Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) & Brow Lift in Toowoomba and on the Gold Coast
Ageing changes around the eyes
As the face ages, some of the earliest signs start showing around the eyes. We see common patterns of change, including a change in the position of the brow, lines across the forehead and excess skin developing on the upper eyelid that starts to fall down and rest on the eyelashes. Many women notice that this prevents them from wearing normal eye makeup and as the problem gets worse, the skin fold Mary start to interfere with vision – this is a problem that affects both men and women.
When evaluating patients with these concerns, we need to determine how much the eyebrow and eyelid are independently contributing to the problem. While most patients can have these concerns addressed with eyelid surgery alone (aka blepharoplasty), some patients will consider a combination of eyelid and brow lift surgery.
Blepharoplasty is the most common facial aesthetic surgical procedure and different procedures are performed on the upper and lower lids. In the upper lid it is used to address excess skin on the upper eyelid which falls onto the eyelashes and starts to interfere with vision over time. At the same time, we can address bulging fat pads in the upper or lower eyelids. In some instances, the eyelid itself starts drooping, a condition called eyelid ptosis. During a blepharoplasty procedure, the eyelid position can also be corrected.
Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids together or separately.
The benefits of blepharoplasty include:
- Restoring definition to your eyelid
- Removing excess skin and fat
- Reducing lines and wrinkles under and around the eyes
- Correcting a droopy upper eyelid position (eyelid ptosis)
A brow lift procedure is used to correct a low brow position which exacerbates the lax skin in the upper eyelid. Frequently, the brow appears to be sitting in a normal location because the muscle of the forehead elevates the brow to assist with vision, creating the horizontal lines across the forehead that we are all familiar with.
Individual requirements including a direct brow lift with skin excision above the brow which is particularly useful for patients with fine skin and dark brows. It is the commonest technique considered for older patients considering this surgery to improve vision. For other patients, the idea of a scar on the upper border of the brow may not be appealing and the scars are concealed in the hairline using an open brow lift or temporal approach.
Brow Lift & Blepharoplasty Surgery:
Undertaking cosmetic surgery (also known as aesthetic plastic surgery) is an intensely personal and private decision that can have a positive impact when applied appropriately but it isn’t for everyone. Success comes from helping individual patients clarify their goals, understand the limitations and risks involved with surgery to create realistic expectations and a bespoke plan to best achieve their pwn goals. With a combination of communication, experience and knowledge, A/Prof Mark Magnusson has helped many patients across Brisbane, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and beyond. Let A/Prof Magnusson help you with your aesthetic journey.
The eyelid and brow lift procedures
Blepharoplasty can be performed on upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both at the same time. This can be combined with brow lift surgery to optimise the whole area. On July 1, 2023 the federal government changed the rules with respect to the venue at which surgical procedures of this nature could be performed. Surgery required to be performed in an accredited facility (day hospital or inpatient hospital) and significantly reduces the ability to perform this under local anaesthetic in our clinic. The majority of patients will require treatment in hospital. When surgery is performed because of an obstruction of the visual fields due to skin resting on the lashes (dermatochlasis) or because the eyelid position has dropped (eyelid ptosis), Medicare and Health Fund assistance may apply. Our team will help to clarify your individual circumstances according to any operative procedure you are considering. If performed under local anaesthetic alone, the surgery may be undertaken in A/Prof Magnusson’s operating suite in Toowoomba or alternatively with the assistance of a specialist anaesthetist in a Day Hospital in Toowoomba or on the Gold Coast. During the procedure, incisions are made in the natural folds of the eyelid, in the crease of the upper eyelid and on the inside of the lower eyelid or just beneath the lashes. This way, incisions are concealed as much as possible after they have had time to heal.
While you are lying down during surgery, A/Prof Magnusson will make precise markings to indicate where excess fat pads and skin need to be excised. Some underlying tissue may also be removed. An eye shield may be introduced to the inside your eyelids to protect the eye during surgery especially if laser is also being used. The tissues are removed with surgical instruments such as surgical scissors, scalpels and cautery to stop bleeding. Sutures are carefully applied to smooth and reshape areas around the eyelids and eyebrows.
During surgery, A/Prof Magnusson will determine how much muscle, skin and/or fat need to be removed based on a preoperative evaluation of factors including your bone structure, the symmetry of your eyebrows and underlying facial muscle structure.
Eyelid surgery takes about 1.5 hours for upper or lower lid surgery and about 2 hours to complete if upper and lower lid surgery is combined. Adding a brow lift will add additional time that will depend upon which technique is employed.
Suitable candidates for eyelid & brow lift surgery
To determine if you are a suitable candidate for Blepharoplasty, a consultation with A/Prof Magnusson is required. During the consultation he will:
- Evaluate your general health and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Discuss your eyelid surgery and brow lift options
- Recommend a course of treatment
- Take photographs
- Discuss likely outcomes and any potential risks
- Discuss the type of anaesthesia that will be used
If you suffer from any of the following issues, you may be a suitable candidate for eyelid surgery:
- Reduced vision due to excess loose skin on your upper lid or an upper eyelid position that has dropped with time.
