Double Eyelid Surgery: Incisional and Non-Incisional Methods, Recovery and Thailand Travel

Double eyelid surgery is a type of eyelid surgery in Thailand that creates an upper-eyelid crease, as Yanhee Hospital describes it. Wansiri Hospital describes point-suture, short-incision and full-length incision methods, with different descriptions of the skin and fat each method suits.

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What Double Eyelid Surgery Changes

Yanhee describes double-eyelid creation as upper-lid surgery for someone with a monolid who wants a defined crease. Its service list names upper and lower blepharoplasty and double-eyelid creation.

The UK National Health Service (NHS) describes upper surgery as removing excess skin, fat or muscle through an incision in the natural fold. Its lower-lid description concerns fat removal or repositioning below the eye, sometimes with skin removal.

Double eyelid surgery and Asian blepharoplasty

If a consultation uses the term "Asian blepharoplasty," ask the surgeon to explain the proposed crease and method. Describe the change you want in your own words, including anything you want to keep.

Ask whether the written plan refers only to crease creation or includes another operation. Use that same description when discussing aftercare and follow-up appointments.

What it doesn't address by itself

The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) says blepharoplasty can't alter dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, or sagging eyebrows. Its guidance lists brow lift and skin resurfacing among possible associated procedures.

TRP Hospital includes ptosis correction and fat grafting in its double-eyelid treatment descriptions. So ask whether any proposed treatment for a drooping lid or added fat is a separate part of your plan, and why it is being discussed.

Incisional Vs Non-Incisional Double Eyelid Surgery

Ask the surgeon to describe where they would place stitches and make any incision. Keep the method's full name on the written plan so you can refer to it when asking about risks or recovery.

Point-suture or non-incisional methods

Wansiri describes point sutures that create a fold without an incision. Its selection description concerns skin that isn't thick or lax, with limited eyelid fat.

So ask what would hold the crease in place and what the surgeon would do if the fold changed. Ask whether any stitches would remain beneath the skin.

Partial-incision and short-incision methods

Wansiri describes a 1 cm incision for limited excess fat and limited skin removal. TRP describes fat aspiration through a central upper-lid incision and identifies teenagers or people with minimal excess skin in its short-incision description.

If the proposed method is called partial-incision or short-incision, ask where the incision would be and what tissue would be removed. Ask how the fold would be secured after that step.

Full-incision and long-incision methods

Wansiri describes a full-length incision for hidden folds, asymmetry or more eyelid fat. TRP describes long incision for mature patients, significant skin laxity or drooping lids.

Ask the surgeon which feature of your eyelids explains the proposed incision length. If several methods are discussed, ask for the trade-offs in your case before agreeing to one.

Questions that make the comparison useful

Ask for the proposed technique and follow-up plan in writing.

• Will you use point sutures, a partial incision or a full incision?
• Do you propose removing skin or removing or repositioning fat?
• Is treatment for a drooping lid part of the operation?
• Which stitches stay in place, and which need removal?
• When will you assess the crease, and which visits must be in person?

Who May Be Considered for Each Method

Use the hospital descriptions to prepare questions for your consultation. Ask the surgeon to explain why the proposed method fits your eyelids and whether surgery is appropriate for you.

Anatomy and the treatment plan

TRP's descriptions distinguish minimal excess skin from significant laxity or drooping. Ask the surgeon to show you what they are assessing when they discuss those terms.

Ask whether both eyelids would receive the same treatment. If you already have a crease, explain whether you want to keep it, change it or discuss unevenness.

Health and eye considerations to disclose

Yanhee says the eyes, eyelids and lashes should be free of infection before surgery. Ask how the team will assess this before the operation.

Discuss existing eye symptoms and health conditions with the surgeon. Questions prompted by Bangkok Hospital Pattaya's candidacy guidance include:

• Could thyroid disease or low tear production affect my assessment?
• How would high blood pressure, diabetes, circulation problems or cardiovascular disease affect the plan?
• Do I need an eye assessment before deciding on the technique?

Recovery Timeline After Double Eyelid Surgery

Keep the source and procedure beside each timing when discussing your own recovery plan.

Recovery might take longer than your planned time off. The NHS says most people take about two weeks off work, while bruising and redness can take several weeks to fade.

Stitches and follow-up

Ask your own surgical team to give you an appointment date and explain which stitches they plan to remove.

Bumrungrad's eyelid, lacrimal and orbital surgery guidance says non-absorbable stitches are removed at the hospital, while absorbable stitches dissolve or fall out. Ask which kind your operation uses.

Results settling over time

Yanhee's six-to-12-month statement concerns the final result on its general eyelid-surgery page. Ask when your surgeon expects to assess the crease and how to raise concerns between appointments.

