Eyelid Lift & Eyebag Removal Surgery

Post-operative Recovery

Patients having upper eyelid surgery in Dr Kenton-Smith's clinic may be collected soon after the surgery by family or friends. Ice packs should be applied to the eyes regularly during the first evening at home.

Most patients having lower eyelid surgery stay over night in hospital. This adds little to the overall cost of the surgery and significantly reduces bruising and swelling by allowing the nurses at St Georges Hospital and Southern Cross Hospital to apply regular eye packs.

How long will I need off work?

It is usual to expect bruising for a week or two after surgery. Approximately 50% of patients who have had upper eyelid surgery are socially acceptable after one week. It would be very rare for there to be bruising, remaining from either upper or lower eyelid blepharoplasty, after two weeks.

Follow-up visits

Dr Kenton-Smith will see you one week post-operatively for removal of stitches. He will then check you as required, with a long-term follow-up planned at three months. Dr Kenton-Smith performs this surgery on patients all over New Zealand and can arrange early follow-up with your local GP if you are from outside Christchurch.

Surgical Technique

Surgery to correct upper eyelid hooding, puffiness and ageing may be performed under local anaesthetic in Dr Kenton-Smith's clinic. Lower eyelid surgery, often performed in combination with upper eyelid lifts, is carried out under general anaesthetic at St Georges Hospital or Southern Cross Hospital in Christchurch.

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

If upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed on its own it can be done under local anaesthetic. Skin and underlying muscle will be removed to reduce the presence of hooding and uncover the upper eyelid, this may have been hidden from view for many years. Mr Kenton-Smith tends to be very conservative about fat removal in the eyelid region as, long term, this can lead to excessive hollowness. You will be advised of how much fat needs to be removed at the time of consultation. Surgery takes less than one hour. Stitches are removed after one week. Most patients return to work after two weeks.

Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Dr Kenton-Smith regularly performs four different types of lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Your lower eyelid blepharoplasty will be tailored to your needs. Generally, Dr Kenton-Smith recontours the puffy lower eyelid bag to produce a smooth transition between eyelid and cheek. This can be extremely effective at lower eyelid and mid facial rejuvenation.

How much does it cost?

The following prices reflect typical costs our patients incur for a procedure and an exact price guide will be calculated after your consultation with Dr Kenton-Smith.

• The approximate cost of upper eyelid surgery (performed under local anaesthetic in the clinic) is $8,400, including surgeon's fee, theatre fee, and medical fee.  If this is carried out in hospital the approximate cost is $11,500
• The cost of lower eyelid blepharoplasty under general anaesthetic is approximately $12,000 including hospital, anaesthetic and surgeon's fees.
• The cost of upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty under general anaesthetic is approximately $17,000, including hospital, anaesthetic and surgeon's fees.
• The cost of upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty in combination with brow lift under general anaesthetic is approximately $23,000, including hospital, anaesthetic and surgeon's fees.

The cost of a face and neck lift is approximately $45,000 Dr Kenton-Smith very rarely does a face lift without a neck lift at the same time as he believes the result is unnatural. Occasionally, a facelift on its own is the most suitable operation, it costs approximately $5,000 less. Other procedures which may optimise the overall effect, include eyelid lifts, browlifts, fat transfer and dermabrasion. A more exact price guide will be calculated after your consultation with Dr Kenton-Smith.