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Eyelid Surgery Sydney (Blepharoplasty)

Blepharoplasty or Eyelid Surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure that addresses the aged appearance of the eyelids. As part of aging, we lose elasticity of the skin. This combined with the effect of gravity can cause skin droop and bags under the eyes.

Around the upper eyelids it is characterised by excess drooping skin (hooded look) and in some it is so excessive, that starts to interfere with their vision.

Around the lower eyelids it causes wrinkles and puffy bags that are responsible for the sleepy, tired and aged look.

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Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can improve vision and reduce headaches caused by excess eyelid skin that interferes with vision. It also can reduce a heavy, sagging upper eyelid appearance.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty can freshen the face. It will also reduce puffiness and bags under the eyelids, giving you a more youthful and rested appearance.

You can have one or both of these procedures done depending on the extend of the issues you are experiencing.

Blepharoplasty Technique

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is done under a light anaesthetic in a fully accredited private hospital. Dr Safvat only works with highly trained anaesthesists accredited with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty

The procedure is usually performed as a day-surgery without the need for an overnight stay. It usually takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete. Dr Safvat surgically removes the excess skin, muscle and fat from the upper eyelid as needed. Upper lid blepharoplasty may be combined with other facial rejuvenating procedures such as lower blepharoplasty. Upper Blepharoplasty can be either Medically required or Cosmetic. To be classified as Medically required, certain Medicare criteria needs to be met and Dr Safvat will assess this during the initial consultation. 

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty

The procedure is more involved than upper-eyelid surgery and patients are required to stay overnight in hospital. Dr Safvat uses an incision on the inside of the eye (trans-conjunctival approach) to deal with the excess fat in the lower eyelid. The excess external skin is then removed (as needed) through an external incision just under the eyelashes. This way the muscles around the eye are left intact, which greatly reduces the risk of complications. In addition, young people with good skin elasticity may not have excess skin that needs excision. Therefore, they will not have the external scar. The lower eyelid is then supported and suspended to the outer corner of the eye with internal sutures. This is called a canthopexy / canthoplasty. Dr Safvat believes in conservative removal of orbital fat to avoid creating a gaunt look.

In some cases, the aged look around the eyes is caused more by mid-face volume loss rather than the bulging of eye fat. In these cases, restoration of volume to the mid-face either by a mid-facelift or by fat injection is more appropriate for those wishing to rejuvenate their appearance.

Dr Safvat will carefully assess your face and advise on the most appropriate procedure for your specific concerns and desires.

Recovery

The eyelids will be swollen and bruised for 1-2 weeks. A cold compress can be used to reduce these effects after surgery. Sleeping with your head in an elevated position for the first week can also help reduce swelling a lot faster. Patients need to have 1-2 weeks off work to rest at home.  You also won’t be allowed to do any heavy lifting or exert yourself for 3-4 weeks. However, some light walking a few days after your procedure can help with the healing process.

Your eyes might feel quite dry and sore for a week or two. Eyedrops or a gel can be used to keep the eyes moisturised until they’re fully healed. During your time at home, it’s best to get as much rest as possible.

Eyelid Surgery FAQs

How much does a blepharoplasty cost?

Upper Blepharoplasty, if done for functional (medical) reasons, has an item number. However patients need to be assessed by Dr Safvat during consultation to determine this. If this is the case, patients should get a rebate from Medicare and their health fund as well as be covered for the hospital costs depending on their level of cover. However, if it is done for cosmetic reasons, the surgery will not be covered by Medicare or health funds.

Lower Blepharoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure meaning that Medicare and Private Health Insurance cannot be used. Dr Safvat’s team will discuss all costs associated with the procedure at the first consultation.

What are the potential complications associated with eyelid surgery?

Any surgical procedure can be associated with some general complications. These include risks associated with general anaesthetic and infection. Having your procedure done in an accredited hospital minimises these risks. Dr Safvat prescribes antibiotics upon discharge to minimise infection risks. There is a good chance that your vision will be slightly blurry after surgery but this will rectify on its own. Dr Safvat will take you through all potential risks during your consultation.

Can blepharoplasty remove wrinkles and dark circles?

Eyelid surgery only addresses excess skin and fat around the eyes. However, since the skin does tighten, some fine lines may be reduced but not all. If your dark circles were being caused by large undereye bags, there might be a slight improvement but not a lot.

Do I need upper eyelid surgery or just a brow lift?

This will depend on whether the primary concern is excess skin on the upper eyelids or if the brow’s position has lowered over time. If excess skin is the problem, eyelid surgery is the better option. If the brow needs to be lifted, the forehead skin will be the main target during surgery. Sometimes, a patient might choose to undergo both blepharoplasty and a brow lift. This can be discussed with Dr Safvat during your consultation.

Are blepharoplasty results permanent?

It’s very uncommon for a patient to require a second eyelid lift but it’s not impossible. Once fat is removed, it’s unlikely to return, making blepharoplasty results permanent. However, since the ageing process will continue, eyelid skin will slowly start to sag again over time.

What kind of scarring can I expect after blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty incisions can take up to a year to heal and will be the most noticeable for the first six weeks. There is also scarring and bruising that will be present during the first six weeks. When the right techniques are used, scarring can be kept to a minimum and Dr Safvat prides himself on doing so. What’s more, the incisions are made along the natural fold of each eyelid, which also keeps the scars practically invisible.

What should I do to prepare for eyelid surgery?

Prior to your blepharoplasty procedure, your medical history as well as your eyes will need to be evaluated. This will take place during your consultation. Dr Safavt encourages patients to stop smoking for several weeks before surgery. Nicotine and smoke are known to affect the effectiveness of the recovery process. We will also provide you with a list of medications and supplements that will need to be cut out prior to surgery. Certain supplements and medications can cause excess bleeding and bruising. Make sure that you have someone to drive you home after surgery.