Uplift surgeon talks about Uplift and gives advice on eye surgery

Uplift For A New You

Uplift is a unique network of the UK’s leading surgeons and optometrists that deliver the highest quality ethical care and guarantee the most suitable surgeon for each patient’s needs. Their surgeons are UK trained and based oculoplastic and refractive consultants whose practices are dedicated to managing the eyes and the surrounding area of the face.

One of the leading practitioners is Omar M Durrani MBBS, FRCS Ophth, a consultant Oculoplastic Surgeon at the Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, who has 15 years’ experience in the field. He’s an Ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) who has completed advanced training in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to lecturing across the UK and having many published articles, Omar is also a Hon. Senior Lecturer with the University of Birmingham.

Often the eye area is the first place we notice ageing, with some people aging prematurely in this area for all sorts of reasons from lifestyle to the shape of the face. A simple eyelid lift or brow lift can have a dramatic and natural looking effect on your appearance and in this issue we talk to Omar to understand more about the procedures available and why he chose to work with Uplift.

Why did you choose to work with Uplift?

We share the same ethos and values; it’s about putting the patient first, providing the highest quality of care to every patient from their first consultation right through to the aftercare. I also felt reassured by the fact that the other surgeons they were working with are all very well-known and highly regarded practitioners.

Uplift offers so many eye related surgical procedures from cataract surgery to cosmetic eye surgery, why should customers select a specialist company such as Uplift?

One of the most common phrases that I hear from my patients is that ‘eyes are precious’ and I agree with them. Therefore if you’re having any surgery carried out in and around the eye area, it makes sense to get a surgeon that performs eye related surgery day in day out. This is also true of eyelid and upper face surgery. It’s important to note that the eyelids are actually part of your eye, so rather than a cosmetic surgeon, any surgery to this area must be carried out by a specially trained eyelid surgeon (oculoplastic surgeon) for the best results.

The eye area is often the first place to show signs of ageing, but you can achieve quite significant results with simple surgery, can you explain some of the options to us?

As we know, prevention is always better than cure, so simple things like using sun block, wearing a wide brimmed hat and not smoking can slow down the signs of ageing. Rejuvenation of the area around the eyes can provide very impressive and, more importantly, ‘natural’ looking results. The most commonly performed procedure is the upper or lower eyelid lift or blepharoplasty. The procedure can be carried out under local anaesthesia in an hour or so. Bruising is usually minimal and patients can be up and about an hour after surgery. The eyelid lift can also be performed in combination with other procedures such as a brow lift or a cheek lift. It is best to discuss these options with your surgeon. The effects visually are very impressive, but equally so is the effect it has on a patient’s confidence!

What advice would you offer anyone considering surgery for the upper face area?

Having realistic expectations of what can be achieved is important. A good surgeon can reduce the ageing changes, but cannot make you look like someone else! Make sure that the surgeon is a specialist in eyelid and upper face surgery (oculoplastic or ophthalmic plastic surgeon) and is based within a reasonable travelling distance of your home. This is important as patients often require two pre-operative and at least three post operative consultations. They should also be members of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) – this is where an organisation like Uplift are very helpful, as they identify the best eyelid and refractive surgeons across the UK ensuring the surgeons match the needs of each individual patient.

Don't be afraid to ask the surgeon about their results and ask to be shown ‘before and after’ photos of the procedure that you have in mind. Write down any questions that you may have about any aspect of the surgery, as it’s easy to forget many of the questions when in front of the surgeon. Although patients wanting cosmetic surgery do not require a referral letter from their GP, do discuss your intentions with them, as they may be able to provide valuable information about your general health etc.

There’s no such thing as a ‘lunchtime’ eyelift. Certain types of eyelifts or blepharoplasty surgery can be carried out in less than an hour, but preoperative preparation and postoperative care take time. Expect to spend about three to four hours in the hospital and take an appropriate amount of time off work to aid a speedy recovery.

From cataract surgery to eyelid lifts, brow lifts to mid-facelifts, Uplift are renowned for their team of experts who deliver wonderful results.

Source: Live 24 Seven Magazine August 2011.