An Eyelid Lift or Blepharoplasty is a procedure performed on the upper or lower eyelids (or both) that removes excess fatty tissue and/or loose skin resulting in a more youthful and rejuvenated facial appearance.
Your eyes make an incredible first impression as they are one of the first facial features peoples observe but they are also one of the first to show the signs of ageing. If you feel that the natural ageing process is making you look tired, you can enjoy a younger, more refreshed and confident appearance with eyelid surgery. The rate of this ageing process varies for each person but is accelerated by the effects of sun exposure, smoking and the stresses of daily life.
Ageing is an irreversible, relentless process of tissue degeneration resulting in loss of elasticity and stretching of the skin. Whilst the eyes themselves are expressionless, the eyelids are very important indicators of our emotions. If you feel that the natural ageing process is making you look tired, you can enjoy a younger, more energized and confident appearance with eyelid surgery.
The eyelids are complex structures that are unforgiving and must be treated with care, for these reasons it’s extremely important to seek out an expert Plastic Surgeon who has experience in blepharoplasty. It requires a delicate touch, an artistic approach and a full understanding of the eyelid anatomy to maintain and enhance one’s facial natural beauty
There is no particular age that is best for eyelid surgery. We all age differently according to a variety of factors: individual genetic makeup, and environmental influences such as sun exposure, skincare and smoking. In general, a more youthful look is maintained when eyelid surgery is performed on a younger patient whereas in the older patient a more dramatic change may be obtained.
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are both men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable and realistic about their expectations. Most are in their 40’s to 60’, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.
The eyes are the first facial feature people observe and unfortunately, they are also one of the first to show the signs of ageing. Loose skin in the upper eyelid may come to rest on the upper eyelashes giving a tired look, it also makes it difficult to wear eye make-up. While fat pads in the eyelid bulge forward adding to the aged look. That is why blepharoplasty surgery has become an essential tool to maintain and enhance one’s natural beauty.
These changes are effectively and safely treated by modern eyelid surgery techniques. So if you’re considering blepharoplasty surgery, ask yourself some of the following questions.
• Would you like smooth, tighter looking skin around the eyes?
• Do you feel your eyelids look puffy?
• Do you want to get rid of lower eyelid bags?
• Is the excess eyelid skin interfering with your vision?
• Do you want to improve the symmetry of your eyelids?
• If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you could benefit from eyelid surgery.
Immediately after your operation, you will be nursed with your head up. Your vision may be blurred by the presence of a lubricant in your eyes which is inserted during the blepharoplasty surgery. Ice packs may be used for the first 24 hours to limit swelling and bruising.
After blepharoplasty surgery, whilst the eyelids are swollen, their function is compromised and so for a few weeks, it will be necessary for you to lubricate your eyes regularly with the ointment or drops. Post-operative swelling, discolouration and bruising are to be expected, generally lasting up to two weeks, this can be camouflaged with makeup after a week. Outside of home many patients wear sunglasses for a week or two to cover bruising.
You should avoid watching television, reading or straining your eyes for a few days, and keep your head elevated. You can usually wear contact lenses within two weeks once bruising and swelling resolve. Patients may drive and return to work once they discontinue narcotic pain medicine.
As with any surgery, it is important that you are fully informed of the potential risks associated with blepharoplasty surgery. While all care is taken to minimize these complications, they may and do occur despite the best medical care.
It is important that you carefully read and understand the potential risks and they will be discussed in further detail when you have your consultation with Dr Turner.
For more detailed information read the risks and potential complications of surgery page.
During your consultation, Dr Turner will discuss your goals, and provide an in-depth explanation of your desired surgery and what that means for you. He can also discuss different surgical techniques, benefits, and risks of procedures available.
Most importantly, however, this is the time for you to have all of your questions answered and to be completely listened to and understood by your surgeon. We ask that you please come prepared with any questions you may have for Dr Turner, and look forward to discussing your individualised plan.
Ensure you have done your research, both on your desired surgery, as well as your surgeon.
Looking for more information before your consultation? You can book an additional 15min complimentary consultation with one of our patient liaisons here https://calendly.com/patients-bookings/patient-consult?month=2023-02
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Modern facial rejuvenation techniques have come a long way, allowing patients to achieve a natural, youthful appearance with improved safety and longevity. How exactly this procedure will be performed, will be based on your individual needs. While some patients may only require a mid-face or neck lift, others will desire a comprehensive facelift procedure. Facelift surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in a fully accredited hospital with the assistance of a qualified anaesthetist and the operation take anywhere from three to six hours, while you may be discharged the same day, an overnight stay is recommended.
The trend in modern upper eyelid surgery has become less invasive, with more skin and fat preservation, reducing postoperative hollowness and complications. Prior to the procedure your eyelids will be marked out so that the incisions follow the natural eyelid crease and allows accurate determination of the correct amount of skin to be removed.
