Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) in South Africa | Dr Deon Weyers
Blepharoplasty reshapes the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both, so the eyes look more open and rested. This page is the starting point for every eyelid procedure at the practice.
Blepharoplasty, also called eyelid surgery, removes or adjusts excess skin, fat and sometimes muscle around the eyes. Upper lid surgery deals with heavy or hooded lids; lower lid surgery deals with bags and puffiness beneath the eyes.
Dr Deon Weyers performs eyelid surgery at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg and sees patients from across South Africa. Every consultation, operation and review is with him personally.
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Eyelid Surgery in South Africa: Where to Begin
Most people arrive with a simple concern: they look tired when they are not. The first task is working out which part of the eye area is responsible, because that decides the procedure.
Blepharoplasty eyelid surgery covers several related operations. Upper blepharoplasty removes surplus skin from the upper lid fold. Lower blepharoplasty, explained in detail on the lower eyelid surgery page, treats bags and the hollow between the lid and cheek. Upper and lower blepharoplasty can also be performed together in one sitting.
- Upper lids
- Lower lids
- Upper and lower together
- Sedation or general anaesthetic
- Single surgeon
The ideal candidate, as described in the practice’s own guidance, is usually between about 30 and 70 years old with drooping or hooded upper lids, wrinkled lid skin or lower lid bags. Some people find that a low brow, rather than the eyelid itself, is the cause; in that case a brow lift may be discussed instead of, or alongside, eyelid surgery.
Surgery can be done in theatre under general anaesthetic or in Dr Deon’s rooms under conscious sedation, depending on the extent of the work and your health. Incisions follow the natural eyelid folds so that scars are well hidden once healed.
Choosing Between Upper, Lower or Both
If skin folds onto the lashes or makes eye make-up smudge, the upper lids are usually the focus. If the main complaint is puffiness or bags that do not settle during the day, the lower lids are.
Many patients over fifty have changes in both, and treating them together means one recovery period. Others prefer to start with one lid and decide later. Dr Weyers will explain what he sees at examination.
Blepharoplasty refreshes the eye area. It does not change eye shape or erase every line, and crow’s feet and dark circles from pigment usually need other treatments.
Is It the Eyelid, the Brow or the Cheek?
When the Eyelid Itself Is the Cause
Extra upper lid skin, lower lid bags and crepey lid skin are eyelid problems. They respond well to blepharoplasty because the surgery works directly on that tissue.
Recovery is centred on the eyes: swelling and bruising for up to two weeks and a return to most work within about a week.
When Neighbouring Structures Are Involved
A brow that has dropped pushes skin down onto the upper lid, and loss of cheek volume can make lower lids look longer. Eyelid surgery alone may then give only a partial result.
In these cases a brow lift, fat transfer or a facial procedure may be combined with, or chosen instead of, blepharoplasty.
| What you notice | Usual starting point | Further reading |
|---|---|---|
| Skin resting on the lashes | Upper blepharoplasty | Hooded upper lids |
| Bags under the eyes | Lower blepharoplasty | Lower eyelid surgery |
| Both lids look tired | Upper and lower blepharoplasty | Upper, lower or combined |
| Heavy lids with a low brow | Brow assessment, sometimes a brow lift | Brow lift |
| Fine lines without excess skin | Often a non-surgical option first | Surgery vs non-surgical |
| Travelling from another province | Online photo review, then consultation | Planning from Cape Town |
How Blepharoplasty Is Performed
The steps are similar for upper, lower and combined surgery; the incisions and the tissue treated differ.
Assessment
Dr Weyers examines the lids, brow and cheeks, checks how your eyes close and asks about dryness, contact lenses and eye conditions.
Planning and marking
The skin to be removed is measured and marked while you sit upright, so the result looks natural when your eyes are open.
Anaesthetic choice
Shorter procedures can be done in the rooms under conscious sedation; longer or combined procedures are done in theatre under general anaesthetic.
Surgery
Excess skin, fat or both are removed or adjusted through incisions hidden in the eyelid folds, then closed with fine sutures.
Aftercare
You go home with a written care sheet and pain medication, and return for suture removal and review at the practice.
