Enhance Your Look

Enhance Your Look

What Is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery (or blepharoplasty) is a type of surgical procedure that’s designed to remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the eyelids. Blepharoplasty procedures are used to correct sagging or drooping eyelid skin as well as reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles around the eyes.

Although eyelid surgery has become a highly sought-after cosmetic treatment for correcting sagging or drooping eyelids, there are some problem areas that cannot be targeted by this procedure. For instance, whilst blepharoplasty treatments may be able to correct bags or tired skin under the eyes, the treatment cannot correct dark circles, nor can it lift sagging eyebrows or correct crow’s feet. However, this treatment can be combined with an eyebrow lift or other types of cosmetic surgeries to provide any dynamic results that align with a patient’s desired outcomes. If you are looking to tailor your blepharoplasty procedure to include other cosmetic treatments, then be sure to consult your surgeon.

Whilst the aesthetic results of blepharoplasty make it a popular cosmetic treatment, eyelid surgery can also provide clinical benefits to patients. Any patients who may be seeking to undergo blepharoplasty for clinical purposes may be eligible to receive a Medicare rebate that covers some of the costs of their procedure if it is deemed medically necessary to correct a patient’s impaired vision or sight. If you’re looking to undergo an upper or lower blepharoplasty treatment, then consult your GP and your Plastic Surgeon to determine whether you may qualify to receive a Medicare rebate for your eyelid surgery.

What to consider before your preliminary eyelid surgery consultation?

There are typically considered to be 5 different types of eyelid surgeries, these being:

  • Upper blepharoplasties – correcting the upper eyelid.
  • Lower blepharoplasties – correcting the lower eyelid.
  • Bilateral eyelid surgery – correcting both the upper and lower eyelids.
  • Double eyelid surgery – correcting monolids or epicanthic eye folds.
  • Transconjunctival eyelid surgery – correcting excess fatty tissue around the eye and bags under eyes.

As blepharoplasties are surgical procedures that can include the use of anaesthesia or intravenous sedation, 2018 amendments to the Health Services Act 1988 stipulates that eyelid surgeries should only be performed in Australia by qualified surgeons and only in clinics and facilities that are registered with state health departments. This is why Pirk only works with qualified Plastic Surgeons, providing our users with peace of mind that the specialist they’re paired with only the most experienced and capable surgeons to perform the blepharoplasty treatment they’re looking to undergo.

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Eyelid Surgery FAQs.

The cost of blepharoplasty surgery (eyelid surgery) in Australia can vary based on factors such as the surgeon’s expertise, location, and the extent of the procedure. In addition, the price may also vary depending on whether you are electing to have surgery on your upper or lower eyelids. On average, the cost ranges from AUD $4,550 to $20,600. This typically includes surgeon fees, anaesthesia, facility costs, and follow-up appointments.

Below, you will find an estimated cost breakdown for both upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery. Naturally, by electing to have both your upper and lower eyelids done at the same time will save you some money.

Upper Blepharoplasty Average Cost Breakdown

Estimated prices do not include post-care, garments, consultations and any complications.

Item Min. Cost Max. Cost
Est. Total Cost $4,550 $12,050
Surgeon Cost $2,500 $8,000
Daily Hospital Cost $1,500 $3,500
Anaesthetist $550 $1,650
Surgery Time 1 Hour 3 Hours
Hospital Time Day Surgery Day Surgery

Lower Blepharoplasty Average Cost Breakdown

Estimated prices do not include post-care, garments, consultations and any complications.

Item Min. Cost Max. Cost
Est. Total Cost $5,050 $12,050
Surgeon Cost $3,000 $8,000
Daily Hospital Cost $1,500 $3,500
Anaesthetist $550 $1,650
Surgery Time 1 Hour 3 Hours
Hospital Time Day Surgery Day Surgery

Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty Average Cost Breakdown

Estimated prices do not include post-care, garments, consultations and any complications.

Item Min. Cost Max. Cost
Est. Total Cost $10,600 $20,600
Surgeon Cost $8,000 $16,000
Daily Hospital Cost $1,500 $3,500
Anaesthetist $1,100 $1,650
Surgery Time 2 Hours 3 Hours
Hospital Time Day Surgery Day Surgery

As blepharoplasty is performed whilst the patient is under sedation, the procedure itself is painless, however patients have reported mild pain, discomfort, and post-surgery swelling during the recovery process.

Although there is no age restriction on blepharoplasty procedures, eyelid surgeons are hesitant to recommend the procedure for patients under the age of 30 who are likely to have not yet experienced advanced sagging or drooping of eyelid skin that may be caused by ageing.

There may be Medicare rebates available for upper and lower eyelid surgeries that are deemed medically necessary, patients that have documentation to support that their blepharoplasty is being performed to correct a diagnosed medical condition may be eligible to have up to 75% of the costs of their procedure covered.

Patients under the age of 30-40 and yet to experience skin sagging, drooping, eye bags, or other signs of ageing around the eyes may not benefit from eyelid surgery for cosmetic purposes. Similarly, patients with underlying eye conditions (i.e. glaucoma, dry eye, detached retinas, etc.), or other medical conditions like allergies to sedatives or medications, may have higher risk factors for their eyelid surgery, which may dissuade clinicians from recommending the treatment.

