Blepharoplasty surgery overview

Blepharoplasty is a procedure that addresses deformities, disfigurations and age-related changes to the upper and lower eyelids. These changes can include excess skin or droopiness, loss of volume around the eyes, asymmetry, and vision impairment due to the redundant skin.

There are many reasons for someone to choose blepharoplasty or an eye lift, and it has several benefits.

It is a procedure that is performed to:

Remove excess skin from the eyelids
Rejuvenate and refresh the tired, or aged eyelids
Provide eyelid balance and symmetry

Eyelid Surgery

Before the Procedure

Blepharoplasty is a highly individualised procedure designed to address your individual goals and concerns. Before considering this procedure, you should be in good health, a non-smoker, and have reasonable expectations about what this surgery can and cannot achieve. Specifically, this operation cannot:

Remove dark circles around the eyes
Lift sagging eyebrows
Eliminate crow’s feet

Operation

It is performed under a general anaesthesia in one of our registered Hospital facilities. During the procedure with Dr Perron in our Brisbane clinic, incisions will be made along the upper or lower eyelid in order to remove excess skin and tissue. Placing the incisions in the natural folds of the eyelid will reduce the appearance of scarring. The average procedure will take 45 minutes to two hours to complete, depending on what needs to be done. A dressing will be placed over the eyelids after the procedure to reduce swelling and bruising and prevent infection.

Blepharoplasty Recovery

The recovery from this procedure usually takes a few days. It is common for there to be some swelling and minor bruising around the eyes after surgery. This can last for a few weeks and usually subsides without any residual concerns. You may also experience some mild eye irritation, which is also common. You will be provided with lubricating eye drops after the procedure to help eliminate this symptom

Each patient has different anatomy and specific expectations. Not everyone is a good candidate for a blepharoplasty. Discuss your particular circumstances with Dr Perron before deciding what is best for you.

Risks

There are risks associated with any type of cosmetic procedure. The general risks associated with cosmetic surgery include the following:

Bleeding and bruising
Infection
Pain
Scar

Specific risks associated with blepharoplasty include the following:

Too much skin excision, resulting in cornea injury
Asymmetry
Itchiness, watering or dryness of the eyes
Lower eyelid drooping (ectropion)
Temporary visual changes, which can be long lasting

In extremely rare cases, blindness can occur. This risk is increased with coughing, strenuous exercise, lifting, and smoking. Dr Perron will discuss all of the potential risks and complications with you during your consultation so that you know what to expect. If at any point during your recovery you experience excessive swelling or pain, it’s important to schedule an appointment at the clinic as soon as possible.

Please be advised that all procedures carry risks, therefore, we encourage patients to consult with their regular GP and Qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon before considering surgery. Find more information here.

Blepharoplasty FAQs

Will blepharoplasty get rid of my eye wrinkles?

No, blepharoplasty is not designed to remove the wrinkles at the outer corners of your eyes (crow’s feet) or to fix sagging brows. There are other procedures available that can be used to remove wrinkles near the eyes, including laser resurfacing and intense pulsed light treatments.

Is there much scarring after blepharoplasty?

As with any surgical procedure, some scarring is to be expected. However, scarring with blepharoplasty is minimal and practically non-existent after several months of healing. This is mostly because the incisions are so small and are placed within the natural creases of the eyelids.

When will my stitches be taken out?

The hair-thin sutures are normally removed within three to five days of the operation. The removal process may sting a little bit but it is over very quickly.

How much does blepharoplasty cost?

The cost associated with this surgery ranges from $4,500 – $6,000, but since every patient has very different requirements, a final cost can only be determined during your consultation. Hospital and anaesthetist fees are additional individual costs. If this procedure is deemed medically necessary and an Optometrist letter has been provided, Medicare and private health insurance may provide you with a rebate post operatively. You can discuss this with Dr Perron once your needs have been determined.

Figures listed are Surgeon’s fees only. Other fees might include: Anaesthetic fees, Hospital fees, Garment fee’s, Implant/ Prosthesis fee’s, Assist fee’s. All patients are different and require different treatment approaches, therefore, price ranges have been provided. However, an accurate individualised quote will be provided to the patient after an in depth consultation with Dr Perron is completed.

How should I prepare for eyelid surgery?

The healthier you are prior to your surgery, the better. It’s also best to stop smoking several days before the procedure as this can affect the healing process. You may also need to stop the use of eyedrops and refrain from wearing contact lenses, but Dr Perron will discuss these specific requirements with you during your consultation.

Will I need to take time off work after eyelid surgery?

While this is not a major procedure, patients will need to take a few days off work – a week is the minimum but 10 days is ideal. Patients who have addressed their upper lids should be back at work within 10 days but those who have worked on their lower lids will need around two weeks to recover. To alleviate discomfort and swelling, it’s best to sleep with your head in an elevated position and to get as much rest as possible. Staying hydrated will also aid your recovery. As you can imagine, pairing the eyelid surgery with additional procedures can affect the recovery time.

How do I decide whether I need eyelid surgery?

If excess skin is impairing your vision, it’s definitely worth considering eyelid surgery. However, if it’s purely cosmetic, there’s no need to rush into the procedure, especially if you’re concerned about taking time off work after surgery. The majority of blepharoplasty patients are over the age of 45 but there are often patients in their thirties who require the procedure much earlier in life. Dr Perron will be able to tell you whether you can hold off on the procedure or if it’s best to go ahead sooner.

What causes eyelids to droop?

There are a number of reasons why the eyelids can start to droop, including volume loss caused by the natural ageing process. If the muscles of the eyelid are damaged, it can also create a sagging effect. Muscle damage can be caused by both injury and disease. More serious causes of droopiness can be an eye tumour.