Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can have a dramatic effect on your appearance by addressing drooping upper eyelids or bags under eyes resulting in a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance. It’s really important to do your homework before consenting to this type of surgery as there are adverse outcomes that can result from blepharoplasty surgery.

In this article we outline the top four things you should research and know about before you have eyelid surgery. It may save you disappointment and the potential cost of revisional surgery in the future.

Blepharoplasty – What You Need To Know 

1. Your choice of surgeon is extremely important

Your surgical outcome and how happy you are with your result depends on the skill of your surgeon. You should establish the fact that the Surgeon you consult has the qualifications and experience to safely perform your surgery.

Plastic surgical Fellows of one of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons, including the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons of England have completed post graduate training in plastic surgery and work under strict professional and ethical guidelines. However, training in plastic surgery does not necessarily mean training in cosmetic surgery, so it is important to establish whether your surgeon has undertaken dedicated training in cosmetic surgery. In Australia, the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery is the only College that offers formal training and accreditation in cosmetic medicine and surgery. Choosing a Surgeon with these professional qualifications makes it more likely that you will get a result you are happy with and will potentially reduce the risk of complications.

The Surgeons of NorthEast Plastic Surgery have undergone rigorous surgical training and their expertise is the result of extensive experience in cosmetic plastic surgery.

2. Research the surgery and surgeons to understand the risks

 Make sure you fully understand the surgery, what it involves, the recovery time and any limitations. A consultation with a qualified and experienced surgeon will help you to understand potential risks, complications and limitations to the surgery. You should ask lots of questions and ensure that you understand the process and recovery. Make sure you feel comfortable with your choice of surgeon. Seek reviews on your potential surgeon and ask to view ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs of their patients.

As in many situations in life,  the saying, “you get what you pay for” is true in plastic and cosmetic surgery. Don’t be tempted by cheap eyelid surgery as this can result in the potential for complications and the need to incur the further costs of revisional surgery.

3. Patience is required while awaiting the final results 

Improvement in appearance with reduction in swelling and bruising can typically be appreciated within 1-2 weeks, however the swelling continues to improve over six to eight weeks.  Typically, it takes several months for the swelling to subside completely, so patience is required when waiting to see the final aesthetic result. It is therefore best to plan blepharoplasty surgery during periods of professional and social down time.

4. Dry eyes or tearing can be aggravated post surgery

Patients who have a tendency to dry eyes or tearing may experience temporary exacerbation of these conditions after surgery which may take a few months to resolve.  It is not advisable to wear contact lenses for two weeks after blepharoplasty surgery so it’s best to prepare to wear spectacles while you recover from surgery.

Next Step

If you are considering blepharoplasty surgery and have questions you would like to ask or if you would like to book a confidential consultation at a cost of $140, click below or call (03) 9088 5000 for the Melbourne practice or (07) 3180 3400 for the Brisbane practice. The Cosmetic Surgery Co-ordinators of NorthEast Plastic Surgery will organise a consultation with Mr Tansley or Dr Seneviratne who are highly qualified and experienced surgeons. They will assess your individual requirements and discuss your preferences in regard to the surgery.