Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
When we meet someone, we often look first at each other’s eyes. Unfortunately, the area around the eyes is also where signs of aging typically begin to develop. When the delicate skin of the eyelids starts to droop and crease with age, a procedure called an eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) can be performed to create a more youthful look. Correction of the eyelids can make a huge difference in one’s facial appearance, often making a more profound difference than any other facial cosmetic procedure.
What Is an Eyelid Lift?
An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to correct the appearance of drooping eyelids, under-eye bags, and hollows. This is achieved by carefully removing excess skin and fat, and replacing lost volume in diminished areas. Customized eyelid lift surgery can help aging eyes that look tired, old, and sometimes even angry, become smoother, more contoured, and youthful-looking.
What Can Eyelid Lift Treat?
Eyelid surgery can be tailored to address the unique cosmetic concerns you are experiencing, which may include:
- Drooping upper eyelids
- Excess, inelastic skin along the eyelids
- Localized fat deposits causing heaviness and/or puffiness
- Wrinkles above and below the eyes
- Bags beneath the eyes
- Loss of upper lid contour
- Hollows beneath the eye from fat loss and/or displaced tissue
- A false appearance of tiredness or anger
Depending on your needs and goals, Dr. Jeffrey Copeland—our board-certified plastic surgeon—can develop a surgical plan that gives your eyes a more youthful and energetic appearance. Blepharoplasty can also be medically necessary to correct drooping eyelids that interfere with proper vision.
In some cases, Dr. Copeland may recommend additional procedures or treatments that can help you achieve a greater degree of rejuvenation. For some individuals brow lift surgery may be necessary to smooth forehead creases, elevate the eyebrows, and provide added lift to the upper eyelids. For wrinkles, like crow’s feet and frown lines, injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic can be an effective non-surgical approach for creating smoother skin in areas that a blepharoplasty cannot address.
What Are the Different Types of Eyelid Surgery?
There are basically two types of eyelid surgery—blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids or lower eyelids (or both) based on your specific needs:
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid surgery is recommended for individuals with excess skin and/or fat in the upper eyelid region. This procedure can eliminate drooping skin and puffiness, while creating more definition along the upper lid contour.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery focuses on correcting puffy under-eye bags, skin laxity, and hollows. The goal of lower eyelid surgery is to remove excess skin and/or fat, fill hollows, and create smooth skin beneath the eyes for a youthful appearance.
Finding out the best approach for your customized eyelid surgery requires a personal cosmetic consultation with Dr. Copeland. During the appointment he will examine your eyes, discuss your concerns, and explain his plan for rejuvenating the appearance of your eyelids with blepharoplasty (if you are a candidate).
How Is the Blepharoplasty Procedure Performed?
During the procedure, Dr. Copeland makes an incision within the upper eyelid crease or close to the lower lashes so that visible scarring is minimized. The surgery can be performed under sedation in the office or under general anesthesia in an operating room. The procedure usually takes one to two hours to perform (if upper and lower eyelids are being done, then the procedure may take longer). The details of your unique surgical plan will determine the precise techniques used to rejuvenate your eyes.
What is Recovery Recovery from Eyelid Surgery Like?
Generally speaking, most patients can resume normal activities in one week or less following surgery; however, strenuous exercise must be avoided for about one month. Following surgery mild bruising and swelling is to be expected, but these effects typically dissipate within the first week. Any discomfort during the initial days of recovery can be treated with cold compresses and prescription medication. It is important to attend all follow-up appointments with Dr. Copeland to ensure that you are properly caring for your incisions and healing on schedule. When healing is complete, the majority of our patients are often thrilled with their more youthful and energized appearance.
Eyelid Surgery Results Gallery
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After How Long Does Blepharoplasty Last?
Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery can produce natural-looking and long-lasting results. The exact longevity of the outcomes can depend on if you received upper or lower eyelid surgery. Lower blepharoplasty results typically last a lifetime while upper blepharoplasty results may not last quite as long since the forehead skin tends to droop down as a result of the natural aging process. Generally speaking, a good skincare routine, non-surgical treatments, and brow lift surgery can help prolong blepharoplasty results.
How Noticeable Are the Scars From Eyelid Surgery?
Scars from blepharoplasty are usually minimal as incisions are typically made within the natural folds of the eyelids. Skilled and experienced plastic surgeons employ advanced techniques to make incisions in areas where scarring can be virtually unnoticeable. Dr. Copeland will go over what you can expect potential scars to look like during the consultation.
Are There Non-Surgical Alternatives to Eyelid Surgery?
There are non-surgical alternatives to eyelid surgery that can produce similar results, but none that can truly mimic the long-lasting outcomes achieved by blepharoplasty. Injectable treatments are traditionally the most sought-after alternative to eyelid surgery including BOTOX® Cosmetic and JUVÉDERM®. Other options like Plasma Pen™ Fibroblasting, laser skin resurfacing, and RF microneedling can also provide anti-aging benefits for a more youthful appearance. Although all of these other treatments can rejuvenate the facial skin, blepharoplasty is considered the most effective procedure for addressing skin and tissue around the eyes. Eyelid surgery can also produce results that last much longer than outcomes from non-surgical alternatives.
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
The approximate costs of various forms of eyelid surgery at our practice range from $3000-$4000. It is important to attend a consultation with Dr. Copeland to find out the exact cost of your blepharoplasty, as pricing fluctuates based on the degree of enhancement you require, which eyelids will be treated, and the complexity of the proposed procedure.
If you need to undergo blepharoplasty to correct an eyelid (or eyelids) interfering with your field of vision, health insurance may cover part or all of the surgery. A knowledgeable member of our team can help review your benefits, inform you about your coverage, and calculate any out-of-pocket costs. If you wish to use financing to help with the cost of your procedure, we can help you explore your options with CareCredit®, a trusted third-party lender. That lender, which specializes in loans for surgical patients, can give you options of low interest loans and sometimes flexible monthly payments, which can make elective surgery more affordable and convenient. We are happy to answer any questions you have about cost and payment.
If you have questions about eyelid surgery or want to schedule a consultation, please contact Copeland Cosmetic Surgery.
