Dr. Dirk Lazarus
Plastic Surgeon

Tel: 021 424 1112
Fax: 021 424 1118

86 New Church St
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa

An eyelid tuck or BLEPHAROPLASTY is a surgical procedure performed to improve the appearance of the eyelids. The operation will rejuvenate your eyelids to give you a more awake, alert and interested look. Upper or lower lids may be done separately or together at the same operation. Blepharoplasty may be combined with other procedures such as facelift, forehead brow lift, or other surgical or non surgical treatments.

Blepharoplasty is performed as day case surgery under conscious sedation and local anaesthesia. The upper lid incision is camouflaged in the skin crease and extends into the crow's feet as required. The lower lid cut is made either just below the eyelashes (if skin removal is necessary) or behind the lid - transconjunctival blepharoplasty - if no skin removal is needed. Excess skin, fat and muscle is removed or repositioned as required and the wounds closed with a pull-out suture. The procedure takes about an hour per pair of lids.

Recovery is relatively quick. The pull-out suture is removed on day 5. Following this, most of the swelling and bruising will subside and overseas patients can return home. Some bruising and swelling will persist for about 2-3 weeks after surgery. Complications are unlikely, but may include bleeding, skin loss, dry eye, red eye, infections and a sensitivity of the eyes to light. Lid malpositions can also occur, but should be less common with current methods.

The rejuvenating effect of blepharoplasty is long lasting and is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

For a more detailed description of this procedure, click here.

Testimonials from patients who have had eyelid and face surgery.