The eyes are one of your most important features. They display expression and help you connect with the world, and they also contribute significantly to your overall appearance. However, as we age, the eyes can begin to lose their sparkle. Signs of aging such as droopy lids, fine lines, wrinkles, and under-eye bags can distract from the beauty and power of this important feature.
Plastic surgeons Dr. Andrew Miller and Dr. Elliot Heller have years of experience helping patients achieve a more youthful appearance through their beautifully performed eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty). If you’re interested in restoring liveliness and brightness to your eyes, we invite you to call our office to schedule your complimentary consultation.
About Eyelid Surgery
There’s a reason why the eyelid lift is one of the top three plastic surgeries performed in the U.S. every year. Patients love their new appearance, which is more refreshed and youthful. An eyelid lift actually refers to two different procedures: an upper eyelid lift, and a lower eyelid lift. These can be done either alone or together, but typically the best results are achieved when they are combined.
Upper eyelid surgery
Eyelid surgery for the upper eyelids is designed to remove heavy, excess skin from the upper eyelids that is making your eyes appear aged (and may also be impairing your vision).
Lower eyelid surgery
Eyelid surgery for the lower eyelids is designed to remove unattractive bags (pockets of fat) from under the eyes in order to reduce shadowing and heaviness under the eyes, as well as “pulled down” lower eyelids.
Is eyelid surgery covered by health insurance?
Eyelid surgery isn’t typically covered by health insurance, as it’s considered a cosmetic procedure. However, if sagging eyelid skin is obstructing your vision, you may want to check with your health insurance provider to see if they cover a portion of the procedure.
Is there an average age to get an eyelid lift?
No, there is no set age to undergo an eyelid lift. No matter how old you are, if your eyelids or eye areas are bothering you, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation to see if you could benefit from this procedure.
Eyelid Surgery Before & Afters
Recovery
Recovery time following blepharoplasty is minimal, with most of our eyelid surgery patients resuming work within the week. (Recovery might be slightly longer if multiple procedures were performed.) Minor bruising and swelling following surgery is normal, and your eyelids may feel tight at first. Generally, patients do not experience much pain, but there may be some soreness and discomfort. The pain medication prescribed by our facial plastic surgeon should help alleviate these symptoms if they occur.
However, many of our blepharoplasty patients find they do not even need to take the medication. During recovery, we recommend avoiding high intensity exercise, any activity that strains the eyes, and wearing contact lenses. It’s also important to wear dark sunglasses if going outside, and keep your head elevated as much as possible. Eyelid surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that there’s no need to stay overnight in the hospital. We do recommend making arrangements for someone to drive you home after your surgery, and it may be advisable to have someone on hand to help out around the house for the first day or so while you rest your eyes and recover.
Are there possible risks?
As with any surgery, there are risks associated. If you’re concerned about any of the following risks from eyelid surgery, please bring them up during your consultation in our plastic surgery office. Some of the risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Dry or irritated eyes
- Injury to the eye muscles
- Skin discoloration
- Temporarily blurred vision
- Difficulty closing eyes
- Scarring
- Loss of eyesight (rare)
- Bad reaction to the anesthesia
- Blood clots
How much does eyelid surgery cost?
The cost of eyelid surgery is different for every patient, but in general, it’s between $3,000 and $4,500 for upper eyelid surgery and between $2,500 and $4,500 for lower eyelid surgery. If the two procedures are being combined, or if they are being performed in conjunction with another procedure, this will affect the final cost.
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View GalleryWhy choose Assosciates in Plastic Surgery?
The experienced, professional staff at Associates in Plastic Surgery is dedicated to the well-being of each and every patient. Our board-certified cosmetic surgeons and anesthesiologists are focused on providing an exceptional patient experience, and our nurse practitioners and certified registered nurses help you with pre- and post-operative care.
We take great pride in staying up-to-date on the latest surgical techniques in eyelid surgery. Our elite surgeons specialize in revitalization of the eye through eyelid surgery to deliver youthful, natural-looking results, and our state-of-the-art surgical centers offer a modern environment in which you can relax, confident that your procedure is in the best hands.
