Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which tightens and contours the skin around the eyes to meet your individual aesthetic needs. As we advance in age, the skin around the eyes begins to naturally lose its elasticity and can begin to change its shape. Some of the ways in which this natural process manifests are wrinkles, increased skin looseness, and discrete skin folds and pockets around the eyes. Those who have such natural excess loose skin of the upper eyes may have ‘hooding’ of the eyes, which can obstruct vision.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty Surgery
Blepharoplasty is surgery to the upper or lower eye lids. It is the most common operation performed by Surgical Fellows of ACCSM worldwide.
During blepharoplasty, natural excess skin and fat deposits are removed around the eyes, and muscles and fat deposit pads are repositioned. Upper blepharoplasty can be performed to reshape and contour the skin around the upper eyelid. Similarly, Lower blepharoplasty tightens the skin of the lower lid. These are two different procedures which help address different aesthetic issues of the eyelid.
Blepharoplasty can also create a ‘double eyelid’, especially popular among patients who are genetically predisposed to having an absent or small upper eyelid fold.
Please note that Blepharoplasty does not correct dark circles under the eyes, eyebrows that push downwards, or skin lines near the sides of the eyes. There are other aesthetic techniques and procedures offered by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery which can help address these aesthetic needs.
Not sure if blepharoplasty is right for you? Maybe you feel more than one type of cosmetic surgery may be required?
We advise booking a consultation with Dr. Verma. With his expertise and commitment to achieving the best results for you, together you can create a personalized treatment plan involving both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments individually tailored to the look you would like to achieve.
Please also see our list of general FAQs for more details.
Call (02) 4001 0511 to talk to our friendly staff and book a consultation with Dr. Verma.
Blepharoplasty Quick Summary
What is blepharoplasty: Blepharoplasty involves making small incisions through which natural excess skin and fat deposits are removed around the eyes and fat deposit pads are repositioned to meet your individual aesthetic needs.
Where is it done: Your Blepharoplasty surgery will be performed at the brand-new Honeysuckle Day Hospital in Newcastle, a fully licensed and accredited day hospital which is purposely equipped to care for cosmetic surgical procedures.
Length of Surgery: Usually between 1-2 hrs. May be longer depending on which technique is used (see below), the complexity of surgery or if blepharoplasty will be combined with another type of surgery.
Type of anaesthesia: Local or General Anaesthesia.
Day surgery or inpatient stay: Day Surgery.
Approximate Cost: Varies according to type, complexity and length of procedure. You will receive a quote with cost of the procedure after your consultation with Dr Verma, tailored to you.
The Blepharoplasty Consultation
Do I qualify for Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is generally performed for candidates over the age of 35 (although those wishing for ‘double eyelid-Blepharoplasty’ can be younger). You need to be in good general physical and mental health to undergo surgery and ideally be a non-smoker or amenable to quitting pre-operatively.
Who is a good candidate for Blepharoplasty?
The ideal candidate is someone who has realistic expectations of what surgery can achieve and is undergoing surgery for themselves and not for anyone else (e.g., pressure from partners or family, undergoing surgery to salvage a relationship or try to procure or keep a job).
What to expect during the consultation?
No two faces are the same. After taking a general medical history, Dr. Verma will examine your eyelids and discuss your aesthetic needs with you. He will then suggest a procedure or procedures specifically tailored to address these needs. For a true analysis of your face and eyelid-Blepharoplasty, please avoid wearing any makeup or sunscreen for the consultation. It is also recommended that, where possible, you bring close-up clear photographs of a younger you to the appointment. These images help Dr. Verma understand the younger contours of your face and eyes, as well as the result you wish to achieve so he can adjust your surgery accordingly.
Please note that Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your face and eyelid-Blepharoplasty. Photography is vital in the cosmetic surgery experience and allows Dr. Verma to document and share with you your progress pre- and post-operatively. Sometimes these photographs will be uploaded onto our website. The images are de-identified, with birthmarks, tattoos and other identifying features removed. The images are not altered in any other way, in order to give a true representation of the likely results. Such ‘Before-After’ images help other potential patients like yourself to decide whether this is the right procedure for them.
Generally, the consultation is your opportunity to ask Dr. Verma any questions or clear any concerns you may have regarding blepharoplasty surgery.
What is the cost of Blepharoplasty? What is included?
Cost of blepharoplasty surgery depends on the length and complexity of the surgery. After the consultation, once you have decided you are interested in blepharoplasty, you will receive a quote for the cost of the surgery. This price includes Dr. Verma’s fees (Proceduralist fees) and the cost of follow up visits up to 3 months post-surgery. It does not include hospital and anaesthetist costs but an estimate of such costs can be provided on request.
Blepharoplasty Procedure
How is Blepharoplasty surgery performed? Are there different techniques?
There are three main types of blepharoplasties that can be performed. Dr. Verma has the training and experience to perform any of these:
Upper Blepharoplasty: removal of natural excess skin and tissue from the upper eyelid which may be causing vision obstruction.
Double Eyelid-Blepharoplasty: It involves creating a higher eyelid fold resulting in a double eyelid which meets your individual needs.
Lower Blepharoplasty: Skin of the lower eyelid is tightened to smoothen the surrounding skin. Natural fat deposits are often repositioned in the lower eyelid fill depressions under the eyelid.
Where will the incisions/scars be?
Varies with the types of blepharoplasties. In upper blepharoplasty, the incision is placed in the crease of the eyelid. In lower blepharoplasty, the incision is made either inside the eyelid or just below the lower eyelashes. In both cases, these incisions generally fade to form faint rarely visible white scars, although the degree of fading varies depending on how your skin tends to heal and form scars.
What type of Anaesthesia will be used?
The type of anaesthesia can be:
- Local anaesthesia (where you remain awake but the area of the procedure is injected with medicine, making it is numb so you remain comfortable throughout the surgery. Local anaesthesia also offers pain relief for several hours after the procedure).
- General anaesthesia (This means you will be asleep during the operation and may need to be observed for a longer period of time after the procedure). This is administered by a qualified an anaesthetist who then looks after you during your procedure.
- The type of anaesthesia chosen for your procedure depends on the type and complexity of your blepharoplasty surgery.
What are the side effects of Blepharoplasty surgery?
Temporary discomfort, tightness of lids, swelling, bruising. Temporary dryness, burning, itching of eyes. Excessive tearing, sensitivity to light for the first few weeks. These are normal after blepharoplasty and the majority of such symptoms resolve within two weeks after the operation.
What are the risks and complications of Blepharoplasty surgery?
With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved and most problems are easily treated and settle with time.
General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring.
There are also risks and complications specific to blepharoplasty such as temporary blurred or double vision, swelling at the corners of the eyelid, dry eyes or slight asymmetry between the eyelids. Due to swelling, there may be temporary difficulty in completely shutting your eyes.
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on whether you smoke, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss risks and complications with you during a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.
Recovery after Blepharoplasty
Care of your face and wounds
You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to care of your sutures, wounds etc. Any sutures are usually removed in 7 days. Your scars may need to be taped to improve healing and aesthetic outcomes.
Downtime
Returning to work takes 10-14 days, depending on the type of work you do. More strenuous activity (such as lifting, straining, pushing, exercise beyond a light walk) should be strictly avoided for 4-6 weeks.
When will you see results?
Results will be visible after your tissues heal when swelling and bruising begin to subside which may take up to a month or more. Thus, being patient and optimistic is key to recovery after blepharoplasty.
What will be your follow up schedule?
Dr. Verma will see you one week post the operation and then organize subsequent follow-ups according to how you recover. All follow-up visits cost up to three months after the operation are included in the cost of the surgery. Revision surgery for any complications carries an extra charge.
Similar to your consultation visit (see above), Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your face and eyelids in order to document its healing during follow up visits.
How long do the effects of blepharoplasty last for?
Several years but can sometimes be permanent.