During the upper eyelid procedure, the excess skin is removed, muscle is tightened, and redundant orbital fat is excised or replaced in the orbit. The surgical incisions are sutured meticulously leaving hairline scars that usually fade quickly, but never completely disappear. If eyelids are droopy (ptosis) this can also be corrected by shortening the muscle (known as the “levator muscles”) that raises your upper eyelid.
There are numerous techniques available in lower eyelid rejuvenation, from non-surgical treatment with dermal fillers and laser resurfacing, to fat grafting and ‘no touch’ blepharoplasty to traditional lower eyelid and midface lift surgery. The exact procedure that Dr Turner will perform will be based on your individual needs.
In younger patients with good skin quality that are concerned only with lower eyelid fat bulging, it is often possible to perform a ‘no touch’ or transconjunctival blepharoplasty procedure with the incision made on the inner aspect of the lower eyelid so there will be no visible incision lines. The bulging fat than is carefully removed or repositioned into the tear trough area in a procedure called an orbital reset.
In older patients that have excess lower eyelid skin or malar bags, a more traditional lower eyelid procedure is needed. In this procedure an incision is made just below the eyelash line and extends into one of the eyelid crows feet. The excess skin is removed, muscle is elevated and tightened to support the lower eyelid and excess fat is removed or repositioned into the tear trough area.
Many people from Asian communities are born with eyelids that lack a defined eyelid crease and so have a single eyelid or monolid appearance. The absence of the upper eyelid crease often gives the appearance of a smaller, puffy or droopy looking eyes. Asian blepharoplasty surgery has become an increasingly common procedure to help create a natural looking upper eyelid to make the eye look bigger and brighter.
There a few options available in double eyelid surgery, from simple suture methods, to limited incision and full eyelid incision methods. While each has its advantages and risks and Dr Turner will discuss which procedure is suitable based on your individual needs.
Recovery from Blepharoplasty takes between one and three weeks. In the second week scar massage will commence to promote healing and reduce swelling. There may be a feeling of eyelid tightness or eye dryness and or sensitivity to bright light immediately after the procedure. For best long-term results, for the 7 to 10 days after surgery normal activities should be reduced. The eyelids will be sensitive for six weeks or so following surgery and should be handled according to your own level of comfort. Returning to work depends on your job demands, Dr Turner will advise you regarding this. You may be able to return to light work within one to two weeks. You should avoid any strenuous exercise for the first 6 weeks.
The surgical incision for upper eyelid reduction will usually almost completely fade within six weeks. What generally remains is a faint scar that is barely visible because of its position, blending into the eyelids’ normal creases. The incision for lower eyelid correction is either made inside the eyelid and so it is not noticeable, or just beneath the eyelashes on the outside, which heal quickly and are rarely visible after the first few weeks.
Puffiness or swelling about the eyelids is produced by any one or more of three possible factors:
● Weakened eyelid muscles (the orbicularis muscles) allow the orbital fat to billow forward under the influence of gravity. This produces puffiness of the eyelids which is constantly present, but can be made to disappear by standing in front of a mirror and contracting your eyelid muscles such as in squinting. The problem can be surgically corrected by tightening the muscle sling with resuspension in the outer aspect of the lower eyelid (a procedure known as canthoplasty).
● Excessive fatty deposits about the eyeball produce bulges or bagginess. These fatty deposits are compartmentalised and when present in excess, the fat pushes the overlying thin eyelid muscle and skin forward producing the baggy contour defect. Removing the excessive fat or strengthening the retaining membranes (skin and muscle) corrects this problem.
● Excessive fluid accumulation about the eyes. This occurs commonly as a result of allergy and is usually worse on getting up in the mornings and improves as the day goes on – with the redistribution of body fluids on rising from the recumbent to the erect posture. Fluid accumulation is not corrected by surgery and if present may lead to a more protracted post-surgery recovery. Some morning swelling can be expected in all patients for some variable time after eyelid surgery.
Dr Scott J Turner has spent a lifetime acquiring the qualifications, education, training, and hands-on surgical experience to perform superior cosmetic plastic surgery to give you beautiful results. He is one of Sydney’s great Specialist Plastic Surgeons with a focus on face surgeries in New South Wales.
Achieving this personal goal requires not only in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and refined surgical techniques but an ongoing commitment to learning the latest procedures around the world. This is why Dr Turner regularly attends both local and international surgeon meetings – discussing these advances with the leaders around the world in order to offer you the most effective and safest surgical procedures.
Dr Turner and his highly trained staff will do everything to ensure that you are fully informed, while providing exceptional cosmetic plastic surgery, in a personal and caring environment.