Detailed Procedure Information

Eyelid Surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, an eye lift, or eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate the appearance of the eyelids by tightening and lifting sagging or drooping skin.

Purpose and Indications

This surgery is commonly considered if you experience excess skin on the upper or lower eyelids, skin that hangs over your eyelashes, under-eye puffiness or bags, dark circles beneath the eyes, or an overall tired or aged appearance around the eyes.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

• Removes puffiness and excess skin from the upper eyelids and reduces bags under the lower eyelids
• Enhances your peripheral vision if sagging upper eyelids obstruct sight
• Creates a more refreshed, youthful eye contour
• Boosts self-confidence and improves self-image

Considerations Before Surgery

• Evaluate overall health to ensure suitability for surgery
• Expect postoperative bruising, swelling, dryness, and itching of the eyes
• Understand that final results may take time to become visible after healing
• Discuss if concurrent procedures, such as a brow lift, might benefit your aesthetic goals, especially if eyebrow drooping or forehead wrinkles are present
• Plan for a typical recovery timeline of approximately two weeks

Selecting a Surgeon

Finding a Qualified Eyelid Surgeon

Choosing the right surgeon is critical to ensure safety and a satisfactory result. Consider these factors:

• Board certification and relevant specialized training in aesthetic plastic surgery
• Experience with blepharoplasty procedures specifically
• Review of before and after galleries to assess previous outcomes
• Personal rapport and comfort communicating openly with the surgeon
• Membership in reputable professional societies, such as The Aesthetic Society

Initial Consultation Expectations

During your first visit, your surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation including a review of your medical history, a physical examination focusing on your eyelids and surrounding facial features, and photographic documentation. You will discuss your goals openly, and the surgeon will determine if you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery and suggest any complementary procedures if appropriate.

Important Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

• Am I an appropriate candidate for this procedure?
• What realistic outcomes can I expect?
• How many blepharoplasty procedures have you performed?
• Can you show me examples of your prior patient results?
• Where will you place incisions, and how visible will scars be?
• Which surgical setting and anesthesia type do you recommend?
• What are the risks and how do you manage complications?
• What will recovery entail and how long will it take before I resume normal activities?
• What are my options if results are unsatisfactory?

Making an informed choice often involves considering opinions from multiple experts. Our clinic can assist in matching you with board-certified surgeons experienced in eyelid procedures.

Preparing for your Procedure

Preoperative Steps

Your surgeon will provide tailored instructions, but typically the preparation includes:

• Discuss any history of eye conditions such as dry eyes, glaucoma, or allergies with your surgeon
• Review all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements to avoid those that raise bleeding risk
• Undergo physical evaluations including measurements of eyelid skin and muscle laxity, and tear production assessments
• Photographic documentation to aid in surgical planning and postoperative comparison
• Setting clear expectations about realistic surgical outcomes
• Smoking cessation prior to surgery is advised to promote optimal healing

Day of Surgery Protocol

• Procedures are generally performed in accredited facilities under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia
• Surgery typically lasts one to two hours depending on the complexity and whether upper, lower, or both eyelids are operated on
• Monitoring of vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels during surgery ensures safety
• Your surgeon will follow the agreed surgical plan and apply protective ointments to your eyes postoperatively
• You will be discharged the same day with arrangements for someone to drive you home and stay with you overnight

Aftercare & Recovery

Recovery Timeline

Typical recovery lasts about two weeks, but each patient’s experience varies. Your surgeon will provide detailed guidance on wound care, symptom management, and signs that warrant medical attention.

Initial 24-48 Hours

• Plan rest at home with head elevated to reduce swelling and bruising
• Apply cold compresses frequently during the first 48 hours
• Gently clean the incision sites and use prescribed eye drops or artificial tears to prevent dryness
• Wear dark sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes from sun and wind exposure
• Expect some tightness and discomfort; use recommended pain relief but avoid medications that increase bleeding risk (e.g., aspirin, NSAIDs)

First Few Weeks

• Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, swimming, or exercises that elevate blood pressure for at least 10-14 days
• Limit activities that cause eye strain such as extended screen time, reading, or wearing contact lenses initially
• Follow-up visits are scheduled to remove sutures (typically between days 2-7) and to monitor healing
• Resume normal daily activities gradually, generally by the tenth day post-surgery
• Remain vigilant for symptoms like persistent pain, visual changes, or bleeding and contact your surgeon promptly if these occur

Results

Longevity of Eyelid Surgery Outcomes

Blepharoplasty typically offers long-lasting improvements. While the procedure addresses excess skin, puffiness, and drooping, aging will still progress naturally, which may affect the eyelids over time.

