blood clot under the skin), infection, delayed healing of the wound, asymmetry and scars which are visible in the early postoperative period but which normally fade in the first few months after surgery.

Before and After

 

Facts at a glance

Surgery time	1 1/2 hours
Hospital stay	Day case – 1 night
Anaesthetic assessment	Possibly
Pre admission tests	Yes
Reasonably mobile	1-4 days complete rest
Washing	2 days
Driving	2-3 weeks
Sport & exercise including gym	4 weeks
Full recovery	6-8 weeks
Time off work	1-2 weeks
Bras and garments	For 2 weeks
Long term issues	May require scar management Recurrence of skin laxity in 5-7 years

The appearance of the nose can be a significant source of distress as it is a very prominent facial feature. The shape of the nose may be unacceptable to patients due to its size, shape or projection.

Why do patients request a Rhinoplasty?
Some people are unhappy with the shape of the nose because they feel that it is too big, it has a hump, it projects too far forward, the tip is droopy or too wide or that the nose is bent to one side. Others may have had a normal nose which has been distorted by an injury which can also result in obstruction of the nostrils resulting in snoring or difficulty in breathing.

What does the procedure for a Rhinoplasty involve?
The procedure is usually done under a general anaesthetic and requires a one or two night stay in hospital. The nose is reshaped through incisions which are for the most part on the inside of the nose and are therefore invisible. The cartilage and the bone is reshaped. The incisions inside the nose are closed with dissolving sutures. A nasal pack is put into the nostrils and a plaster is applied to the outside of the nose.

Are there any reasons for a patient not to have this procedure?
Patients who are actively smoking or on blood thinning medication such as aspirin or warfarin have a higher risk for postoperative complications such as bleeding, wound infections and delayed wound healing. It is advisable not to consume nicotine in any form for at least two weeks before this procedure and at least two to three weeks after. Medication such as aspirin or warfarin may need to be stopped if they are not absolutely essential at the appropriate time before surgery. This should be discussed with your Consultant or GP.

What is the normal postoperative course?
Most patients have swelling and bruising of the eyelids following surgery which usually resolves within a fortnight. The nasal pack is normally removed within 24 to 48 hours following surgery and patients are discharged home with instructions. If there are any external sutures they are removed around the fifth postoperative day. The plaster is removed seven to ten days following surgery and a further follow-up appointment is arranged approximately two to four weeks later.

How much time do I need off work?
Most patients are able to return to work two weeks following the operation.

What are the complications of this procedure?
Like any other operations Rhinoplasty can result in complications such as bleeding, haematoma (blood clot, under the skin), infection and a scar inside the nose. Approximately 5% of patients who undergo Rhinoplasty require a small secondary revision procedure for minor irregularities of bone or cartilage. This is usually undertaken a year after the first procedure if required.

Facts at a glance

Surgery time	1 1/2 hours
Hospital stay	Day case – 1 night
Anaesthetic assessment	Possibly
Pre admission tests	Yes
Reasonably mobile	3-5 days
Washing	1 day
Driving	1-2 weeks
Sport & exercise including gym	4-6 weeks
Full recovery	4-6 weeks
Time off work	2 weeks
Bras and garments	Plaster removed 7-10 days after surgery
Long term issues	Swelling can linger for 2-4 month period

Click here to download the Patient Post Op Care Sheet for Rhinoplasty

The ear has a unique shape due to the presence of elastic cartilage. The shape of the ear is maintained by the balance of forces in the elastic fibres of the cartilage. The ears are more prominent in some people than normal and is considered abnormal either because the ear is too far out from the side of the head or it lacks the normal fold close to the outer rim. The prominence of the ear can be corrected by operating on the cartilage and causing it to bend backwards or removing a small piece of cartilage to decrease the protrusion of the ear from the side of the head.

Why do people seek correction of prominent ears?
Prominent ears are a source of embarrassment as they attract unwelcome attention. People with prominent ears quite often wear their hair long to keep them covered and are often known to refrain from physical activities as the ears become visible when the hair is tied back or gets wet.

What does the surgery for prominent ears involve?
Surgery can be carried out either under general anaesthetic or under local anaesthetic with sedation. An incision is made on the posterior aspect of the ear and a small ellipse of skin is removed. The ear cartilage is exposed and either scored to cause it to bend or a small piece of cartilage is removed to set the ear back and make it more natural in appearance. Dissolving sutures are used to close the skin behind the ear. A dressing with cotton wool and a head bandage applied.

What is the normal postoperative course following prominent ear correction?
The head bandage stays on for approximately one week after the operation. An outpatient appointment is made for the bandage to be removed after a week. When the bandage is taken off the ears will appear bruised and swollen but this tends to settle in approximately a fortnight. Patients can shower and wash their hair normally once the head bandage has been removed. A soft elasticated headband must be worn at night in order not to catch the ears on the pillow while asleep. Contact sport is not allowed for four weeks following the operation.

What are the potential complications of this procedure?
Just like any other operation surgery for prominent ear correction can have complications such as bleeding, haematoma (blood clot on the skin), infection and the scar behind the ear which can be red, raised, lumpy and tender.

Before and After

Facts at a glance

Surgery time	1 hour
Hospital stay	Day case
Anaesthetic assessment	No
Pre admission tests	Yes
Reasonably mobile	1-2 days complete rest
Washing	1 week to shower and wash hair
Driving	2 weeks
Sport & exercise including gym	3 weeks, 6 weeks for contact sports
Full recovery	4-6 weeks
Time off work	1 weeks
Bras and garments	Head bandage for 1 week
Long term issues	Recurrence of the prominence 3-5%