Is Dr Peter Kim an experienced Blepharoplasty surgeon?

Dr Kim has been performing Laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty for over 15 years and has helped hundreds of patients achieve the look they desire. We create eyelid rejuvenation in individuals of all ethnicity.

He is one of the very few doctors in Sydney who has received specific cosmetic training and research on cosmetic eyelid surgery, and his papers have been published in Journals regularly read by specialist plastic surgeons: American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery, Australasian Journal of Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. If you would like to learn more about Dr Kim’s academic work, please click here.

Dr Kim is an appropriately qualified health practitioner, a Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery & Medicine. The distinction between a specialist plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon isn’t significant when you have the requisite experience and skill in Laser-assisted cosmetic eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty. Follow the link to learn more about the difference between cosmetic v plastic surgeons.

If you have any questions or concerns about laser-assisted blepharoplasty or blepharoplasty in general, please feel free to contact us. Dr Peter Kim specialises in blepharoplasty and has extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic eyelid surgery. He has helped hundreds of patients achieve their desired results. We would be happy to listen to your objectives and desires, and discuss the procedure with you in more detail and answer any questions you may have. To book an appointment, call 9411 4880.

Our principal clinic, Dr Peter Kim Cosmetic Clinic, is located in Chatswood. For your convenience, Dr Kim also consults at Haymarket, Eastwood and Cabramatta.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure and it is medically called blepharoplasty.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery is an umbrella term used to describe a surgical rejuvenation procedure aimed at creating youthful eyes by reshaping the upper eyelids. Youthful eyes can be created by reversing the signs of periorbital aging which are:

• excess eyelid skin,
• loose skin,
• muscle (redundant and heavy), and
• fat (protrusion and bulging).

It can involve:

• Upper eyelid Blepharoplasty – also known as upper eyelid surgery, upper eyelid blepharoplasty, eye lift, eye lift surgery, eyelid lift, eyelid reduction surgery.
• Lower eyelid blepharoplasty – also known as lower eyelid surgery, lower eyelid lift surgery, or eye bag correction surgery.

How popular is upper eyelid surgery?

Eyelid surgery is the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the world with over one million procedures performed annually. According to the American College of Cosmetic surgery, cosmetic eyelid surgery is one of the top 5 most popular cosmetic surgical procedures and the number of procedures increased by 33.5%, in 2017.

According to the report, “The United States Eyelid Surgery”, eyelid surgery has seen consistent popularity in the United States and is also pursued by women in the US as an alternative to a brow lift. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 325,112 eyelid surgery procedures were performed in 2020 with the average cost of cosmetic eyelid surgery being $4,120.

In Australia, eyelid surgery is also one of the top 5 most popular cosmetic surgery procedures with an average price of around $2,500 – $4,500 AUD.

What are the benefits of laser-assisted eyelid surgery?

There are many benefits to using a laser during your upper blepharoplasty procedure. Laser is a cutting-edge medical technology that is increasingly used in medicine. A laser may be utilized to the following degree in conjunction with traditional eyelid surgery:

• A laser can assist with bloodless skin incision in the upper eyelid, which aids in quicker healing after blepharoplasty surgery;
• A laser may also be used to remove excess eyelid skin and tighten the loose skin during blepharoplasty surgery for a “tighter” result; and
• A laser can melt the fat accurately without causing bleeding, resulting in less downtime. After one week, most patients resume regular activities.

In cosmetic blepharoplasty surgery, Lasers were shown to tighten the skin and muscles around the eye, resulting in a more youthful appearance. In addition, lasers can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve the overall tone and texture of the skin. This is why using Lasers in upper eyelid surgery is so beneficial.

Am I a good candidate for eyelid surgery blepharoplasty?

Healthy individuals with no medical conditions and previous surgeries, no condition that impedes the healing process, nonsmokers, and individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations are typically good candidates for blepharoplasty.

We have operated on numerous patients with diabetes, blood pressure, heart diseases, kidney disease and other medical conditions. As long as their medical condition is well controlled, they are a good candidate for blepharoplasty.

Those who have dry eyes should use caution, as dry eyes can get temporarily worse after the surgery. Skin diseases such as connective tissue disease or scleroderma should also be cautious as the underlying disease can cause excessive scarring.

Those with a propensity to bleed, such as blood disorders, should be careful. You should stop taking blood-thinning drugs one week before the surgery and bring them to Dr Kim’s attention at your consultation.

The upper eyelids are a cosmetic component of the face, and sagging skin in upper lids can be caused by the laxity of the forehead skin or sagging eyebrows. Stretching out of the top eyelid muscles might cause droopy eyelids, which is known as eyelid ptosis. It can be treated with blepharoplasty at the same time.

Dr Peter Kim will evaluate your facial anatomy carefully and acquire a complete medical history at the consultation, as well as assess your eligibility for blepharoplasty. Dr Kim will also discuss whether you can benefit from other procedures such as lower eyelid surgery.

How would I feel after the surgery?

Most people will experience some dryness, itchiness, and watering of the eyes for the first week after surgery. It is important to avoid rubbing or touching your eyes during this time. Simple measures such as applying a regular cold compress will help to reduce swelling. You should also avoid activities that would increase your heart rate or blood pressure, such as strenuous exercise, for at least two weeks after surgery.

You will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon one week after the procedure to have your stitches removed.

You should be able to see the early results of your operation at this time. The swelling takes a few weeks to settle. Once the swelling settles, the upper eyelids will appear natural, tight and lifted. Most people are happy with the aesthetic appearance of their upper eyes and find that it has improved their appearance.

What are the Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery procedure involved?

The general procedure for various eyelid surgeries follows a similar pattern.

• Dr Kim will make a surgical design on your upper eyelid and assess the quantity of loose eyelid skin that needs to be removed before surgery.
• The incision is made along the natural eyelid crease and natural skin folds to minimise the visible scar.
• Surgery is done under local anesthesia and takes around an hour to complete.
• A laser is used to assist with incisions, removal of excess skin, removal of redundant muscle, skin tightening, and fat removal.
• Dr Kim will stitch the wound.

You will be able to go home the same day of your surgery, under the care of an adult, after around 30 minutes. Comprehensive discharge information on wound treatment and a follow-up appointment will be given to you.

Specific to the Lower Eyelid Surgery

What is a Lower Eye Bag?

Eye bags are a common problem that can affect anyone. Some people are even more self-conscious about their eye bags than they are about their wrinkles or crow’s feet lines. Lower eye bags, which is when the skin below the eye droops and creates a puffy appearance in the under eye area.

A lower eye bag is a common problem that often occurs in people of any age. In middle-aged or older individuals, it is probably caused by an aging process. Excess skin, loss of muscle tone and bulging fat beneath the eye are the usual causes of bags in the under eye area. In younger individuals, it is usually due to a bulging fat beneath the eye. These changes can be corrected.

What are the Different Types of Lower Lid Surgery Procedures Available?

There are two types of lower lid surgery (lower blepharoplasty) procedures available, including lower eyelid lift and lower eye bag surgery. Lower eyelid lift surgery is called the external approach as the skin incision is made along the lower lid margin. Eye bag surgery is called the internal approach as the incision is made inside the lower eyelid.

Lower Eye Bag Surgery

Lower eye bag surgery is medically known as transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty. An incision is made inside the lower lid, which provides access to the fat but not the skin and muscle. It is suitable for younger individuals because the primary cause of their eye bag, bulging fat, can be corrected. The added advantage of this technique is that the bags can be corrected without leaving any visible scar and there is minimal downtime. But it is not suitable for middle-aged and older individuals with excess skin and sagging muscles.

Lower Eyelid Lift Surgery

Lower eyelid lift surgery, medically known as transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty, An incision is made outside the lower lid, providing access to not only fat but also excess skin and heavy muscles. It is suitable to correct eye bags for middle-aged and older individuals as all three causes of eye bags (skin, muscle, and fat) can be corrected. The downside of this procedure is that it leaves a visible scar and it is a riskier procedure than the internal approach. Some individuals benefit from laser skin resurfacing of the lower eyelid skin. As the skin heals, it leaves smoother skin.

Does It Remove Dark Circles under Eyes and Make Them Look Brighter?

Dark circles are medically known as tear trough deformities. The presence of eye bags makes dark circles more noticeable. Many individuals say that their dark circles improved after eye bag surgery. However, this is not strictly true because removing eye bags does not correct the tear trough deformity.

What is the cost of cosmetic eyelid surgery?

A simple Laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty costs $3500.

A simple double eyelid surgery costs $3500.

A simple eye bag correction surgery costs $3500.

