DISCLAIMER: The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
What This Gallery Shows
Cases in this gallery cover the range of blepharoplasty procedures Dr Turner performs, including:
- Upper blepharoplasty — addressing excess skin in the upper eyelids, including cases with functional vision impairment
- Lower blepharoplasty — addressing under-eye bags, fat prolapse, and loose skin beneath the eyes
- Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty — both areas addressed in the same procedure
- Male blepharoplasty — with a conservative approach that preserves the characteristics of male eyelid anatomy
- Asian blepharoplasty — including cases involving modification or creation of the supratarsal crease
Cases include both cosmetic and functional presentations. Technique selection — including incision placement and whether fat is removed, repositioned, or redistributed — depends on the individual’s anatomy and what they are aiming to address.
A Note on This Gallery
Like the facelift gallery, blepharoplasty photographs show the face at close range. Many of Dr Turner’s eyelid surgery patients prefer to keep their photographs private for this reason. The cases shown here represent patients who have given explicit consent for public use. Dr Turner holds a broader collection of blepharoplasty photography — including specific procedure types, age groups, and male and female presentations — that is available to view privately at consultation. If you would like to see additional cases before deciding to proceed, please mention this when booking.
Upper Blepharoplasty and Medicare
Where excess upper eyelid skin is sufficient to obstruct the visual field, upper blepharoplasty may qualify for a Medicare rebate. This requires a documented functional indication — typically established through a visual field assessment — and a GP referral that addresses the relevant symptoms.
Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis at consultation. Patients with concerns about eyelid skin affecting their vision should ensure their GP referral documents these functional symptoms. Private health insurance may also contribute to hospital and anaesthetic costs where a functional indication is established.
Where upper blepharoplasty is being sought purely for cosmetic reasons, no Medicare rebate applies.
Procedure Approaches
Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess skin, and in some cases underlying fat and muscle, in the upper eyelids. Incisions are placed within the natural eyelid crease so they sit within an existing skin fold. The amount of tissue removed is determined by careful measurement — removing too much carries functional risk.
Lower blepharoplasty addresses fat prolapse, loose skin, and contour irregularities beneath the eyes. Dr Turner uses two approaches depending on the individual’s anatomy:
- Transconjunctival approach — incision inside the lower eyelid, no external scar; preferred for patients with prominent fat pads but adequate skin tone
- Subciliary (external) approach — incision just below the lash line; used when skin removal or tightening is also required
Male blepharoplasty follows the same anatomical principles with important differences in execution. The male eyelid typically has a lower brow position and greater natural fullness in the upper lid. Preserving these characteristics is part of the surgical assessment — over-correction produces a result that does not suit male facial anatomy. Dr Turner takes a conservative approach to eyelid surgery in male patients specifically for this reason.
Asian blepharoplasty may involve creation or modification of the supratarsal crease for patients who present without a defined upper eyelid fold. This is not a procedure with a single standard approach — the goal is to address what the patient is seeking to change while respecting their individual features and facial identity.
Complementary Procedures
Blepharoplasty is commonly performed alongside or in combination with other facial procedures. Cases in the gallery include:
- Brow lift — to address brow descent contributing to upper eyelid hooding, where the apparent excess upper lid skin is partly or entirely a brow issue rather than an eyelid issue
- Facelift — where mid and lower facial concerns are being addressed at the same time
- Facial fat transfer — to address volume loss around the periorbital area alongside structural eyelid changes
Whether a brow lift is indicated is an important part of the upper blepharoplasty assessment. Treating upper eyelid skin without addressing a low brow can produce an unexpected result. Dr Turner evaluates brow position at every upper eyelid consultation.
Understanding the Timeline of Results
After photos in this gallery are taken at three months or later, once early swelling has resolved. Blepharoplasty generally has one of the faster recovery timelines of any facial procedure.
