San Jose Morgan Hill in San Jose & Palo Alto, CA
A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is done to awaken tired-looking eyes and give them a more rejuvenated, and even “happier,” overall look. The upper eyelid surgery is a procedure to lift saggy skin, while the lower eyelid surgery is to remove under-eye bags or remove excess skin. Whether you want to improve your appearance or are experiencing functional problems with your eyelids, eyelid surgery may be done on the upper lids, lower lids, or both in a single surgery.
45-180 Minutes
5-7 days
1
Outpatient
Blepharoplasty may be an option when excess eyelid skin or under-eye bags are concerns you’d like to address. Good candidates are generally healthy nonsmokers who have realistic expectations and no uncontrolled conditions that could interfere with healing. Your surgeon will assess your eyelids and the surrounding facial anatomy to determine whether eyelid surgery is an appropriate approach.
Your eye health is an important part of that assessment. Let your surgeon know about dry eyes, glaucoma, previous eye surgery, or any changes in your vision. Bring a current medication list, too. These details help your surgeon evaluate the risks and decide whether you need an additional eye examination before moving forward.
Before surgery, you’ll review your medical history and medications with your care team. You may need laboratory testing or a medical evaluation, depending on your health and surgical plan. Follow your surgeon’s instructions about smoking and any medications or supplements that could increase bleeding. Never stop a prescribed medication without guidance from your surgeon and the clinician who prescribed it.
Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night. It also helps to plan time away from work and responsibilities that involve lifting or strenuous activity. Ask your surgeon how much time to allow for your particular procedure, especially if you’re having both upper and lower eyelid surgery or combining it with another treatment.
Eyelid surgery can create a more rested appearance by addressing the skin and fat that affect the contours around your eyes. Depending on your needs, the benefits may include:
The expected improvement depends on what’s causing your concern. Your surgeon will explain which changes blepharoplasty can make and where another approach may be more appropriate.
A blepharoplasty is performed to refresh the eye area by targeting excess skin and fat of the eyelids. This addresses eyelid drooping as well as lower eye bags and areas of volume loss. Either the upper or lower eyelid can be addressed in isolation, or both can be treated simultaneously. For the upper eyelid the incision is concealed in the natural skin crease of the upper eyelid. For the lower eyelid, the incision is either concealed on the inside of the eyelid or below the lashes.
With a blepharoplasty San Jose or Palo Alto Illuminate patients are treated at our QUAD A-accredited surgical facilities under twilight sleep or general anesthesia, and the upper eyelids alone can be treated in the clinic under local anesthesia. The duration of the procedure can vary between 45 minutes to 3 hours, depending on whether you are undergoing the procedure for the upper or lower eyelids, or both simultaneously.
The incision lines for the upper eyelids are typically placed on the natural creases of the eyelids, known as the supratarsal fold. After the incisions are made, excess skin and fat are removed, and a section of the orbicularis oculi muscle around the eyelids may be excised to enhance the depth of the lid crease. For the lower eyelids, the incisions can either be blacked under the lower lash line, or within the eyelid itself. During the procedure, excess skin and fat in the lower eyelid are removed and redistributed to enhance the smooth transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek, known as the lid-cheek junction or tear-trough. Additionally, the lower eyelid can be tightened to address any laxity in the area.
Recovery is generally mild and a majority of the swelling subsides within two weeks from the day of surgery. Initial discomfort may include some irritation, bruising, swelling, or dry eyes. Typically, the stitches can be removed approximately one week after the procedure. You can usually resume work within three to seven days after the procedure, although it is important to refrain from engaging in strenuous activity or exercise for a minimum of three weeks. We recommend that you refrain from wearing eye makeup or contact lenses for two weeks post-procedure.
Because the skin of the eyelid is thinner than other areas of the face, the eyes tend to show the first signs of aging. In many cases, eyelid surgery is performed for cosmetic reasons. In some cases, upper eyelid surgery is performed for functional reasons to lift tissue that may droop over time due to genetics and/or age, which can obstruct peripheral vision. The most common reason for eyelid surgery is to offer patients a more youthful look. With upper eyelid surgery Palo Alto or San Jose patients can correct eyelids that are hooded or droopy, while lower eyelid surgery eliminates under-eye bags, replenishes under eye hollows, and removes excess skin.
