Southern Cross Affiliated Provider

Facial Surgery · Hamilton, Waikato

Blepharoplasty — Eyelid Surgery

Upper and lower eyelid surgery to remove excess skin, reduce puffiness, and restore a more alert, rested appearance. Upper blepharoplasty is performed in-rooms under local anaesthetic — no hospital admission, no general anaesthetic, home the same day.

Upper blepharoplasty before and after — Dr Bülent Yaprak specialist plastic surgeon Hamilton NZ
Upper bleph from $4,500 all-inclusive
In-rooms under local anaesthetic
No hospital admission needed
Home the same day
Southern Cross may cover — ask us
Patients travelling from Auckland & beyond

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the upper eyelids that has descended with age, creating a heavy, tired, or hooded appearance. It is one of the most commonly performed and most satisfying procedures in facial plastic surgery — the results are natural, the recovery is quick, and the improvement is immediately noticeable.

For most patients, upper blepharoplasty is performed in Dr Yaprak's rooms under local anaesthetic — no general anaesthetic, no hospital admission, and home the same day. Patients from Auckland, Tauranga, and across New Zealand travel to Hamilton for this procedure specifically because of the all-inclusive pricing and straightforward process.

What upper blepharoplasty can achieve

  • Remove overhanging upper eyelid skin that makes you look tired or older
  • Open up the eye for a more alert, refreshed appearance
  • Improve peripheral vision restricted by drooping upper eyelid skin
  • Remove excess fatty tissue creating eyelid puffiness
  • Restore a more youthful eyelid crease
  • Natural-looking result — people notice you look better, not that you've had surgery
Upper blepharoplasty diagram explaining the procedure — Dr Bülent Yaprak Hamilton NZ

Upper eyelid surgery — excess skin is removed along the natural lid crease, leaving a well-hidden scar

The procedure

The surgery takes approximately 45–60 minutes and is performed under local anaesthetic in Dr Yaprak's rooms at Waikato Specialist Centre. An incision is made along the natural upper eyelid crease — this is where the scar hides beautifully once healed. Excess skin and, where appropriate, a small amount of fat is removed. The incision is closed with fine sutures which are removed at your follow-up appointment 5–7 days later.

General anaesthetic at Braemar Private Hospital is available for patients who prefer this — please mention this at consultation.

Southern Cross Insurance — may cover upper blepharoplasty

Southern Cross may reimburse the cost of blepharoplasty when specific clinical criteria are met. To qualify, you must have an effective Margin Reflex Distance (MRD1) of 2mm or less, with documented evidence that the eyelid pathology is interfering with driving or significantly impairing daily activities. If you think you may qualify, please mention this at your consultation — Dr Yaprak can assess and provide the required clinical documentation.

Your Journey

What to Expect — Before, During & After

Before surgery

1
Consultation — $267
Dr Yaprak assesses your eyelids, discusses your goals, and confirms whether upper, lower, or combined surgery is most appropriate. He will advise whether in-rooms local or GA at Braemar is recommended for your situation.
2
Pre-operative preparation
Stop blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, Ginkgo biloba, garlic) at least 10 days before surgery. Stop smoking 6 weeks before. Arrange a driver — you cannot drive after the procedure.
3
Prepare cold flannels at home
Before coming in: wet 3–4 flannels, put them in a snap-lock bag, and place in the fridge. Apply gently to eyelids post-op — very soothing and minimises bruising. Do NOT use ice packs.

The day of surgery — upper blepharoplasty (in-rooms)

The procedure takes approximately 45–60 minutes in Dr Yaprak's rooms at Waikato Specialist Centre. Local anaesthetic lasts approximately 4 hours — if travelling from Auckland or further, bring paracetamol for the journey home. Arrange a driver — you will not be able to drive yourself.

