Understanding Blepharoplasty
The eyelids age differently from the rest of the face. Skin here is among the thinnest on the body, and it loses elasticity relatively early. Fat compartments shift. The orbicularis muscle weakens. Over time, this produces the familiar signs — heaviness of the upper lids, skin that folds over the lash line, puffiness or hollowing beneath the eyes, and a look of persistent fatigue that doesn’t reflect how a person actually feels.
Blepharoplasty corrects these changes surgically. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and, where indicated, fat from the upper eyelid. Lower blepharoplasty addresses the under-eye area — repositioning or removing herniated fat, and tightening or excising redundant skin. The two procedures can be performed together or independently, depending on what the anatomy warrants.
This is not a procedure to approach loosely. The eyelids are functional structures as much as aesthetic ones. Surgical technique, conservative tissue management, and an accurate pre-operative assessment all matter significantly to the quality of the outcome and the avoidance of complications.
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Are You a Suitable Candidate?
Blepharoplasty may be appropriate if you have one or more of the following:
- Excess skin on the upper eyelids that creates visual heaviness or — in more advanced cases — impairs the upper field of vision
- Fatty deposits beneath the upper lids that contribute to a puffy appearance
- Persistent under-eye bags caused by herniated fat (distinct from fluid or pigmentation, which surgery does not address)
- Loose or crepey lower eyelid skin
- Fine lines in the lower lid area are amenable to surgical correction
General suitability also depends on overall health, absence of uncontrolled medical conditions affecting healing, realistic expectations, and a clear understanding of what the procedure can and cannot achieve. Certain eye conditions — dry eye, glaucoma, thyroid-related eye disease — require careful evaluation before surgery is appropriate.
The consultation is where candidacy is properly assessed. No assumptions should be made prior to a clinical examination.
Your Consultation at Herstellen Clinic, Brisbane
Dr Turner holds consulting sessions at Herstellen Clinic, 490 Boundary Street, Spring Hill QLD 4000 — a dedicated cosmetic surgery facility in Brisbane’s inner city, accessible from across South East Queensland.
At your initial consultation, Dr Turner will take a full medical and ocular history and examine the upper and lower eyelid anatomy in detail — including skin excess, fat compartments, lid position, and muscle tone. Lacrimal (tear) function and dry eye risk are assessed. The area is photographed for surgical planning, and the surgical approach appropriate to your anatomy is discussed in full. Recovery, realistic outcomes, risks, and alternatives are all covered, with time set aside for your questions.
Under AHPRA guidelines, a mandatory cooling-off period applies before any cosmetic surgical procedure. Surgery is scheduled only after this period has elapsed and you are ready to proceed.
Should you go ahead, surgery is performed at an accredited private hospital in Sydney. Following your procedure, ongoing post-operative care is provided by Dr Turner and the team at Herstellen Clinic in Brisbane — so the majority of your follow-up appointments remain local.
Surgical Technique
Blepharoplasty is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of surgery and patient preference.
Upper Blepharoplasty
An incision is placed within the natural upper eyelid crease, making scarring discreet once healed. Skin is measured and conservatively excised — taking too much is not correctable, so precision matters. Fat may be removed or redistributed where appropriate. The incision is closed with fine sutures.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Two approaches are used depending on anatomy. A subciliary (external) incision sits just beneath the lower lash line and allows access to both skin and fat. A transconjunctival incision is placed inside the lower lid — leaving no external scar — and is used when fat redistribution or removal is the primary goal without significant skin excess.
In some patients, the lower lid may benefit from additional support procedures (such as a canthoplasty or canthopexy) to maintain lid position and reduce the risk of ectropion. This is discussed at your consultation where relevant.
Combined Procedures
Upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed in the same operative session. Blepharoplasty also combines well with other facial procedures — such as brow lifting or facelift — where the overall facial anatomy warrants it.
Recovery After Blepharoplasty
Recovery from blepharoplasty is typically manageable, though the periorbital area bruises readily and early swelling can be pronounced.
Week 1 — Swelling and bruising are at their peak in the first 48–72 hours. Cold compresses and head elevation help. The eyes may feel tight or dry. Sutures are usually removed at around five to seven days.
Weeks 2–3 — Bruising resolves progressively. Most patients are comfortable returning to desk-based or light work within 7–10 days. Strenuous activity and heavy lifting should be avoided.
Weeks 4–6 — Residual swelling continues to settle. Vision may fluctuate slightly while swelling is present. Contact lens wear is typically deferred for at least two to three weeks.
Months 2–6 — Incision lines continue to mature and fade. Final scar appearance is not assessed until at least three months post-operatively.
Post-operative appointments are conducted locally in Brisbane by Dr Turner and the Herstellen Clinic team. Recovery varies between individuals, and personalised post-operative instructions are provided at your pre-operative appointment. Results are individual and cannot be guaranteed.
Risks and Complications
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure and carries risks. Informed consent requires understanding these before proceeding.
General surgical risks include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, adverse reaction to anaesthesia, and scarring.
Procedure-specific risks include dry eye — temporary or, rarely, persistent reduction in tear production, most significant in those with pre-existing dry eye — asymmetry between the two sides, lagophthalmos (incomplete eye closure, usually temporary), ectropion (outward turning of the lower lid, more common with subciliary approaches), ptosis (drooping of the upper lid), chemosis (conjunctival swelling, typically self-resolving), and, in extremely rare cases, serious visual complications including retrobulbar haemorrhage. Skin irregularities and the need for revision surgery are also possible.
Your surgeon will discuss all relevant risks at your consultation in the context of your individual anatomy and health.
About Dr Scott J Turner — Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr Scott J Turner is a Fellowship-trained Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) registered with AHPRA (MED0001654827). His primary practice is in Sydney, where he operates at accredited private hospitals at Bondi Junction and Manly. He consults in Brisbane at Herstellen Clinic, Spring Hill, bringing the same standard of specialist surgical care to Queensland patients.
Dr Turner has substantial experience in facial plastic surgery, including upper and lower blepharoplasty, and approaches eyelid surgery with a conservative, anatomy-driven technique. His focus is on natural, sustainable outcomes that respect the functional integrity of the eyelid — not only its appearance.
For Brisbane patients, the care model is straightforward: consultations at Herstellen Clinic in Spring Hill, surgery at an accredited private hospital in Sydney, and comprehensive follow-up care provided by Dr Turner and the Herstellen Clinic team locally in Brisbane.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be visible scarring after blepharoplasty?
Upper eyelid incisions are placed within the natural crease and typically become inconspicuous once healed. Lower eyelid incisions (where used) sit just below the lash line and mature well in most patients. Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty leaves no external scar. Final scar appearance develops over several months and varies between individuals.
Can blepharoplasty treat dark circles under the eyes?
Not directly. Dark circles are most commonly caused by pigmentation, thin skin, or shadow from hollowing — none of which are addressed by blepharoplasty alone. If under-eye bags are contributing to shadow, surgery may improve that component. Dr Turner will clarify what the examination findings suggest is possible at your consultation.
Is blepharoplasty covered by Medicare?
Upper blepharoplasty may attract a Medicare item number where there is documented functional impairment to the upper visual field caused by skin excess. Lower blepharoplasty is generally considered cosmetic. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis during your consultation.
Can I have upper and lower blepharoplasty at the same time?
Yes. Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty is commonly performed in a single operative session. Whether this is appropriate depends on your anatomy, health, and anaesthetic plan — all of which are assessed at consultation.
Does Dr Turner perform the surgery in Brisbane?
No. Dr Turner is a Sydney Specialist Plastic Surgeon who consults in Brisbane at Herstellen Clinic, Spring Hill. Surgery is performed at an accredited private hospital in Sydney. Post-operative follow-up care is then provided by Dr Turner and the Herstellen Clinic team locally in Brisbane, so most appointments remain close to home.
How long do blepharoplasty results last?
Blepharoplasty addresses the anatomical changes present at the time of surgery. The ageing process continues after surgery, and the eyelids will continue to change over time. That said, many patients find results remain meaningful for a decade or more. Individual results vary and cannot be guaranteed.
Book a Consultation at the Brisbane Clinic
If you are based in Brisbane, Queensland, or elsewhere in Australia and would like to explore your options with Dr Turner, contact the practice to request a consultation at Herstellen Clinic in Spring Hill.
Herstellen Clinic 490 Boundary Street, Spring Hill QLD 4000 Phone: 1300 437 758 Email: [email protected] Consultations: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
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Contact Us | About Dr Scott J Turner | Blepharoplasty Main Page | Before & After Gallery
This information is intended for adults (18+) only. Results vary between patients depending on genetics, age, lifestyle, and other individual factors. All surgery involves risk and requires an appropriate recovery period. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice or creates a doctor-patient relationship. Please consult with a qualified Specialist Plastic Surgeon before making any decisions about surgery. Dr Scott J Turner FRACS — AHPRA Registration: MED0001654827. A mandatory cooling-off period applies before any cosmetic surgical procedure as required by AHPRA guidelines.
