Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids (or both), and the surrounding area of your eyes. We use this procedure to correct:

• Loose, sagging eyelids
• Wrinkles around the eyes
• Fatty deposits on the lids
• Bags under the eyes

We perform this procedure using either local or general anesthesia in the comfort of the accredited, state-of-the-art Plastic + Hand Surgery Center.

Eyelid procedures include traditional upper and lower eyelid lifts, fat pad transposition, structural fat grafting, and surgical chemical peels. You can discuss which eyelid procedures are best for you during your consultation with your Plastic + Hand surgeon.

When performing an upper eyelid surgery, we make an incision within the natural fold of the lid, extending it slightly beyond the outside corner of the eye. Through this incision, we remove excess skin and fatty tissue.

Upper Eyelid Surgery 3-D Animation

For lower eyelid procedures, we make an incision just below the lower lashes, removing excess skin and fat or redistributing fat to eliminate puffiness. In some cases, the incision can be made on the inside of the lower lid. With both upper and lower eyelid procedures, we place incisions where they will heal inconspicuously.

Lower Eyelid Surgery 3-D Animation

Eyelid surgery can improve the look of dark circles caused by excess skin casting a shadow. Your Plastic + Hand surgeon may recommend combining eyelid surgery with other procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, a brow lift or a facelift. This is something we can determine in your initial consultation.

If this is determined to be the best option for your desired outcome, it’s ideal to have both your upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery done at the same time. That way, you’ll have one recovery period to achieve the appearance you want.

During your initial consultation, you can discuss this question with your surgeon. Your Plastic + Hand surgeon may recommend a brow lift or a facelift if it’s appropriate for achieving your desired outcome.

Yes, you can absolutely get eyelid surgery if you wear contacts lenses. Immediately after surgery, you will not wear your contacts. However, you can resume your normal contact lenses wearing between 7-10 days after eyelid surgery.

After your eyelid surgery, we’ll take you to our recovery area where you will be closely monitored. Your eyes won’t be bandaged, and your pain level should be quite low. You will experience blurry vision from post-surgery swelling and the ointment used to protect your eyes during surgery. Within a few hours, a friend or relative can drive you home.

Upon arriving home, you should rest quietly with your head elevated. Your vision may stay blurry for a few days and your eyes may be temporarily sensitive to light with some dryness or excess tearing. During the first couple of days, you may have slight discomfort and some swelling or bruising. Swelling may take from one to several weeks to resolve completely; bruising usually lasts from one to two weeks. We’ll remove your stitches within a week of surgery.

While results vary, there are very few complications associated with eyelid surgery. You can expect to return to work and normal activities in a week to ten days. During that time, you can resume using makeup and wearing your contact lenses. We recommend wearing sunglasses for a couple of weeks and using sunblock for at least a month.

Immediately after eyelid surgery, you’ll receive specific post-op instructions, but here are some general recommendations for easing into resumed activity: 

• Post-op: Immediately after surgery, rest is a priority. You will use two pillows at bedtime and keep your head elevated. You should also not bend forward from the waist during this time. 

• At 1-2 weeks: You can resume most sedentary activities.

• At 4-6 weeks: You can likely resume all everyday activity, including sports and strenuous activities. 

If you have specific questions about resuming activities after eyelid surgery, please discuss it directly with your surgeon.

The healing process is gradual, so it may be several weeks before you see the final result of your eyelid procedure. Incision lines will fade, becoming barely visible over the course of several months. Your mirror will reveal alert, youthful-looking eyes, an image you will enjoy for many years to come. 

It’s important to note that it’s natural to have some gradual changes to your face as you age, and that eyelid surgery does not stop your eyes from aging. However, you can enjoy the improvements and results from your eyelid surgery for many years to come.

Healthy women and men between the ages of 40 and 70 are usually the best candidates for eyelid surgery. Your Plastic + Hand surgeon will need to know your medical history, particularly whether you have allergies affecting the eyes or have been diagnosed with any eye conditions including “dry eye.” If you are a smoker, we highly recommend that you quit before having surgery. A consultation at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates will determine if eyelid surgery is right for you.