After surgery — what Anna recommends

1
Cold flannels — first 3–4 days
Apply cold flannels gently on and off for the first 3–4 days. Never use ice packs directly on the eyelids.
2
Eye antibiotic ointment — first week
Apply to the suture line 3–4 times a day. Also apply into both eyes at night — swelling can sometimes prevent the eye from fully closing during sleep and this ointment provides lubrication and protection. May cause temporary blurry vision — this is normal.
3
Wound care
Gently rinse suture lines in the shower after 24 hours — no rubbing with a flannel, no cleansers. Pat dry gently. Leave any skin-coloured tapes at the outer corners in place until suture removal.
4
Keep your head elevated
Keep your head up as much as possible for the first week. Use extra pillows when sleeping. Avoid bending forward or putting your head down for at least 1 week.
5
What to avoid
No hot food or drinks on the day of surgery. No strenuous exercise for the first week. No rubbing your eyes. All increase bruising and swelling.
6
Bruising and swelling
Some bruising is normal and expected — amount varies. Most bruising and swelling settles by 2 weeks. The result will be clearly visible by 2–3 weeks.
7
Suture removal — day 5–7
Return to the clinic 5–7 days after surgery for suture removal — a quick, comfortable appointment. Second follow-up at approximately 3 months.

Contact us immediately if you experience: blurry vision not related to the ointment, heavy bleeding, increasing pain, significant swelling of one eye more than the other, or fever. Call the on-call number provided at your appointment if outside business hours.

"Upper blepharoplasty is one of the procedures where a relatively small change makes the biggest difference. Patients often say they look like themselves again — just more rested."
— Dr Bülent Yaprak, Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Lower Blepharoplasty

Lower blepharoplasty addresses puffiness, bags, and loose skin beneath the eyes — features that can make a person look tired or older regardless of how rested they actually feel. The procedure removes or redistributes the fatty tissue causing the bags, and tightens the lower eyelid skin.

Lower blepharoplasty is technically more complex than upper eyelid surgery and is typically performed at Braemar Private Hospital. It can be done alone or combined with upper blepharoplasty for a complete eyelid rejuvenation.

What lower blepharoplasty can achieve

  • Remove under-eye bags caused by excess fat
  • Tighten loose or crepey lower eyelid skin
  • Reduce the appearance of dark circles caused by shadowing from puffy bags
  • Create a smoother, more refreshed under-eye area
  • Improve the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek

Upper + lower combined: Many patients benefit from addressing both eyelids at the same time. Combined blepharoplasty gives the most complete result and is discussed at consultation. Pricing for combined surgery is quoted after assessment.

Lower blepharoplasty eyelid surgery Hamilton NZ — Dr Bülent Yaprak
Lower blepharoplasty diagram showing fat removal and skin tightening — Dr Bülent Yaprak Hamilton NZ

Lower eyelid surgery — fat repositioning and skin tightening

Suitability

Are You a Good Candidate?

You may suit upper blepharoplasty if:

  • You have excess skin overhanging your upper eyelids
  • Your eyelids look heavy, hooded, or tired
  • Your peripheral vision is affected by drooping upper eyelid skin
  • You are in good general health
  • You have realistic expectations — you want to look refreshed, not different
  • You are a non-smoker, or able to stop before surgery

You may suit lower blepharoplasty if:

  • You have persistent under-eye bags that don't resolve with rest
  • You have loose or crepey lower eyelid skin
  • The skin-fat transition between your lower lid and cheek looks hollowed or puffy
  • You are in good general health with no active eye conditions
  • You understand this is a more complex procedure than upper blepharoplasty

Not suitable if: You have significant dry eye syndrome, certain thyroid conditions affecting the eyes, or uncontrolled glaucoma — these will be screened at consultation. Tell Dr Yaprak about any eye conditions or medications affecting the eyes.

Fees & Pricing

Simple, All-Inclusive Pricing

Upper blepharoplasty is one of the most accessible procedures Dr Yaprak offers — performed in-rooms under local anaesthetic with transparent all-inclusive pricing. Many patients travel from Auckland, Tauranga, and the Bay of Plenty specifically for this.

Upper Blepharoplasty
$4,500
All-inclusive — no hidden costs
  • Surgeon fee
  • In-rooms procedure at Waikato Specialist Centre
  • Local anaesthetic
  • All dressings, ointment, and suture removal
  • Follow-up at 5–7 days and 3 months
  • General anaesthetic at Braemar available on request (additional cost)
Lower Blepharoplasty
Quoted at consultation
Complexity varies — full quote after assessment
  • All-inclusive quote after assessment
  • Performed at Braemar Private Hospital
  • Combined upper + lower also available
  • All follow-up included

Initial consultation: $267. All subsequent pre-op consultations at no extra charge. See our full fees page.

