Our most prominent facial feature, our eyes are seen as the window to our soul. As one ages, the skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, causing it to stretch, sag and lose its volume. The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and shows more obvious signs of aging. These can be corrected with aesthetic procedures to regain a more youthful look.

Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure that corrects the baggy or sagging tissues around the eyes through the removal of excess skin, fat and muscle from the eyelids.


What is Double Eyelid Surgery?

Double eyelid surgery also known medically as Upper Blepharoplasty. It is performed to create a naturally looking double eyelid on patients who do not have a double eyelid in one or both eyes. This surgery can also be used to treat drooping skin in aging eyes, a condition called dermatochalasis. This results in the eyelid to hang very low and obstruct vision.

Dr Fok uses the open technique which involves a cut about 7-8mm above the eyelashes. The result of this technique are permanent. The suture technique has a higher failure rate and the results may not last.


What is Eyebag Surgery?

Bags in the lower eyelids can make us look tired. This can be worse after a late night out. The eyebags are caused by fat protruding in the lower eyelids. In younger patients without skin laxity, the fat can be removed from the inside of the eyelids without an external scar. In patients with excess skin and eyebags, the surgery known as Lower Blepharoplasty is performed through a cut below the eyelashes. Excess fat is re-distributed in the deep groove below the eyebags and the eyelid skin is tightened.


Discussion during Consultation

Dr Fok will assess the condition of both upper and lower eyelids (eyebag). The patient’s needs and preferences will subsequently be discussed and various examples of before and after surgery photos will be shown. Discussion also includes the types of fold which the patient prefers (round or oval), choice of inner or outer medial canthal fold and the height of the desired fold.



For patients with droopy eyelids, Dr Fok will assess the eyelid skin laxity and discuss whether an upper eyelid surgery or a browlift surgery will be more appropriate. Occasionally, a combination of both procedures will be required to achieve an optimal result. Both of these surgical procedures will be demonstrated during the consultation with Dr Fok.

Dr Fok will also give specific instructions, including guidelines on taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.


What happens on the day of surgery?

Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty are performed under local anaesthesia combined with twilight sedation. The patient will be asleep and relaxed before the start of the surgery. The operation takes about 45 minutes and the sedation will be lightened at the end of the surgery in order to check on the symmetry of the eyelids. Subsequently, an ice pack will be placed over the eyes to minimise swelling while the patient is resting in the recovery room for about 2 hours prior to discharge.

What to expect during the recovery phase?

There will be some swelling and bruising for a few days to 2 weeks depending on individual’s healing ability. Normal activities can be resumed almost immediately with sunglasses. Sutures will be removed after 4 to 5 days and a light makeup can be put on to hide the bruising.


What are the risks involved?
Risk is small and relates mainly to prolonged swelling and uneven folds