A blepharoplasty quote is not a single figure. It is made up of several separate fees, each charged by a different party, and the total varies depending on whether the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both are being addressed. Patients researching eyelid surgery in Perth often find it difficult to compare information because different practices present these components in different ways. Understanding what sits inside a quote makes it considerably easier to ask the right questions at consultation.
What Blepharoplasty Involves
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin, muscle, and in some cases fat, from the upper or lower eyelids. Upper eyelid surgery generally involves removing a strip of redundant skin from the upper lid, sometimes with a small amount of muscle or fat. Lower eyelid surgery addresses tissue below the eye and can involve repositioning or removing fat, tightening skin, and in some cases supporting the lower lid margin.
The two operations are technically distinct. They involve different anatomy, different surgical time, and different risk profiles, which is the main reason they are quoted separately rather than as a single eyelid procedure.
The Separate Components of a Blepharoplasty Quote
A complete quotation for eyelid surgery generally accounts for the following elements. Not every component applies to every patient, and the balance between them shifts depending on where the procedure is performed and what anaesthetic is used.
Surgeon’s fee. This covers the operation itself along with the pre-operative planning and the scheduled post-operative reviews. It reflects the complexity of the procedure and the surgical time required.
Anaesthetist’s fee. Charged separately by the anaesthetist. The amount depends on the type of anaesthetic used and the length of the procedure. Some eyelid surgery is performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, and some under general anaesthetic, which affects this component.
Hospital or day facility fee. This covers theatre time, nursing care, consumables, and recovery facilities. Fees differ between accredited day surgery facilities and private hospitals.
Pre-operative assessment and investigations. Depending on your medical history, blood tests, a review by your general practitioner, or in some cases a formal visual field assessment may be required before surgery. These are usually billed separately.
Post-operative requirements. Prescribed eye drops, ointments, and any dressings are generally an out of pocket cost. Additional review appointments beyond the standard schedule may also be charged.
When comparing information between practices, it is worth confirming which of these components a stated figure actually includes. A surgeon’s fee quoted in isolation is not comparable to a figure that bundles the anaesthetist and facility together.
Why Upper and Lower Eyelid Surgery Are Quoted Differently
Upper eyelid surgery is generally shorter and technically less involved than lower eyelid surgery. Lower blepharoplasty often requires management of fat compartments, attention to the position and support of the lower lid, and in some cases a canthal support procedure. That additional complexity translates into longer theatre time and a correspondingly different fee.
When Medicare May Apply to Upper Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty performed for cosmetic reasons does not attract a Medicare benefit. Where upper eyelid skin is redundant to the extent that it obstructs the visual field, the procedure may be considered functional rather than cosmetic, and a Medicare benefit may be available for patients who meet the relevant criteria.
Eligibility is not determined by symptoms alone. It generally requires objective documentation, which may include a formal visual field assessment demonstrating obstruction, along with clinical photographs and a record of associated symptoms. The criteria are specific, they are assessed on an individual basis, and eligibility is not guaranteed.
Lower eyelid surgery is only rarely considered medically indicated. In most cases it is treated as a cosmetic procedure and attracts no Medicare benefit.
Medicare benefit amounts are reviewed periodically, so any figure quoted to you should be confirmed as current at the time of your surgery rather than relied upon from earlier research.
Private Health Insurance and What to Ask Your Fund
Private health insurance does not cover cosmetic eyelid surgery. Where a procedure is medically indicated and attracts a Medicare item, an appropriate level of hospital cover may contribute towards the hospital and theatre component, though this depends entirely on the policy held.
Patients who believe their surgery may be medically indicated are encouraged to contact their fund directly before consultation and ask the following.
- Whether the relevant procedure is covered under your current level of hospital cover
- Whether any waiting periods apply and when they end
- What excess or co-payment applies to a hospital admission
- Whether the fund participates in a no gap or known gap arrangement with the treating hospital
- What documentation the fund requires before it will confirm cover
Funds will generally give a clearer answer once you can provide the specific item number that applies to your case, which is available after consultation.
