Upper Lid Blepharoplasty
As an individual ages, it is common for the skin around the eyes to begin to sag, particularly on and around the eyelids. This can occur on both the upper and the lower lid of the eye. On the upper lid, this sagging involves the build up of excess skin which contributes to the accumulation of folds around the eye. This slackening of the skin is due to a decrease in skin elasticity, which can lead underlying fat to protrude from the area giving the patient an older, heavier look. Also this condition is most likely in older individuals, there are some younger patients who experience sagging of the eyelids due to genetic predisposition.
Bagginess Around the Eyes
This problem is particularly evident in the morning after the patient has spent a wakeful night in which not enough sleep was obtained or excessive stress was experienced. The bagginess is caused by the accumulation of fluid around the eyes which occurs when an individual is in a supine position. Typically, when a person is upright, these fluids are normally distributed evenly throughout the body. The condition can occasionally become so severe that the excess skin in the upper eyelid impairs a patient’s vision and must be corrected.
The operation is typically completed under local anesthesia although it can also be performed in a hospital under general anesthesia if the patient prefers or the surgeon recommends this as a better option. Before the procedure is performed, it may be recommended that the patient visit an ophthalmologist in order to ensure that the individual does not have glaucoma or a detached retina as this can cause complications.
Upper Lid Blepharoplasty Surgery and Results
During an upper lid blepharoplasty, the excess skin of the upper eyelid is removed. In addition, protruding fat is able be removed, making the patient appear more awake. Depending upon the condition of the patient, either the skin or the fat or both may be removed during the blepharoplasty. The surgeon will attempt to make the incisions following the natural creases of the eye in order to minimize the appearance of scarring during and after recuperation. The incision is typically closed using a suture that is buried within the skin, which is removed approximately one week after the surgery. During the procedure, it is likely that the eyelid will come open during the closing of the wound due to the amount of skin that has been removed. Therefore, the surgeon will apply eye drops in order to protect the eye. This may cause the patient some temporary blurring of vision.
During healing, it is common for one eyelid to heal faster than another which most likely occurs because the patient is more likely to sleep on one side of their head during the recuperation process thus allowing the fluid to pool in this specific location.
It is important for patients to understand that an upper lid blepharoplasty will not rid the face and forehead area of wrinkles. The most that can be expected is that the skin will be tightened in the upper eye socket area. Crow’s feet and wrinkles that extend into the area of the cheek will remain. Some patients may notice that the skin is not as taut as they would have expected it to be as a result of the surgery. Some excess skin is left deliberately as, if too much skin is removed from the upper eyelid, the eye would be unable to close. As the skin ages, there will be less available elasticity of the skin in the eyelid meaning that a certain amount of excess skin must be left on the upper eyelid in order to compensate for loss of elasticity. Some patients opt to receive other procedures concurrently or in addition to the upper lid blepharoplasty. These include an endoscopic brow lift in order to raise the brow as well as other more minor procedures such as chemical peels in order to more greatly reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Blepharoplasty Surgery Complications
Complications and side effects are uncommon but it is important for patients to be aware that they can occur. Some possible side effects are post operative infection and bleeding which are both, fortunately, relatively rare. It should, however, be expected that a considerable amount of swelling may occur which will typically take about three months to completely subside. However, the swelling continuously improves as the wound heals and individuals are typically comfortable appearing in public within two to three weeks after the procedure. It is also common for the eyes to be watery after the surgery due to an inflammation of the tear ducts which causes them to not be able to drain as they normally would. This typically resolves itself within a couple of weeks. The appearance of scars is usually minimal because, as mentioned previously, the surgeon will attempt to make the incisions as close to the natural creases of the eye as possible. However, as with any scars, they will appear more conspicuous directly following the operation but will begin to fade becoming less visible in the following months.
In order to maximize healing, the surgeon will tell the patient to keep his or her head elevated after the surgery in order to minimize the amount of swelling which is experienced. The surgeon may also utilize suture strips in order to maintain the position of the lid during the recuperation process. The patient should also be sure to cleanse the eyes with water and the doctor may prescribe eye drops as well. Because of the swelling which is likely following the operation, the patient may experience some difficulty shutting his or her eyes completely. If a patient experiences this, eye drops should be used in order to protect the eye, especially at night when the individual is sleeping.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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