General healing milestones:
- Days 1–3: Swelling and bruising peak around 48–72 hours; cold compresses used
- Days 7–10: External sutures removed; most visible bruising resolving; many patients comfortable returning to desk-based work
- 2–3 weeks: Remaining bruising largely resolved; eye makeup may typically resume
- 6–12 weeks: Incision lines fading from pink to less visible; asymmetry between sides (normal during healing) settling
- 3–12 months: Final result emerges as all swelling resolves and incisions mature fully
Scars from upper blepharoplasty are placed within the natural eyelid crease and are generally well-concealed once healed. Lower eyelid scars — where an external approach is used — sit just below the lash line. Both fade considerably over twelve months.
Sydney Consultations — Bondi Junction and Manly
Dr Turner consults at two Sydney locations:
Bondi Junction — Eastern Suburbs. Surgery at Bondi Junction Private Hospital. Manly — Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095. Surgery at Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why.
Patients also consult from Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. All surgery is performed in Sydney.
The Consultation Process
A GP referral is required before your first consultation with Dr Turner. Under AHPRA regulations governing cosmetic surgery in Australia, blepharoplasty requires a minimum of two consultations, a psychological evaluation, and a mandatory cooling-off period before surgery can proceed.
During the initial consultation, Dr Turner will:
- Assess eyelid skin, fat distribution, muscle tone, skin quality, and brow position
- Evaluate whether a functional indication for upper blepharoplasty may be present
- Determine whether a brow lift assessment is warranted alongside any upper eyelid assessment
- Discuss technique options and incision placement for upper, lower, or combined procedures
- Show additional before and after photography if requested
- Outline recovery, relevant risks, and realistic variation in outcomes
About Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) with a focus on facial surgery, including blepharoplasty. He holds Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery and is registered with AHPRA (MED0001654827). Dr Turner consults from Bondi Junction and Manly in Sydney, and from consulting clinics in Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can upper blepharoplasty qualify for a Medicare rebate?
Where excess upper eyelid skin is sufficient to obstruct the visual field, upper blepharoplasty may qualify for a Medicare rebate with a documented functional indication. This typically requires a visual field assessment and a GP referral that documents the relevant symptoms. Eligibility is assessed at consultation. Where surgery is purely cosmetic, no Medicare rebate applies.
Why are there relatively few blepharoplasty photos publicly available?
Eyelid surgery photographs show the face at close range, and many patients prefer to keep their photographs private for this reason. Dr Turner holds a broader collection of before and after cases — across procedure types, age groups, and male and female patients — that is available to view privately at consultation. Please mention at the time of booking if you would like to see additional cases.
Is blepharoplasty different for male patients?
Yes, in terms of surgical approach. The male eyelid typically has a lower brow position and greater natural fullness in the upper lid. These characteristics are part of male facial identity and need to be preserved rather than corrected. Dr Turner uses a conservative approach for male patients specifically to avoid a result that is over-corrected or incompatible with masculine eyelid anatomy.
How do I know whether I need a brow lift as well as upper eyelid surgery?
This is an important part of the consultation assessment. In some patients, what appears to be excess upper eyelid skin is partly or entirely due to brow descent pushing tissue downward. Treating the eyelid without addressing the brow in these cases can produce an incomplete or unexpected result. Dr Turner assesses brow position at every upper blepharoplasty consultation and will discuss whether a brow lift is worth considering in your situation.
What regulatory requirements apply to blepharoplasty in Australia?
A GP referral is required before the first consultation. Under current AHPRA regulations for cosmetic surgery, blepharoplasty requires a minimum of two consultations with Dr Turner, a psychological evaluation, and a mandatory cooling-off period before surgery can be scheduled. Dr Turner consults from Bondi Junction and Manly in Sydney. All surgery is performed in Sydney.
Take the Next Step
If you are considering blepharoplasty in Sydney, a consultation with Dr Turner is the appropriate starting point. He consults from Bondi Junction in the Eastern Suburbs and Manly on the Northern Beaches. A broader range of before and after photography is available at consultation on request.
Contact us to request a consultation or ask a question. A GP referral is required for your first appointment.
