Blepharoplasty Melbourne (Eyelid Surgery)
Also known as an eyelid lift, blepharoplasty is a surgery performed by Dr Morris Ritz, typically with the purpose of making minor to moderate changes to the appearance of your upper and lower eyelids. The procedure may also address vision concerns that may be caused by the tissue surrounding the eyes.
Suitable blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) candidates
If you have reduced elasticity and weakened muscles in your eyelids, a blepharoplasty may be able to address your concerns. An eyelid surgery can provide both an aesthetic and functional change, depending on your reasons for undergoing the surgery, as the blepharoplasty procedure may improve vision that has been impaired by skin laxity around the eyes.
During your first visit to our Melbourne location, you’ll discuss your suitability for the procedure. Blepharoplasty surgery candidates should be in good health, physically able to undergo surgery and able to complete their recovery period. Dr Ritz will consider your health history, any current health conditions, medications, and your expectations for the procedure. Having realistic expectations for the procedure’s results is highly important, and expected results can be made clear during your first consultation.
While candidates will need to meet specific criteria to be suitable for eyelid surgery, the procedure can be highly tailored to your needs, ensuring that the procedure is proper for you during the planning process.
Your first consultation
During your initial consultation with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Ritz in Melbourne, he will discuss your concerns and the results you can expect to achieve. He will discuss your medical history, such as any past surgery or medical conditions we need to be aware of and any medication you take.
To determine if you will be able to complete a sufficient recovery period, he will discuss lifestyle factors, such as what you do for work and exercise. You will need to take some time off work and a break from strenuous exercise after your surgery, so it can be helpful to discuss how much time you may need away from your specific job.
He will assess you to ensure you are a suitable candidate, and will then determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Dr Ritz will need to discuss the risks associated with this procedure. Any surgical procedure will be associated with possible complications, so we need to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of them, as well as how they can be minimised. You will discuss risks in detail during your first visit. You can also read more about risks under our possible complications section.
Once you have finished your consultation, you can then discuss costs and booking the procedure with Personal Assistant Georgie. You will receive a quote outlining your surgery costs.
The eyelid surgery procedure
On the day of your procedure, patients are generally admitted to the hospital about one hour before surgery. Dr Ritz will see you to discuss the details of the procedure again, before drawing pre operative markings around the area to mark incision points. Each patient may have different incision points, so please refer to the details of your incisions that will be discussed during your consultation. Since the procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, you’ll also have a consultation with the anaesthetist before going into surgery.
Blepharoplasty incisions can be placed on the upper or lower eyelid, or sometimes both, depending on the specific eye area that will be addressed. Upper eyelid incisions are most often made within the crease of the eyelid, and in the orbital septum, generally to remove excess tissue. Incisions placed to focus on the lower eyelid may be made in the lower lash line, or sometimes inside the eyelid. Incisions in the lower lash line can allow for the removal of excess fat and skin, while incisions made inside the eyelid can move or remove excess fat but not address any skin or muscle. As you may have gathered, the placement of your incision will entirely depend on your goals – where the focus of the procedure will be, and if you are wanting to address skin, fat or both. Since incisions are usually placed within the crease of the eye, along the lash line, or sometimes inside the eye, any scarring can usually be naturally concealed.
Once incisions are made, Dr Ritz can proceed with the next steps of your procedure, which may be planned to remove or reposition fat, remove excess tissue, or address fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. The procedure can take about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on how complex the procedure steps may be. The incisions are then sutured closed, with small sutures (that may be dissolvable, which prevents the need for suture removal during recovery). You may be monitored in the recovery room as you wake from the general anaesthesia, before typically being able to return home to complete your recovery. As you won’t be able to drive, we recommend organising for some time to take you home after your surgery.
Recovery
Since eyelid surgery is often performed as day surgery, you can return home on the same day as your procedure.
A full recovery can take some time, so you’ll need to be patient when waiting to assess your final results. Some bruising and swelling can be present around the eyes after your surgery, which should subside as the area heals. Should you need post-operative support, you should discuss follow-up appointments during your consultation. Post-operative appointments will enable Dr Ritz to assess the progress of your healing and identify any possible complications, which can then be promptly addressed.
Post-operative care
Depending on what you do for work, you will require anywhere from one to two weeks of recovery at home. As mentioned before, you will be unable to drive after your procedure, typically for about one week. You are also going to be limited with physical activity, particularly strenuous exercise (such as heavy lifting and other gym workouts) for about six weeks.
You will be given detailed post-operative care instructions after surgery, but generally, your instructions will include to keep the incision sites clean, preventing irritation or infection. Ensuring proper wound healing will be one of the main focuses of your recovery steps. You may be prescribed antibiotics to help prevent infection, as well as pain medication, as some pain or discomfort can be experienced early in recovery. It is wise to avoid excessive sun exposure and any skin irritations on the operated area as it heals, as well as avoiding swimming pools, environments of excessive heat (such as saunas) and doing anything to irritate the eye area or disrupt the sutures (such as rubbing, itching or putting pressure on the eye area).
Healing time will depend on the complexity of your personalised procedure, other factors of your individual healing process and how well you follow your post-operative instructions.
Your procedure costs
To receive your quote, you will discuss the details of your surgery with Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Ritz. After a consultation, you can see Personal Assistant Georgie for your quote.
You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate, which Dr Ritz can provide you with advice on during your consultation.
Possible complications
Possible complications of blepharoplasty procedures will need to be considered before undergoing surgery. Steps will be taken to prevent complications, such as ensuring your suitability for surgery and providing post-operative care instructions. Before deciding to undergo the procedure, ensure that you are choosing a qualified plastic surgeon. Dr Ritz is a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon, having completed the right level of training to earn the title. Possible post-operative discomfort can include swelling, bruising and pain. Complications of surgery can include infection, prolonged healing, temporary or permanent numbness, reactions to anaesthesia, visible scarring and asymmetrical or unsatisfactory results.
DISCLAIMER
**Individual results will vary based on factors such as genetics, age, diet and exercise. The outcome experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes that other people may experience.
All surgery carries risks. These risks include but are not limited to bleeding, infection, scarring, pain, numbness, asymmetry. All surgery requires a recovery period and post operative care. This will be all discussed in further detail during your consultation**
Morris Ritz is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon
AHPRA Registration: MED0001156076