After two weeks a majority of the swelling has decreased and most patients are ready to return to their daily activities, while it takes closer to 12 weeks for the eyelids to heal. This residual healing is normally unnoticed by others, so you’ll feel confident to show off your new, youthful-looking eyes after just two weeks.
At your consultation, we'll design a personalized surgical plan around your needs and walk you through every option available. Because Blepharoplasty can be performed using several different techniques — each varying in operative time and complexity — pricing is unique to each patient.
Our surgeons take the time at your consultation to thoroughly explain the various surgical techniques they recommend to achieve your personal, desired outcome with the most natural-looking results. If you’d like to have your San Jose or Palo Alto blepharoplasty procedure done soon, but would like to apportion your payments over monthly increments over time, we offer financing options to our eligible patients. Many patients have also applied for credit cards with longer terms at 0% interest.
Illuminate Plastic Surgery offers blepharoplasty with an experienced surgical team that includes David Boudreault, MD, FACS; Laurence Berkowitz, MD; and Nishant Ganesh Kumar, MD. Dr. Boudreault and Dr. Berkowitz are board-certified plastic surgeons, while Dr. Kumar is an Aesthetic Fellowship-trained, American Board of Plastic Surgery board-eligible plastic surgeon. Each brings a detailed understanding of facial anatomy and surgical planning to upper and lower eyelid procedures.
Your consultation gives your surgeon time to understand what you’d like to change, examine the eyelids and surrounding anatomy, and explain which approach makes sense for you. That may involve the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss expected results, recovery, and the details of your surgical plan before deciding how you’d like to proceed.
You don’t need to arrive knowing which eyelid procedure is right for you. A consultation gives you time to explain what you’d like to change and learn about the options that fit your anatomy and goals. Schedule your blepharoplasty consultation with Illuminate Plastic Surgery in San Jose, Palo Alto, or Morgan Hill. Patients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area are welcome to contact our team for help arranging their visit.
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Incisions are placed to help the resulting scars blend with the eyelid’s natural contours. Upper eyelid incisions typically sit within the crease. Lower eyelid incisions may be placed just beneath the lashes or inside the eyelid, depending on the technique. An internal incision leaves no external skin scar, while external incisions leave scars that usually become less noticeable as they heal.
Blepharoplasty results are generally long-lasting, although surgery doesn’t stop the aging process. Your skin and surrounding tissues will continue to change over time, and some patients eventually consider another procedure. Sun protection and following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions can help protect your results. There isn’t one timeline that applies to everyone.
It may improve shadows caused by under-eye bags or uneven contours, but it won’t necessarily correct darker skin pigmentation. Dark circles can have several causes, including skin changes, visible blood vessels, and shadows beneath the eyes. An examination helps determine whether lower eyelid surgery is likely to help or whether a skin-focused treatment would better address the concern.
Blepharoplasty addresses excess skin and fat in the eyelids, while a brow lift raises a lowered eyebrow position. A drooping brow can contribute to upper eyelid hooding, so your surgeon will evaluate both areas. Sometimes a combination is appropriate. If the eyelid edge itself sits too low because of a problem with the lifting mechanism, a separate procedure called ptosis repair may be needed.
Risks include bleeding, infection, dry eyes, noticeable scarring, and difficulty closing the eyes. Changes in lower eyelid position or the need for revision surgery are also possible. Serious vision complications are rare but can occur. Your surgeon will discuss your individual risks before surgery. Sudden vision changes or severe new eye pain afterward require immediate medical attention.
Eyelid surgery performed solely to improve appearance is generally not covered by insurance.
At Illuminate we’re with you during every step of your journey toward greater self-confidence. Schedule a consultation with us today and let Illuminate’s expert team listen to your concerns and guide you through treatments and procedures to help you reach your individual goals. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating your renewed appearance and realized potential.