- Fatty deposits in the eyelids that cause bulging of the upper and lower eyelids
- Excess loose skin and fine wrinkles below the eyes that make it difficult to apply makeup
- Not satisfied with the general appearance or your eye and brow area
Risks of blepharoplasty surgery
This surgery in general has a low risk for reoperation and significant problem. There is an important but rare risk of blindness reportedly impacting one in 40,000 people. This is not a problem we have ever seen in this clinic nor do we anticipate it but it is a risk that can’t be denied. For patients in whom the skin excess is the primary problem, revision surgery is very unlikely. Patients with upper eyelid ptosis however have a potential need for a revision of eyelid ptosis surgery due to a partial but incomplete correction of the eyelid position. The body subconsciously addresses eyelid ptosis by brow elevation using the forehead muscles as well as the eyelid muscles to open the eye for vision. Once the eyelid is tightened, the brow tends to relax which may lead to a partial reoccurrence of eyelid ptosis leading to the potential for revision surgery. Over time ageing still occurs and if surgery was undertaken due to a reduction in visual fields but a brow lift was not performed, then additional surgery may eventually be considered for the brow as additional natural ageing change takes place slowly with time and this may lead to a recurrence of skin laxity. The general risks of surgery however do apply including scarring, anticipated bruising and swelling following surgery but these changes will take variable times to settle to their maximum outcome.
Blepharoplasty results
Following the recovery period, patients can expect to achieve an opening of their eyes. If excess skin was causing vision problems, this is expected to improve after a blepharoplasty procedure. It’s very unlikely for patients to ever need a secondary surgery after blepharoplasty.
Eyelid surgery before and after gallery
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
Blepharoplasty – Frequently asked questions
How much does blepharoplasty cost?
The upper blepharoplasty starts at about $3,500, but this generally doesn’t include hospital and anaesthesia fees. Patients who choose to pair upper eyelid surgery with lower eyelid surgery or with a brow lift will need to contribute more towards the procedure. In the event that surgery is necessary to correct vision problems, it’s likely that some of the costs will be covered by Medicare and medical insurance. You can speak to A/Prof Magnusson’s team about the process of claiming costs from insurance during your consultation.
What can I expect during blepharoplasty recovery?
The many patients we will use eyewear called the “lid lift goggles”. They are worn full-time for the first four hours and 80% of the time for the first three days while awake 100% of the time while sleeping. They look like ski goggles but have a soft foam inside that puts gentle compression on the eyelid area that works to reduce the extent of swelling and bruising so that the recovery is more rapid. The worst of the bruising and swelling will occur over the 2 days after your surgery, remained stable until about four days after your surgery and then start to reduce. Bruising will generally be subtle by 10-14 days and concealable with eye make-up, and the use of the lid lift goggles tends to speed this part of the early recovery. A cool compress and pain medication can be used to alleviate discomfort and we prescribe eye drops for everyone to maintain lubrication during the early recovery. Light activity such as walking can help the healing process but strenuous activity that would increase pressure in the face should be avoided for a few weeks. Most patients can return to work within a few days to a week and resume their normal routines about two weeks after eyelid surgery. You will find it challenging to read a book or watch tv during the first few days after surgery, so it’s best to give your eyes time to rest and recover for a day or two. When surgery is performed two address upper lid ptosis this will commonly put a little bit of downward pressure on the eyeball slightly changing its shape which may alter your focus while read. This usually self corrects as the pressures normalise over the first 3 months. It is very uncommon for an alteration in glasses prescriptions to be required at that point. Blepharoplasty has one of the faster cosmetic surgery recovery times, which is a benefit.
Will there be scarring after blepharoplasty?
The eyelid skin heals better and more reliably than skin in almost any other part of the body. Scars are however always present but the incisions are small and in the natural creases around the eyes and on the eyelid. Scarring is also minimal following a brow lift but as for scars in other areas will go through the natural healing process of maturation and take months rather than weeks to achieve their maximum outcome. This is a contributing factor to procedural selection for brow lift due to the different and more concealed location of scars within the hairline when appropriate. Correctly caring for the incision sites after surgery will also ensure that scarring is kept to a minimum however everyone scars and heals slightly differently.
How will a brow lift affect my hairline?
Depending upon the type of approach to considered for a brow lift we can intentionally elevate the hairline, lower the hairline or leave it unaltered. These factors may lead to different procedures being considered.The hairline will experience a slight elevation after a brow lift for an open brow lift with a scalp incision, particularly if the eyebrows need to be higher. If you already have a high hairline, a forehead reduction might be necessary at the same time as the brow lift. By moving the scalp hair forward, it will slightly lower the hairline of the upper forehead.
What is the appropriate age for this procedure?
Eyelid ptosis can occur at any stage and even be congenital (present at birth). Eyelid lifts may be appropriate at almost any age if sagging skin is affecting your vision, and this depends on symptoms that are measurable. In general, eyelid surgery and a brow lift are more often considered later in life when the normal aging process leads to changes in facial volume, bone support and the skin becomes less elastic. A/Prof Magnusson will advise you on whether you should wait before proceeding with one or both of these procedures during your consultation.
Book an appointment for blepharoplasty in Brisbane, Toowoomba or the Gold Coast
You can request a consultation with A/Prof Magnusson by contacting his reception at either his Toowoomba or Gold Coast clinics. He has assisted patients with this procedure in Brisbane and surrounding areas and can provide you with information on additional procedures, such as face and neck lifts.