Drooping eyelid surgery in Kassel / Drooping eyelid correction
Find out more about drooping eyelid surgery
Drooping eyelids are also known colloquially as drooping eyelids. This is an eyelid malposition in which the upper eyelid disappears partially or completely under the tissue below the eyebrow arch.
They are often caused by reduced elasticity of the skin and can restrict the field of vision. This slackening of tissue with reduced elasticity of the skin and eyelid muscles is medically known as blepharochalasis. This eyelid malposition is not only seen in older patients, but also in younger patients.
Brief information on drooping eyelid surgery
| Treatment: | outpatient |
| Hospitalisation | Possible on request |
| OP duration | 1-1.5 hours |
| Incapacity to work | 10-14 days |
| Swellings | 7-10 days |
| Pain | No or little pain |
| Risks | Post-bleeding, dry eyes, overcorrection |
With which operations is the operation often combined?
- Treatment with hyaluronic acid
- Wrinkle treatment with Botox
- Eyebrow correction
- Temple lift
When should you have drooping eyelids operated on?
There is no fixed rulewhen to have drooping eyelids operated on. This depends on the patient's personal wishes and expectations, as well as their state of health and the risk of possible complications.
In generalthat surgery is advisable if drooping eyelids lead to a significant impairment of quality of life - regardless of whether the reasons are aesthetic or functional.
Some patients opt for a correction at a young age, while others wait until they are older or do not want surgery at all.
What is importantIt is important that you obtain good information and advice before the operation in order to set realistic goals and weigh up the pros and cons. Good preparation and careful aftercare can have a positive influence on the result and healing.
Preparation for the operation
Before deciding in favour of surgical correction of your drooping eyelids, the following points are important:
Preliminary examination
The patient's state of health is checked by means of a detailed preliminary examination. Possible risks and complications can be ruled out before the operation. Only then will you receive your personalised treatment recommendation.
A detailed medical history will first be taken and the following information obtained from you:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Allergies
- Taking medication
- the current state of health
- Lifestyle of the patient
We carry out a physical examination to determine the condition of your eyes, eyelids and entire face. We also take into account the condition of your skin and any existing wrinkles in the treatment area. Very important for your treatment recommendation: The position of the eyebrow and the activity of the eyelid elevator muscle.
A detailed consultation will take place as part of your preliminary examination. Here you will learn everything about possible treatment results, potential risks and complications, costs, the duration of the procedure and the healing process.
The preliminary examination plays an important role in your upper eyelid lift. It forms the basis for an optimal result. It is therefore essential that you take sufficient time for these examinations and seek advice from an experienced and qualified doctor.
I take medication regularly - can the drooping eyelid operation be performed?
If you regularly take medication, we will clarify during the preliminary examination whether and how a Eyelid surgery is possible for you. There are medications that can have an effect on the procedure (e.g. blood-thinning medication). These must therefore be taken into account when planning and performing the operation, as otherwise unnecessary risks and complications may arise. If the risk is too high for you, the operation may not be performed for safety reasons.
As part of your preliminary examination, you will be informed of all individual points (e.g. smoking, medication, etc.) that are beneficial and should be taken into account.
Carrying out the operation
As every person is individual, every operation is unique. We would like to provide you with the following general information about the operation:
Which anaesthesia is used? The anaesthesia
Different types of anaesthesia can be used for an upper eyelid lift:
- Local anaesthesia
The anaesthetic is injected directly into the skin and the nerves are anaesthetised. The patient is awake and responsive during the procedure - Twilight anaesthesia
This puts you into a sleep-like state. In fact, this is rarely necessary. - General anaesthesia
is almost never necessary for an upper eyelid lift - but is generally possible.
Your individual factors and your desire for change determine the necessary scope of treatment and the method. Basically, it must be clarified whether a pure removal of skin and fatty tissue or the removal of excess skin must be carried out so that your target result can be achieved
Aftercare and healing
During the consultation, we will explain all the details that you should consider after the operation.
How long does healing take after drooping eyelid surgery?
Healing after drooping eyelid surgery depends on your individual wound healing and the extent of the procedure.
As a rule, it takes about two weeksuntil the swelling and haematoma have subsided and the stitches can be removed.
The scars are still visible at first, but fade over time. After six to twelve months, they are barely recognisable.
In the first few days after the operation, you should cool your eyes regularly, apply a special ointment and rest. You should also avoid sport, sauna, make-up, contact lenses and sunlight. This minimises the risk of infection and supports wound healing.
The final result of the operation is only visible after a few months, when the skin has fully adapted. Most patients are very satisfied with the result and report a fresher and younger-looking expression.
Are there any special rules of behaviour after drooping eyelid surgery?
The right behaviour after the operation can support a quick and uncomplicated recovery. We will provide you with all individual measures. The following is general advice:
Cool your eye area
Targeted cooling several times a day in the initial period after the operation can reduce swelling or bruising. There are a few tricks that we would be happy to share with you.
Reduce visual strain on your eyes after the operation. Avoid reading or working at the computer for long periods.
