About Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery removes excess loose skin and fatty tissue around the eyes. The aim is not to change how you look but to remove a sense of heaviness or tiredness of the eyes.
Excess eyelid skin is called blepharochalasis and can be addressed through blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). Eyelid surgery is performed for both cosmetic reasons and to improve vision.
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty takes about 1 hour and is done as day surgery.
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty takes about 1.5-2 hours and is either done as a day surgery procedure or an overnight stay, depending on other factors such as whether other procedures are also done at the same time.
Eyelid surgery is not only a cosmetic procedure, it can also be a functional procedure. Excess skin of the upper eyelids can cause obstruction of vision or a sense of heaviness or tiredness of the eyes.
If the surgery is deemed to be more of a functional procedure (i.e it is done to improve vision), a referral to an optometrist for visual field testing may be recommended prior to Dr Blennerhassett doing your surgery. Incisions are placed in inconspicuous locations such as in the crease of the upper eyelid or else just beneath the eyelashes of the lower eyelid. Surgery risks listed below. (educational image of examination - not a patient) |
Commonly used terms – bags, sad eyes, tired eyes, saggy eyelids, excess eyelid skin.
Dr Lewis Blennerhassett – Cosmetic Eyelid Surgeon
Highly experienced in this procedure, Dr Lewis Blennerhassett is a skilled cosmetic eyelid surgeon and respected Specialist Plastic Surgeon. He has performed eyelid surgery for more than 25 years.
His eyelid work is focused on being meticulous and precise, prioritising safety and quality. His eyelid surgeries are performed only in fully accredited, fully equipped hospitals. His anaesthetists are skilled and highly qualified.
Eyelid care offered by Dr Blennerhassett is highly individualised and based on your needs. After a comprehensive and thorough discussion with you, he will personally work with you on your operation plan.
A great communicator, he oversees all patient care, from the first consultation until full recovery.
*Dr Lewis Blennerhassett, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery, Registered medical practitioner, (MED0001532372)
*Be aware that some Perth doctors performing eyelid surgery are not Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Learn more about Specialist Plastic Surgeons
His eyelid work is focused on being meticulous and precise, prioritising safety and quality. His eyelid surgeries are performed only in fully accredited, fully equipped hospitals. His anaesthetists are skilled and highly qualified.
Eyelid care offered by Dr Blennerhassett is highly individualised and based on your needs. After a comprehensive and thorough discussion with you, he will personally work with you on your operation plan.
A great communicator, he oversees all patient care, from the first consultation until full recovery.
*Dr Lewis Blennerhassett, Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Specialist registration in Surgery – Plastic Surgery, Registered medical practitioner, (MED0001532372)
*Be aware that some Perth doctors performing eyelid surgery are not Specialist Plastic Surgeons. Learn more about Specialist Plastic Surgeons
Before & After Eyelid Surgery Images
(Eyelid surgery (above image) Before and After - Upper eyelid lift, upper blepharoplasty
Post op image - two months after surgery
This surgery removes excess loose skin and fatty tissue around the eyes. The aim is not to change how you look but to remove a sense of heaviness or tiredness of the eyes. Surgery risks listed below.
We can answer all your questions about this procedure now - 08 9381 6977
*Reminder re above and below Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Eyelid surgery (below image) - Upper blepharoplasty and direct browlift (browplasty)
post op image - two months after surgery
Post op image - two months after surgery
This surgery removes excess loose skin and fatty tissue around the eyes. The aim is not to change how you look but to remove a sense of heaviness or tiredness of the eyes. Surgery risks listed below.
We can answer all your questions about this procedure now - 08 9381 6977
*Reminder re above and below Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Eyelid surgery (below image) - Upper blepharoplasty and direct browlift (browplasty)
post op image - two months after surgery
What does Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery involve?
In these sections, cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett explains what you can expect from cosmetic eyelid surgery:
Upper blepharoplasty - performed to remove excess skin, improve contour and symmetry of the upper eyelids, and in some cases to improve eyelid opening. It involves making an incision in the crease above your eyelid and removing a carefully measured amount of skin and tissue. Sometimes fat is also removed, especially in the corner near your nose. After this, in some cases, the eyelid muscles are tightened to improve opening of the eyelid.
Once the eyelid tissues are completely addressed, the skin is carefully closed using fine sutures.
All of this surgery is done under high power magnification to ensure the most accurate results.
The skin is then secured with tapes and then ice packs are placed over the eyes to minimise bruising.
Lower blepharoplasty - performed to remove or reduce “bags” beneath the eyes, to remove excess skin beneath the eyes and in some cases to tighten the eyelid if it is drooping.
