Face
Procedures
Upper & lower eyelids
Upper and lower eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can correct both aesthetic and vision issues.
As a normal part of ageing, the upper eyelids can become loose and baggy, which can cause problems with peripheral vision. Lower eyelids can have a more prominent fatty deposit, appearing like a bag underneath the eyelid.
Dr Knox will discuss at the time of your consultation whether he feels it is beneficial to get a visual field test, to determine whether an upper blepharoplasty is clinically indicated.
Upper eyelid surgery
Upper eyelid surgery takes 60–90 minutes and can be performed in hospital under general anaesthetic or in our outpatient theatre with local anaesthetic (meaning you will be awake). Dr Knox makes an incision that goes from your inner to outer upper eyelid. He removes the excess skin and then sutures the skin edges together, following the natural contour of the eyelid.
Lower eyelid surgery
Lower eyelid surgery usually takes 2–2.5 hours and requires a general anaesthetic. Dr Knox makes an incision that goes from your inner to outer lower eyelid. He removes the fatty deposit or tissue and then sutures the skin edges together to follow the natural contour of the eyelid.
Please note: This procedure does not tighten the lower eyelid skin. If that is what you are seeking, Dr Knox may recommend alternative treatment options rather than a surgical approach.
You can expect the following pre-operatively:
Routine blood tests
Communication with anaesthetist & hospital
Allowing any anti-wrinkle injections to wear off
Creasing certain medication
Regular post-operative consultations will be arranged with Dr Knox to allow him to monitor your healing and progress.
It is important to understand that post-operative recovery can be different for each person, but you can expect the following:
Anticipate a day in hospital or attending Dr Knox’s practice.
You will have some sutures which are not dissolvable.
Sleeping propped up on a pillow for 1-2 weeks.
Needing liquid tear eye drops for 1-2 weeks.
Unable to drive for 5-7 days.
Light activity can be recommenced 5-7 days post op.
Be prepared to take life very quietly for the first week.
Heavy lifting & gym can usually recommence 4 weeks later.
Button-up clothing is recommended so not being pulled overhead.
Needing cold packs (or refrigerated gauze) for 1-2 weeks.
Lower facelift
Lower facelift surgery, also known as meloplasty, is performed to rejuvenate face and neck skin that has lost elasticity and to redefine facial contours.
A lower facelift cannot stop the ageing process, but can assist with:
· the appearance of wrinkles
· tightening skin that has lost elasticity
· defining facial contours
Dr Knox makes an incision at the front of the ear and in or behind the hairline. By doing this, he is able to separate the skin from the muscle and fat layers. He tightens the muscles and removes remaining fat tissue. He then tightens the skin by pulling it towards the incision; any excess skin is removed and then the site is sutured together. Lower facelift procedures usually take 4–5 hours and require a general anaesthetic.
You can expect the following pre-operatively:
Routine Blood Tests
Communication with anaesthetist & hospital
Allowing any anti-wrinkle injections to wear off
Ceasing certain medication
Routine ECG
Regular post-operative consultations will be arranged with Dr Knox to allow him to monitor your healing and progress.
It is important to understand that post-operative recovery can be different for each person, but you can expect the following:
Anticipate a day in hospital or attending Dr Knox’s practice.
You will have some sutures which are not dissolvable.
Sleeping propped up on a pillow for 1-2 weeks.
Wearing a facial compression garment for 4 weeks.
Unable to drive for 10-14 days.
Light activity can be recommenced 1 week post op.
Be prepared to take life very quietly for the 1-2 weeks.
Heavy lifting & gym can usually recommence 4-6 weeks later.
Button-up clothing is recommended so not being pulled overhead.
Needing cold packs (or refrigerated gauze) for 1-2 weeks.
Correction of prominent ears
Prominent ear correction, or otoplasty, is a surgical procedure that repositions prominent ears.
Having prominent ears can often cause patients to feel self-conscious and may lead to them lacking self-confidence. Please note: Dr Knox does not routinely perform this procedure on children who are under 10 years old.
Otoplasty is performed by making incisions behind your ears and reshaping the cartilage. You will wake up with a bandage applying pressure around your head and you can expect to wear this until your post operative appointment with Dr Knox. Correction of prominent ear procedures usually take 2–3 hours and require a general anaesthetic.
You can expect the following pre-operatively:
Routine blood tests
Communication with anaesthetist & hospital
Please note: the pre-op blood tests many not be applicable to patients under the age of 18 years old.
Ceasing certain medication
Regular post-operative consultations will be arranged with Dr Knox to allow him to monitor your healing and progress.
It is important to understand that post-operative recovery can be different for each person, but you can expect the following:
Anticipate a day stay or overnight in hospital
You will have some sutures which are not dissolvable.
Sleeping propped up on a pillow for 1-2 weeks.
you will wake with a bandage around head. This remains on for 1 week. A headband for 6-8 weeks thereafter.
Unable to drive for 7 days.
Light activity can be recommenced 1 week post op.
Be prepared to take life very quietly for the 1-2 weeks.
Anticapate being unable to do any contact sport, heavy lifting or gym activities for 6-8 weeks.
Button-up clothing is recommended so not being pulled overhead.