Biggest Mistakes Surgeons Make with Eyelid Surgery

Dr Scott Turner - FRACS (Plas)

How to Avoid Surgical Mistakes When Getting a Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery is a highly effective procedure when performed by the right plastic surgeon. Choosing the right surgeon for your procedure can help you get the best results possible and avoid the biggest mistakes surgeons make with eyelid surgery.

Prior to getting eyelid surgery, it is important to do significant research and learn about the potential complications. It is important to understand that eyelid surgery isn’t a simple procedure. The procedure is performed on the skin very close to the eye, which is certainly quite risky. You can suffer from major consequences if you fail to choose the right surgeon for your procedure. Make sure to choose a highly experienced surgeon to minimise the risks and complications.

Dr Scott Turner is an experienced Sydney Plastic Surgeon and Facelift Expert – find out more about his Blepharoplasty Surgery and look at his Real Patients before and after pictures to see what results can be achieved.

Top 5 Mistakes Surgeons Make with Eyelid Surgery

While there are many things that could go wrong during eyelid surgery, we have compiled a list of top mistakes surgeons make with eyelid surgery:

1.     Inability to fully close your eyes after eyelid surgery

It is hands down the most concerning risk of Blepharoplasty. Nobody wants to lose the normal functioning of eyes for the sake of aesthetics. This can happen when your surgeon accidentally removes too much skin or creates incisions in the wrong place. Among the mistakes surgeons make with eyelid surgery, this is one of the most common complications seen in cheap procedures performed overseas.

If excessive skin is removed during the process, you will experience trouble completely shutting down your eyes. Unfortunately, this is extremely hard to fix. Moreover, the skin on your eyelids is very delicate as compared to the rest of your body. It is always better for the surgeon to be conservative when doing the skin removal and go back with a bit more at a later stage than doing the opposite.

2. Excessive fat removal in the eyelid area

Number two among mistakes surgeons make with eyelid surgery is removing too much fat from the eyelid area. This issue can be avoided when choosing a highly experienced plastic surgeon who performs this procedure routinely. A specialist plastic surgeon with significant experience will take special care to avoid this issue. Make sure to tell your surgeon that you want a conservative, natural-looking result that is long-lasting.

3. Eyes look asymmetrical/uneven after the blepharoplasty

So, you got the surgery to remove your eye bags and eyelid sagginess, but ended up with asymmetrical eyes. Having asymmetrical eyelids is more common than you think. This is why it is of utmost importance to choose your plastic surgeon wisely.

There are several causes behind asymmetrical eyes after eyelid surgery. It could be that the surgeon excised more tissue from one eyelid than from the other, or changes occurred during the healing process.

Luckily, this is something that can be corrected with the help of revision surgery once you have fully healed. However, it is important to know that your face isn’t perfectly symmetrical. Minor asymmetry isn’t an issue here unless you are able to see the difference clearly.

4. Your lower lid is not in the right place

We all know that the lower eyelid is very delicate and even the smallest difference between them can make all the difference. Wrong positioning of lower eyelids is among the mistakes surgeons make with eyelid surgery that can make your eyes look an entirely different size or make it look like you are constantly squinting.

5. There is extreme bruising after the surgery

It is important to understand that everyone is different and we heal at a different pace. While bruising is normal and to be expected, there are times when patients bruise very badly and it can linger on for much longer. It can look unsightly and can make patients feel frustrated. Most of the bruising will heal on its own sooner or later but in some cases, you are faced with a longer healing period.

Choose a surgeon with surgical finesse, extensive experience and precision skills. Dr Scott Turner is a highly experienced, certified and qualified Eyelid Surgeon and choosing him will significantly reduce your chances of having any complications.

It is important to see before and after pictures of past patients to see what results can be expected after the surgery and in what timeframe.

How to Avoid Unsatisfactory Surgical Results after Eyelid Surgery?

As mentioned earlier, most of the complications can be avoided by choosing the right surgeon. Choose one with a good track record who performs the procedure routinely. This will often translate into careful measurement, marking, and excision of the eyelid skin, and a very clear understanding of your skin laxity and facial anatomy.

Eyelid lift surgery or blepharoplasty can dramatically transform your facial appearance. However, it is a complex and challenging procedure. It involves precise incisions and careful skin adjustment around your eyes. The skin around your eyelids is very delicate and requires skill and experience in dealing with it. Blepharoplasty is a good option if you have droopy or sagging eyelids, persistent eye bags that don’t improve even if you get enough sleep, eyelid concerns that can’t be corrected with makeup, fat deposits around the eyes, excessive wrinkling under the eyes, ptotic upper eyelids, and you want to look refreshed and youthful.

The Importance of Choosing a Qualified and Experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Here are a few suggestions to help you find the right surgeon for your blepharoplasty and avoid mistakes surgeons make with eyelid surgery.

·       Do Your Research

We all have smartphones in our hands 24/7. Use it to do research on various plastic surgeons in your area. You can start your search by writing down the names of various surgeons within your area of interest. Later, you can narrow it down based on the experience, before and after photographs and results. At this point, you can do a basic overview of the credentials and start writing the list.

·       Credentials and Experience

Once you have researched the credentials, perhaps the most important thing to look out for is the experience. The more experienced the surgeon is, the risk of developing a complication decreases. Don’t choose a surgeon who has just started out and never performed the procedure. Moreover, it is important that the surgeon performs eyelid surgery as one of their main procedures.

·       Before and After Pictures

Once you have narrowed down your list, the next thing you have to pay attention to is the before and after pictures of past patients. In most cases, you will be able to find them on the surgeon’s site. If not, you can request them via email or ask for them during the consultation. Pay close attention to the photos to see the results other patients achieved.

·       Reviews

You will find plenty of reviews online and they do matter. You can start with the surgeon’s website and go from there. There are plenty of forums, websites, and discussion groups where people share their experiences. First things first, it is very important to find authentic websites and forums that share actual experiences of patients.

·       Referrals  

Apart from doing your own research, it is always a good idea to ask your GP for referrals. You can also ask around in your circle or extended circle if someone has had eyelid surgery and if they can make any recommendations. Getting a referral from someone you trust can give you some peace of mind. You can always dig deeper and do further research even after you get a referral.

·       Consultation

You can book a consultation with one or two surgeons. Go to the consultation, ask all the questions you have, share your concerns and get a vibe of each surgeon. By the end of your consultations, you should have a clear idea of which surgeon to choose. Once you have done all the research, it is time to listen to your gut.

Questions to Ask Your Eyelid Surgeon

Asking the right questions is very important and will give you an insight into the experience and expertise of the surgeon. Here are a few important questions to ask the surgeon during the consultation:

  • Are you a specialist plastic surgeon?
  • Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
  • How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
  • Do you have hospital privileges to perform eyelid lift surgery? If so, at which hospitals?
  • Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
  • How many eyelid surgeries have you performed in the past?
  • Am I a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
  • Where and how will you perform my eyelid surgery?
  • How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery after eyelid surgery?
  • What are the possible risks and complications associated with my eyelid surgery?
  • How are complications handled in case they arise after the surgery?
  • What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of the eyelid surgery?
  • Do you have before-and-after photos I can see?
  • How do you plan to minimise the risks of complications?
  • Are there any pre and post-surgical tips that will help prevent complications?
  • How often do your patients experience post-surgical complications?

Eyelid surgery is a good option that can enhance your appearance. However, it is a complicated surgery that requires the experience and expertise of a highly-skilled surgeon. If you choose the right surgeon and stick to all the pre and post-surgical instructions, you can minimise the risks significantly.

Next Steps

Always Do Your Research

  • Enquire to find out more about your surgery
  • Please read our website to learn more about your intended procedure

Do you need a Medical Referral to see Dr Turner?

  • A GP Referral is required to Consult with Dr Turner (under new AHPRA Regulations)
  • Please obtain a referral from your GP or Specialist if you want a consultation for an MBS item number surgery.
  • Please note that your Medicare Rebates will NOT be claimable without a valid recent Medical Referral

Making The Most Of Your Consultation

  • Please arrive slightly early for your in-person consultation
  • You are welcome to bring a friend or relative to help consider the information and discuss your options
  • Please be aware you may need to undress for a physical exam so wear simple clothes
  • Ensure you also take a lot of notes during the consultation and thoroughly examine all the documents provided

Want more information before scheduling your consultation?

How to Book Your Consultation

  • You can book your initial consultation by paying the $350 cosmetic consultation fee in advance – when you make your appointment

BOOK A PHONE CALL FOR MORE INFO

  • To find out more information about surgery you can book a FREE 15-minute phone conversation with our Friendly Patient Care team via Calendly- Book Consultant 1 or Book Consultant 2

Contact us or call on  1300 437 758  to arrange your surgeon consultation in Sydney.

Email us for more information:  enquiries@drturner.com.au