Blepharoplasty Surgery (Eyelid Surgery)

Over one hundred thousand people a year elect to have eyelid surgery. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a common surgical procedure to remove fat and excess skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can fix drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes - visible features that can make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision.

A consultation with Alan Bienstock, MD, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon can help you decide whether any additional / complementary surgery would increase the success of your blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgery. Your plastic surgeon might recommend planning an immediate forehead lift to correct a drooping brow and smooth the forehead, or skin resurfacing to remove the fine line wrinkling in the eye area.

You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you fall into one of these categories:

You have excess skin obscuring the natural fold of your upper eyelids.
You have loose skin hanging down from the upper eyelids, perhaps impairing vision.
There is a puffy appearance to you upper eyelids, making your eyes look tired.
You have excess skin on your lower eyelids.
You have bags and dark circles under your eyes, often with a depression along the bony border of the lower eyelids.
There is a droopiness to your lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye).

Frequently Asked Questions About Blepharoplasty

What is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?
Also known as surgery on the eyelid, blepharoplasty is an operative procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to provide a younger look to the eyes. It is achieved by the removal of excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. Fat of the lower eyes may be repositioned to prevent a "hollow eye" appearance following lower eyelid fat removal. The procedure may also enhance vision in situations where excess skin of the upper eyelids has sagged to the degree that it hinders with peripheral vision.

During Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery), what type of anesthesia is used?
The most typically used anesthesia Alan Bienstock, MD, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon uses during Blepharoplasty is local in conjunction with light intravenous sedation.

Are the results from this permanent?
Since the fat around the eyes will not regrow after being removed, the results of blepharoplasty are usually long lasting.

Does insurance cover the Blepharoplasty procedure?
Some insurance companies will cover Blepharoplasty procedures when excess skin is causing visual impairment, otherwise known as visual restriction. We recommend that each patient check with their own insurance company to fully understand what coverage they have available.

How long does recovery take?
There will be some bruising that will last from four to eight weeks, so you may want to postpone any social engagements. As a general rule of thumb, most patients return back to work within one to two weeks.

At what point are the stitches removed?
Three to five days following Blepharoplasty, the stitches will be removed.