Like all surgeries, blepharoplasty does come with some level of risk, however most clinicians agree that there are minimal risks of eyelid surgery permanently or even temporarily affecting a patient’s vision. In fact, in a 2011 study, there was determined to be just a 0.0052% chance of experiencing either temporary or permanent vision loss due to eyelid surgery.

 

The risk of vision loss or impaired vision is also exacerbated by other factors like irritation of the eyes or surgical wounds during the healing process. In most cases, you can expect to make a full recovery from your eyelid surgery by following the aftercare advice provided by your blepharoplasty surgeon.

Depending on the type of eyelid surgery, patients can expect their blepharoplasty procedure to take 45 minutes to an hour, or up to 2-3 hours if the surgeon is required to take multiple incisions on the upper and lower eyelid.

Although the final results of a blepharoplasty procedure may be visible after a few weeks of healing and following your surgeon’s post-surgery care instructions, it can take up to a year for incision lines to fully heal. Recovering from blepharoplasty typically includes avoiding trauma to the eye (i.e. rubbing the eye) for the first 2-3 weeks following surgery, taking pain relief medication to manage pain symptoms, and using cold compresses to combat post-surgery swelling. Protecting the eyes and eyelid skin from sun and UV exposure is also beneficial to the recovery process for blepharoplasty surgeries. Each patient is different, however, and so recovery times do tend to vary. So long as you follow the aftercare advice provided by your surgeon, you should be able to enjoy a speedy recovery from your blepharoplasty procedure.

Understanding what results you’d ideally like from your blepharoplasty procedure can help your surgeon determine what treatment is most suitable for you. Our Pirk cosmetic consultant will also provide you with a list of questions to ask your eyelid surgeon during your consultation, as well as on the day of your procedure, and even post-surgery.

Blepharoplasty operations typically begin by your surgeon applying anaesthetic before then making precise incisions across or under the eyelid, depending on the type of eyelid surgery you’ll be undergoing. Once the incisions have been made, excess fatty tissue will then be surgically removed. Muscle tissue and skin may then be repositioned or tightened with sutures to effectively ‘pull up’ sagging or drooping eyelid skin. Once the muscle and skin tissue have been repositioned, your eyelid surgeon will then close up incisions with stitches, surgical tape, or tissue glue.

As is the case with any surgical procedure, eyelid surgery is accompanied by general surgical risks, as well as specific risks to the eyes and eyelids. Some of the risks that may be result from eyelid surgery include:

  • Bleeding, infection, inflammation, and other general risks of surgery
  • Allergic reactions to anaesthesia/sutures, etc.
  • Eyelid ptosis (abnormal positioning of eyelids)
  • Sunken eyes (if too much fatty tissue is removed during blepharoplasty)
  • Dry eyes, or difficulty closing eyes
  • Other eye conditions like lid lag, and ectropion
  • Temporarily blurred or impaired vision
  • Permanent or temporary vision loss (in some cases)

Being a surgical cosmetic procedure, clinicians will agree that blepharoplasties deliver permanent results in that the surgery will permanently alter the appearance of skin on the eyelids and around the eyes. However, patients will still experience natural signs of ageing even following their eyelid surgery, which is why blepharoplasty specialists are hesitant to recommend the procedure for younger candidates.

As blepharoplasties are typically completed by eyelid surgeons concealing stitches or incision sites within eyelid folds, it’s rare for patients to have visible scarring post-surgery. By following care instructions as recommended by your blepharoplasty specialists, patients should be able to enjoy a smooth healing process that leaves little to no visible scarring on the eyelids and around the eyes.

Please note that Pirk is not a medical provider. Pirk receives approved information from its partnered surgeons and approved websites. All information provided is general and should not be used as medical advice. Pirk encourages all clients to research and speak to a qualified surgeon or specialist before deciding what is right for them.

We can help you find your Surgeon

When it comes to a procedure like blepharoplasty, finding the right surgeon is essential. At Pirk, we’ve got your back every step of the way.

 

Why It Matters

Your choice of surgeon can make all the difference in your blepharoplasty journey. From achieving your desired results to minimising risks, it’s crucial to find a specialist who understands your unique needs.

 

How We Make It Easy

  1. Tell Us What You Need: Start by filling out our simple enquiry form. It’s quick, easy, and helps us understand exactly what you’re looking for.
  2. Let’s Chat: Schedule a Discovery Call with one of our Pirk Cosmetic Consultants. We’ll dive deep into your preferences and requirements to match you with qualified surgeons who fit your needs.
  3. Find Your Match: Based on our conversation, we’ll handpick a list of recommended surgeons near you. Take your time to browse through their profiles and find the one that feels like the perfect fit.
  4. Book With Confidence: Once you’ve found your ideal surgeon, book your initial consultation. You can do it directly through Pirk, making the process smooth and stress-free.

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Start your journey by filling out our enquiry form.

Let us know what you’re looking for, and our expert team will ensure you have everything you need, matching you with the ideal surgeon for your requirements.