In some cases, sagging of the brow after an upper eyelid surgery might create the need for a brow lift rather than repeat eyelid surgery to maintain an optimal appearance.

Reviewing before and after images during consultation can help set realistic expectations for your procedure’s results.

Postoperative Considerations

After surgery, maintaining recommended follow-up visits is important to ensure proper healing and timely intervention if complications arise. Your surgeon remains your best resource for any questions or concerns as you recover.

Incisions and Scars

Incision Types for Blepharoplasty

Upper Eyelid Incisions

The incision is typically placed within the natural crease of the upper eyelid, ensuring scars remain discreet and well concealed. Fine sutures facilitate minimal scarring and optimal healing.

Lower Eyelid Incisions

Traditional lower eyelid surgery involves an incision just beneath the lower lash line or along the cheek’s smile crease to access and remove excess tissue.

The transconjunctival technique makes the incision inside the lower eyelid, eliminating visible external scars while removing fatty tissue to reduce puffiness. However, this approach is not for patients needing skin removal.

Combined Upper and Lower Eyelid Procedures

When both eyelids require attention, a combined surgical approach is often performed with incisions placed to balance concealment of scars on both lids.

Scar Appearance

Scars from eyelid surgery are generally inconspicuous due to their placement within natural skin folds and creases. With proper healing and following surgeon guidelines, visible scarring is minimal.

Scarless Eyelid Surgery

Scarless eyelid surgery usually refers to
transconjunctival blepharoplasty — a modern technique used mainly for
lower eyelid bags without creating an external skin incision.

What “scarless” means

• The incision is made inside the lower eyelid (through the conjunctiva)
• No external skin cut
• No visible scar on the outside of the eye

Who is a good candidate?

You’re usually a good candidate if you have:

• Prominent under-eye fat bags
• Good skin elasticity
• Minimal excess lower-lid skin
• No significant lower-lid laxity

If you have a lot of loose skin or wrinkles, surgeons may combine this with
laser resurfacing or recommend a different approach.

How the procedure works

1. Local anesthesia (sometimes with sedation)
2. Surgeon accesses fat pads from inside the eyelid
3. Fat is removed or repositioned to smooth the under-eye area
4. Incision heals naturally — no stitches on the skin

Surgery time: 30–60 minutes

Recovery & downtime

• Mild swelling/bruising: 5–10 days
• Return to work: ~1 week
• Final results: 4–8 weeks
• No visible scar at any stage

Pros

• No external scar
• Natural-looking results
• Faster healing than traditional surgery
• Lower risk of eyelid retraction

Limitations

• Does not remove excess skin
• Not ideal for advanced aging or sagging lids
• Requires an experienced oculoplastic or facial plastic surgeon

Upper eyelids

True “scarless” surgery is not possible for upper eyelids because excess
skin must be removed. However, skilled surgeons hide scars in the
natural eyelid crease, making them nearly invisible once healed.

Safety Considerations

Potential Risks and Complications

Eyelid surgery is generally safe when performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are inherent risks that you should discuss thoroughly during your consultation:

• Unexpected reactions to anesthesia
• Hematomas or seromas, which are collections of blood or fluid that may require medical management
• Infection or bleeding at the surgical site
• Numbness or changes in sensation around the eyelids
• Visible scarring or poor wound healing
• Damage to the eye or surrounding structures (rare)
• Unsatisfactory aesthetic results potentially requiring revision surgery

Following your surgeon’s pre- and postoperative instructions diligently is the best strategy to minimize these risks and support a smooth recovery.

Associated Costs

Understanding the Cost Factors

The expense for eyelid surgery varies broadly depending on your surgeon’s expertise, the geographic region, the surgical facility, and the specific complexity and technique required for your procedure. During your consultation, your surgeon will provide an estimated cost tailored to your treatment plan.

Insurance and Financing

Eyelid surgery is typically classified as a cosmetic procedure and therefore not covered by health insurance unless there is a documented medical necessity, such as significant obstruction of vision by drooping eyelids.

Many clinics offer financing options or payment plans to make surgery more accessible. Choosing your surgeon based primarily on credentials and experience rather than cost should remain your priority to ensure safety and desirable results.