Southern Cross Insurance — upper blepharoplasty

Southern Cross may cover upper blepharoplasty when clinical criteria are met — specifically an effective Margin Reflex Distance (MRD1) of 2mm or less, with documented evidence that the eyelid pathology is interfering with driving or significantly impairing daily activities. If you think you may qualify, mention this at your consultation. Dr Yaprak will assess and provide the clinical documentation required for your pre-approval application.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is upper blepharoplasty done under local or general anaesthetic?
Upper blepharoplasty is performed under local anaesthetic in Dr Yaprak's rooms at Waikato Specialist Centre — no hospital admission, no general anaesthetic, home the same day. The local anaesthetic lasts approximately 4 hours. For patients who prefer general anaesthetic, this can be arranged at Braemar Private Hospital at an additional cost — just mention this at consultation.
How long does recovery take?
Most bruising and swelling settles within 2 weeks. Sutures are removed at 5–7 days. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities after 10–14 days. The final result — with scars fully faded into the eyelid crease — is visible at 3 months.
Will the scar be visible?
The incision for upper blepharoplasty is placed precisely along the natural eyelid crease — when your eyes are open, the scar is hidden within the fold. When the eyes are closed it is visible but fades to a fine, pale line over several months. Most patients find it essentially invisible once fully healed.
How long do the results last?
Upper blepharoplasty results are long-lasting — typically 10–15 years or more, though ageing continues. The procedure removes the excess skin permanently; it does not regrow. Lower blepharoplasty results are also long-lasting, particularly for fat removal. Neither procedure stops the ageing process, but the improvement is sustained for many years.
Can I travel from Auckland for this procedure?
Yes — many patients travel from Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua, and further afield specifically for Dr Yaprak's blepharoplasty. Upper blepharoplasty under local anaesthetic is a same-day procedure. You can fly in, have the procedure, and travel home the same day — though having someone with you is strongly recommended. The local anaesthetic lasts approximately 4 hours, so bring paracetamol for the journey. We recommend you have at least one consultation before the procedure day, which can sometimes be done on the same trip.
Does Southern Cross cover blepharoplasty?
Southern Cross may cover upper blepharoplasty when specific clinical criteria are met — an effective Margin Reflex Distance (MRD1) of 2mm or less, with documented evidence that the eyelid pathology is interfering with driving or causing significant impairment in daily activities. If you think you may qualify, mention this at consultation. Dr Yaprak will assess and provide the clinical documentation required.
What is the difference between blepharoplasty and a brow lift?
Blepharoplasty removes excess upper eyelid skin — it addresses the lid itself. A brow lift raises the position of the eyebrow, which can also reduce the amount of upper eyelid skin visible. Some patients benefit from one, some from the other, and some from both. Dr Yaprak will assess whether the hooding is coming from the eyelid or the brow position and recommend accordingly.

Why Choose Dr Yaprak

Specialist Care, Simple Process

FEBOPRAS Qualified

European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons — a rigorous qualification held by relatively few NZ plastic surgeons.

In-Rooms Under Local

Upper blepharoplasty in-rooms means no hospital admission, no GA, no overnight stay — and a significantly lower all-inclusive price.

$4,500 All-Inclusive

No hidden costs. The quoted price covers everything — surgeon, facility, local anaesthetic, dressings, and follow-up.

Patients Travel for This

Patients from Auckland, Tauranga, and across New Zealand choose Dr Yaprak for blepharoplasty. The combination of specialist skill and accessible pricing is hard to find elsewhere in NZ.

Natural Results

The goal is always a refreshed, natural appearance — not an operated look. Dr Yaprak's approach is conservative and precise.

Southern Cross Affiliated

As a Southern Cross Affiliated Provider, Dr Yaprak can provide the clinical documentation required for insurance pre-approval where criteria are met.

Book Your Blepharoplasty Consultation

Upper blepharoplasty from $4,500 all-inclusive. In-rooms under local anaesthetic. Patients welcome from Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and across New Zealand.