Who Is a Candidate for Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery tends to suit adults in reasonable health whose concern comes from the lids themselves.
- Hooded or heavy upper lids – skin that folds onto the lashes or makes the eyes look smaller
- Lower lid bags – puffiness that is present most of the day
- Healthy eyes – no untreated dry eye or eye disease that surgery could worsen
- Realistic aims – wanting to look rested, not different
- Non-smoker – or willing to stop before and after surgery
- Time to heal – about two weeks before important social events
Dr Weyers will tell you plainly if another treatment would serve you better.
Questions to Settle Before You Book
A short list of questions helps you get the most from the first consultation.
- Which lids concern you most.and whether you would rather treat both at once or one at a time.
- Your eye history.including dry eye, glaucoma, laser eye surgery and contact lens use.
- Sedation or general anaesthetic.and which suits the extent of your surgery.
- Your diary.allowing roughly a week away from work and two weeks before major events.
What Eyelid Surgery Costs in South Africa
The practice’s published range for upper and lower eyelid surgery in South Africa is R45,000 to R60,000. Surgery on one lid only is usually less; see the blepharoplasty prices page and the lower blepharoplasty cost page.
Your written quote follows consultation and depends on which lids are treated, the anaesthetic used and whether other procedures are combined.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is generally not covered by medical aid. Where heavy upper lids restrict your field of vision, the practice can supply information for a motivation; the scheme decides on cover.
Common Misunderstandings About Eyelid Surgery
A few assumptions come up often in first consultations.
Risks and Possible Complications
Recognised Risks of Blepharoplasty
Expected effects: bruising and swelling for up to two weeks, and a tight feeling in the lids early on.
Eye comfort: dryness, watering or temporary blurred vision while the lids settle.
Appearance: small differences between the sides, or scars that take time to fade.
Lid position: incomplete closure for a period, or, after lower lid work, a lower lid that sits lower than planned.
Rare but serious: bleeding behind the eye, which needs immediate attention.
Helping the Eyes Heal
- Rest with your head raised – for the first few nights to reduce swelling.
- Use cold compresses – as directed in the first days.
- Shield the eyes from sun – with sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
- Hold off on make-up and lenses – for two weeks and about ten days respectively.
Contact the practice straight away if you have increasing pain around one eye, a sudden change in vision, swelling that keeps growing on one side, or bleeding that will not stop. Out-of-hours details are provided after surgery.
Medical disclaimer. This page is general information and does not replace a face-to-face consultation. Surgical decisions require an in-person assessment, a full consent discussion and the individual medical advice of your surgeon and anaesthetist.
Eyelid Surgery South Africa: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between upper and lower blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty treats excess skin on the upper lid; lower blepharoplasty treats bags and puffiness beneath the eye. Both can be done together.
Can upper and lower blepharoplasty be done at the same time?
Yes. Treating both lids in one operation means a single recovery period. Dr Weyers will advise whether that suits you.
Is there a non-surgical blepharoplasty?
There is no non-surgical treatment that removes excess eyelid skin or fat. Injectable treatments can soften some lines around the eyes, but they do not replace surgery when tissue needs removing.
Do I need a general anaesthetic?
Not always. Some eyelid procedures are done in the rooms under conscious sedation; longer or combined surgery is done in theatre.
How soon can I return to work?
Most patients return within five to seven days. Bruising can last up to two weeks, and full recovery takes six to eight weeks.
What does blepharoplasty cost in South Africa?
The published range for upper and lower eyelid surgery is R45,000 to R60,000. City pages such as eyelid surgery in Johannesburg explain local planning; your quote follows consultation.
I live outside Gauteng. Can I still be treated?
Yes. The practice is at Life Fourways Hospital only. Patients from other provinces often start with the online photo review.
How long do the results last?
Removed skin and fat do not return, but the face continues to age. Many people enjoy the result for years; some later choose a brow or facial procedure.
Speak to Dr Deon Weyers About Blepharoplasty
Dr Deon Weyers is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and a member of APRASSA. He sees patients from across South Africa at the practice’s single location at Life Fourways Hospital.
Call 011 875 1694
Office hours: Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 17:00, Friday 08:00 – 14:00 · send a message
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