Blepharoplasty

There are many factors to consider when contemplating either a functional or cosmetic blepharoplasty. Upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery are significantly different procedures and are assessed and managed independently.

Careful assessment will be done of your eyelids during your consultation with Dr Mathew Lee.

It is important that you take some time to consider your situation and goals regarding blepharoplasty, and then discuss these with Dr Lee.

Medicare and private health insurance may provide a rebate for patients undergoing eyelid surgery for functional impairment and medical problems. This may require a visit to an optometrist for assessment of your visual fields.

The total cost for blepharoplasty ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 and depends on the complexity of the procedure required and the time necessary to perform the surgery.

The estimated cost for your blepharoplasty can be provided following your consultation.

Pre-operative planning is conducted over two visits to our Mornington rooms and involves the expertise of Dr Mathew Lee and the team of experienced plastic surgery nurses.

Pre-operative planning looks at your reasons for wanting eyelid surgery, and will ultimately establish the goals for your procedure. 

It ensures that Dr Lee’s vision and understanding of what you’re looking to achieve matches your expectations.

While the final look is often the first thing discussed, there are many aspects about you as a patient that need to be considered in order to plan the right operation specifically for you.

Careful pre-operative analysis, measurements and photos are used to plan the right operation for you. 

Detailed information about what to expect and how to prepare for your surgery will be discussed.

Either the upper eyelid, the lower eyelid, or both can be treated during the same operation. Excess skin that droops over the upper eye is carefully removed so that the natural shape of the eye is retained and the scar is hidden in the fold of the upper eyelid.

Excess fatty tissue under the upper eyelid may be removed during the same procedure.

Excess skin of the lower eyelid may be excised and prominent fat pads and bags can be addressed. Whilst fat is sometimes removed, addition of fat to restore the youthful dynamics of the lower eyelid is often required to improve contours. 

Blepharoplasty is performed under local or general anaesthetic depending on the complexity and duration of the procedure as well as patient comfort requirements.

The operation can take from 1 to 4 hours depending on the nature of the presenting problem.

Patients can generally have eyelid surgery as a day procedure. Overnight stay in hospital may be required for more complex cases.

Immediately after surgery, you will have a cold gel pad over your eyes to manage bruising and swelling. This may give you the feeling of not being able to open your eyes to see; however, this is temporary and normal. Protective ointment in your eyes during surgery may also make your vision temporarily blurry. 

In most cases, pain is then easily controlled with simple analgesia such as paracetamol. Eye drops and ointments will also be given to help with recovery.

Incisions are closed with a fine suture or skin glue. Sutures are removed after 4 to 5 days. Incisions are generally hidden in the upper eyelid crease or just below the lash line of the lower eyelid. In some cases, an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid is used to do the procedure. This is known as a transconjunctival blepharoplasty.

Once at home, you will need to take it easy for a couple of weeks. This means no gym, no running and no heavy lifting. Ice packs to your forehead during the first 48 hours will help reduce bruising and swelling and will improve recovery.

Avoid driving for the first week particularly if taking strong pain relief or using eye ointment that impairs vision.

You need to allow 2 weeks for recovery in terms of work and social commitments, however, this does vary from patient to patient. 

Healing is usually complete within a couple of months.