Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Your eyes are the most looked-at feature – the focal point – of your face. Tired droopy upper eyelids and prominent lower lid fat pads or “eyelid bags” hide the beautiful, youthful, rested appearance you would like others to see. At Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, PC, our board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience, Steven Yarinsky, MD, does all eyelid cosmetic surgery at our in-office Joint Commission accredited operating room facility for your convenience, comfort, safety, privacy, and cost savings over the hospital setting.

• Eyelid Surgery Overview
• Eyelid Surgery Candidates
• Eyelid Surgery Benefits
• Eyelid Surgery Procedure
• Eyelid Surgery Recovery
• Eyelid Surgery Scars
• Eyelid Surgery Results
• Eyelid Surgery Risks
• Eyelid Surgery Alternatives
• Eyelid Surgery Cost
• Complementary Procedures
• Additional Eyelid Surgery FAQs

What Is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lifts)?

Blepharoplasty can enhance the appearance of your upper and lower eyelids by treating loose skin and prominent fat pads and hooding caused by excess skin to reveal a more youthful eye appearance. During this procedure, the upper lid excess skin may be trimmed and tightened with removal or reduction of the bulging fat pads located beneath. The puffy bags below your eyes can be removed through an incision located just beneath the lash line or hidden within the lower eyelids and loose lower lid skin can be tightened. You will gain a more refreshed, alert, and younger look. Some patients can also improve their eyesight when hooded excess upper eyelid skin is removed, eliminating visual obstruction and widening their field of vision.

Before

After

Individual Results May Vary

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“I wanted to have my upper lids done for years. However, after my consultation with Dr. Yarinsky and after meeting his amazing staff, I felt very confident and proceeded to have it done. I am so happy with the results. I would encourage anyone who is considering this surgery not to be afraid as Dr. Yarinsky is so skilled. My down time was very short and the care I was given prior to, during and after the procedure was top notch. This is the most caring and considerate group of people you will find. I am only sorry that I waited so long. I wanted to have my upper eye lids done for years but I was too afraid to do so. However, after my consultation with Dr. Yarinsky and meeting his wonderful staff, I decided to have the surgery. I am thrilled with the results. If you are contemplating this surgery do not hesitate. Dr. Yarinsky is so skilled. The care I received prior to, during, and after the procedure was top notch. Everyone was so caring. My down time was short and I am thrilled with the results.”

Who Is a Good Candidate for Eyelid Cosmetic Surgery?

During your consultation with Dr. Yarinsky, he will listen to your concerns, evaluate the skin, fat and other structures surrounding your eyes, and review your medical history. This information will allow him to determine if eyelid surgery is the most appropriate option for helping you to achieve your aesthetic beauty goals. Patients who can benefit from an eyelid lift typically exhibit the following:

• Loose, excessive sagging or wrinkled upper or lower eyelid skin that creates a tired or angry look.
• Excess upper eyelid skin that folds and causes hooding which may interfere with vision.
• Lack of a well-defined natural upper eyelid crease.
• Puffy prominent pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids that create a tired or aged appearance.

What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

People who choose eyelid surgery often see a significant improvement in the appearance of their eye region. More specifically, patients can typically obtain benefits such as:

• A more youthful and rested appearance of your eyes and face.
• Improvement of sight if excessive upper lid skin has partially blocked vision.
• Softened lines around the eyes (but blepharoplasty does not remove or erase all wrinkle lines).

Since Dr. Yarinsky tailors each procedure to the unique concerns and needs of the individual, the specific benefits and extent of improvement that can be achieved will vary for every patient. Based on your own anatomy, Dr. Yarinsky will explain what result and appearance you can realistically expect to achieve with your eyelid lift.

How Is the Eyelid Surgery Procedure Performed?

Eyelid surgery is usually performed in Dr. Yarinsky’s Joint Commission accredited office facility. Local anesthesia with sedation is most often used. In some patients, particularly if combining eyelid lifts with a face lift, general anesthesia will be used to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. The specific technique used for your surgery will be planned in advance and thoroughly reviewed with you. Dr. Yarinsky strives to make incisions which leave the resulting scars areas that are easy to conceal and he shapes your eyelids to create an extremely natural appearance.

Upper Eyelid Surgery

For typical upper eyelid surgery, incisions are made where the natural crease should be in the upper lids. Through this approach, Dr. Yarinsky is able to remove excess fat and skin that has begun to sag and tighten the remaining area to create a refreshed and more youthful appearance.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

To perform lower eyelid surgery, the incisions are most often made just below the lash lines of the lower lids in a natural crease, and excess fat and skin are removed. If only excess fat is present in the lower lids, it may be removed through an incision located inside of the lower lids with no external incision or scar (called a transconjunctival blepharoplasty).

Double Eyelid Surgery

Some patients of Asian descent have a unique upper eyelid shape, known as a “single fold,” where there is either no natural crease or it is at a lower level. Dr. Yarinsky performs this special type of blepharoplasty to create or enhance a “double eyelid,” which can provide the larger eye appearance many people desire. This procedure includes reshaping or removing excess fat and unique suture placement to produce the desired look.

What Is Eyelid Surgery Recovery Like?

Sutures are usually removed within a week after eyelid surgery. Bruising and light sensitivity typically last 1 to 2 weeks, with swelling improving between 2 to 4 weeks. Mild residual swelling may last several months. Recovery after eyelid surgery is not usually very painful, and the mild discomfort is alleviated with oral medication. Makeup can be applied to cover up bruising once the sutures are removed, and you can wear contact lenses typically after 3 weeks, or whenever you feel comfortable. You should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 4 weeks.

Like most cosmetic surgeries, you should reach the 90% point of the end result at 6 weeks.

