Double Eyelids

How to Create Double Eyelids: Suturing / Stitching vs Cutting of Skin

For all intents and purposes, there are 2 main categories of double eyelid procedures: closed and open blepharoplasty.

• Closed blepharoplasty refers to the use of sutures/stitches to create the eyelid fold.
• Open blepharoplasty refers to the use of cutting techniques to create the double eyelid fold.

‘Closed’ Blepharoplasty – Suturing / Stitching

The main advantage of the suturing / stitching technique is that it creates double eyelids that are Supremely Natural Looking. As there is no removal of skin, fat or muscle, the eyelid skin retains or reposition to its next most natural crease line without disturbance to the function of the underlying muscle (required for closing of the eyelids when you blink or sleeps) or fats (see section on fats preservation)

Source from Simplified Facial Rejuvenation free preview pg 460 (Google books)

The Procedure

Minimal local anesthesia is given on the skin of the eyelid before suturing

Stitching done in 10 – 15 minutes with no cutting of skin.

Doctors who have undergone the appropriate training in the latest suturing operations and posses the relevant experience are able to Customize and Design the types of double eyelids that you have in mind. He is usually able to simulate your request for a specific type of double eyelids using his tools prior to the procedure so that you have a very good idea of what the final outcome would be like, right down to the millimeters in height.

There is usually Minimal Downtime or no significant persistence of eyelid swelling associated with suturing / stitching methods of creating double eyelid. For more information, see section on Post Operative Care.

Since there is no removal of skin, muscle or fat in this method of operation, potential Complications are Rare. The occasional hiccup includes ‘trapping’ of the lid elevating muscles by the sutures such that the upper lid is unable to elevate or ‘open’ fully. Fortunately such occurrence is uncommon and can be easily revised and treated immediately or during follow up consultation. In general, there is very little risk involved in the suturing / stitching method of creating double eyelids.

Before suturing

Entrapment of the elevating muscles and resulting in inability to fully open the eyes. Fortunately the situation is easily reversible and corrected immediately after the procedure or during a follow up

The suturing / stitching method of creating double eyelid is entirely Reversible within a timeframe and you can choose to have the sutures removed and the eyelids return to its original position without any scar formation or long term consequence.

Although fat removal is possible through the small incision made at the beginning of the procedure, it is highly discouraged. The concept of Fat Preservation is understated and relatively new but ignorance of such a principle has lead to disastrous consequence in subsequent years after the procedure. Refer to the section on Fat Preservation for more information.

The main disadvantage of this suturing technique is the duration of the double eyelids created. Previous suturing / stitching techniques are only able to produce results that last 2 -3 years due to breakage of sutures. However, with advancement of knowledge, experience and quality of sutures, Asian surgeons has now developed new suturing methods of creating double eyelids that last more than 10 years.

You tube link on the double eyelid suturing technique: