Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgery Sydney | Asian Eyelid Surgery Sydney

Double

Eyelid

Blepharoplasty

Surgery

ABOUT THE DOUBLE EYELID (blepharoplasty) OPERATION

50% of the Asian population is born without a double eyelid. Double eyelid surgery is a popular procedure where precise suturing methods are used to create an eyelid fold.

If the corner of the eye has an overhanging fold of skin it is referred to as the Epicanthal fold.

Patients of Asian descent occasionally experience early onset subtle ptosis (drooping eyelid) that is frequently missed due to the overhanging eyelid skin that masks it.

Can Double eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery help?

If having a double-folded eyelid concerns you this feature can be can be addressed to assist the eyes to appear more open.

What is a double eyelid and why do people seek surgery?

Many people inherit what’s called a double eyelid. On some faces, this can lead to an appearance that patients describe as ‘sleepy-looking facial expression” or the appearance of “smaller-looking eyes”.

What causes Double eyelid formation?

The reason is that there is no distinguishable eyelid crease. Without an eyelid crease there is a ‘free fall’ of the excess eyelid skin that folds over itself. This results in the eyelid skin covering more of the eyes than the patient desires.

Is double eyelid a medical condition?

When you are young, it is not a medical concern, but a genetic trait and an aesthetic concern for some people. As you get older, the ‘free fall’ of the excess skin continues and may impact your vision when it becomes a medical issue. In both cases plastic surgery can help.

Asian Double Eyelid Procedure

CONCERN

Lack of double fold in the upper eyelid

Epicanthal (over-hanging) fold in

the corner of the eye

OPTION

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

RESULT

Precise suture techniques

create a double eyelid fold and the eye looks bigger

Epicanthal fold is

corrected by redistribution of skin.

Eye looks bigger.

Benefits of Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgery

A Double-Eyelid Blepharoplasty creates an eyelid crease that results in a more open-eyed expression to enhance the overall facial appearance in patients with suitable anatomy for the procedure.

What does Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgery involve and what does it achieve?

Technically, it involves adjusting and excising the skin above the eyelid, surgically creating a single crease, without disrupting important eyelid functions such as blinking and closing your eyes. The optimal surgery outcome is removal of drooping eyelid skin and defining a single crease. This helps open up the eyes, surgically treating the double-fold eye lid appearance.

Why do people choose to have Double Eyelid (blepharoplasty) Surgery?

People who seek double-eyelid surgery do so because they want their eyes to look more open, especially as they age.

Adults of all ages request this procedure.
It is not a surgery for ‘westernising’ the eyelid appearance; and this is a common misconception.
Instead, Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty Surgery reduces the smaller-eyed look resulting from having a double-eyelid (double-fold).
It is an elective surgical procedure that is considered cosmetic not medical.

Double Eyelid (blepharoplasty) Surgery Risks, Complications, and Potential Side Effects

Double-eyelid plastic surgery is, like most blepharoplasty procedures, a particularly complex operation. If your eyelid surgeon gets it wrong, you could end up with some unwanted complications some of which won’t be easy to be repaired.

It is important to choose a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, who has had extensive training and experience in eyelid surgery and attained the high level of specialist qualifications of a Plastic Surgeon to help ensure an expert is performing your procedure.

Comment from Dr Naveen Somia, specialist plastic surgeon :

“I believe blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgery is particularly transforming, and yet these surgeries are very complex. I have made my surgery practice in Sydney strongly focused on blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgery and facial rejuvenation.

It’s much better to get it right the first time. That’s not to say some complications occur…occasionally they do; but at least with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon who is focused on these procedures, you’re in far better hands in terms of experience, expertise and precision.”

How long does the double eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery operation take?

Double eyelid surgery should be performed in a licensed facility. It usually takes between 1.5 - 2 hours. I recommend an overnight stay in hospital.

How long is the healing process after double eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgery?

Healing and recovery after double eyelid surgery vary from patient to patient.
On average, the healing process tends to take up to two (2) weeks.
This can vary, however, so be sure you allow enough healing time after surgery. Check with Dr Somia for some helpful healing instructions and don’t try to do too much too soon; you will need to rest your eyes a lot during those 2 or more weeks of healing.

Tips for Before, During and After Double Eyelid (blepharoplasty) Surgery

BEFORE Double eyelid Surgery:

Book a consultation with Dr Naveen Somia
Read the materials provided and discuss your surgery objectives, desired outcomes and facial anatomy including surgery costs, surgery schedules, time frames, recovery care, healing times and risks
Consider the PROS and CONS of the surgery and what you want accomplished
Ask any and all questions you have about surgery
After doing your homework, decide to proceed
Schedule your surgery, work out your payment options and attend pre-consultations
Follow Dr Naveen’s recommendations for pre-surgery preparation
Stay healthy to enhance your healing period and help prevent healing delays

DURING Double eyelid Surgery:

Before surgery, read and re-read your post-op instructions
Have them laminated and by your bedside in very big print for when you get home after surgery
Have the procedure under general anaesthetic
Recovery

After Double eyelid Surgery:

Stay out of the sun
Make sure you’re choosing good nutrition and drinking plenty of water
Rest your eyes and do not drive until you are cleared
Care for your eyes and sutures as instructed by Dr Naveen

You may be asked to sleep in an elevated position
You may be able to use gently applied cool packs to minimise swelling, but check with Dr Naveen as these must be used only according to instructions

You may feel your eyes appear swollen or your eyelids ‘tight-feeling’; you may have some bruising or discolouration around the eyes after surgery
Report any concerns or questions
Attend follow up appointments and have your sutures removed around a week later (this can vary slightly and frequently doesn’t hurt)
In approximately two to three weeks (2-3) weeks’ time, your eyelids should be mostly healed, however, the scar may take up to 12 months to fully mature
Follow Dr Naveen’s scar minimisation instructions

OUR PROCESS

You will generally see Dr Somia 3 times before your surgery. If you prefer one of these consultations can be held via telehealth. Two consultations are required by law before a date for surgery is scheduled. This is to allow you plenty of time to ask questions and feel comfortable about the procedure. Your third consultation will assist us to prepare you for your surgery (ie paperwork, pre-operative testing).

PROCEDURE DETAILS

The surgery takes approximately 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours depending on the procedure recommended and requires an overnight stay in hospital. Our fees include specialist plastic surgeon, specialist anaesthetist, fully accredited hospital theatre, accommodation and 6 months aftercare. A formal estimate will be provided after you have discussed your goals and what is possible to achieve them with Dr Somia.

RECOVERY

Each patient recovers at a different rate and anothers recovery should not be compared with yours.

Generally, initial recovery from swelling and bruising is approximately 3-4 weeks. A return to normal activities can usually be expected after 6 weeks. Full results can be expected 3-6 months after.

You can return to work when you feel well and if your employer has lighter duties for you and will allow you to take time to rest and move around. Most patients take 2-3 weeks off work if they work in an office context. Patients working outdoors or in a physical capacity may need to take up to 6 weeks off work whilst they recover. Talk to us about your specific occupation and surgery.

You can drive when the anaesthetic has worn off, your vision is clear, and you are pain free getting in and out of the care and whilst performing an emergency stop. You should check your vehicle insurance policy for their requirements in this situation.

RISKS

All surgery carries risks. When travelling overseas on a plane whilst the expectation is a safe journey and arrival, it is understood things could go wrong. The choice of the airline based on safety record and flight path are important elements in determining risk. Similarly, for your surgery, the experience and expertise of your Surgeon, the skill of your anaesthetist and the standard of the hospital will determine the risk. Risks, both general and specific, will be discussed during your consultations and written information will be provided for you to take home.

General risks include pneumonia, deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, stroke, heart attack, allergies, awareness, death, bleeding, infection, sensation change, haematoma and seroma, skin contour irregularities, damage to deeper structures, firmness, delayed healing and tissue death, exposed sutures, dog ears or additional skin golds, dressing issues, asymmetry, scars, lymphoedema and unsatisfactory results.

Risks specific to Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) surgery are: injury to the eye globe, need for extra tissue, loss of vision, changes to tear secretion, conjunctival oedema and chemosis, exposed sutures, upper eyelid malposition, difficulty closing the upper eyelid and corneal exposure, lower eyelid malposition and eyelash loss.

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOGRAPHY

Our practice privacy policy prevents sharing patient before and afters online. Indicative before and after photos can be viewed during your consultation.

DISCLAIMERS: All surgical procedures are performed by Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Dr Naveen Somia (MBBS PhD, FRACS - APHRA Reg: MED 0001189889). For full information on Dr Somia's qualifications and risk/recovery information on procedures please visit the procedure page on this website. From July 1, 2023 all surgical procedures require a GP referral.

All surgery carries risks. information provided is general only. Outcomes experienced by one person do not necessarily reflect the outcomes of others given factors such as genetics, diet and exercise. Please seek a 2^nd opinion from a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

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