Upper blepharoplasty - performed to remove excess skin, improve contour and symmetry of the upper eyelids, and in some cases to improve eyelid opening. It involves making an incision in the crease above your eyelid and removing a carefully measured amount of skin and tissue. Sometimes fat is also removed, especially in the corner near your nose. After this, in some cases, the eyelid muscles are tightened to improve opening of the eyelid.
Once the eyelid tissues are completely addressed, the skin is carefully closed using fine sutures.
All of this surgery is done under high power magnification to ensure the most accurate results.
The skin is then secured with tapes and then ice packs are placed over the eyes to minimise bruising.
Lower blepharoplasty - performed to remove or reduce “bags” beneath the eyes, to remove excess skin beneath the eyes and in some cases to tighten the eyelid if it is drooping.
This surgery involves making an incision just below the eyelashes and carefully exposing the lower eyelid muscles and fatty tissue. Once the eyelid structures are exposed, the prominent bags can be reduced, and the muscles can be tightened. Fat is either removed or repositioned, depending on the particular requirements of the patient.
Once this has taken place, a measurement of the excess skin can be made and a careful excision of this takes place. The skin is then carefully closed with fine sutures. Skin tapes are then applied and then ice packs are placed over the eyes to minimise bruising.
This is general advice for educational purposes only. Dr Blennerhassett will discuss your individual expectations with you. Surgery risks listed below. |
|
What causes excess eyelid skin?
The eyelids can be the first part of the body to show the signs of ageing. Your eyelids and the tissues supporting them stretch as you age and become less supple and are no longer able to bounce back into place. This is due to a general loss of the natural elastic tissues of the body as we age, and to a thinning of the collagen in the skin.
Gravity plays a part in stretching the skin down on the upper and lower eyelid and the muscles that support your eyelids also weaken. This can result in drooping of the upper or lower eyelids
Excess eyelid skin becomes more common after 40-years-of-age and is likely to be more common in those with parents or grandparents who had this condition.
In some cases, it can be evident even from a very young age (even as a teenager) that a person has a tendency towards excess skin of their eyelids or bags beneath the eyes.
The appearance of excess fat in the upper or lower eyelids during ageing in many cases is actually due to a malposition of the fat (i.e a bulging of a normal amount of fat) rather than a true excess amount of fat. So in these cases, the treatment of the fat is to reposition it rather than remove it.
Image below - upper blepharoplasty and direct browlift (browplasty)
post op image - two months after surgery
* Reminder re below Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise
Gravity plays a part in stretching the skin down on the upper and lower eyelid and the muscles that support your eyelids also weaken. This can result in drooping of the upper or lower eyelids
Excess eyelid skin becomes more common after 40-years-of-age and is likely to be more common in those with parents or grandparents who had this condition.
In some cases, it can be evident even from a very young age (even as a teenager) that a person has a tendency towards excess skin of their eyelids or bags beneath the eyes.
The appearance of excess fat in the upper or lower eyelids during ageing in many cases is actually due to a malposition of the fat (i.e a bulging of a normal amount of fat) rather than a true excess amount of fat. So in these cases, the treatment of the fat is to reposition it rather than remove it.
Image below - upper blepharoplasty and direct browlift (browplasty)
post op image - two months after surgery
* Reminder re below Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise
Is Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery right for me?
Eyelid surgery may assist you if you feel excess skin around the eyes is;
Cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett ensures all care is individualised and personalised. He will take a comprehensive history, examine you and fully explain the surgery requirements and risks.
Generally, he follows the below guidelines from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Eyelid surgery may be a good option for you if:
Eyelid Reduction Surgery Risks
From the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons - (https://plasticsurgery.org.au/)
Modern surgery is generally safe but does have the potential for risks and complications to occur, states the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Specific risks and complications associated with eyelid reduction surgery include:
- Causing obstruction, making it more difficult for you to see (impacting on your side vision – peripheral)
- Making your eyes look heavy or droopy.
- Making you look tired or sad when you do not feel this way.
- Causing bags beneath your eyes.
- Making your eyes look puffy.
- Creating folds that disturbs the natural contour of the eyelid.
- Highlighting fine wrinkles around the eyes.
Cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett ensures all care is individualised and personalised. He will take a comprehensive history, examine you and fully explain the surgery requirements and risks.
Generally, he follows the below guidelines from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons
Eyelid surgery may be a good option for you if:
- You are physically healthy and you do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
- You do not have any serious eye conditions
- You have realistic expectations of what eyelid surgery can accomplish
Eyelid Reduction Surgery Risks
From the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons - (https://plasticsurgery.org.au/)
Modern surgery is generally safe but does have the potential for risks and complications to occur, states the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Specific risks and complications associated with eyelid reduction surgery include:
- Bruising and swelling
- Pain and discomfort
- Removal of too much skin, possibly exposing the cornea to injury
- Asymmetry of the eyelids
- Noticeable scarring of the incisions
- Itchiness, watering or dryness of the eyes
- Drooping of the lower eyelid which will usually recover but occasionally requires further surgery
- Temporary changes in vision. In rare cases, changes in vision may be long lasting or permanent
- In extremely rare cases, eyelid reduction surgery can lead to blindness.
