Eyelid Surgery for Cape Town Patients | Dr Deon Weyers
Blepharoplasty is one of the shorter facial operations, which makes it practical for patients flying up from Cape Town. Dr Deon Weyers performs it at his single practice in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes or repositions excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids or both. The aim is eyes that look more open and rested, with scars placed in the natural folds of the lids.
The practice has one location, at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg, and sees patients from Cape Town there. There is no Cape Town branch; consultation, surgery and the early follow-up all take place in Fourways.
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Eyelid Surgery Cape Town: Having Blepharoplasty in Johannesburg
For Cape Town patients the operation is the same as for anyone else. What needs planning is the trip: a consultation, the procedure day and a short stay for the first review.
Many Cape Town patients start with an online consultation and photo review, so that Dr Deon Weyers can see whether the concern is mainly skin, fat, brow position or a combination before you travel. Upper lids, lower lids or both may be treated, and the general approach is explained on the main blepharoplasty page.
- Upper blepharoplasty
- Lower blepharoplasty
- Sedation or general anaesthetic
- Travelling patients
- Single surgeon
Blepharoplasty can be performed in theatre under general anaesthetic or, for suitable patients, in the practice rooms under conscious sedation. Which setting applies to you is agreed at consultation. Either way, most patients go home the same day and rest in Johannesburg before the first review.
Swelling and bruising are usually most visible in the first week and can last up to about two weeks. Many patients are comfortable returning home after the early review, with the rest of the healing done in Cape Town. Upper-lid sutures are often removed at the early review in Fourways. If you have lower-lid surgery through an incision inside the lid, there may be no external sutures to remove at all.
A Typical Cape Town Timeline
Online review, then an in-person consultation in Fourways. On the surgery day, arrive fasted if a general anaesthetic is planned. Rest locally for the first days, attend the early review, then fly home once cleared.
Suture removal and the length of your stay depend on the technique used and how you heal. Both are confirmed with you at your pre-operative visit.
Plan your return flight around your early review rather than around the surgery date, and keep the ticket flexible.
Conscious Sedation in Rooms vs General Anaesthetic in Theatre
Conscious Sedation in the Rooms
You are relaxed and drowsy while the eyelids are numbed locally. This can suit limited upper-lid surgery in healthy patients.
Typically a shorter stay on the day. Not every patient or every procedure is suited to this setting.
General Anaesthetic in Theatre
You are fully asleep, with an anaesthetist present throughout, at Life Fourways Hospital.
Often used when upper and lower lids are treated together, when fat is repositioned, or when other procedures are combined.
| Aspect | Sedation in Rooms | General Anaesthetic |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness during surgery | Drowsy and relaxed | Fully asleep |
| Typical scope | Limited upper-lid work | Upper and lower lids, or combined procedures |
| Setting | Practice rooms | Hospital theatre |
| Pre-operative fasting | As instructed | Required |
| Who decides | Agreed at consultation | Agreed at consultation |
Blepharoplasty for Cape Town Patients, Step by Step
Dr Deon Weyers performs every step himself. The sequence below is typical for patients travelling from Cape Town.
Online review
Photographs and your history are reviewed so you know whether travel for a consultation is worthwhile.
Consultation in Fourways
An eyelid and brow assessment, a discussion of goals and a written plan and quote.
Surgery day
Incisions are placed in the natural crease of the upper lid and, for the lower lid, just below the lashes or inside the lid. Excess skin and fat are removed or repositioned. The procedure itself usually takes one to two hours, depending on whether one or both lids are treated.
Early recovery in Johannesburg
Cold compresses, head elevation and prescribed pain relief. You stay nearby until your first review.
Home to Cape Town
Healing continues at home. Further reviews are arranged with the practice.
Who is a Good Candidate
Blepharoplasty suits adults in good general health whose eyelids make them look tired or older than they feel, and who can plan time for travel and recovery.
- Hooded upper lids – Folds of skin that sit on the lashes or crease
- Lower-lid bags – Puffiness from fat that has moved forward with age
- Realistic expectations – A refreshed look, not a different face
- Healthy eyes – No untreated dry eye or other eye conditions that need attention first
- Time to travel – Able to stay in Johannesburg until the early review
- Lower-lid bags with a hollow – Often treated by repositioning fat rather than removing it
Suitability, and which lids to treat, is decided in person.
Preparing for the Trip
A little planning makes the trip easy.
- Pack dark glasses and a wide-brimmed hat.Sun protection matters for the healing incisions and you may prefer to cover bruising.
- Arrange a companion for the surgery day.You will not be able to drive after sedation or anaesthetic.
- Bring your contact lens case and glasses.Contact lenses are usually avoided for about ten days afterwards.
- Keep the return flight flexible.Fly once you have been reviewed, not on a fixed date chosen in advance.
Blepharoplasty Cost for Cape Town Patients
The practice publishes a range of R45,000 to R60,000 for upper and lower eyelid surgery, and R41,000 to R45,000 for upper blepharoplasty on its own. Details are on the eyelid surgery prices page.
Your written quote follows the consultation and depends on which lids are treated, the setting and any combined procedures. Travel and accommodation are separate costs.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is generally self-funded. Where drooping upper lids genuinely restrict your field of vision, a medical aid may consider a motivation.
What People Often Get Wrong
A few misunderstandings come up regularly with patients travelling for eyelid surgery.
Risks and Possible Complications
Recognised Risks of Blepharoplasty
General risks: bleeding, infection, delayed healing, visible or thickened scars and the possible need for revision.
Eye-specific risks: temporary dryness or irritation, difficulty closing the eyes fully for a period, and blurred vision in the first days.
Lower-lid risks: the lid edge pulling down or away from the eye, and asymmetry between the two sides.
Bleeding behind the eye is rare but serious and needs urgent attention.
Anaesthetic or sedation risks are discussed before the procedure.
Lowering Your Risk When Travelling
- Stop smoking – well before surgery; it slows healing.
- Follow the medication plan – including when to pause blood thinners and certain supplements.
- Keep your head raised – and use cold compresses as advised during the first days.
- Do not fly before your review – so any early problem is seen in person.
Contact the practice urgently, or go to the nearest emergency unit if you are already home in Cape Town, for sudden severe pain in or around the eye, rapidly increasing swelling, loss of vision, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure.
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 Cape Town: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Cape Town branch?
No. The practice has one location at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg. Cape Town patients travel there for consultation, surgery and the early review.
Can Cape Town patients have lower blepharoplasty?
Yes. Lower-lid surgery is planned in the same way for travelling patients. It needs careful assessment of the lid support and fat pads, which is done at your consultation in Fourways. See the lower blepharoplasty page for more.
How long should I stay in Johannesburg?
Long enough for the early review. The exact number of days depends on the procedure and is confirmed before you book flights.
When can I go back to work?
Many patients return to desk work within about five to seven days. Visible bruising can take up to two weeks to fade.
When can I wear make-up and contact lenses again?
Eye make-up is usually avoided for about two weeks and contact lenses for about ten days. You will receive written instructions.
Will the scars show?
Upper-lid incisions sit in the natural crease and lower-lid incisions sit just below the lashes or inside the lid, so scars are usually well hidden once healed.
How much does blepharoplasty cost?
The published range is R45,000 to R60,000 for upper and lower eyelid surgery. A written quote follows your consultation.
Speak to Dr Deon Weyers About Eyelid Surgery
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. Every consultation, procedure and follow-up is with him personally, at the practice’s single location at Life Fourways Hospital in Johannesburg.
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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