Eyelid Reduction Surgery

Price: $3590

Surgery Time: 1.5 hours

What is blepharoplasty?

The eyes are the jewel of the body and the window to the soul – but as we age, puffy eyes, dark circles, excess skin and bags under the eyes become problematic – as tissue that supports the eyelids stretches and weakens.

During a blepharoplasty procedure, Géniale’s experienced cosmetic physicians cut along the creases of the eyelids to trim sagging skin and muscle and remove excess fat.

Once the excess tissue is removed, our surgeons join the skin with minuscule stitches.

Some people have all four eyelids operated on during the procedure with the top eyelid incisions generally made in the natural creases of the eyelid.

The invisible incisions for the lower eyelid are made just below the eyelashes or inside the inner surface of the eyelid.

Generally, the entire procedure takes 1-2 hours and is walk-in, walk-out surgery.

A blepharoplasty procedure aims to freshen up tired-looking eyes and to leave patients with a more youthful, wide-awake look.

Can blepharoplasty improve vision?

Besides an ageing effect, droopy eyelids can sometimes reduce peripheral vision, so a blepharoplasty may assist with vision enhancement too.

Saggy eyelids are generally harmless, however, any signs of itchiness, redness or swelling that is persistent or painful should be seen by a doctor.

How long do blepharoplasty results last?

The results of a blepharoplasty are long-lasting, with some women maintaining results for up to 10 years.

Many women will concurrently have another procedure at the same time as a blepharoplasty such as a facelift or a brow lift, anti-wrinkle injections or other skin resurfacing procedures.

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What are the causes of sagging eyelids?

Ageing is the biggest factor

Whilst high salt and fluid retention can exacerbate eye sag, other factors include smoking, genetics, lack of sleep and allergies.

Which celebrities have had a blepharoplasty?

George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Cameron Diaz have all reportedly had eyelid surgery.

How do I prepare for my first consultation?

During your consultation, it is important to discuss any allergies or previous surgeries, as well as current conditions such as diabetes or thyroid problems.

During this consultation, your cosmetic physician or surgeon will discuss how well the surgery is likely to work for your circumstances.

Eyelid Reduction Surgery/Blepharoplasty Surgery

At Géniale we provide safe and effective eyelid surgery to our clients. Eyelid surgery, also known as a blepharoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess fatty tissue from the upper and the lower eyelids to improve facial appearance, reduce signs of ageing and sometimes to improve vision. The process can treat:

Sagging skin folds that affect the upper eyelid and may impair vision
Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids
Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
Lower eyelid sagging that exposes too much of the eye
Bags under the eyes
Upper eyelid reductions and lower eyelid reductions are the most common plastic surgery operations. They are often done at the same time as other facial surgery procedures.

Blepharoplasty Risks

Modern surgery procedures are very safe but there are always small risks and the possibility of complications do occur. Many of the risks are discussed during consultation and if some risks are high for a client, alternative treatments will be recommended.

Common risks

However, there are some common risks of lower and upper eyelid reduction surgery:

Bruising, swelling, pain and discomfort will occur but are usually minor
Removal of too much skin may expose the cornea to injury
Asymmetry of the eyelids
Scars are an inevitable part of any invasive surgery—noticeable scarring of the incisions is a risk
Itchiness, watering or dryness of the eyes
Drooping of the lower eyelid after surgery will recover but occasionally may require 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—smoking, pre-existing eye disease, straining, lifting and coughing can add to this risk

Anaesthesia

Eyelid reduction surgery is performed using general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia. While modern anaesthesia is very safe it does have some risks. Your surgeon or the anaesthetist will ask you about medications you have taken and your allergies.

Scarring

Géniale’s surgeons aim to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible by locating the incisions in easily hidden sites. That way, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases. Scars may fade with time and become barely noticeable. If you are prone to scarring, you should advise your surgeon.

Revisional surgery

As with all surgical procedures, revisional surgery may be necessary to correct minor irregularities.

What should I be wary of before surgery?

It is important to tell your surgeon if you are on any blood thinners such as Warfarin, as well as aspirin, and any other prescription or over the counter medications that can increase bleeding and may need to be stopped 10 days before surgery.

SGL2 inhibitors (for diabetes) should also be stopped 72 hours before surgery.

