All You Need To Know About Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Sydney – FAQ – Dr Peter Kim

If you are considering an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty)

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that may help address excess eyelid skin or tissue. It is not medically required but may be considered based on personal goals. Decisions about this surgery should be made with a thorough understanding of the procedure, risks, and alternatives.

The following questions are from the Department of Health’s guidelines on questions to ask before your cosmetic surgery.

Is Dr Peter Kim a plastic surgeon?

Dr Peter Kim is a registered medical practitioner with AHPRA (MED0001182872). He holds specialist registration in General Practice and has undertaken additional postgraduate surgical training in cosmetic surgery, including completion of a Surgical Fellowship with the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr Kim’s clinical practice is focused on blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery). He is not a specialist plastic surgeon and does not provide plastic or reconstructive surgery services.

While specialist plastic surgeons may perform blepharoplasty as part of a broader reconstructive practice, Dr Kim’s work is limited to cosmetic procedures, with a particular focus on eyelid surgery. His experience includes performing a large number of blepharoplasty procedures over many years and contributing to professional education and publications related to cosmetic eyelid surgery.

Patients are encouraged to consider a practitioner’s qualifications, scope of practice, and experience when making decisions about cosmetic surgery.

 

What are your qualifications?

Dr Kim completed his medical degree at the University of Sydney, where he was awarded his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). He subsequently undertook postgraduate surgical fellowship training in cosmetic surgery with the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery & Medicine, graduating with academic distinction and a Gold Medal in 2009.

His training and clinical interests include cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). Dr Kim has contributed to professional education and research in cosmetic surgery, including publications related to eyelid procedures in peer-reviewed medical journals such as the American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and the Australasian Journal of Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr Kim continues to practise in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements. Details of his qualifications, training, scope of practice, and experience are discussed during consultation to support informed decision-making.

What procedures do you regularly perform?

The practice is focused on blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery), including procedures involving the upper and lower eyelids. Suitability for any procedure is determined following a comprehensive consultation and clinical assessment.

Procedures offered may include:

  • Upper eyelid blepharoplasty
    A surgical procedure to address excess upper eyelid skin.

  • Lower eyelid blepharoplasty
    A procedure aimed at reducing under-eye bags or lower eyelid fullness.

  • Sub-brow lift combined with upper blepharoplasty
    A combined approach that may assist in selected patients seeking changes to the upper eyelid and brow region.

  • Thread lift for the upper eyelids
    A minimally invasive, non-surgical option that may be suitable for selected patients.

  • Asian blepharoplasty
    A procedure tailored for patients of Asian background, including approaches similar to upper eyelid blepharoplasty where clinically appropriate.

  • Double eyelid surgery
    A procedure that may create or modify an upper eyelid crease, often considered by younger patients who do not have a defined crease or who wish to reshape it.

How many times have you performed this procedure, and how often do you do it?

The practitioner has been performing blepharoplasty procedures since 2009. Over this time, it is estimated that well over one thousand blepharoplasty procedures have been performed as part of clinical practice.

Experience and scope of practice are discussed during consultation. The number of procedures performed does not guarantee outcomes for individual patients, as results may vary depending on individual anatomy, health factors, and healing responses.

Can I see photos of your work?

Before and after images, if provided on this website, are examples of procedures performed by Dr Kim. These images are presented for informational purposes only and do not guarantee a specific outcome. Individual results vary based on anatomy, healing, and other factors.

The images shown are clinical photographs taken in a consistent manner and are not digitally altered or selectively chosen to represent only particular outcomes. They are intended to provide a general illustration of surgical changes rather than to predict individual results.

Will anyone help you perform my procedure? What are their qualifications?

Blepharoplasty may be performed in the clinic setting under local anaesthesia, where clinically appropriate. In these cases, a surgical assistant is not routinely required.

Where surgery is performed in an accredited day surgery facility, additional clinical staff may be involved, including a surgical assistant and an anaesthetist, depending on the anaesthetic plan and individual clinical requirements.

The location of surgery, anaesthesia used, and personnel involved are determined following individual assessment and are discussed during consultation.

Who will give my anaesthetic? What qualifications do they have? What kind of anaesthetic will I receive?

Blepharoplasty is typically performed with local anaesthesia. Options for sedation or other anaesthesia are discussed with you based on clinical assessment and safety considerations.

Where will the procedure be performed? Is it licensed for my procedure?

In accordance with current AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia guidelines, blepharoplasty may be performed in a doctor’s clinic setting where clinically appropriate.

Procedures are undertaken in clinical environments that comply with relevant safety and infection-control standards. The choice of surgical setting is based on individual clinical assessment and patient safety considerations.

Where surgery is performed in an accredited day surgery facility, additional clinical staff and anaesthetic services may be involved. Details regarding the surgical location, accreditation, and facilities are discussed during consultation.

Below is the extract from the AHPRA website (accessed 30 June 2023).<LINK>

The Medical Board’s Guidelines for registered medical practitioners who perform cosmetic surgery and procedures require all cosmetic surgery (except certain types of blepharoplasty) to be performed in a facility that is accredited by an Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) approved agency, to the ACSQHC National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

 

What are the risks of this procedure? And are there any risks unique to my health history?

More detailed information about the risks associated with blepharoplasty is provided within each relevant procedure section.

In general, all surgical procedures carry risks. Potential risks associated with blepharoplasty may include, but are not limited to:

  • Prolonged swelling or bruising

  • Dry, irritated, or uncomfortable eyes

  • Temporary or, in rare cases, persistent changes in vision

  • Scarring

  • Asymmetry

  • Changes in eyelid position or function

  • Infection or bleeding

  • The need for additional treatment or revision surgery

Individual risk varies depending on personal health factors, anatomy, and healing response. A thorough discussion of risks relevant to your individual circumstances will occur during consultation to support informed decision-making.

How many people have experienced complications when you have performed this procedure and what were they?

The risk of complications following blepharoplasty is not common, however, they can occur as listed above.

Are there any alternative options to this procedure?

Depending on individual goals, anatomy, and clinical factors, non-surgical or less invasive options may be discussed during consultation. The suitability of any alternative treatment is determined following clinical assessment.

In cases where excess eyelid skin is present, surgical blepharoplasty may be considered as an option to address this concern. Non-surgical treatments may have limitations in their ability to correct excess skin, and the potential benefits and limitations of each approach are discussed during consultation to support informed decision-making.

Will it cost extra to have further treatment if something goes wrong?

If a further procedure is considered clinically appropriate within three months of the initial surgery, a facility fee of $500 may apply to cover the use of the procedure room.

Where additional treatment is considered after this three-month period, standard procedure fees and consultation charges will apply. Any recommendations, associated costs, and options are discussed with you before proceeding.

How long do the results last? Will I need further procedures?

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure intended to produce long-lasting changes to the eyelids. In many cases, the effects may be maintained for a number of years; however, longevity varies between individuals and is influenced by factors such as ageing, skin quality, and lifestyle.

Some patients may choose to undergo the procedure once, while others may consider further treatment at a later stage depending on individual changes over time.

What will the scarring be like?

All surgical procedures result in scarring. Following blepharoplasty, scars may be more noticeable in the early healing period, commonly within the first six to twelve months, when they can appear red or darker in colour.

As healing progresses and scars mature, incision lines from blepharoplasty are usually positioned within natural eyelid creases. When the eyes are open, scars are often less noticeable; however, they may still be visible when the eyes are closed. The appearance of scars varies between individuals and depends on factors such as skin type and healing response.

What if I'm not pleased with the result?

The initial consultation is an important part of the decision-making process. During this appointment, Dr Kim assesses your eyelid anatomy, discusses your goals, and reviews whether blepharoplasty is suitable for you. As part of this discussion, Dr Kim may demonstrate on your eyelids how surgical changes may alter their appearance. This demonstration is used to help explain potential changes and support discussion about expectations.

These visual explanations are illustrative only and are intended to assist understanding. Actual surgical outcomes vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.

What care will I need and receive after the procedure and who will give it?

Aftercare instructions are provided during the consultation and reviewed again on the day of surgery. Patients are also given appropriate contact details to use if they have concerns or require advice following the procedure.

A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled approximately seven days after surgery for review and suture removal. In some cases, healing may vary and sutures may need to remain in place for a longer period. This is assessed at the follow-up appointment, and timing is adjusted based on individual healing.

What kind of discomfort or pain should I expect following the procedure and how will it be managed?

Levels of discomfort following blepharoplasty vary between individuals. Some patients experience minimal discomfort, while others may require simple pain relief during the early recovery period.

Paracetamol may be recommended to manage postoperative discomfort, and patients are advised to have appropriate pain relief available at home. If discomfort occurs, paracetamol can be taken as directed for the first two to three days following surgery, unless otherwise advised by your practitioner.

Pain management and aftercare instructions are discussed during consultation and reviewed again on the day of surgery.

How long will I need to be home/off work for recovery?

Time away from work following blepharoplasty varies between individuals and depends on the type of work performed and the recovery process. Some patients choose to allow up to two weeks before returning to work, while others may feel able to resume lighter or work-from-home duties earlier.

Recovery timelines are discussed during consultation and reviewed as part of postoperative care.

When can I start showering, exercising, driving, grocery shopping, etc.?

Following blepharoplasty, patients are usually able to shower from the day after surgery, provided postoperative instructions are followed.

Driving may be resumed once vision is clear, you feel comfortable, and it is safe to do so. Patients should not drive if vision remains blurred or if they feel unwell.

Light daily activities may be resumed after the first few days, depending on individual recovery. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise should generally be avoided for approximately two weeks, as these activities may increase the risk of bleeding or haematoma.

What do I do if something goes wrong? Who should I call?

If you experience concerning symptoms or complications after surgery, you are encouraged to contact Dr Kim or the practice for advice as soon as possible. Appropriate contact details are provided following your procedure.

If you are unable to reach the practice, or if the situation is urgent, you should seek immediate medical attention, including attending the nearest emergency department.

What are the benefits of laser-assisted blepharoplasty?

In some cases, laser technology may be used as an adjunct to blepharoplasty where clinically appropriate. The use of laser equipment is determined based on individual anatomy, surgical goals, and clinical assessment.

When used as part of eyelid surgery, laser technology may assist with certain aspects of the procedure, including:

  • Assisting with precise skin incisions, which may help limit bleeding during surgery

  • Assisting with the removal of excess eyelid skin in selected cases

  • Assisting with the treatment of eyelid fat where appropriate

The use of laser technology does not replace surgical technique and is not suitable for all patients. Potential benefits and limitations are discussed during consultation.

Recovery time varies between individuals. While some patients are able to resume routine activities within a short period, others may require a longer recovery depending on the extent of surgery and individual healing response.

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 we routinely use laser to perform blepharoplasties.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Please follow this link to the upper blepharoplasty webpage for more specific information about this procedure.

Cosmetic Upper Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Lower Blepharoplasty

Please follow this link to the upper blepharoplasty webpage for more specific information about this procedure.

Cosmetic Lower Blepharoplasty

Asian Double Eyelid Surgery

Please follow this link to the upper blepharoplasty webpage for more specific information about this procedure.

Cosmetic Lower Blepharoplasty

Your consultation

If you are considering upper or lower blepharoplasty, you may choose to schedule a consultation with Dr Peter Kim. During the consultation, your concerns and goals are discussed, and your eyelid anatomy is assessed to determine whether blepharoplasty, including laser-assisted techniques where clinically appropriate, may be suitable for you.

As part of the consultation process, Dr Kim may use visual demonstrations on your eyelids to help explain potential surgical changes based on your individual anatomy. These demonstrations are illustrative only and are intended to support discussion and realistic expectation-setting. Actual outcomes vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed.

Patients are encouraged to bring photographs that illustrate their preferences, as well as any questions they wish to discuss. This assists communication but does not represent a guaranteed or achievable outcome.

Consultation Requirements

Cosmetic surgery consultations are conducted in accordance with Medical Board of Australia and AHPRA guidelines. This includes:

  • A minimum of two consultations, conducted at least seven days apart

  • A mandatory cooling-off period before any cosmetic surgery is undertaken

  • Assessment of medical history and suitability

  • Completion of required screening questionnaires, including those relating to psychological wellbeing

  • Provision of a GP referral, where required under current guidelines

These requirements are designed to support informed decision-making and patient safety.

Consultation Fee

The consultation fee is $250. Any applicable Medicare rebates, where relevant, are determined independently of the practice and are subject to Medicare eligibility criteria.

A second consultation, where required under regulatory guidelines, is not charged.

Consultation fees, procedure fees, inclusions, and next steps are explained clearly during the consultation process. Attendance at a consultation does not create any obligation to proceed with surgery.

Privacy

Privacy Policy

Our privacy commitment to you.

Privacy protection and confidentiality of health information is essential for quality health care. We protect the privacy and confidentiality of the information we collect from patients, visitors to our website, people who contact us and from our suppliers and partners. This information is only released with your expressed written consent or where it is required by law.

In addition to this professional and ethical commitment, we are required to comply with the relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory privacy laws that outline a set of privacy principles. The core principles are in the Privacy Act 1988. More information about these principles and Australian privacy law can be found on the Australian Information Commissioner’s website www.oaic.gov.au

When visiting our website our internet service provider will track your visit for statistical purposes but personal information is not collected.

Consent for the collection of your personal details:

When you register as a patient or client of our practice, you are providing consent for our health care practitioners and practice staff to access and your personal information so they can provide you with the best possible healthcare. Only staff who need to access your personal details will do so, where appropriate for their role in your care, to answer your enquiries and manage your clinical file, payments or product purchases. We will ask for additional consent from you if we need to use your details for anything else.

Dr Peter Kim will only collect information that is relevant to provide you with effective medical or customer care, and for Practice management purposes. All staff members sign a confidentiality agreement and privacy procedures agreement. Administrative staff will access your health data only if required, for example:

What personal information do we collect, store and use and how do we collect this?

Dr Peter Kim collects personal details from clients, patients, people enquiring, brand partners and other organisations seeking information or comment, visitors to our website, people purchasing products and services from us and from our suppliers.

