Double Eyelid Surgery in Singapore – Incisional and Non-incisional Methods

You probably have heard about the double eyelid surgery. It’s one of the most popular surgery procedures in Asia and increasingly across the world. The main goal of the surgery is to create a wider, more open eye by creating a double eyelid. There are several ways to do double eyelid surgery, including incisional and non-incisional (suture) methods. If you’re interested in double eyelid surgery, then this article is for you. We will discuss all the important details about double eyelid surgery in Singapore – what is it, what types of surgery are out there, what’s the recovery like, and what are the side effects.

What is the double eyelid surgery?

According to doubleeyelidsg.com, one of the popular websites in Singapore that focus solely on topics around eyelid surgery, there are two main subtypes of double eyelid surgery – incisional and non-incisional.

Double eyelid surgery is a type of upper eyelid surgery, often called Asian blepharoplasty. In the incisional method, the surgeon may remove some excess skin and fat and stitch the skin to deeper tissue to form a crease.

In the non-incisional method, the surgeon doesn't cut away any skin. Instead, buried stitches placed through tiny holes create the double crease. Stanford Medicine's overview describes full-incision, partial-incision and no-incision techniques.

Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

The incisional type of blepharoplasty involves making an incision along the planned crease. The type of anesthesia varies by surgeon and patient, from local anesthesia to general anesthesia, so ask what your surgeon plans. Stitches are usually removed about 4 to 6 days after surgery.

Incisional surgery needs more downtime. Stanford Medicine notes that bruising usually clears in about 2 weeks, desk work can often resume after a week, and physical activity can build back up over 2 to 4 weeks. Some swelling can take longer to settle fully.

The incisional method is suitable for patients who have extra skin on their eyelids and for patients who want to achieve a more youthful look. With the incisional double eyelid surgery, the surgeon can remove some of the droopy skin as well.

Pros and Cons of the Incisional Method

The biggest advantage of the incisional method is that it gives the most durable crease, so there is less chance of the double eyelid fading. It suits most eyelid types, including eyelids with extra skin or fat. The surgeon can also address other issues at the same time, such as removing excess fat.

Downsides include more downtime than other methods and a scar along the crease, which usually fades over several months.

Non-incisional blepharoplasty

The non-incisional blepharoplasty uses buried stitches placed through tiny punctures to create a double crease. It does not leave an incision scar, and recovery is usually shorter. For many patients, it gives natural-looking results.

The procedure is suitable for anyone who doesn’t want to undergo the incisional type of surgery, usually young patients who don’t have sagging skin.

Pros and Cons of the non-incisional method

As mentioned above, the biggest benefit of the non-incisional method is shorter downtime, so you can return to your daily schedule faster.

The disadvantage is that the crease is less durable. It can loosen or fade over time, and some patients need a repeat procedure.

Partial Incision blepharoplasty

Partial incision blepharoplasty sits between the incisional and non-incisional methods. The surgeon makes one or more short incisions along the planned crease, which allows some fat removal, and then stitches the crease.

The partial incision method is suitable for patients who have some extra eyelid fat but little excess skin, or who want a more durable crease than the non-incisional method gives.

Pros and Cons of the Partial Incision Method

The biggest advantage of the partial incision method is less downtime and a smaller scar than the full incisional method. Your surgeon can also remove some unwanted fat. Because the incision is short, it is not the best choice when a lot of loose skin needs to be removed.

The disadvantage of this method is that it may not be suitable for people with very thick eyelids. This method can result in unnatural looking eyelids if that’s the case.

What are the risks of double eyelid surgery?

After double eyelid surgery, you may have tearing, itching, burning, dry eyes, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision for several days. Eye drops and ointments prescribed by your surgeon can ease these symptoms.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists other risks of eyelid surgery, including bleeding, infection, difficulty closing the eyes, unfavorable scarring, the need for revision surgery and, very rarely, vision loss. Uneven or asymmetric creases are also possible.

Get urgent care if you have severe pain, sudden swelling or any loss of vision after surgery.

With good judgment and proper technique, complications can be minimized.

You can avoid or reduce the risk of complications by choosing a plastic surgeon with the appropriate experience and qualifications.

How to choose the right method of double eyelid surgery for me?

The final decision will depend on your personal case and goals regarding the surgery. The best thing you can do is to talk to your surgeon and they will give you recommendations. Usually, depending on your specific eye shape and whether you have excess skin, your surgeon will recommend a suitable method to create the double eyelid crease.

HP Thoughts: Eyelids are best left alone except if there is a need to operate on them. In the meantime, we prepared a post that deals with eyelashes, instead. Have a good read: Thick Eyelashes.

Sources

• Asian Double Eyelid, Stanford Medicine
• Eyelid Surgery Risks and Safety, American Society of Plastic Surgeons