Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Blepharoplasty is designed to make the eyes look brighter and more youthful by treating signs of aging in the upper and/or lower eyelids. As patients age, the supportive tissue of the eyes can weaken and grow lax, resulting in concerns such as sagging upper lids, puffiness, under-eye bags, and “hooding” — in which the eyelid skin rests below the lash line, obstructing your field of vision. Dr. Scott Miller is a San Diego-based board-certified plastic surgeon who performs upper and lower blepharoplasty to smooth the contours of the eyelids and reduce puffiness, allowing a more rested and refreshed appearance. Incisions are typically disguised within the crease of the upper eyelid or along the lash line to provide a discreet, natural-looking outcome. The eyes and the brow often age together, making brow lift surgery a popular complement to blepharoplasty for complete renewal of the entire upper face.
- Eyelid Surgery Benefits
- Eyelid Surgery Candidates
- Eyelid Surgery Procedure
- Eyelid Surgery Recovery
- Eyelid Surgery Results
- Eyelid Surgery Scars
- Eyelid Surgery Cost
- Non-Surgical Blepharoplastyy
What Concerns Can Eyelid Surgery Improve?
The eyes are not only considered one of the first features people notice about you, but they can also unintentionally convey your emotions. Consequently, wrinkles and puffiness around the eyelids can make you look tired, stressed, or even angry when you’re actually feeling happy and well-rested. This is one of many reasons why patients may turn to blepharoplasty to enhance tired eyes and brighten their appearance. Depending on your goals, eyelid surgery can:
- Treat eyelid hooding, removing obstructions in your vision caused by excess tissue
- Reduce puffiness and dark circles in the lower eyelids
- Achieve a more refreshed and youthful look in the upper face
Blepharoplasty results can look exceptionally natural, as indicated by the before-and-after photos showcased in our patient gallery. If you want to improve the appearance of tired eyes, we encourage you to view the outcomes achieved by previous patients who addressed their concerns with eyelid surgery.
Is Blepharoplasty Right for Me?
If you’re interested in eyelid surgery, Dr. Miller and our team can discuss your concerns during a consultation to ensure you have a good understanding of the procedure, and to confirm whether blepharoplasty is the best solution to achieve your goals. Patients considering eyelid surgery should generally be:
- Healthy and a non-smoker (or willing to quit smoking before and after surgery)
- Unaffected by eye conditions that may interfere with the healing process
- Able to have realistic expectations for the potential results
- Able to maintain a positive outlook on surgery
Once he gains a sense of your needs, Dr. Miller can develop a treatment plan tailored to reduce signs of aging and renew your eye contours. Either the upper and/or lower eyelids can be treated depending on the nature of your concerns. Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure usually performed under general anesthesia.
How is the Blepharoplasty Procedure Performed?
During upper blepharoplasty, an incision is made within the natural crease of the eyelid to help ensure incisions remain discreet once fully healed. Dr. Miller will then remove the excess skin, tighten musculature, and remove or reposition fat in the upper lids to alleviate hooding and smooth the eye contour. Puffiness and bagginess in the lower eyelids can also be corrected through an internal incision made along the lower lash line. As a result, this often reduces shadows in the lower eyelids and improves the appearance of dark circles. The outcome is a more youthful and energetic appearance.
What Can I Expect During the Eyelid Surgery Recovery Period?
Swelling, bruising, tenderness, and potential light sensitivity are normal reactions during the recovery period. These reactions should resolve naturally and over-the-counter medications can help accelerate the healing process. Most patients are up and about approximately two days after their procedure, and return to work after 7 to 10 days. Sutures are usually removed one week after surgery. You will receive detailed post-operative instructions regarding incision care, activity restrictions, and an approximate recovery timeline.
How Long Do Results From Blepharoplasty Last?
Once swelling is fully resolved, the final results of eyelid surgery can last many years. Blepharoplasty is among the only anti-aging treatments capable of addressing the eyes with a long-term result. In fact, patients usually report their facial rejuvenation is noticeable even decades after their procedure. While it’s true that nothing will stop the natural aging process, men and women who undergo eyelid surgery generally look more youthful and refreshed than those who never underwent the procedure. Thanks to its ability to smooth common signs of aging around the eyelid contours, such as puffiness, sagging skin, and “hooding,” blepharoplasty can make you look more alert and energetic as you age.
Will I Have Visible Eyelid Surgery Scars?
Blepharoplasty is known for leaving discreet post-surgical scars, which is one of the many benefits of the procedure. The incision blends harmoniously with the eyelid crease. For lower eyelid surgery patients, the incision is placed just along the lower lash line or inside the lower lid (transconjunctival). As a result, scars are very hard to detect for outside observers. Dr. Miller will fully explain where your incisions will be made in relation to your procedure, and give you insight into what you can expect from your blepharoplasty scars. These scars typically heal very well when post-operative instructions are followed and continue to fade over time, especially with adequate sun protection and good quality skincare.
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?
The cost of blepharoplasty is customized according to the details of each person’s treatment plan, such as whether both the upper and lower eyelids are treated, the techniques utilized, and the extent of surgical work necessary to achieve your goals. Our office can give you a personalized quote after your needs and goals are assessed in a consultation. Our practice accepts plastic surgery financing from CareCredit® for qualified patients who prefer to pay for their procedure in low- to no-interest installments
Is Non-Surgical Blepharoplasty Possible?
Eyelid surgery is the only way to effectively treat some of the most prominent signs of aging around the eyes, including upper eyelid “hooding,” bulging fat deposits, and the accumulation of excess skin. However, some rejuvenation is still possible with non-surgical alternatives like BOTOX® Cosmetic and DAXXIFY®. BOTOX® Cosmetic or DAXXIFY® injections are predictable, convenient treatments to reduce frown lines between the eyebrows. Performed in as little as 15 to 30 minutes, these products are designed to relax the facial muscles causing wrinkles and fine lines in the upper face. Our team can provide you with effective treatment options based on your preferences and aesthetic goals.
Dr. Scott Miller prioritizes natural results that simply allow you to look like a more refreshed version of yourself. If you have visible signs of puffiness, hooding, eye bags, or aging eyelids, contact Miller Cosmetic Surgery for more information or to schedule a consultation.