Why a Written Quote Requires an In-Person Assessment
Eyelid anatomy varies significantly between individuals. The amount of excess skin, the position of the brow, the strength of the levator muscle, the volume and position of orbital fat, and the presence of any dry eye tendency all influence what surgery is appropriate and how long it will take. Two patients presenting with a similar concern can require quite different operations.
For that reason a personalised written quotation is provided following consultation, once the surgical plan has been determined. Any figure given before an examination is an estimate at best and cannot account for individual anatomy.
The initial consultation fee is $300 and follow up consultations are $150. A referral from your general practitioner or another medical practitioner is required before a consultation for cosmetic surgery.
Risks and Recovery to Weigh Alongside Cost
Cost is only one part of the decision. Blepharoplasty carries risks that should be understood before proceeding, including bruising and swelling, dry or irritated eyes, temporary blurred vision, asymmetry between the two sides, scarring, changes in eyelid position, and in uncommon cases difficulty fully closing the eye. Very rarely, more serious complications affecting vision have been reported.
Recovery generally involves visible bruising and swelling for one to two weeks, with sutures typically removed within the first week for upper lid surgery. Most patients are advised to plan time away from work and to avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and eye rubbing during the early recovery period. Final settling of the result can take several months.
Dr Mark Hanikeri FRACS (PLAS) sees patients to discuss eyelid surgery in Perth. At consultation the assessment covers your anatomy, your medical and ocular history, what the procedure can and cannot achieve, the associated risks, and the fees that apply to your individual treatment plan.
FAQ
How much does blepharoplasty cost in Perth?
The total cost depends on whether the upper eyelids or lower eyelids are being addressed, the type of anaesthetic used, where the procedure is performed, and whether any part of the surgery is medically indicated. A quote is made up of the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the hospital or day facility fee, and pre and post-operative costs. A personalised written quotation is provided following consultation, once the surgical plan has been determined.
Is upper eyelid surgery covered by Medicare?
A Medicare benefit may be available where redundant upper eyelid skin obstructs the visual field and the relevant criteria are met. Eligibility generally requires objective documentation such as a formal visual field assessment, and it is assessed on an individual basis. Upper eyelid surgery performed for cosmetic reasons does not attract a Medicare benefit, and eligibility cannot be confirmed without an assessment.
Why is lower blepharoplasty more expensive than upper blepharoplasty?
Lower eyelid surgery is generally more technically involved. It can require management of the orbital fat compartments, attention to the support and position of the lower lid margin, and in some cases an additional canthal support procedure. This results in longer surgical time, which is reflected in the surgeon, anaesthetist, and facility components of the quote.
Can I get a quote for eyelid surgery without a consultation?
No. Eyelid anatomy varies considerably between patients, and the surgical plan depends on factors that can only be assessed in person, including the degree of skin excess, brow position, levator function, orbital fat, and tear film quality. A written quotation is provided after consultation once the appropriate procedure has been determined.
Do I need a referral to discuss blepharoplasty?
A referral from your general practitioner or another medical practitioner is required before a consultation for cosmetic surgery. If your case may be medically indicated, your general practitioner can also assist by arranging any preliminary assessment or documentation that may be relevant.
Further Reading
- Blepharoplasty Perth: https://markhanikeri.com/blepharoplasty/
- How Does Blepharoplasty Work: https://markhanikeri.com/how-does-blepharoplasty-work/
- Upper vs Lower Eyelid Surgery: What Is the Difference: https://markhanikeri.com/upper-vs-lower-eyelid-surgery-whats-the-difference/
- Surgery Fees and Preparation: https://markhanikeri.com/surgery-fees-preparation/
- Managing Dry Eye Risk After Eyelid Surgery: https://markhanikeri.com/managing-dry-eye-risk-after-eyelid-surgery-precautions-and-post-operative-care/
| Written by Dr Mark Hanikeri – Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Perth WA. Dr Hanikeri holds Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has practised in Perth for over two decades. Consultations are conducted at accredited facilities in Subiaco and Murdoch. |