Most of this information is collected directly from the person concerned, including through emails, telephone calls, our website and social media channels.

Website usage and collection of data:

Our website www.cosmeticeyelidsurgery.com.au uses Google Analytics for business development purposes such as tracking website usage. For more information see the Google Analytics information pages. You can control the age, gender, and interests information, or opt out of having this information collected through Google. Google Analytics does not collect information about sensitive interests such as race, religion, sexual orientation, health, or financial status. The types of information collected are below.

De-identified details:

When you access our website, there is a record of your visit made in the web server logs of the following information for statistical purposes:

  • Your source IP address
    • Your domain or top level domain name (for example practice.com, .gov, .au etc)
    • The date and time of your visit to the site
    • The pages you accessed and documents downloaded
    • The previous site you visited
    • The type of browser you are using
    • Your age, gender, and interests based on other websites you have visited.

This de-identified information is used by us to monitor usage patterns on our site in order to improve navigation and design features. We do not provide any of this data to third parties.

Identified details:

Dr Peter Kim only collects personal information that you have opted to send to us via our enquiry form, email, newsletter sign-up form, text messages, phone calls or social media accounts. This data will never be passed on to a third party without your consent.

Cookies:

Cookies can either be persistent or session based. Persistent cookies are stored on your computer, contain an expiry date, and may only be used to track your browsing behaviour upon return to the issuing web site. Session cookies are short lived, are used only during a browsing session, and expire when you quit your browser. Dr Peter Kim’s websites uses persistent cookies to provide users with the most convenient way of remembering preferences and do this in a way that prevents other sites from using these cookies. The web site statistics for this site are generated from the web logs as outlined above.

Why do we collect this information and what do we use it for?

Dr Peter Kim collects, stores and uses this information to provide services and process orders for our clients.
We only provide others with details that would identify you if it is necessary to provide you with any service or information that you have requested and you have agreed to us sharing the data.

What about use of personal details for direct marketing?

Australian privacy law limits the use of personal data collected for direct marketing of goods and services.
We use your personal data to keep you informed about health education, products, services and exclusive offers.
When you are added to our newsletter mailing list or we send you direct marketing material, you are provided with an opportunity to directly unsubscribe or contact us to decline receiving further material.

If you have a concern about direct marketing material you have received from us, or you wish to change your preferences, please contact us via [email protected]

How can clients update their personal details?

At the time of booking an appointment online, via phone, email or our enquiry form.

How do we store and protect the information we hold about you?

We store your information at our premises, in electronic systems under our control and with highly secure, cloud-based clinical data storage and software providers. We take appropriate steps to protect the security of the details we hold about you, including protections against unauthorised access, virus or other electronic Our staff are bound by strict requirements regarding the protection of the privacy of the information we collect and hold about you.
We or our contracted data storage providers may use servers, systems and cloud computing providers outside of Australia. Our contracts with them require them to protect the privacy of your information when held on these servers and/or using cloud computing. Our contractors are required to comply with the Australian Privacy laws.

Can clients access their private file?

Under Australian privacy law, you have the right to access any personal information we hold about you. These rights also include correction of any errors in this record. To access this information please contact us. Unless the access you request will require special resources, there will be no charge for providing you with this record.

Does the data we collect stay in Australia?

In addition to the use from time to time of data storage and cloud providers, we may provide data to overseas bodies. For example, we may license use of information on our databases to overseas based companies and organisations for direct marketing. All entities to whom we license use of this information are required to comply with Australia Privacy laws and can only use the data for the purpose specified in the licence.

How long do we keep your personal information?

We generally keep your personal information active for as long as it is required to enable us to provide the relevant service to you. Health practitioner and medical records must be kept long term for medico-legal purposes, which occurs after you have had a clinical consultation where you have received professional advice.

We keep records and other personal data on file to enable us to undertake statistical and historical analysis and reporting. As part of our data security, we regularly backup and archive our electronic databases.

How to find out more about how we collect information and what to do if you have a complaint:

Please contact us if you have a concern in relation to how we collect, store, use or disclose your personal details.

Email: [email protected]
Call: 9411 4880
Post: 4/9 Railway Street Chatswood NSW 2114

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Disclaimer

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

  • Any surgical, invasive, nonsurgical, or laser procedure carries risks.

  • Complications do and can occur.

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

  • Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

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

  • Copyrights reserved by Dr Peter Kim.

The Next Step

If you have any questions or concerns about cosmetic eyelid surgery, please feel free to contact us. Dr Kim 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 is located in Chatswood. For your convenience, Dr Kim also consults at Haymarket, Eastwood and Cabramatta.

You can reach us by:

  • Phone: 02 9411 4480
  • SMS: 0433 284 880