Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery is a great option for men and women seeking to diminish various signs of aging in the upper and/or lower eyelids. Ideal candidates for Blepharoplasty include:

-Crepey skin in the upper and/or lower lids.

-Drooping/hooding of the upper eyelids.

-Dark circles under the eyes.

-Displaced and/or excess fat in the eyelids.

-Puffiness or bagginess throughout the eye region.

Along with these aesthetic concerns, individuals whose vision is obstructed by sagging upper eyelid skin are often considered good candidates for Blepharoplasty. Depending on the amount of excess skin removed, eyelid surgery can greatly enhance the field of vision for these patients.

Everyone can benefit from eyelid surgery—it just depends on timing. Our plastic surgeons have come across very few people who would not benefit from eyelid surgery at some point in their lives, whether it is when they are younger or when they are older. Over time, skin in the eye region becomes lax and loose, fat around the eyes tends to fluctuate, and the quality of skin and the supporting structures underneath begin to change. For some people this occurs in their 40s and for others it manifests in their 60s.

The key to reaping these benefits, however, is that eyelid surgery has to be strategically performed with respect to subtle change; the character of someone’s face should never be altered by the procedure. What this means is eyelid surgery should never be overdone by removing too much volume and taking away structural elements that provide a youthful look.

It is important to avoid blood thinners for two weeks prior to surgery. Maximizing your at-home skincare regimen is highly encouraged. Our office staff can recommend a personalized plan based on your needs. Routine blood tests or appropriate medical clearance is also obtained. After your initial consultation, instructions are given as part of our informational pre-surgical packet and reviewed with you prior to surgery. Prescriptions are electronically submitted, picked up and brought the day of surgery.

When you arrive on the day of your surgery, you will be greeted warmly by our staff and introduced to the members of our operating room team, several have worked with our doctor for over two decades. Next, your plastic surgeon and our staff will walk you through the pre-operative process and guide you to the operating room where you will change into surgical garments, sign pre-operative paperwork. Every effort will be made to ensure you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible leading up to the time of your surgery.

Although they are relatively similar, upper and lower eyelid surgery are actually considered two distinct procedures. During upper eyelid surgery, tiny incisions are inconspicuously made in the natural folds of the eyelid, and redundant skin and/or fat tissues are excised until the desired result is achieved. During lower eyelid surgery, incisions are often made on the inside of the eyelid rather than along the eyelash line on the outside of the lid. In addition to concealing any potential scarring, this prevents having to cut through multiple layers of the lower eyelid. This is important because there is only a little support structure holding the lower eyelid up, so any pull or downward force applied can distort the lid and affect its positioning. If necessary and/or desired, fat can be re-dispersed throughout the treatment area to aid in the reduction of bulging and/or puffiness, and sagging skin can be tightened to achieve an ideal aesthetic. 

For most patients, the entire Blepharoplasty procedure takes approximately one to two hours to complete, but this may vary based on whether surgery was conducted on the upper lid, lower lid, or both.

Following treatment, you will awake feeling as if you have just taken a restful nap. Our operating room team (along with our board-certified anesthesiologist) will be present to greet you, and they will help you walk with assistance to the recovery room, ensuring that you are in no pain. After about an hour in this recovery room, a staff member will evaluate your condition to make sure you feel well enough to return home. If so, they will coordinate a close friend or relative to pick you up and return home that day.

Following Blepharoplasty, some initial swelling and/or bruising in the eyelid region is to be expected. These symptoms should gradually dissipate with time. Any potential discomfort can generally be controlled with medication, and the majority of patients are able to return to non-strenuous work and/or daily activities within approximately five to seven days. In order to help ensure proper healing, our doctor will apply a prescription cream and/or eye drops immediately after surgery, and they recommend avoiding any rigorous physical activity for at least several weeks.