Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Sydney
Upper Eyelid blepharoplasty
- Non cosmetic elective procedure
- Hospital fees may covered by private health insurance
- Day surgery only and can be performed under local anaesthetic in clinic
Lower Eyelids blepharoplasty
- Cosmetic elective procedure
- Not covered by private health fund or medicare
- Day surgery only
Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that helps to reduce skin laxity around the eyes. Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty helps address aesthetic issues that may be a result of:
- Age
- Sun damage
- Acne
- Muscle movement (squinting, smiling)
- Smoking
At Form & Face in Bondi Junction, Dr Benjamin Norris performs blepharoplasty to help reduce aesthetic concerns about signs of ageing around the eyes, and, in some cases, to improve vision that is impaired by excess skin.
Treating ageing eyes with blepharoplasty
As you get older, the skin on your eyelid stretches and the supporting muscles begin to weaken in strength. This may cause excess fat to gather above and below your eyelids, which in turn can make patients develop concerns about:
- Extra skin and fine wrinkles in the lower eyelid
- Low lower eyelids that reveal too much white below the iris
- Lax skin that creates folds and/or changes the natural contour of the upper lids
- Excess fatty deposits
As well as these aesthetic concerns, these changes in the skin can affect your vision. Many patients come to Form and Face complaining of reduced peripheral vision, particularly on the upper and outer edges.
Dr Norris’s extensive experience with blepharoplasty can help to alleviate these issues caused by excess eyelid skin, both aesthetic and functional.
Who is a good candidate for blepharoplasty?
If you are in good health, have a good attitude and realistic expectations about the changes that blepharoplasty can produce, you might be a good candidate for blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty can do many wonderful things, but Dr Norris reminds our patients at Form and Face that this procedure cannot
- Lift low eyebrows
- Get rid of crow’s feet
- Erase dark circles
Many of the visitors to our practice choose to undergo blepharoplasty at the same time as other facial procedures including a coronoplasty (brow lift), rhytidectomy (facelift) and skin resurfacing.
How to prepare for upper and lower blepharoplasty
Dr Norris requires that all patients must stop smoking 2 months before embarking on any type of cosmetic surgery. Smoking inhibits circulation and good circulation is essential to healing and optimal outcomes.
Additionally, any medications you are taking that are associated with a risk of increased bleeding should be discontinued two weeks prior to surgery. This applies to over-the-counter preparations, prescribed drugs, and herbal supplements, as well. The only exceptions are medications that have been approved by your surgeon.
Finally, you will need to arrange for a patient escort to take you home after your procedure at Form & Face.
Blepharoplasty photos
Blepharoplasty 35 year old, lower eyelid lift only. Upper lids untreated
Blepharoplasty, upper eyelids treated
How much does blepharoplasty cost in Sydney?
The cost of blepharoplasty is mostly dependent on what needs to be achieved. The technique that is used by Dr Norris, as well as anaesthetist and hospital fees, also need to be taken into account. The best way to obtain a more accurate cost is by scheduling a personalised consultation. In cases where the eyelid is impairing the patient’s vision, a portion of the surgery costs may be covered by Medicare or private health insurance – you may want to get in touch with your surgeon to determine whether this is an option for you.
Before blepharoplasty
Dr Norris cares about his patients. Their satisfaction is his utmost concern. Your medical history will be reviewed and Dr Norris will personally evaluate your eyelids assessing
- Facial dimensions (to ensure a natural looking, symmetrical outcome)
- Skin tone
- Condition of the underlying muscle tissue
Dr Norris will meet with you to discuss your reasons for choosing blepharoplasty. He’ll also:
- Ask about your goals
- Address your concerns
- Ensure your expectations are realistic
- Discuss what you ultimately hope your eyelids will look like
Then it’s time to smile! We document all of our blepharoplasty patients with before-and-after photographs for their medical records.
Should you have any questions, everyone at Form & Face is dedicated to help you find the answers. When you and Dr Norris have finished your consultation, you’ll be introduced to Shannon. Shannon is our Practice Manager and “patient guide.”
She’ll discuss your options for surgery and provide you with a detailed, but easy-to-understand quotation for the procedure. Should you decide to schedule your surgery at that time, you will be asked to schedule a second consultation prior to your procedure.
What happens during blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is generally performed as an outpatient procedure. In some instances, however, particularly if other procedures are being performed at the same time, Dr Norris performs eyelid surgery at a hospital.
Procedures performed at Bondi Junction do not require general anaesthesia. The friendly faces of the Form and Face team who will all be working hard to make you feel comfortable and at-home will be surrounding you. If you are having work done in a hospital, you will meet another member of your team, the anaesthetist.
The specifics of eyelid surgery vary from patient to patient. Generally, Dr Norris spends approximately one-hour each performing upper or lower blepharoplasty. The complete procedure takes about four hours.
The graphic below illustrates some of the incision lines that Dr Norris uses during blepharoplasty on the upper and lower lids.
What to expect after upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery?
When your surgery is complete, you will be taken to a recovery room and monitored for any post-surgical issues. It is possible that you will temporarily experience
- Discomfort
- Numbness in the surgical area
- Swelling and bruising around your eyes
- Bruising visible on the whites of the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Extreme sensitivity to light
All of the above reactions are common and to be expected and will correct themselves during recovery. Dr Norris works individually with all patients to tailor a pain management and recovery program that is best for them. You’ll go home with post-operative instructions and a prescription for pain medication.
The first two days following surgery are the most uncomfortable. On the fifth day, you will return to see Dr Norris at Form and Face to have your stitches removed.
In two weeks, most of the evidence of your blepharoplasty will be gone. You may return to work but should avoid heavy lifting or use of the upper body. Light exercise is appropriate, but it is generally advisable to wait about six weeks before resuming your regular workout schedule.
This is something that you will discuss with Dr Norris.
Possible complications
Blepharoplasty surgery may cause:
- Infection
- Injury to eye muscles
- Bleeding
- Skin discolouration
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems
- Noticeable scarring
- The need for follow-up surgery
All surgeries carry some degree of risk including blood clots, a negative reaction to anaesthesia, etc. When you visit Form and Face for your consultation with Dr Norris, he will review all the risks and help you determine whether blepharoplasty surgery is a suitable solution for you.
We invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr Norris by using the form below or calling us on 1800 376 677 Together you can discuss blepharoplasty eyelid surgery, lay out a treatment plan that will help you achieve your goals, and obtain a personalised price estimate.
Here at Form & Face, we provide patients with a
Lifetime followup guarantee
This means that we will be there for you far beyond the recovery period.
You can rest assured knowing that you can come to us about any
post-surgical concerns for the rest of your life.