Many surgeons will not perform a blepharoplasty procedure on smokers as smoking reduces the ability to heal. Smoking should be ceased at least four weeks before surgery.

Experienced doctors

Our surgeons blend decades of technical expertise with aesthetic artistry.

Dr Wayne Young MBBCh (Wits) AMC FAACS(USA) FABHRS specialises in plastic surgery, Asian double eyelid surgery*, minimally invasive cosmetic surgery of the face and body and aesthetic techniques. He has treated over 30,000 patients to date.

Dr Mike Shenouda MB; BCh; FCPCA; Dip Derm PDSCS; Dip SCCS specialises in face surgery procedures.

Dr Eugene Jackson BSc, MBChB DCH is a cosmetic and skin cancer surgeon with extensive neurosurgical as well as paediatric and intensive care training.

Same-day treatment

Visit our one-stop shop for your combined blepharoplasty, resurfacing and anti-wrinkle treatments to help turn back the clock.

This treatment is for puffy, baggy eyes. The procedures aim to improve eye and facial symmetry and we can even create a crease if one is missing.

We take a systematic approach to every face and pride ourselves on personalised surgery for natural-looking results

What medical conditions may make the procedure riskier?

If you have certain medical conditions such as Graves’ disease, eye conditions that cause dry eyes, diabetes and some eye conditions like glaucoma your doctor may advise you against having eyelid surgery.

Generally, the most ideal candidates are those who have realistic expectations about how they will look afterwards and who are psychologically healthy.

What are the side effects of blepharoplasty?

This procedure is usually done in an outpatient setting in our rooms at Géniale, and the surgeon injects numbering medication into the eyelids to relax the patient. You should be able to return home usually an hour after surgery. Common side effects include:

Difficulty closing eyes
Bleeding
Scarring
Skin discolouration
Injury to the eye muscles
The need for follow up surgery

What are the best tips for recovery?

“Ice packs on the eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery can reduce pain and swelling,” says Dr Shenouda.

“And then the following day apply four or five times a day.

It’s also important to avoid swimming, heavy exercise or straining for 2 weeks.”

Do not put contacts in for at least 14 days after surgery.

Wear sunglasses to protect the skin of the eyelids when outdoors

Sleep with your head higher than your chest for a few days.

Do not smoke and avoid alcohol which causes fluid retention.

Also avoid taking aspirin, herbal medications or other medications that may increase bleeding. Speak to your doctor.

Panadol can be used to control pain.

Is blepharoplasty for crow’s feet?

No. This procedure will tighten the architecture of the skin around the eyes and face but does not correct wrinkles.

It also will not change the basic structure of your eyes or your appearance. Nor will the slope and symmetry of the eyes be altered.

However, if you would like to remove wrinkles at the same time, our doctors can personalise an anti-wrinkle program for your procedure which can be undertaken at the same time.

If your upper eyelid droops close to your pupil, you may also undergo a ptosis procedure to support the eyebrow muscle.

What is a good age for blepharoplasty?

Some patients are as young as 30, while others are 65 years old. The overwhelming majority of patients seeking an eyelid lift are over 40, and most of this segment is over 55.

“However, part of our eyelid sag is genetic and patients with naturally “hooded” eyelids seek treatment in their 20s and 30s,” says Dr Shenouda.

“Tightening the eye area can restore the more almond-eyed look of youth and one study from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery* shows that Blepharoplasty significantly improved quality of life in patients.”

When can I go back to work and other activities?

“Most people can be back at work within a week of surgery,” says Dr Shenouda.

“It’s important to avoid blood-pressure raising activities like bending over, or vigorous sport for a week or so, although walking is fine for the first week, and vigorous sports is OK after 2 weeks.”

How much does the procedure cost?

Blepharoplasty at Genial cost is $3590. Additional costs for anti-wrinkling procedures vary.

Sources:

How Blepharoplasty is done, The Mayo Clinic

Science Daily: Blepharoplasty improves quality of life

Huffington Post: Asians on Identity and the struggle of loving their eyes

SMH Celebrities who had eyelid surgery

Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor’s advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship. All results are individual, and all surgical procedures have risks, so please speak to your GP or surgeon about your suitability for this procedure.

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