Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed to alter the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids.
As a person ages or sometimes as a hereditary defect, the eyelid skin of the upper eyelids can become loose and create folds of skin that can droop over the eyes and impact on a person’s vision. In medical cases such as these, a percentage of costs for the procedure may be covered by health insurance. Sometimes the lower eyelids can droop and ‘bags’ can develop under the eyes and this can be remedied with Blepharoplasty.
However the blepharoplasty procedure will not take away dark circles, lift eyebrows or eliminate crow’s feet and our plastic surgeon—Dr Vlad Milovic—will discuss the limitations of this surgery with you, prior to any surgery being performed.
Encompassing A Variety Of Procedures
Dr Milovic performs a variety of different blepharoplasty techniques, including:
- Composite upper blepharoplasty
- Tarsal fixation
- Ptosis correction
Dr Milovic assesses every patient as an individual case, keeping in mind their natural facial anatomy. A technique will be tailored to suit the patient’s needs.
In some cases, there are functional reasons for having blepharoplasty surgery, and Medicare item numbers may apply. In these cases, vision may be obscured by the ptotic or droopy eyelid(s). Dr Milovic will assess your eligibility for Medicare item numbers at your initial consultation. You should seek a GP or Specialist referral to Dr Milovic should you wish to claim a rebate.
Discuss your circumstances with Dr Milovic today and find out how the staff at our Melbourne and Canberra surgeries can support you. Make an enquiry through our contact page or call your nearest location to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it right for me?
Blepheroplasty surgery aims to correct wrinkled, droopy, or sagging eyelids which can classic signs of ageing or caused by hereditary factors. Surgery is a very personal decision and you should have realistic goals and expectations. Generally blepharoplasty is performed on patients from their mid 30’s to mid 80’s or older, so if you are unhappy with your eyelids for aesthetic or functional reasons, Dr Milovic will examine your eyelids during your initial consultation and discuss how blepharoplasty can achieve an improvement and meet your goals. If you are in good health and a non-smoker (or you are prepared to give up smoking for at least six weeks prior to and after surgery), you may be a suitable candidate for blepharoplasty surgery.
Will I need anaesthesia?
Blepheroplasty is generally done as a day procedure under general anaesthesia or twilight sedation. Dr Milovic will discuss these two options with you. The procedure can take between one to three hours to complete, depending on the extent of the procedure.
Modern anaesthesia is safe and effective, but it does have some risks. Ask Dr Milovic and your Anaesthetist for more information. You can be assured that Dr Milovic will engage the services of a qualified Anaesthetist who is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and NZ College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) to perform your sedation or general anaesthesia.
Dr Milovic and/or your anaesthetist will ask you about all the medications you are taking or have taken, and any allergies you may have. Please make sure you have an up-to-date list before the surgery.
Will I have scarring?
As with all surgery, scarring is inevitable but blepheroplasty scarring will usually heal and camouflage extremely well. Typically, scars become barely noticeable with time.
Where will the surgery take place?
Depending upon your general health and the extent of the procedure, Blepheroplasty surgery is typically performed as a day procedure or alternatively with an overnight hospital stay. Dr Milovic will only perform your Blepheroplasty surgery in safe, accredited operating facilities.
What is the recovery period after Blepharoplasty?
Recovery time will vary from patient to patient and will also depend on the extent of the surgery. Upper lid blepharoplasty recovery is usually reasonably fast, but with lower lid blepharoplasty the recovery may take much longer. You can expect to have bruising and swelling for a few weeks post-surgery. You will be given post-surgery instructions to follow and if you have any questions, please speak to Dr Milovic and/or his Practice Nurse.
What are the costs of the Blepharoplasty procedure?
Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery, but it should not be the only consideration. You have the right to be informed about the foreseeable costs before you have your surgery – this is called ‘informed financial consent’.
Costs associated with the procedure may include:
- Dr Milovic’s surgical fee
- Accredited hospital or surgical facility costs
- Anaesthesia fees
- Prescriptions for medication
- Post-surgery garments
- Medical tests (if required)
After your initial consultation with Dr Milovic, you will receive a written estimate of fees and an information pack to read before your second pre-surgery appointment. The second appointment is free of charge. Once you book your surgery, you will also have pre-operative photos taken.
In some cases, the final costs may vary from the original estimate because of complications, longer operative time, or changes requested by the patient. Additional procedures may also be necessary.
Where you might have an item number for this procedure, you should check with your private health insurer to see if any part of the procedure is covered. This could save you hospital accommodation costs and provide you with a rebate on the surgery cost.
For cosmetic procedures, you will be charged the goods and services tax (GST).
We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees.