If you are unhappy about your eyelid shape and would like to rejuvenate the eyelids, with an eye lift or blepharoplasty, you have come to the right place.
Dr Peter Kim has a significant experience and expertise in this field and we will try to answer some of the frequently asked questions.
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 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.
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:
It can involve:
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.
We use the Laser to assist the blepharoplasty to reduce the downtime and to produce extra tightening result.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
You will be able to go home the same day of your surgery, under the care of an adult, around 30 minutes after the surgery.
Comprehensive discharge information on wound treatment and a follow-up appointment will be given to you.
Your eyes will be bruised and swollen. Your eyes will appear assymterical due to the uneven degree of swelling and bruising in each eyes. The assymtry will improve with time once the swelling and bruising settles.
Most people do not require any analgesia. However, one in five patients takes some paracetamol for comfort.
Your eyes may be blurred due to the effect of local anaesthesia and swelling. This should settle over the following few days.
A simple Laser assisted upper blepharoplasty costs $3000.
A simple eye bag correction surgery costs $3500.
A lower eyelift surgery costs $5000.
All costs are inclsuive of GST and there is no additional cost.
If you choose to have the operation performed at a Day hospital under deep sedation. The cost is approximately extra $1500-$2000.
General risks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can contact Dr Kim and seek external review. We have a system in place where we can refer you to the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery’s complaint body to have your matter externally reviewed by independent cosmetic surgeons.
This is a free service to the patients.
Generally speaking, your blepharoplasty result should last at least 10 years or more.
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:
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 the Asian Cosmetic Surgery Clinic’s results.
Copyrights reserved by Dr Peter Kim.
If you have any questions or concerns about double 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.