There are definitely no “stupid questions” when it comes to undergoing medical or aesthetic procedures, especially surgeries. If you are set to get an operation to correct your upper eyelid, your ptosis correction surgeon in Singapore should prepare you well and address all your questions and concerns prior to your scheduled surgery. Just thinking about this procedure can bring too many overwhelming thoughts and questions, so to help you get a grip, this article has outlined a few questions that you can ask your doctor during your consultation.
Questions about the ptosis procedure
1 Am I a good candidate for ptosis surgery?
You may tick all the boxes on the ptosis symptoms list, but this does not necessarily mean that you are 100% qualified for the procedure. A surgeon that is an expert in treating ptosis should be able to let their patients know whether they are a good candidate for ptosis surgery based on their overall assessment of their patient’s medical history and the risks involved with the procedure.
2 Are there alternative treatments for ptosis other than surgery?
While surgery is the best choice to correct ptosis effectively, this route might not be perfect for everyone. Fortunately, there are other non-surgical treatments, such as prescription eye drops or Botox, available to treat ptosis, so you are definitely not facing a dead end in case you find yourself not suitable for ptosis surgery. A doctor that is an expert in ptosis treatment should be up to date with the latest treatments for this upper eyelid condition and be able to present you with these alternatives.
3 Are there risks and complications involved in the procedure?
Knowing about the possible risks and complications involved in a procedure allows the patient to have a better understanding of the operation and be able to set the proper expectations of what could happen during and after the procedure. Likewise, the information given will help you to make sound decisions and give proper consent prior to undergoing the procedure.
4 How are complications managed?
Having the information on how to manage the possible complications will greatly help patients to prepare for the procedure and after. Your chosen ptosis surgeon must have a detailed plan on how to handle complications should they arise during or following the surgery.
5 What technique is recommended for my ptosis condition?
There are various techniques used for ptosis surgery and one factor that influences the kind of method to be used for the procedure is the strength of the eyelid’s levator muscle. The eyelid’s levator muscle main function is to elevate and retract the upper eyelid. The three surgical techniques to correct ptosis are:
- External approach
- Internal approach
- Frontalis Sling Fixation
Both the external and internal approach are recommended for patients with strong levator muscle function. For individuals who have weak levator muscle, which may be caused by congenital, myogenic, or neurogenic ptosis, the frontalis sling fixation technique is used to correct the droopy eyelid.
6 How long is the recovery time needed following a ptosis procedure?
Undergoing a ptosis procedure will require recovery time. If you are in school or have a regular job, then you will need to take some time off, so your eyes and your body can heal properly and avoid any complications. The recovery time needed after a ptosis surgery can be anywhere from a few days or up to six months depending on the complexity of the ptosis condition and procedure.
Questions about your ptosis surgeon’s qualifications
1 Are you board certified?
Having a board certification means that the surgeon you are choosing has met certain criteria and passed tests relating to their practice and the procedures that they are performing on patients. In Singapore, surgeons performing ptosis surgery must be board certified as well as accredited by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
2 How many years have you been doing ptosis surgery?
The number of years that a surgeon has been doing ptosis surgery is one factor that influences their expertise and knowledge about this procedure. The more years they have lodged in their ptosis surgery practice can give you an idea of how much experience they have and how this can have a direct effect on the result of your procedure. Ptosis correction done by an inexperienced surgeon will certainly cause you additional expense when you have to get your eyelids done again.
3 Do you have before and after photos of patients you have previously done ptosis surgery on?
Looking at the before and after photos of ptosis patients that have been handled by a surgeon will give you an idea about how your eyes will look following the procedure.
Questions about the costs of a ptosis procedure
1 How much will my ptosis procedure cost?
The cost for a ptosis procedure is not fixed as the procedure varies among patients following each of their specific needs. Generally, ptosis surgery can range anywhere from $7,000 to $18,000 in Singapore.
2 What are the factors that influence the costs of a ptosis procedure?
The total cost of a ptosis procedure is influenced by different factors including:
- Complexity of the procedure
- Duration of the procedure
- Facility where the procedure will be carried out
- Hospital admission cost, if required
- Surgeon and anaesthetist fees
- Surgical technique used
- Medications, if required
- Post-op appointments
3 Where will my ptosis procedure be done?
Ptosis surgery can be done in a hospital facility or in a surgeon’s clinic given that it is fully equipped with everything needed to perform the procedure. Where your ptosis procedure will be done will affect the final cost of your ptosis surgery.
4 Is the procedure covered by insurance or Medisave?
Insurance and Medisave can cover a part of the ptosis surgery cost as long as it is medically required and meets the specific conditions mandated by the Ministry of Health (MOH). To prove this, you must undergo a visual assessment done officially by an ophthalmologist to show that your vision is affected by ptosis. It is important that you check with your insurance provider to find out how much is covered by your insurance, so you can prepare the right amount of money that you need to pay out of pocket.
Allure Plastic Surgery
435 Orchard Road
#22-04 Penthouse Floor Wisma Atria
Singapore 238877
https://www.allureplasticsurgery.sg/
Phone: + 65 6734 9988
Whatsapp: + 65 9623 7836