Blepharoplasty

To see Dr Avery, you will need a referral from your GP or another specialist who knows you well. Some people seek a consultation after speaking with family or friends, or following their own research into plastic surgery.

The initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your personal reasons for considering surgery, your expectations, and any questions or concerns you may have. Dr Avery will take time to understand your health history and circumstances so that the information you receive is specific to you.

When you arrive at Avery, you will be welcomed by our Care Team and asked to complete a medical history form if this has not already been done. You are welcome to bring a supportive family member or friend with you to your consultation, should you wish, to help you collect and retain al of the information you need to make an informed decision about surgery.

As part of the consultation, Dr Avery will carry out an examination of the area of concern and provide information about whether surgery may be suitable for you. This discussion will include what the procedure involves, the possible risks and complications, and any limitations that may apply in your situation. The aim is to provide you with clear information about what surgery may or may not achieve, and whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Your consultation will also include discussion of the estimated costs associated with surgery.

After your appointment, our Care Team is available to answer any further questions, including those relating to fees and practical next steps.

At Avery, our focus is to provide you with accurate and personalised information to support your decision-making process before, during, and after surgery.

Blepharoplasty surgery involves making a small incision within the natural crease of the upper eyelid, through which excess skin and, in some cases, fat may be removed. In some situations, adjustments to muscle may also be made. The incision is then closed with sutures.

The procedure is usually performed under local or general anaesthetic and often takes less than one hour. In some cases, upper eyelid surgery is performed on its own, while in others it may be combined with other procedures. Depending on individual circumstances and recovery, some people may go home the same day with the support of another adult, while others may remain longer in hospital.

As with all surgical procedures, blepharoplasty surgery does have risks, despite the highest standards of practice. It is not common practice for any surgeon to outline in detail every possible side effect or rare complication. However, it is important that you are informed of the more common risks and the less common but potentially very significant complications, so you can carefully weigh the potential benefits, risks, and limitations of surgery. It is usually possible to provide a more comprehensive list of potential risks and complications related to surgery, so that any risks particularly relevant to an individual can be identified and discussed further.

The following possible complications are listed to inform and not to alarm you. There may be other complications that are not listed. Smoking, obesity, and other significant medical problems will cause greater risk of complications.

Some general risks and possible complications of surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Heavy bleeding from an operated site. This may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases.
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions.
• The formation of a large blood clot (haematoma) beneath an incision site may require further surgery.
• Complications such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism or stroke may be caused by a blood clot, which can be life threatening.
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site(s).
• Slow healing.
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to anaesthesia.
• Tissue cannot heal without scarring and that how one scars is dependent on individual genetic characteristics. Dr Avery will do his best to minimise scarring but cannot control its ultimate appearance.
• Smoking or using nicotine products during the 3–4-week pre-operative and post-operative periods is prohibited as these could dramatically increase the chances of complications.
• All medications I am currently taking, including prescriptions, over the counter remedies, herbal therapies and supplements, aspirin, and any other recreational drug or alcohol use can affect the safety of my surgery.
• There can be no guarantees about the results of any surgery.

Some specific risks for blepharoplasty surgery include, but are not limited to the following:

• Allergic reactions
• Permanent scarring
• Asymmetry in healing or scarring
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Temporary blurred vision
• Bruising
• Temporary difficulty in closing eyes completely
• Decrease in sensation of eyelid skin or impaired eyelid function
• Pain and discomfort
• Need for more surgery for surgical corrections (revision surgery)
• Further recovery time if further surgery is required
• Dryness, irritation, burning, itching of the eyes
• Tightness of lids
• Formation of whiteheads
• Temporary excessive tearing, sensitivity to light
• Hematoma, blood clot collection
• Dissatisfaction or disappointment with result
• Infection
  

The Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) has further information about blepharoplasty surgery including the possible risks for this surgery.

Bruising, swelling, and discomfort are expected after surgery. These effects usually improve over time, but the pace of recovery differs between individuals. Cold compresses and head elevation are sometimes recommended to support comfort. Strenuous exercise and heavy physical activity are generally avoided in the first weeks of recovery.

As with most operations, patients are advised to arrange for another adult to drive them home after surgery and, ideally, to stay with them during the first night. Pain management is planned prior to discharge and can be adjusted if circumstances change during recovery.

Scars typically form along the natural crease of the upper eyelid. Their appearance changes over time and may fade, but scar visibility varies between individuals depending on factors such as skin type and healing response.

The financial aspects of your surgery are as important as the medical elements when planning for surgery. At Avery, the surgeries we offer fall into three different financial categories: Self-funded – aesthetic surgery; self-funded – plastic and reconstructive surgery; and health insured – plastic and reconstructive surgery.

To make sense of these three financial categories, we have created a detailed price guide to help you understand what may or may not be covered by your health insurer/Medicare and your out of pocket expenses.

To download this guide, please click here.

For more information or to book a consultation, please contact our team on 02 4002 4150.

In some circumstances, upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) may be eligible for a Medicare item number if it meets specific clinical criteria, such as visual field obstruction or other functional concerns. When a Medicare item number applies, some private health insurers may also provide cover, depending on the policy.

Eligibility for a Medicare rebate requires an assessment by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to document whether the excess skin is obstructing the visual field. The extent of any cover will depend on your health fund and the level of insurance you hold.

Blepharoplasty (upper eyelid surgery) involves removing excess skin from the upper eyelid. In some individuals, excess skin in this area may contribute to concerns such as reduced visual field, irritation, or discomfort.

Whether surgery is appropriate depends on individual anatomy, health, and clinical findings. A consultation and examination are required to determine if blepharoplasty may be suitable in your circumstances.

In some individuals, excess upper eyelid skin can contribute to reduced upper visual fields. Blepharoplasty may be considered when this is clinically significant. Whether there is any change in vision after surgery varies between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. This is assessed during consultation, often with formal visual field testing.

The time needed away from work after upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery varies between individuals and depends on factors such as the extent of the procedure, your healing response, and the type of work you do. Some people may return to light duties within a week, while others may need longer, particularly if their work involves physical activity. Your surgeon will provide guidance based on your individual circumstances.

Because skin is removed during blepharoplasty surgery, there will be scars. The incision is usually made along the natural crease of the eyelid, but the visibility and final appearance of scars vary between individuals. Factors such as genetics, skin type, and healing response all influence how scars look over time.

A brow lift is a procedure that repositions or elevates the brow and forehead tissues. It does not remove eyelid skin.

A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is a procedure that removes excess skin, and in some cases fat, from the eyelids. It does not change the position or shape of the brow.

Some discomfort and movement restriction are expected after surgery. The degree varies between individuals and depends on the type and extent of the procedure. Pain is usually managed with medication prescribed by the surgical team, and physical measures such as dressings, supportive garments (where relevant), and activity modification may also assist.

Dressings and, in some cases, compression garments provide support to the operated area while it heals. Patients are generally advised to limit excessive movement in the first weeks after surgery, with activity gradually increased as recovery progresses. Any significant increase in pain or swelling should be reviewed by the treating team to ensure healing is proceeding as expected.