Dr Hertess and her team will provide holistic support throughout the experience, from your first meeting to your post-operative care
Upper eyelid surgery can be used to remove excess skin or underlying fat from the upper eyes.
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Eyelid surgery is also referred to as ‘blepharoplasty’
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Surgery typically takes around an hour and is often performed under general anaesthesia but can be performed in the rooms under local anaesthetic
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Upper eyelid surgery in the rooms removes excess skin only
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The procedure is designed to remove excess fat, muscle, and skin from the eyelids
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Patients who desire a younger, more vibrant appearance can consider this treatment
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Droopy upper lids can be corrected with eyelid surgery
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Patients enjoy a more refreshed, alert, and natural appearance
Sometimes, the upper eyelid surgery may even be able to improve vision due to sagging eyelids or hooded eyes. Each patient’s blepharoplasty procedure is customised based on their individual needs.
Eyelid lift can be performed independently or alongside other procedures such as facelift or brow lift.
What eyelid surgery cannot do
This treatment won’t eliminate crow’s feet, wrinkles or dark circles under your eyes, lift sagging cheeks and eyebrows, or stop you from getting older.
How does it work?
There are many ways to perform upper eyelid surgery. Here are some examples of incisions that may be made around your eye area during surgery.
Incisions on the upper eyelids
The incision is made at the natural skin fold on the upper eyelid. The scar can be hidden by the skin fold on the upper eyelid.
The excess skin and protruding fat can be removed. The incision is closed with a dissolvable suture or a suture that is removed a few days later.
What happens during and after surgery?
The procedure takes approximately one hour with either a general or local anaesthetic and sedation.
Some procedures are performed as day surgery though in some cases you may be required to stay overnight in hospital.
To reduce swelling, bruising, and discomfort, you can apply ice packs after the procedure.
You may experience blurring however this is only due to the eye ointment used during surgery to protect the cornea. You must be picked up by a trusted friend or family member; you will not be allowed to leave the hospital on your own.
Eye surgery recovery
The recovery time of each patient is different. It is important to allow yourself enough time for rest and time away from work.
It can take up to two weeks for bruising to fade. For up to four weeks, the eyes can feel dry, tight, watery, and sensitive to light. You may require ointment or artificial tears, particularly at night.
Double vision can also be experienced. This happens when the tissues around the eye muscles are bruised. It is usually temporary. Sunglasses can be used to protect the eyes from the sun and glare during recovery and conceal the fact that the surgery is taking place.
Alternative treatments
Other options for management include not undergoing surgery to treat the skin laxity and bagginess of the eyelids.
Sometimes, excess upper eyelid skin can be directly linked to brow droop. A brow lift may be performed to improve the appearance of excess skin and laxity on the upper eyelids.
If there are eyelid disorders that affect the function of your eyelids, such as drooping eyes due to muscle problems (eyelid ptosis), or looseness between your eyeball and the eyelid (ectropion), you may need other forms of eyelid surgery.
Anti-wrinkle injections, chemical skin peels and laser treatments may help to reduce minor skin wrinkles.
Surgery cost
If eyelid surgery is done for medical reasons, some costs may be covered. Talk to your surgeon about the expected costs and any additional fees.
For more information about eyelid surgery costs, please call Dr Hertess Plastic Surgery on (07) 5601 0492.