Aftercare and Activities to Discuss With Your Surgeon

The NHS describes head elevation, cold packs, prescribed ointment or eyedrops, and pain relief. It also advises avoiding rubbing the eyes.

So ask for a written cleaning routine, including whether to use saline, which medicines to use and how often. Request instructions for sleeping, washing your face and protecting the wound during everyday activities.

Contact lenses, makeup and exercise

Wansiri gives contact lenses after 48 hours, makeup 24 hours after stitch removal, and no heavy exercise for one week. The NHS advises avoiding contact lenses and avoiding strenuous activity and swimming for a few days.

So ask your surgeon for instructions for your operation before restarting any of these activities. Include the exercise you normally do when asking for a return date.

When to seek medical advice

Bumrungrad's aftercare page tells patients to seek medical advice for deep pain not relieved by acetaminophen, suddenly increased redness or pus, increasing blur, or excessive bleeding. It also lists eye pain with nausea, flashing lights or a dark curtain in vision.

These are the hospital's instructions for eyelid, tear-system and eye-socket surgery. Ask your team for its urgent contact number and where to seek help outside appointment hours.

Risks and Limits of Double Eyelid Surgery

Use the risk discussion to ask about the operation proposed for you. Ask which complications the surgeon tracks and how they would manage a problem during your stay or after you return home.

Risks described in patient guidance

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) lists anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection, dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes and unfavorable scarring. Its general eyelid-surgery list also includes revision surgery and temporary or permanent changes in vision, with a very rare chance of blindness.

Ask the surgeon which listed risks apply to crease creation alone and which relate to any additional procedure being proposed.

Double-eyelid-specific complications

One 2015 study by Baek and colleagues reviewed buried-suture double-eyelid surgery in 204 Korean patients, covering 392 eyes, in Korea. Follow-up exceeded three months, and the study compared interrupted sutures with continuous sutures.

In that study, loss of the formed fold occurred in 17 of 88 patients with interrupted sutures, reported as 19.3%. It occurred in 10 of 116 patients with continuous sutures, reported as 8.6%. Baek and colleagues also reported exposed suture knots in both groups.

These are results from one retrospective study of two buried-suture methods. Ask your surgeon what evidence applies to the technique they propose and how they assess a changed or lost crease.

What This Means if You Are Flying to Thailand

Ask the surgical team to set out your local appointments before you commit to travel dates. For location planning, see eyelid surgery in Bangkok.

Day case doesn't remove the follow-up question

Yanhee describes its surgery as "a day case with no overnight stay." Wansiri's Thai page, translated, says "Stay at the hospital for 2 to 3 hours, then you can go home."

Ask your chosen hospital to confirm its admission and discharge plan for your operation. Request the follow-up appointments separately from the hospital-stay details.

Plan around a follow-up appointment, not a fixed flight date

Ask which reviews must happen while you are in Thailand and who will assess whether you can travel. Request a plan for extending your stay if the surgeon wants another examination.

TRP describes a day-14 assessment followed by routine appointments through months one and two. So ask how later appointments would work if you live abroad.

Questions to settle before booking travel

• What method will you use, and is another procedure included?
• Will I leave the hospital that day or stay overnight?
• What stitches will I have, and when will they be removed?
• Which follow-up appointments must be in person?
• Who will assess my travel plans, and at which appointment?
• What happens if I need more observation in Thailand?
• Who should I contact about a concern after I return home?

For budget planning, see eyelid surgery cost in Thailand. Ask for the proposed method and follow-up arrangements to be written into your quote.

Frequently asked questions

What is double eyelid surgery?

Yanhee describes it as an upper-blepharoplasty procedure that creates an upper-eyelid crease. Ask whether your plan involves crease creation alone.

What is the difference between incisional and non-incisional double eyelid surgery?

Wansiri describes point-suture and incision methods. Ask where stitches or cuts would be placed and whether the surgeon proposes removing skin or fat.

Who is a candidate for non-incisional double eyelid surgery?

Wansiri's point-suture description concerns skin that isn't thick or lax, with limited eyelid fat. Ask the surgeon to assess whether that description applies to you.

How long does double eyelid surgery recovery take?

Ask separately about work, exercise and the final appearance. The NHS says most people take about two weeks off work after eyelid surgery, and scars can remain visible and tight for a few months.

When are stitches removed after double eyelid surgery?

TRP states two to three days; Wansiri states five to seven days. Ask your own surgeon for the schedule for your stitches.

How long should I stay in Thailand after double eyelid surgery?

Ask the treating surgeon to specify your local stay, required appointments and travel assessment. Request a separate answer about later reviews after you return home, including whom to contact if you have a concern.