Patient Portal (561) 571-4000

Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty

As we age, changes in the skin and muscles around the eyes can lead to fine lines and wrinkles, loose skin, and droopy eyelids. By performing cosmetic eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, the plastic surgeons at Lickstein Plastic Surgery help residents of Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Port St. Lucie achieve a more refreshed, alert, and youthful appearance.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. This procedure is often referred to as an eyelid lift, and can address common signs of aging to the eye area.

Candidates for eyelid surgery often feel they have a tired facial appearance, regardless of how rested they may be. Aging can cause the delicate skin around the eyes to lose elasticity, which can give a sagging look to the eyes. The fat in the eye area can also become more prominent, creating a puffiness or heaviness in the eyes. Blepharoplasty lifts and smooths the eye area for an invigorated, younger-looking appearance.1

Upper Blepharoplasty

During upper lid blepharoplasty, excess skin and fat are removed from the upper lids and the underlying muscles are tightened to create a more youthful appearance. While most upper eyelid lifts are cosmetic in nature, upper blepharoplasty can also be performed for functional reasons if droopy skin (ptosis) affects a patient’s visual field

Lower Blepharoplasty

A lower eyelid lift restores a more youthful appearance by addressing common signs of aging such as undereye bags, loose skin, puffiness, and dark circles.

column image

Benefits of an Eyelid Lift

Blepharoplasty is a facial plastic surgery procedure that can provide benefits that are both cosmetic and functional, such as:

  • Improvement in the appearance of saggy or droopy eyelids
  • Reduced appearance of dark circles, under eye bags, and puffiness
  • Reduction of excess fat in the eye area for a firmer appearance
  • Reduced wrinkles around the eyes
  • Improved contours of the upper eyelid
  • Improved peripheral vision in patients affected by severe ptosis (excess skin) of the upper lids
  • A more well-rested and youthful appearance
  • Long-lasting results
  • Minimal scarring

Who is a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

If you feel that your eyes are making you look older, more fatigued, or even angry, you may be a good candidate for an eyelid lift. In general, a good candidate for blepharoplasty:

  • Is in good overall health
  • Does not smoke
  • Has realistic expectations2

The best way to determine whether eyelid surgery is right for you is to attend a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon.

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery

Your personal consultation with one of our facial plastic surgeons is essential to feeling well-prepared for your eyelid surgery and the recovery period. Here, you will have the opportunity to candidly discuss your cosmetic concerns, and your doctor will help you learn more about the blepharoplasty procedure. Your surgeon will examine your eye area and review your medical history as well as any medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. You may also be asked to consult with an ophthalmologist as we determine whether you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery.

Before your surgery, you will be asked to stop taking any medications that may cause additional bleeding. You should stop smoking and drinking alcohol in the weeks before surgery, as that could affect healing. You won’t be able to drive yourself home after surgery, so please make arrangements for transportation.

The Blepharoplasty Procedure

Blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure that may be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The incisions for upper blepharoplasty are made within the eyelid’s natural creases, and lower blepharoplasty incisions are made below the lash line or inside of the eyelids (this is known as a transconjunctival incision). Through these incisions, the plastic surgeon removes excess fat, trims away excess skin, and tightens the underlying muscles. Once the desired results are achieved, the incisions are closed with fine sutures.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery and Results

It is normal to experience swelling and bruising in the eye area after an eyelid lift. Discomfort can also be expected, and this can be eased with pain medication. We also recommend cold compresses (but use them gently) and sleeping with your head slightly elevated. Most of our eyelid surgery patients feel comfortable returning to work and non-strenuous activities within a week, though you should refrain from exercise and other more strenuous activities for a few weeks to ensure proper healing.

before & after blepharoplasty
before & after blepharoplasty
View Our Eyelid Lift Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions About Eyelid Surgery

icon q

Will I have scars after my eyelid surgery?

The plastic surgeons at Lickstein Plastic Surgery are highly experienced in minimizing scarring. The blepharoplasty incision is typically placed in your natural eyelid crease so that there is no noticeable scar. If a lower lid incision is needed, it can usually be made close to the lower lash line or inside of the lower eyelid.

icon q

Are the results of an eyelid lift permanent?

Blepharoplasty results are long-lasting, although the normal aging process will continue after surgery. You can improve the longevity of your results by following all post-operative instructions, taking care of your skin, and protecting your eyes from the sun.

icon q

What are the risks of eyelid surgery?

There are potential complications and side effects associated with any surgical procedure. It is important to work with an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon for your eyelid lift to minimize risks. Risks and complications associated with blepharoplasty include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Anesthesia reactions
  • Dry eye
  • Unfavorable scarring
  • Impaired vision
  • Changes to eyelid function
  • Ectropion (eyelids that turn outwards)
  • Lower eyelids that turn downward (lid lag)
  • Changes in skin pigment or sensation3
icon q

Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?

When an eyelid lift is performed for cosmetic purposes, it is considered to be an elective procedure and not typically covered by medical insurance. If a patient has severe droopy eyelid skin (ptosis) that impedes their visual field, functional blepharoplasty may be covered by their insurance.

icon q

How much does an eyelid lift cost?

Each patient’s treatment plan is unique. We will discuss the cost of your eyelid surgery during your consultation.

icon q

Can I combine my eyelid surgery with other procedures?

Yes. In fact, many of our patients choose to combine their blepharoplasty with other cosmetic procedures to achieve a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Popular options include a facelift, brow lift, and non-surgical options like BOTOX®, dermal fillers, cheek contouring, and lip fillers.

Trused Source Icon - Checkbox Sources

1 Mayo Clinic. Blepharoplasty. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174. Accessed February 7, 2024.

2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Who is a good candidate for blepharoplasty? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery/candidates. Accessed February 7, 2023

3 Cleveland Clinic. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty). Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8409-eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty. Accessed February 7, 2024.

Contact Us

If you are troubled by signs of aging to your eye area, an eyelid lift can help you achieve a more refreshed appearance. Patients from throughout Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens area, including Jupiter and Port St. Lucie, put their trust in the cosmetic surgeons at Lickstein Plastic Surgery because of our stellar reputation for safety and exceptional results. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Contact Us
Footer Form
Terms

*By checking this box you consent to receive phone calls, text messages and emails from Lickstein Plastic Surgery. It is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services. You can opt out at any time, message/data rates may apply, and opting-in includes acceptance of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Reply STOP to end.

*Please know that email communication via our website may not be done through a secure platform. Although it is unlikely, there is a possibility that information you include in your submission can be intercepted and read by parties other than the intended recipient. To protect your confidential information, please do not include personal identifying information such as your birth date or personal medical information in any emails or website submissions you send to us.

The Doctors at Lickstein Plastic Surgery have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated: