Face

Asian Eyelid Surgery in Sydney

Asian Blepharoplasty with sydney plastic surgeon dr ellis choy

Over 50% of people from South East Asian or from East Asian communities are born with eyes that have a ‘Single Eyelid’ type or Monolid appearance. It is the absence of a supratarsal crease or ‘Double Eyelid’ crease. Asian blepharoplasty (Asian eyelid surgery) to create the ‘Double Eyelid’ crease has, over the years, become an increasingly common facial plastic surgery procedure. This motivates many of Dr Ellis Choy’s patients to visit his practice. This is not because Asian patients desire Westernised eyes; it is the desire to maintain their natural appearance while still addressing concerns that eyelid surgery specialises in.

Dr Choy and his team will assess these factors and your desired outcomes during a consultation, before outlining a plan for the Asian eyelid surgery procedure.

What is Blepharoplasty Surgery for Asian Eyelids?

Asian blepharoplasty is similar to a standard eyelid lift, both in the methods used, and in the outcomes achieved. The subtle difference between the two procedures comes from the differing anatomical eyelid structure of some Asian patients.

For many patients from South East Asian or East Asian communities, the upper eyelid does not have a lid crease. This is a natural trait of many Asian eyes and is known as a ‘Single Eyelid’ or Monolid.

Asian “Double Eyelid” Surgery is designed to reshape the skin above the eye, lifting the upper eyelid and creating a crease. With the eyelid fold created, the eye appears to be wider, altering the overall aesthetic appearance of the face.

Plastic surgeon, Dr Ellis Choy and his team, have extensive experience in performing this procedure for Asian patients in the Sydney area.

Asian Blepharoplasty Consultation

The consultation phase is a critical part of the surgical procedure. It is during this phase that Dr Choy will take the time to get to know your personal motivations for the surgery and the results you hope for. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the surgery.

Dr Choy ensures that his practice is a welcoming environment for patients. The ‘Double Eyelid’ surgery consultation is just a part of the warm and professional service that patients have come to expect.

Asian Blepharoplasty Surgery Procedure

After the consultation, Dr Choy and the team will set a surgery date which suits you. You will also be briefed on what to expect, as well as on any preparations you must make.

Asian “Double Eyelid” surgery can be performed with either a non-incisional “suture technique” vs a incisional “open technique” depending on patient’s circumstances and preferences.  During surgery, the upper eyelid skin will be lifted to create an eyelid fold or crease known as a supratarsal crease. The degree to which the skin is lifted varies based on the patients goals and anatomy. An anchor suture will then be applied to close the incision, and to hold the reshaped eyelid in place, ready for healing.

Blepharoplasty for Asian eyes is an outpatient procedure and takes one to two hours to complete. You will be able to go home on the same day and will be able to resume your daily activities within a couple of weeks. We will discuss this in more detail in the next section.

Dr Choy or a member of his team will hold an outpatient briefing with you after the completion of the surgery. This briefing will help us assess the outcomes of the surgical procedure, and will give you any information you may need going forward, as you implement the aftercare you need for a healthy recovery.

Asian Blepharoplasty After Care and Recovery

You may experience some discomfort in the hours and days immediately following the surgery. You are urged to get in touch with the team immediately, in the case of severe or chronic pain.

In some cases, the team may apply sterile bandages to the area around the eyes, to help with the healing process. You will be briefed on the kind of ointment to use with the bandages, and how long they must be used for, as well as any other aftercare measures you are advised to take.

As you will have undergone a light anaesthetic, you will not be able to drive yourself home. It is recommended that you bring a friend or family member to help you make the return journey.

In the days following the surgery, it is important that you keep your head in an elevated position. This will help to manage the swelling and bruising and will reduce the discomfort you experience. You will also be guided to apply a cold compress gently to achieve the same effect.

Allergens, dry environments, or anything which may cause irritation to the eyes, should also be avoided. Rubbing or scratching the eyes before the healing process is complete, may cause damage and may necessitate a repeat procedure.

All swelling and bruising should have subsided within a few weeks, and you should be able to return to work in around seven days. You will be able to use light make-up to mask any residual bruising, although it is advised that you consult Dr Choy and his team before doing so.

More strenuous activities, such as running or working out in the gym, should be avoided until all swelling and bruising symptoms have completely disappeared.

Don’t forget that plastic surgeon Dr Ellis Choy and his team are on hand at all times. If you want to speak to Dr Choy or schedule a follow-up appointment for any reason, please get in touch straight away.

*The information about Asian blepharoplasty was reviewed by Dr. Ellis Choy. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

What is the Difference Between Blepharoplasty and Asian Double Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty is the standard eyelid procedure designed to address ageing of the eyelids, performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Depending on the condition and desires of the patient, this surgery may involve removing or repositioning excess skin and tissue to improve vision and enhance the aesthetic of the eyes. Similarly, Asian blepharoplasty, or Asian double eyelid surgery, addresses concerns on the eyelids and modifies the tissue to create a new contour for the upper eyelids.

The primary difference between these two procedures is the anatomical eyelid structure of some Asian patients. Approximately 50% of those of Asian descent are born without an upper eyelid crease. 

Beyond his surgical experience and expertise, Dr Ellis Choy boasts an in-depth understanding of Asian facial anatomy. Based on this knowledge, he uses specialised surgical techniques and a personalised approach to adjust the eyes in line with each patient’s natural and distinctive facial aesthetic. Dr Choy’s goal when performing Asian blepharoplasty is to enhance the eyes while preserving each patient’s individuality and natural beauty.

Asian Double Eyelid Repair and Revision

Asian double eyelid surgery is a complex, highly individualised procedure. Though technical skill and experience is vital, this treatment also requires an intricate understanding of the Asian facial anatomy. Unfortunately, some patients undergo Asian blepharoplasty only to achieve unsatisfying results. When the surgery is not performed correctly or tailored to the patient’s unique profile, the procedure can worsen the cosmetic concerns of the eyelids and produce an unbalanced overall appearance.

For those who are unhappy with the outcome of their Asian blepharoplasty, Dr Choy can repair and revise these issues to create a more satisfying contour of the eyes. In your consultation, he will inquire about your past surgery and what you did and did not like about the result to grasp a clear idea of what you hope to avoid and achieve with this procedure. Based on this discussion, he will design an individualised treatment plan that caters to your surgical needs, aesthetic goals and facial definition.

Combining years of surgical experience with aesthetic vision, Dr Choy will carefully analyse your condition and facial structure to determine a suitable approach to surgery. 

Click here to view our asian blepharoplasty (eye lid surgery) before and after photos

Making an Informed Decision

Undergoing plastic surgery is a significant decision that should be made only after careful consideration of all aspects involved, including the potential risks and complications.

General Risks and Complications

There are general risks and complications that apply to most plastic surgery procedures. These are discussed in detail on our Risks and Complications page.

Specific Risks and Complications

In addition to those that apply generally to plastic surgery, each individual procedure comes with its own specific risks and complications. For Asian eyelid surgery, these include: 

  • Incomplete crease formation
  • Multiple crease formation
  • Asymmetrical eye appearance
  • Over or undercorrection
  • Dry eyes or excessive tearing
  • Difficulty closing the eyelids
  • Temporary blurred or double vision
  • Loss of vision

Next Steps

Request a consultation with Dr Choy for a detailed discussion of these considerations. Dr Choy will conduct a thorough risk assessment based on your individual factors and outline the measures that can be taken to minimise these risks. He and his team are here to support your decision-making process, providing all the information you need to make well-informed choices about your care.

Are you ready for a consultation, click here to make an enquiry today.