- Dr Blennerhassett will discuss your individual expectations, risks and recovery management with you in person.
Does Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery require anaesthesia?
Eyelid surgery is usually performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep for the procedure.
Cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett ensures his eyelid surgeries are performed only in fully accredited, fully equipped hospitals, with highly qualified and skilled anaesthetists.
He only works in reputable hospitals and clinics that comply with the highest Australian standards of safety, cleanliness, infection control, staffing and equipment.
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty - Dr Lewis Blennerhassett
Before and after. Post op results are seen below at 2 months.
* Reminder re below Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise
Cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett ensures his eyelid surgeries are performed only in fully accredited, fully equipped hospitals, with highly qualified and skilled anaesthetists.
He only works in reputable hospitals and clinics that comply with the highest Australian standards of safety, cleanliness, infection control, staffing and equipment.
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty - Dr Lewis Blennerhassett
Before and after. Post op results are seen below at 2 months.
* Reminder re below Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise
Getting Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery in Perth
|
- Chat with our friendly practice staff – Tara, Domenica and Paula will help you find a suitable date for your surgery and advise on necessary preparations.
- Second consultation with Dr Blennerhassett prior to surgery - This is so you have an opportunity to ask any questions you may not have thought of at the first visit and so everything is still fresh in your mind for the day of surgery. For this reason, the second visit is usually close to the date of surgery.
- Prioritising quality care – Dr Blennerhassett will personally oversee your recovery. You will be advised to rest for a period of several days following the surgery. Temporary bruising for 7-10 days is common. Stitches, where used, are usually removed approximately 7 days after the surgery at which time it is usually possible to return to most normal activities. All dressings changes are carried out by our highly experienced nurses.
First class aftercare from a Cosmetic Eyelid Surgeon
During the recovery period, cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett will be contactable to answer your questions. His mobile number will be provided to you during pre-surgery consultations.
Dr Blennerhassett’s patients are given a website password to access our highly specialised aftercare advice on recovery and scar management. Patient information sheets can also be provided.
Dr Blennerhassett’s patients are given a website password to access our highly specialised aftercare advice on recovery and scar management. Patient information sheets can also be provided.
How Much is Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery in Perth?
Cosmetic surgery is not covered by most health insurance, however cosmetic eyelid surgeon Dr Lewis Blennerhassett will advise you on this during your initial consultation.
We do recommend that you contact your health insurance provider and double check eligibility and the requirements of your health insurance policy before booking.
Once Dr Blennerhassett has listened to and addressed your needs and drawn up a personalised operation plan, then a quote for cosmetic eyelid surgery can be provided by Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff. This will take into account which aspects of eyelid surgery are required in your case.
Costs associated with eyelid surgeries include;
Our staff can assist you with getting estimates on these.
We do recommend that you contact your health insurance provider and double check eligibility and the requirements of your health insurance policy before booking.
Once Dr Blennerhassett has listened to and addressed your needs and drawn up a personalised operation plan, then a quote for cosmetic eyelid surgery can be provided by Subiaco Plastic Surgery staff. This will take into account which aspects of eyelid surgery are required in your case.
Costs associated with eyelid surgeries include;
- Surgeon’s fee
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Anaesthesia fees
- Prescriptions for medication
Our staff can assist you with getting estimates on these.
What are the aftercare costs for Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery?
All of your post-op aftercare is covered in your surgical fee, you do not have to pay extra for this. This includes the removal of sutures, dressings changes carried out by our expert nurses and advice on wound care and recovery. If you have a new problem, a new referral is necessary. This is a Medicare requirement.
Eyelid Surgery words to know
(Source: Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons Glossary)
- Blepharoplasty: Eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both
- Sutures: Stitches used by surgeons to hold skin and tissue together
- Transconjunctival incision: Incision hidden inside the lower eyelid
Upper eyelid lift (upper blepharoplasty)
This patient had not only excess skin on her upper eyelids (which was causing obstruction of her vision) but she also had a long-standing vascular malformation on her left upper eyelid/temple region
Before and after - post op image - two months after surgery
Upper eyelid lift (upper blepharoplasty)
*Before and after - 2 months post op (here and below)
*Surgery was done as a day case
*Sutures removed at one week
*Bruises mostly gone by 10 days
Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty. Before and after
Post op results are seen below at 2 months
*Reminder re above Before and After images - Outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise