Drooping Eyelids
Medicare will only cover your treatment if your upper eyelid skin droops significantly and impacts your field of vision. You may qualify for a Medicare rebate for Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) if the skin on your eyelid makes it difficult to see.
When the eyelid muscle weakens, the condition is called ptosis. When there is excess skin and fat, the conditions is called dermatochalasis. But whether it's due to ptosis or dermatochalasis, both conditions can impair your field of vision, making eyelid surgery medically necessary.
How Much Will Medicare Contribute Towards My Blepharoplasty? It's important to know that Medicare won't subsidise the cost of the entire procedure. Instead, Medicare covers 75% of the fees outlined in the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
The average cost for just upper eyelid surgery is around $3,200. In many cases, upper eyelid surgery is covered by insurance due to obstruction of vision and medical necessity.
You can expect treatment costs to fall within the following ranges: Cost of upper eyelid blepharoplasty – $2,500 – 4,500 (AUD) Cost of lower eyelid blepharoplasty – $2,500 – 4,500 (AUD) Cost of combined upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty – Between $4,500 – 8,000 (AUD)
Upper eyelid surgery is a relatively straightforward procedure. It's done under local anesthetic and takes just 1-2 hours. Patients can expect the lower end of their procedure to cost as little as $1,500 with an average price of about $3,200.
Although the procedure is not major, patients will still need to take some time off from work. Patients who have undergone upper lid surgery will usually be able to go back after 7-10 days. The recovery time is a little longer for lower lid surgery, with time off work increasing to 10-14 days.
The surgery is worth it for people who want to look younger and better rested in and around the eyes. The results are subtle but dramatic, and recovery is minor with little pain reported.
People who are not ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are those who suffer from chronic dry-eye, hypertension, circulation disorders, thyroid disorders, diabetes or heart disease. Individuals who have glaucoma are advised to speak with their doctor before considering the surgery to find out if it is safe for them.
Cardiovascular disease. Diabetes. Hypothyroidism and 'Graves Disease' (thyroid problems) Dry eyes or problems with tear ducts.
Some of the possible complications of blepharoplasty include: risks of anaesthesia, including allergic reaction, which (rarely) may be fatal. surgical risks such as bleeding or infection. blood clots that may cause potentially fatal cardiovascular complications such as heart attack, deep vein thrombosis or stroke.
As a surgical procedure, an eyelid lift is the most effective treatment to correct hooded eyelids because the results will be permanent. Injections like dermal fillers and Botox® require regular maintenance to maintain results and are a less effective option for severe conditions.
Eyelid surgery is among the least painful cosmetic procedures. Aside from minimal discomfort on the day, you'll have a quick recovery and see the results swiftly. So the procedure isn't very painful, but you may have other questions.
To keep you comfortable during your procedure, you will be given local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs the eyelid and surrounding area, while keeping you sedated but awake during surgery. General anesthesia keeps you asleep throughout the entire procedure.
Generally, an upper lid blepharoplasty is a non painful procedure that patients can usually have performed, and enjoy a minimal amount of post-operative pain medicine, because the procedure is very mild. It's almost like a skin excision, and the eyelid itself is not particularly painful.
There is no upper age window for blepharoplasty. Patients in good health can get eyelid surgery even in their 60s, 70s, or 80s.
A minimum 12 degree OR 30 percent loss of upper field of vision with upper lid skin and/ or upper lid margin in repose and elevated (by taping of the lid) to demonstrate potential correction by the proposed procedure or procedures is required.
Thermage treatments are rapidly becoming a popular alternative to traditional blepharoplasty. This treatment method utilizes radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin of the eyelids. No surgery is involved, and recovery is quite rapid.
What Is the Ideal Age for Blepharoplasty? Droopy eyelids appear when you get beyond 30. This is the ideal age for blepharoplasty, though younger people can also go through it. However, most plastic surgeons recommend one to be at least 18 to undergo the procedure.
A brow lift is better to meet the following goals:
Basically, if your area of concern is the eyelid area, eyelid surgery would be the likely solution, whereas if your concern is around the forehead, eyebrows, and between the eyes, a brow lift may be the better option.
Yes, most patients agree that their upper blepharoplasty was worth the cost and recovery time, and eyelid surgery carries a 95% “Worth It” rating on RealSelf. Patients list these reasons for their happiness with the procedure: Upper blepharoplasty is a relatively affordable procedure.