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Home/Face Procedures/Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

What Is Blepharoplasty?

As you age, the delicate skin around your eyes naturally begins to droop and sag, which may cause you to appear tired or upset. In more severe cases, drooping upper eyelids can even contribute to problems with your vision. Blepharoplasty—commonly referred to as eyelid surgery or eyelid lift—is an aesthetic treatment performed to remove excess tissue/fat, smooth crepey skin, and address several other concerns related to the upper and/or lower eyelids. By customizing the eyelid surgery technique to match your unique needs and goals, experienced New Jersey plastic surgeons such as Christopher Godek, MD and Dr. Christina Pasick can turn back the hands of time and restore a youthful aesthetic to the area around your eyes.

For more information about eyelid surgery, please take a look at the information we have provided throughout this page. Should you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation for blepharoplasty with one of our plastic surgeons, feel free to reach out to our office online or by telephone today.

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What Are the Benefits of Blepharoplasty?

Many patients have come to the Personal Enhancement Center to enhance the appearance of their upper and/or lower eyelids. The following is a list of key benefits of eyelid surgery:

In addition to these enhancements, blepharoplasty can also provide a unique functional benefit for many men and women. When excess skin and tissue is removed from the upper eyelids, some individuals will notice an improved field of peripheral vision that had previously been partially or fully blocked by drooping skin.

Am I a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

In general, good candidates for blepharoplasty include women and men who have the following concerns:

Along with a desire to address one or more of these concerns, patients should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations for what can and cannot be achieved with eyelid surgery. At the time of the consultation, our plastic surgeon will perform a thorough assessment and discuss all criteria for candidacy to determine whether or not blepharoplasty would be the best treatment option.

What Are the Different Types of Blepharoplasty?

Upper Eyelid Surgery

As its name suggests, upper eyelid surgery is performed on the upper lids. This treatment can be custom-tailored to eliminate excess skin responsible for upper eyelid drooping, reduce puffiness and excess fat accumulations in the upper lids, and/or smooth noticeable lines and wrinkles in the upper eyelids.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Performed on the lower lids, a customized lower blepharoplasty can help resolve such concerns as crepey skin and wrinkles, protruding fat, noticeable bags, dark circles beneath the eyes, and a buildup of loose, excess skin.

Asian Eyelid Surgery

Asian eyelid surgery—also called “double eyelid surgery”—is a variation of upper blepharoplasty performed for some individuals of Asian descent. In general, many Asian women and men either have a very low-positioned crease in their upper lids, or no crease at all. This feature is referred to as a “single fold,” and it predominantly distinguishes the appearance of Asian eyelids from the “double fold” characteristic of other ethnicities.

For patients who currently have a “single fold” but prefer the aesthetic of a defined crease in the upper eyelid, an Asian blepharoplasty can be performed. With this technique, our plastic surgeon can carefully create a natural-looking fold just above the upper eyelashes, in addition to removing extra skin and/or fat. The final result helps to enhance both the size and expression of the eyes for an improved overall appearance.

In spite of its name, Asian blepharoplasty does not have to be employed for every Asian patient. Many people of Asian descent have a natural “double fold,” and some individuals simply wish to address their eyelid concerns while maintaining a “single fold.” For this reason, our doctor works closely with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan for their specific needs and desires.

How Is the Blepharoplasty Procedure Performed?

Based on the unique needs of the patient, blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. With the upper eyelid technique, our plastic surgeon will make a few small incisions strategically placed in the creases of the upper lid. Next, excess fat and loose skin will be removed from the area, and the remaining skin will be smoothed out. For lower blepharoplasty, incisions will be made either on the inside of the eyelid or directly under the lashes, depending on whether or not skin removal is indicated. Our doctor will then excise fat and/or skin, as well as smooth out lines and wrinkles on the lid until a beautiful contour is achieved. Regardless of the method employed, incisions will be closed via a suture that will stay in place for a few days to allow for proper healing. Our surgeon works diligently to minimize visible scarring—in fact, because of the placement of the incisions, residual scarring from eyelid surgery is typically barely noticeable, if at all.

The blepharoplasty procedure usually takes one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure. During the consultation, you and Dr. Godek or Dr. Pasick will define a treatment plan to address your cosmetic concerns, and the surgical process and recovery time needed will be discussed in full detail.

What Is Eyelid Surgery Recovery Like?

Recovery after blepharoplasty is approximately one to two weeks for the majority of individuals, depending on whether surgery involved the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. Swelling and bruising are common side effects, though they normally dissipate within a week. Significant pain is very rare, but any discomfort experienced can often be managed effectively with medication. The majority of patients look and feel well enough to return to normal daily routines like office jobs, school, or running errands after about seven days. However, all strenuous activities will need to be avoided for several more weeks to facilitate proper healing—this includes heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and contact sports.

After all swelling has gone down and the treatment area has fully healed, your eyes should look much younger, fresher, and more alert. If you have had upper eyelid surgery, you may even experience improved vision since any skin hanging over the eyes will be lifted, smoothed out, and refreshed.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?

As a customizable procedure, the exact cost of blepharoplasty at our practice will vary based on the specific needs and goals of the patient. Factors that most commonly influence the overall expense include whether the procedure is performed on the upper lids, lower lids, or both; the amount of extra skin and fat that needs to be removed; and if surgery is combined with a complementary treatment. Our plastic surgeon can provide a personalized answer to this question at the time of the consultation.

Can Eyelid Surgery Improve My Vision?

For some people, excess skin in the upper eyelids can sag low enough over the eyes that it actually blocks anywhere from a moderate to considerable portion of one’s vision. When this is the case, upper blepharoplasty can be performed to get rid of extra, drooping skin and fat, helping to enhance one’s field of vision. Many individuals who underwent eyelid surgery to address this “hooding” effect note improved peripheral vision when driving, playing sports, and performing a number of other activities.

Is an Eyelid Lift Without Surgery Possible?

While there is no substitute for the quality and longevity of results that can be achieved with eyelid surgery—particularly when excess skin or fat is present—Dr. Godek and Dr. Pasick offer some non-surgical treatments that can help improve the appearance of certain aesthetic concerns pertaining to the eye region. For example, cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers can be used to reduce fine lines and restore volume to hollowed tear troughs; laser resurfacing can aid in the enhancement of skin tone and texture; and particular skin care products can be regularly applied to maintain a more youthful complexion around the eyes. As previously stated, however, blepharoplasty will generally be the most effective option for treating eyelid-related concerns with optimal results. Our doctor can discuss all of these treatment choices in greater detail during an in-office visit to help you make the best decision for your specific case.

Can Blepharoplasty Be Combined with Other Treatments?

At the Personal Enhancement Center, many patients elect to combine eyelid surgery with procedures such as facelift surgery, brow lift surgery, and/or injectables. By doing so, they are able to achieve a more comprehensive facial enhancement and an improved overall outcome. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Godek or Dr. Pasick can help you determine if eyelid surgery on its own would help you attain the look you desire, or if a combination of treatments may be more appropriate for your unique needs and goals.

Contact the Personal Enhancement Center

To schedule a consultation, or for more information about blepharoplasty, contact our New Jersey practice today. The staff at the Personal Enhancement Center looks forward to helping you achieve a rejuvenated appearance.