What Will My Eyelid Surgery Scars Look Like?

Scarring from eyelid surgery is typically minimal. While the incision line scars will be visible after surgery, they should continue to fade as they heal. Dr. Yarinsky carefully places eyelid surgery incisions in inconspicuous areas, ensuring they blend seamlessly into the natural creases and crow’s feet lines around the eyes. For lower eyelid surgery, the incisions are easy to conceal as they are located just below the lash line in a natural crease.

When Will I See My Eyelid Surgery Results?

Although the complete recovery process after eyelid surgery can take up to a year, the 90% point of the end result is usually seen at 6 weeks. In that time, bruising and residual swelling from surgery will dissipate and your end results will begin to gradually show. Keep in mind, however, that eyelid surgery will produce varying results for each individual patient as everyone has different healing potential and anatomy. Because of the unique nature of this surgery, the recovery process, and the time when the final results are seen varies from one person to the next. Dr. Yarinsky will be able to provide you with a more accurate recovery timetable at your initial consultation and when observing how you heal at your after-surgery follow-up visits.

What Are Potential Complications from Eyelid Surgery?

The specific risks and the suitability of eyelid surgery for you will be outlined only at the time of your consultation with Dr. Yarinsky. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual. In rare cases, patients may find it hard to keep their eyes closed when they sleep, and some may experience more visible scars during the healing and recovery process. Temporary dry eyes treated with lubricating eye drops and nighttime lubricating ointment are common and there may be changes in vision which require a change in your contact lens or glasses prescription.

Most people are happy with their results even a few weeks after surgery but no specific result can be guaranteed.

Can I Get an Eyelid Lift Without Surgery?

Although a surgical eyelid lift is the most effective way to significantly improve signs of aging in the eye area, patients not interested in surgery for drooping or sagging eyelids can seek out non-surgical alternatives. Some of the most beneficial eyelid surgery alternatives include cosmetic injectables, which can subtly tighten and recontour loose or excess skin that has developed on the eyelids. Our practice offers dermal fillers, like JUVÉDERM^®, Radiesse^®, and Restylane^®, as well as neurotoxins like BOTOX^® Cosmetic and Xeomin^®, which can smooth wrinkles by relaxing muscles and can raise the eyebrows which decreases the appearance of upper lid hooding. For those looking for non-invasive methods to remedy excess or loose skin around the eyelids, Ultherapy^® and the Endermologie^® Endermolift can both lift targeted areas of the skin that have lost stability over time, including your eyelids, by encouraging new collagen formation.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?

The cost of either upper or lower eyelid surgery typically begins at $3,500 for the surgeon’s fee. Since several factors go into the details of a patient’s eyelid surgery, there is not one fixed cost for the procedure. You will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Yarinsky to receive a detailed personalized quote for your custom eyelid surgery. This quote will also detail the associated fees involved, such as anesthesia and surgical facility costs. If you are interested in smaller, more manageable monthly payments, our patient care coordinators will provide you with plastic surgery financing options at your visit.

Complementary Procedures

Consider combining eyelid lift surgery with other rejuvenating procedures like a forehead lift, facelift, or laser skin resurfacing. By doing multiple procedures together on the same day, patients can enhance their final outcome, achieving a more noticeable rejuvenated appearance at a lower overall combination cost.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is the Best Age to Get an Eyelid Lift? 

While there is no “best age” to get an eyelid lift, most patients are typically 40 and older. The natural aging process contributes to the appearance of excess skin hanging from the upper lid and more visible lower lid fat pads or “bags” resulting in a tired look. However, there can be hereditary and congenital upper lid excess skin and lower lid fat pads in some 20- and 30-year-old patients. So instead of basing candidacy strictly on a patient’s age, Dr. Yarinsky will examine a patient’s anatomy to determine if eyelid surgery will help them improve their appearance.

Can Eyelid Surgery Improve My Vision? 

In severe cases of upper eyelid sagging, due to the “window shade” effect, a patient’s vision may become obstructed. For these individuals, upper lid blepharoplasty can help by removing the excess skin to ultimately improve their upper field of view. During the recovery period, some patients may have temporary vision changes, such as dryness, itchiness, and blurry vision due to swelling and antibiotic ointment. If present, those conditions typically subside over the first month as your eyes heal. Those patients who have preexisting dry eyes may find that their condition temporarily worsens with eyelid lifts. Some patients find that their eyeglass prescription changes after eyelid lifts.

Do I Need a Brow Lift or Eyelid Surgery? 

While both eyelid surgery and brow lift surgery can enhance one’s facial appearance, the two procedures differ in what they treat. Both offer their own facial cosmetic advantages at specific targeted areas, such as:

Eyelid Surgery 

• Lifts saggy, heavy eyelids 
• Alleviates obstructed vision from sagging eyelids 
• Minimizes under-eye bags 
• Creates a more rejuvenated eye appearance 
• Lifts drooping eyebrows 
• Reduces wrinkles and creases around the brows and forehead 
• Creates a more pleasingly arched eyebrow shape 
• Repositions eyebrows for a more alert, youthful look 

Brow Lift 
If you’re unsure which procedure is right for you or if you may benefit from both, contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Yarinsky.

How Long Does Swelling Last After Eyelid Surgery? 

Immediately after eyelid surgery, it is normal to experience some degree of swelling in the eye area. While the extent of this may vary from patient to patient, the majority of the post-operative swelling typically subsides within a couple of weeks as your body recovers. To speed the process along and reduce puffiness, applying ice packs and cold compresses for the first week or so after surgery can be beneficial as prescribed in your written and verbal post-operative instructions.  

Schedule Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation

If you want to know more about eyelid lift surgery or believe you could benefit from the procedure, contact us today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Yarinsky!