There is an additional cost if you choose to have the operation performed at a Day hospital under deep sedation.

In Australia, the average price of blepharoplasty is around $2,500 – $4,500 AUD.

Should I have the operation at the doctor’s clinic or in the hospital?

Blepharoplasty is a minor surgery that may be safely done in a doctor’s office. The procedure is carried out in a sterile environment. A study demonstrated that the complication rates of local anaesthetic-only blepharoplasty are no higher than those associated with blepharoplasty performed with sedation or GA managed by an anaesthetist, with the added benefit of reduced anaesthetic risk and the cost.

We found that there was an increased incidence of asymmetry when blepharoplasty was performed under deep sedation. Because the surgeon is unable to determine the final shape of the eyelid until after the procedure has ended, he or she cannot correct it during the operation. When performing a surgical procedure under local anaesthesia, on the other hand, we can ask the patient to open their eyes near the end of the procedure and inspect their final eyelid shape before closing.

The fastest way to recover from blepharoplasty is to follow all of your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. These instructions will include things such as how to care for your surgical site, how to avoid any strenuous activity or exposure to sunlight and apply cold compresses regularly for a few days. Following these instructions closely will help you heal quickly and avoid any complications.

What are some of the reasons for dissatisfaction following laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty?

Although it is uncommon, there are a few patients who are dissatisfied after upper blepharoplasty. The main reasons for dissatisfaction are asymmetry and prolonged recovery due to swelling. If this is a problem, your surgeon may offer you revision surgery to improve your appearance. However, this option is usually not taken until after the swelling has completely gone, which takes around three to six months following surgery.

What to do if you are unhappy with your cosmetic eyelid surgery?

If you are unhappy with your surgery, go back to your surgeon. That person is most familiar with your anatomy, how your tissue reacts and what happened during the surgery. Also, they will know the best next steps.

A couple of hints when going back to speak with your surgeon.

• Try to be specific with what is wrong. i.e. “I don’t like that the eyelid crease is high) as opposed to “I don’t like how the eyes look”.
• If there is something that should be done, your surgeon will usually solve the problem if something is needed (or reassure you if there isn’t).
• Be patient with your surgeon. They want to help you and make you happy. Give them a chance to fix the problem or reassure you.

Laser-Assisted Upper Blepharoplasty is a permanent procedure. However, as you get older, your skin will sag, and the excess skin makes your ‘eye lift’ less apparent. When you get older, you may need to have another blepharoplasty.

If you are considering laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr Peter Kim. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your objectives and concerns to see if laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty is appropriate for you and, if so, which technique is best for you.

Bring a picture of your desired eyelid shape so that Dr Peter Kim may create a personalized strategy to meet your objectives. Bring any questions you want Dr Kim to answer, as well. You can also ask Dr Kim, if you have a concern about lower eyelids, whether you are a good candidate for lower eyelid blepharoplasty.

The consultation fee for a normal consultation is $150, whereas the cost for a long consultation is $300. There is no Medicare rebate available.

Dr Peter Kim is available at these locations:

• Chatswood
• Cabramatta
• Haymarket
• Eastwood.

The next step

If you have any questions or concerns about laser-assisted blepharoplasty, please feel free to contact us. Dr Peter Kim specialises in blepharoplasty and has extensive experience and expertise in cosmetic eyelid surgery. He has helped hundreds of patients achieve their desired results. We would be happy to discuss the procedure with you in more detail and answer any questions you may have. To book an appointment, call 9411 4880.

Our principal clinic, Dr Peter Kim Cosmetic Clinic, is located in Chatswood. For your convenience, Dr Kim also consults at:

• Chatswood
• Cabramatta
• Haymarket
• Eastwood

Disclaimer

As per Good Medical Practice Guideline, we would like to notify you that:

• ‘Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.’

• ‘Previous success is not a promissory indication of future success.’

• All before and after photos on this site are Dr Kim’s results.

• Copyrights reserved by Dr Peter Kim Cosmetic Clinic.

What are the risks and potential complications associated with laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty?

As with any surgical procedure, there are always risks and potential complications associated with laser-assisted upper blepharoplasty. Some of the potential risks and complications include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, and scarring.

Intraocular lenses are used to protect the cornea during laser surgery, so damage to vision is highly unlikely.

It is important to discuss all of the risks and potential complications with your surgeon prior to having any type of surgery.