Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid Rejuvenation in Orange County, CA

Artful Approach, Natural Results

Closeup of a Woman Being Prepped For Eyelid Surgery Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can be a functional or cosmetic surgical procedure that reshapes the upper or lower eyelid by:

Removing excess fat, skin, and muscle
Repositioning tissue
Reinforcing surrounding muscles and tendons

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, eyelid surgery is one of the top 5 cosmetic surgical procedures done today with 207,000 procedures performed in the United States in 2014 alone.

Reasons for Eyelid Surgery

Smooth puffy eyes
Minimize bags under the eyes
Raise drooping, heavy eyelids and folds around the eye
Improve vision due to sagging eyelids
Reduce headaches from straining to keep the eyes open

How Eyelid Surgery is Performed

There are two different eyelift surgical procedures: upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) and lower eyelid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty). Depending on your needs, your Orange County eyelid surgeon may conduct one or both of these procedures.

The upper eyelid procedure consists of tiny incisions made along the natural folds of your skin, resulting in inconspicuous or even invisible scars. Excess skin, fatty tissue, and muscle are removed from your upper eyelid and the muscle around the eye is tightened if necessary.
Surgery on the lower eyelid removes fatty tissue by an incision made on the inside of the eyelid so no external scarring appears. Occasionally, with an excess of skin or muscle below the eye, a small incision is made just below the lower lash line.

Before Eyelid Surgery

The first consultation with your surgeon will help determine the procedures necessary to achieve your desired look. During this meeting, your vision and tear production will be tested and all medications, allergies, prior surgeries, and contact lens use will be discussed. Be sure to ask questions and feel comfortable with the plan you and your surgeon will agree upon.

Eyelid Surgery Day

On the day of surgery, arrive early to get checked in and settled. You will be given a local anesthetic and a mild sedative to help you relax if necessary. Once your surgeon has removed the excess fat, skin, and muscle in the upper and/or lower eyelids, he will close the incisions with very fine sutures. Surgery typically lasts from 1-3 hours, depending on the procedures needed.

After Eyelid Surgery

Be sure to have someone drive you home after surgery. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to assist in your healing process. You may experience some bruising and swelling for up to 2 weeks after the procedure. You should be able to watch television and read 2-3 days after the procedure. All of your pre and post-operative instructions will be reviewed and discussed with you at the time of your consultation.

Your surgeon will monitor your healing process closely for the first 2 weeks following your blepharoplasty. Sutures are removed during one of your post-operative appointments, typically after about 6-7 days. Healing is a gradual process and scars may remain pink for as long as 6 months after your procedure. Eventually, scars will fade into a thin, nearly invisible white line.

The decision to have blepharoplasty is an important one, so be sure to be well informed prior to any surgery. Consult with your Orange County cosmetic surgeon to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. The risks, benefits, and alternatives to any procedure will be discussed with you prior to deciding on if you would like to proceed with surgery.