Monday, November 6, 2006

Response from NUH Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Centre.

Dear X

Good morning! Hope this e-mail finds you well. Thank you for your interest in our services. Our surgeon needs to see you so that he can perform a complete assessment and counsel you carefully before any decision is made.

Eyelid surgery or Blepharoplasty is a procedure used to create double eyelids, correct drooping upper lids or reduce puffy bags beneath the eyes. It is used to remove fat, as well as excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty can make a remarkable difference in the appearance of the face, alleviating the appearance of tiredness and old age by eliminating the excess, wrinkly skin beneath the eyes. The eyes appear fresher and more youthful, and the results may last for a number of years. The degree of improvement varies from patient to patient.

This surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. It can take about one hour for the surgeon to complete the procedure. Blepharoplasty is usually performed with only local anaesthesia. You will be awake during the procedure, but relaxed and not affected by the pain. Bruising from this procedure can last up to a month, and patients should also expect to experience excessive tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurred and double vision for the first few days.

Most patients can return to work after 7 days. In some cases, however, patients experience difficulty in closing their eyes: in very rare cases, this can be permanent. Another rare risk is the occurrence of ectropion, which is the pulling of lower lids.

After surgery, the physician will apply eye ointment to your incision to reduce dryness in this area. Your vision may be blurred temporarily from the ointment. The first evening after surgery, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. It will help to apply cold compresses to your eyelids. Although you can be up almost immediately, you should limit your activities.


Recovery time from the surgery depends on individual health status and healing process. Normally, you may have some bruises around the eye, where the procedure is done, but this will go away after a few days. Medical leave is given for a few days to a week and you will be reviewed regularly.

The cost of consultation for senior consultant is $75 at first visit and $45 at repeat visit. The cost for consultant is $60 at first visit and $42 for repeat visit. For single blepharoplasty, the cost is from $2220 onwards. For double blepharoplasty, the costs is from $3600 onwards. Please note the above charges all exclude GST.

Our clinic session is from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Usually, surgery can be done on the same day if the case is not too complex or extensive.Once again, thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to contact us at 6772 2022 if you have any enquiries.

We wish you and your family the best of health always.

Warmest Regards,

KC
NUH APSC Clinic Manager

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iWicked says
I emailed them about the eyelid surgery only. Detailed response but I think way too much information. There are no proven track record online, no review on the net. Price is still okay but NUH is located quite far away. Travelling there is a problem for me.

I am considering. Not that high on my preference priority list.

Friday, November 3, 2006

Response from NUH Dept of Ophthalmology

Approx cost is 2,500 - 3,500 S$ depending on type of surgery required and whether it is performed in Day Surgery Theatre with sedation or as an Ambulatory Surgery. Specific details may be provided/discussed upon consultation

GS
DO,FRCSEd,FAMS
Diplomate, The American Board of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery / Pediatric Ophthalmology
Director, Eye Aesthetic Services
Dept of Ophthalmology
National University Hospital
www.nuheye.com

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iWicked says
Rather expensive and no proven track record. No raves or reviews on the net.
Sorry, OUT!

Response from Aesthetic & Reconstructive Centre

Dear X,

There are two kinds of double eyelid surgery available. These are:
1. Suture blepharoplasty
2. Open blepharoplasty.

In a case such where there is some fat and the eyelid is full, an open blepharoplasty is indicated. However, if there is only a little fat, then the suture blepharoplasty is easier to do.

In both cases this is done under local anaesthesia and as a day surgery. The surgery lasts 1-1.5 hours. After an hour of observation, you can go home. Sutures come out in 5 days for the open method. You can expect swelling lasting 14-21 days on average.

The cost of surgery varies from $1800- 2500 depending on the complexity of your surgery. We usually treat both eyelids even if one side has a fold. This allows better matching of both eyelids.

Nose tip refining surgery is done as a day surgery and requires us to insert a solid silicone implant underneath your nasal skin to make it more prominent. The only side effects are swelling of the tip which lasts 2-3 weeks. Bleeding and infection are rare. Once healing has occurred, the implant usually lasts a lifetime as it is inert and is not subject to implant failure.

The cost varies from S$5000- 8000 depending on the form of your nose and whether other procedures are required- for eg, narrowing the nostrils. This includes general anaesthesia, surgeon's fee and operating room fee but excludes the cost of the implant, medication and GST.

It is best that you come for a consultation and I can show you some photos and discuss the surgery further with you.

I hope this is of help to you.

Best wishes

Dr AK,
Consultant Plastic & Aesthetic Surgeon,
Aesthetic & Reconstructive Centre,
URL: www.andrewkhoo.com

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iWicked says
Reasonable price for the eyelid surgery but the nasal augmentation is rather expensive, in fact it is in the middle range among plastic surgeons here. I was hoping get do both eyelids and nose, so my expectations are that both should be reasonably priced.

The doc was rather friendly in his email and bothered to give a detailed explanation.

So, yeah...this clinic is under consideration but my preference priority is low.