Avoid strenuous activities (e.g. sport, swimming, saunas, lifting heavy objects, etc.) in the first few weeks after the operation.
Avoid direct sunlight and strong winds in the first few weeks after the operation. If exposure to sunlight cannot be avoided, wear sunglasses.
Follow your doctor's instructions and guidance. By following these rules of behaviour, you can ensure that you heal quickly and safely and achieve the best possible result.
Risks and possible complications
Risks and possible complications are possible with every surgical procedure. Our detailed preliminary examinations, our extensive experience and our high standard of hygiene in the operating theatre reduce the risk - but we cannot rule them out. Below you will find general risks - in your consultation you will learn about all the risks that apply to you individually:
- In rare cases, bleeding may occur during or after the procedure. In the event of severe post-operative haemorrhage, a repeat procedure may be necessary so that the wound can be closed again.
- Even if we treat in a high-quality, sterile operating theatre, an infection can still occur. It can usually be treated with antibiotics.
- Most scars after an upper eyelid lift are small and inconspicuous - however, a disruption in the healing process can also occur, making the scar thicker or wider than desired.
- If your practitioner injures certain nerves during the procedure, temporary or permanent skin sensitivity may occur.
- If your practitioner injures certain nerves during the procedure, temporary or permanent skin sensitivity may occur.
Complications occur only rarely, but in this case, the health insurance companies can help you with the follow-up costs (§52 Social Code). Therefore, it is worthwhile to take out a follow-up costs insurance. You can get more information in our consultation hours.
Costs and financing
How much does it cost to remove drooping eyelids?
The cost of drooping eyelid surgery depends on various factors, such as the severity of the drooping eyelids, the type of surgery (whether only the upper eyelids or also the lower eyelids are corrected), the training and experience of your surgeon and the choice of clinic (e.g. safety precautions, standard of hygiene, etc.). Prices can vary and are often between 2000 and 4000 euros.
As other problem areas are often also corrected, prices can vary (for example, eyebrow correction is often combined).
Is drooping eyelid surgery covered by health insurance?
Some health insurance companies cover part or all of the costs if the operation has to be performed for medical reasons. In this case, however, an application must be made and a medical certificate submitted before the operation.
Medical reasons are, for example, if the drooping eyelids restrict the field of vision, lead to visual disturbances and/or chronic headaches or inflammation or cover up a tumour. In these cases, patients must submit an application to their health insurance company before the operation and provide a certificate from their ophthalmologist or an expert confirming the medical necessity. In these cases, the treatment is carried out by special practices/clinics authorised to bill health insurance companies.
If the operation is performed purely for aesthetic reasons, the patient must bear the costs themselves or take out additional private insurance to cover such services.
Costs and financing
If it is not possible to pay the surgery costs all at once, we can also offer you financing if you have sufficient creditworthiness.
How do I find the right doctor?
The choice of doctor is a very important decision, as the skill and experience of the practitioner will influence your final result. Here are some tips to help you:
- Pay attention to the specialist title - terms such as cosmetic surgeon, beautydoc, etc. are unprotected. A protected specialist title is specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery. The additional titles "plastic surgery" are also protected.
- Make sure you receive detailed advice - only make a decision once you have clarified all the points for yourself.
- Be careful with special offers or economy prices - the costs depend on the amount of treatment and this does not change because it is month a or b.
- Also check the memberships with the professional associations
- Waiting times for appointments are a sign of quality - take this into account when planning ahead. This means that "last-minute offers" can hardly be realistic.
- When choosing a doctor, also consider the aftercare following an operation (e.g. removing stitches)
- Be careful with recommendations from reviews or forums - many reviews are not verified.
- Always take a look at the imprint of the respective page
What experience do we have?
- Prof. Noah is ex-president of the Association of German Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (VDÄPC)
- German Member of Parliament of ISAPS
- Above-average experience and high patient satisfaction in the field of eyelid correction
- Included several times in the Focus list of medical experts
- 25 years of experience as a plastic aesthetic surgeon
- 100+ eyelid corrections per year
We look forward to meeting you and advising you on your eyelid surgery!
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Your experienced specialist for plastic and aesthetic surgery
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Prof. Dr. med. Ernst Magnus Noah is a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery in Kassel.
Before Prof Dr Noah set up his own clinic, he was head physician in a hospital department for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery for 18 years. His extensive experience makes him a specialist for your eyelid surgery.
Prof. Noah also leads Corrections if you want to improve the results of a previous operation.
Questions and answers
Drooping eyelid surgery - better in summer or winter?
From a medical point of view, there is no difference whether a drooping eyelid correction is performed in summer or winter. There are days with high UV exposure all year round.
One argument in favour of summer is that there is greater planning security, as the risk of infection or catching a cold is lower than in winter.
How long does the result of a drooping eyelid operation last?
An upper eyelid lift does not stop the skin from ageing - however, it can visually turn back the clock by many years. The durability of the result depends on your individual factors.
Is follow-up treatment necessary?
After a surgical correction of drooping eyelids, this usually takes place on the fifth or sixth day after the operation. The plasters and fine stitches are removed.
