With age, you may develop excess skin on your eyelids, which can eventually affect your vision. In addition to vision problems, excess eyelid skin can cause cosmetic concerns that may move someone to seek surgery. Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids through incisions in natural lines extending to the outer edges of the eyes. This can help to alter the eyelids’ appearance and function. If you are interested in this procedure, contact Dr Cope and his team in Sydney.
It is sometimes possible for Dr Cope to treat fine lines on the lower eyelid with the Halo or Profractional laser for facial resurfacing. He may also remove fat using an incision on the back of the eyelid, which does not involve external scars.
Depending on your requirements, we can perform blepharoplasty eyelid surgery as a day or overnight procedure under local or general anaesthetic. There will be some temporary bruising and swelling for about two weeks, and some patients may notice blurring or tearing. *Most patients return to work in 7-14 days.
For some patients, we may combine eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) with other procedures. For example, a brow lift (browplasty) can elevate the brows, or a facelift (rhytidectomy) can alter the lower part of the face and neck as well. Each surgery will have different results according to the patient’s unique needs and anatomy.
If you are not ready for surgery, then we may address the eyelid area with Halo, Profractional laser resurfacing, or Ultraformer III skin tightening treatments. These generally have less downtime than surgery.
*Note results vary from patient to patient
Surgery candidate
Before we go ahead with planning your surgery, we will need to find out if you are a candidate. There are certain factors you will have to discuss with Dr Cope in order to find out if you are suitable for surgery, such as your goals and concerns. Some of the reasons why a person may seek this procedure include:
- Loose skin or fat in the upper eyelids
- Excess fat in the lower eyelids
- Impaired vision due to extra skin
- Cosmetic concerns about eyelids
Candidates for this procedure should also:
- Have realistic goals for surgery
- Not have any health problems that could impact their surgery
- Be prepared to go through the recovery process
- Know the risks and possible side effects
Your consultations with Dr Cope
The only way to find out if you are a candidate for this procedure is to have a private consultation with a plastic surgeon such as Dr Cope. This meeting allows you to get informed guidance from a skilled professional. It also gives us the chance to discuss your needs and any health issues that may impact your treatment plan. We will discuss your cosmetic concerns and any functional issues with your eyelids. Then, we can proceed with planning your surgery.
Ensure that you come to your consultation prepared with any questions you may have. Dr Cope will aim to inform you of all the relevant details about your surgery, the aftercare, and the risks involved.
Blepharoplasty cost in Sydney
When planning to undergo eyelid surgery, one of the most important things that you should consider is the total costs. In general, the final price of blepharoplasty surgery can be broken into a number of components, including:
The surgeon’s fees
This will depend on the experience and expertise of your surgeon.
The type of eyelid surgery
More complex surgical techniques tend to cost more.
Whether the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic or in hospital
Most upper eyelid surgeries can be performed under local anaesthetic in the rooms, while lower eyelid surgery requires a general anaesthetic in the hospital.
The anaesthetist’s fees
This can be charged by the hour or procedure.
The length of hospital stay
Depending on your condition, you may need to stay overnight or go home within the day.
Other costs
This includes medical tests and medications. The total cost for eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may vary due to the above factors. When performed under local anaesthetic in Dr Cope’s rooms, it typically costs between $5000 and $6500. However, when performed in a hospital, it usually costs around $8500. During your consultation with Dr Cope, we will provide you with a more detailed breakdown of the total costs of your surgery.
Will I qualify for a Medicare rebate for blepharoplasty?
If performed for cosmetic reasons, Medicare will not cover the cost, nor will your private health insurance. However, some patients may require surgery to correct vision problems. In this case, you may attract a Medicare number, and your insurance may cover the costs. Make sure to clarify this with your insurance provider before having the procedure.
There is a Medicare rebate only in specific cases of upper blepharoplasty (where excess upper eyelid skin affects your vision). In order to qualify for this, you may need to have a visual test with an optometrist which confirms this. If you qualify for the item number and are insured, your health fund may cover the hospital bed fee and theatre fee costs (depending on your level of insurance).
The procedure
The procedure details will reflect your personal needs and goals. Some patients, if their surgery is more extensive, may require a general anaesthetic and an overnight stay in the hospital. Others may only require a local numbing with no overnight stay. Whatever the case, Dr Cope and his team will be here to guide you through the process.
There are several approaches to this procedure. Upper blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery) focuses on the upper eyelid, removing excess skin from this area. This is also called upper eyelid reduction. Lower blepharoplasty focuses instead on the lower eyelid. In some cases, patients may require a combined procedure, where both techniques are applied. This is called double eyelid surgery.
Recovery & aftercare
Post-op care is important following your surgery. Your eyes will be sensitive and will require enough time and care to heal properly. You will need to follow instructions, such as:
- Keep your head elevated, and be careful when bending or stooping
- Get enough sleep, and spend time resting
- Do not rub or put pressure on your healing eyes
- Do not perform any strenuous tasks such as exercise
- Avoid smoking and alcohol during your recovery
Risks and complications
Risks and adverse effects are possible after any surgery, no matter the skill level of your surgery. As a result, you should educate yourself on the risks of your desired procedure, and ensure you discuss personal risk factors with your surgeon. The risks of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) include:
- Poor results
- Asymmetry
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Visible scarring
- Changes in sensation
- Vision impairment
Why choose Dr Cope for blepharoplasty in Sydney?
An important step when planning your surgery is choosing a skilled eyelid surgeon. A good surgeon will help you through the decision-making process to help you make an informed decision. Dr Cope is a qualified surgeon in Sydney who caters to the unique goals and needs of each patient. He will explain your options, as well as the risks and benefits of surgery, to help you decide on a surgical plan. For more details about this procedure, contact us at our locations in Mosman, Wahroonga, and Gosford.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on your unique features and ageing process, as well as your goals and ideals. The right time could be when skin laxity and fat are bothering you. Most people have the surgery between 40 and 60 years old, although ages vary from people in their 30s to 80s.
The procedure removes excess skin and fat. It alters the upper part of the face, helping to address concerns about appearance and function.
Upper eyelid incisions are placed in natural creases. Lower eyelid incisions usually run just under the eyelash line. Both incisions may extend into the outer edge of the eye. Facial scars should fade over time, but their appearance can vary.
The outcomes of surgery are never guaranteed. However, they may last 10-15 years*. Many people have a second surgery 10-20 years later and may have a third, depending on their age when they first have surgery.
In some cases, we can perform the surgery under local anaesthetic in the office. However, the removal of excess skin and fat from the lower eyelids requires a general anaesthetic in the hospital.
Many people have other procedures performed at the same time. The most common include a lateral or full browlift (browplasty) or facelift (rhytidectomy) surgery. Others include a facial fat transfer and perioral dermabrasion to address lines around the mouth.
There are lasers such as Halo and Profractional, as well as skin-tightening devices such as SkinTyte and Ultraformer III. These help to trigger collagen in the skin, which may continue to increase over the six months following the treatment. These are office treatments with less downtime than surgery. However, these treatments are not as dramatic as surgery and may require multiple treatments. Patients who are not ready for surgery may desire these options.
During the first five to seven days after surgery, you need to rest and take things quietly at home. For the first two days, you need to apply cool compresses to your eyelids, which can help with bruising and swelling. Most people drive to the post-op visit, which is five to seven days later, and are back to work at this time after suture removal*. However, recovery times may vary, so you should always check with your surgeon about when you can return to your normal tasks.
For most people, it takes 10-14 days before they are ready to return to sports and full activities*.
*Note results vary from person to person
