Blepharoplasty

Restore a more refreshed appearance with blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and reshapes or repositions fat in the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both to create a more youthful, refreshed appearance. Many patients seek blepharoplasty because they feel their eyes make them look tired, aged, or less energetic than they feel. By addressing sagging skin, puffiness, under-eye bags, and volume changes around the eyes, blepharoplasty can restore a brighter, more rested appearance while enhancing the natural beauty of the eyes.

Blepharoplasty is highly customized to each patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. Depending on the individual’s concerns, treatment may involve removing excess skin, removing or repositioning fat, tightening tissues, or restoring lost volume around the eyes. Upper eyelid incisions are typically hidden within the natural eyelid crease, while lower eyelid incisions can often be concealed beneath the lash line or inside the eyelid. In some cases, lower eyelid rejuvenation may be enhanced with laser skin tightening techniques. Blepharoplasty is frequently combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, such as a brow lift, to achieve more comprehensive and harmonious results. Recovery varies based on the extent of surgery, and patients receive detailed guidance on post-operative care to help support healing and optimize their outcome.

Blepharoplasty Benefits

Blepharoplasty can restore a brighter, more youthful appearance by improving excess skin, puffiness, and under-eye bags. Because the eyes are one of the most noticeable facial features, even subtle improvements can make patients appear more rested, refreshed, and alert while maintaining a natural look. In addition to cosmetic benefits, upper eyelid surgery may improve peripheral vision when excess skin obstructs the visual field. The procedure provides long-lasting results and can enhance overall facial harmony by creating smoother, more defined eyelid contours.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

Good candidates for blepharoplasty are individuals who are bothered by drooping upper eyelids, excess eyelid skin, puffiness, or under-eye bags. While many patients seek treatment due to age-related changes, younger individuals with hereditary eyelid fullness may also benefit from the procedure. Candidates should be in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and desire improvement in the appearance of their eyes and surrounding facial features. A consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon can help determine whether blepharoplasty is the most appropriate treatment option.

Blepharoplasty Before & Afters

Upper Blepharoplasty vs Lower Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, depending on the specific concerns being addressed. Upper blepharoplasty focuses on removing excess skin and, when necessary, repositioning or removing excess fat that can create a heavy, hooded appearance. Many patients seek upper eyelid surgery because drooping skin can make them look tired, older, or in some cases interfere with their field of vision. The procedure creates a more open, refreshed appearance while maintaining the natural shape and character of the eyes.

Lower blepharoplasty is designed to improve under-eye bags, puffiness, excess skin, and age-related changes beneath the eyes. Depending on the patient’s anatomy, the procedure may involve removing or repositioning fat, tightening skin, and improving the transition between the lower eyelid and cheek. Some patients require only upper or lower eyelid surgery, while others benefit from combining both procedures to achieve more comprehensive rejuvenation and a balanced, youthful appearance around the eyes.

Blepharoplasty Videos

Your Initial Blepharoplasty Consultation

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss your concerns, review your medical history, and perform a detailed evaluation of your eyelids and surrounding facial anatomy. Factors such as skin elasticity, fat distribution, eyelid position, and overall facial balance are carefully assessed to create a personalized treatment plan. This appointment also provides an opportunity to review procedure options, discuss expected results, learn about recovery, and ask questions. Clear communication during the consultation helps ensure that your goals and expectations align with the recommended surgical approach.

Blepharoplasty Pre-Procedure Preparation

Prior to surgery, patients receive detailed instructions designed to promote safety and optimize healing. This may include temporarily avoiding certain medications, stopping smoking, completing medical evaluations, and arranging transportation home after the procedure. Preparing your recovery space in advance and following all pre-operative guidelines can help make the surgical experience smoother and more comfortable. Careful preparation plays an important role in achieving a successful outcome.

Blepharoplasty Recovery

Recovery following blepharoplasty is generally well tolerated, with most patients experiencing temporary swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort during the first one to two weeks. Cold compresses, head elevation, and following post-operative instructions can help minimize these symptoms and support healing. Many patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities within seven to fourteen days, although healing varies by individual. As swelling continues to improve, the results become increasingly visible and refined over time.

Blepharoplasty Results

Blepharoplasty can create a more refreshed, youthful, and rested appearance by reducing excess skin, under-eye bags, and puffiness. The procedure enhances the natural contours of the eyes while preserving facial expression and individuality. While the aging process continues naturally, the improvements achieved through blepharoplasty are long-lasting. Most patients enjoy their results for many years and appreciate the positive impact the procedure can have on their overall facial appearance.

Blepharoplasty Risks and Safety

As with any surgical procedure, blepharoplasty carries potential risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, dry eyes, or delayed healing. Serious complications are uncommon when the procedure is performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. A thorough consultation, careful surgical planning, and adherence to post-operative instructions help minimize risks and support a safe recovery. Understanding the benefits and potential risks allows patients to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Combining Blepharoplasty with Other Facial Procedures

Blepharoplasty is frequently combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures to address multiple signs of aging and create more balanced, comprehensive results. While eyelid surgery effectively improves excess skin, puffiness, and under-eye bags, it does not address concerns such as brow descent, facial volume loss, skin texture, or sagging in the lower face and neck. Combining procedures allows patients to achieve more complete facial rejuvenation while maintaining natural-looking results. Common procedures performed alongside blepharoplasty include brow lift surgery to elevate a low or heavy brow, facelift and neck lift surgery to improve facial and neck laxity, facial fat transfer to restore lost volume, and laser skin resurfacing to improve skin tone and texture. Injectable treatments may also be used to enhance results and address fine lines or volume deficiencies. By treating multiple areas during a single surgical plan, patients can often achieve greater overall facial harmony while benefiting from a single recovery period.

Facilities & Hospital Affiliations

Our surgeons have hospital privileges at Montefiore Medical Center, Jacobi Medical Center, Westchester Medical Center, Montefiore New Rochelle and New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. They also perform procedures in their fully accredited operating room in Harrison, NY.

Our state of the art facility is professionally designed and decorated for your comfort. We are always interested to know if there is anything we can do to enhance your experience. We appreciate your suggestions and pledge to work as a team to make your time here a rewarding experience.

Montefiore Medical Center
Jacobi Medical Center
Westchester Medical Center
Montefiore New Rochelle
New York Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital

Accreditation and Associations

We maintain an AAAASF accredited surgical suite, equipped like a hospital operating room with the privacy and ease of an office setting, offering full general anesthesia for more complex procedures as well as sedation and local anesthesia for other procedures. We enjoy a strong relationship with some of the finest hospitals in the area, offering overnight and extended post-operative stays if medically advisable. This is ideal for our out of town patients, those with little post-operative help, or those desiring a more private recovery. We can also arrange your stay at a variety of hotels within minutes of our facility and arrange an overnight “sitter” if desired.