The Eyelid Surgery Procedure
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is a plastic surgery procedure that can improve the appearance of aging around the eyes, namely droopy upper eyelids and puffy undereye bags. The eyelid lift surgery restores a more youthful and refreshed appearance to the eye area by removing excess muscle or excess skin and fat from the target areas, whether the upper eyelids or lower eyelids. At Donath Facial Plastic Surgery, we provide patients natural-looking results from our specialized eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) in Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, areas.
- The Eyelid Surgery Procedure
- Eyelid Surgery Before-and-After Photos
- Procedure Summary
- What is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?
- Candidates
- Eyelid Surgery Consultation in Cincinnati, OH
- The Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Process
- Eyelid Surgery Recovery
- About Donath Facial Plastic Surgery
- Eyelid Surgery FAQs
- Schedule your Cincinnati Eyelid Surgery Today
Eyelid Surgery Before-and-After Photos
Procedure Summary
| What is the pain level after surgery | Mild to moderate |
| Anesthesia Type (if applicable) | Twilight (IV Sedation) |
| Duration of Surgery | Approximately 1-2 hours |
| Where will scarring for this procedure be | Hidden along the natural crease of the upper eyelids |
| Timeframe to begin showing final results | Typically 2 weeks |
| When is the patient able to return to regular activities | 1 week for most activites |
| When is the patient able to resume exercise | 2 weeks |
| Cost of Surgeon’s fee | $3,000-$7,000 |
What is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?
Blepharoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the appearance of puffy lower eyelid bags and drooping of the upper eyelids to restore a more youthful and refreshed appearance. With that being said, two types of blepharoplasty are available at our Cincinnati practice, and those are lower blepharoplasty and upper eyelid surgery. During the surgery, excess skin and fat or muscle are removed from the patient’s upper and/or lower eyelids.
Candidates
If you are looking to improve the appearance of puffy lower eyelid bags and/or drooping of the upper eyelids and are physically healthy and realistic in your expectations, then blepharoplasty may be right for you. A candidate must understand that the surgery will not affect dark circles, sagging of the eyebrows, or wrinkles around the lines.
As with other types of cosmetic surgery, patients must also be realistic in their expectations for the outcome and be in good health. Patients should also understand the limitation of blepharoplasty surgery. Special considerations may need to be made for individuals with circulatory, ophthalmologic, or other serious medical conditions. During your consultation, Dr. Donath will help you to decide if you are the right candidate for blepharoplasty.
Eyelid Surgery Consultation in Cincinnati, OH
During the consultation for blepharoplasty, Dr. Donath will meet with you to examine your eyes, discuss your goals, and take a thorough medical history. If you have certain medical conditions like circulatory or ophthalmologic problems, special considerations may need to be made.
Dr. Donath will also weigh other factors like your age, skin type, and your attitude toward surgery to determine if blepharoplasty is right for you. He will go over the recommended technique, the anesthesia, the surgical facility, the risks, and the costs.
Any questions or concerns that you may have will also be discussed. If necessary, Dr. Donath may recommend complementary surgery, such as a brow lift or skin resurfacing, to help you achieve your desired look.
Call today to schedule your consultation
The Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Process
Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia may be used for the blepharoplasty surgery. Dr. Donath will begin by making the incisions which will be located along the natural lines and creases of the upper eyelids and the lash line and smile creases of the lower eyelids.
Working through the incisions, excess skin and fat or muscle will be removed and fine sutures will be used to close the incisions. A bandage may be applied to the eyelids once the surgery is complete.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty may be performed on patients with just eyelid puffiness caused by excess fat. For this procedure, the incisions are made on the inside of the lower eyelids and excess fatty tissue is removed. Surgical times for blepharoplasty will vary and can run anywhere from one to three hours.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Patients may experience some soreness and tightness of the eyelids which can be managed with prescription medication. Dryness, itching, burning, tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurred or double vision may also occur during the first week.
Some swelling and bruising can be expected and can be reduced by applying cold compresses and elevating the head for the first few days after surgery. You will also be required to apply an ointment to the eye area to help prevent dryness and eye drops may be recommended as well.
Traditional stitches are removed within three to five days while self-absorbing stitches will dissolve on their own and need not be removed. The incisions are typically placed to allow the resulting scars to be as inconspicuous as possible. Most patients can return to work within five to ten days after undergoing blepharoplasty, though rigorous activities will be prohibited for several weeks.
About Donath Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Alexander S. Donath is a renowned facial plastic surgeon who has gained an international reputation for excellence in facial cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures. Dr. Donath has also earned the respect of fellow physicians, having been nominated as a Top Doctor in Cincinnati Magazine and by Castle Connolly for many consecutive years, is a national trainer of other physicians for both Galderma and Allergan, and is a frequent guest on multiple media outlets to present the public with the most recent facial aesthetic techniques.
Dr. Donath completed a rigorous five-year residency training program in all aspects of Head and Neck Surgery at St. Louis University, including extensive experience in Facial Plastic Surgery. During this residency, he was fortunate to learn the latest techniques in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery from the Harvard-trained Facial Plastic Surgery faculty. He additionally spent time studying at Harvard Medical School with the Director of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Mack Cheney, gaining invaluable insights on a multitude of procedures while working with Dr. Cheney and his team directly in the operating room at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. Dr. Donath is also involved with many charitable organizations.
Related articles
- What Is the Best treatment for Under Eye Wrinkles
- The importance of avoiding lower eyelid malpositioning.
- I have very deep noticeable circles under my eyes. I would like blepharoplasty to remove them.
- I am a 44-year-old Asian woman with heavy bags under my eyes.
- I am fair skinned with blue eyes and have very dark bags under my eyes.
Eyelid Surgery FAQs
Eyelid lift costs vary and are dependent on the patient’s goals and treatment plan. Other treatments may be combined with the eyelid lift, such as an eyebrow or forehead cosmetic procedure. The price is provided after the consultation along with payment options and affordable plans.
Because this type of eyelid rejuvenation treatment is cosmetic surgery, it typically isn’t covered by insurance.
Eye lift surgery may be performed with local anesthesia and sedation or with general anesthesia.
Dr. Donath begins the blepharoplasty surgery by making incisions. During upper eyelid surgery, incisions are located along the natural lines and creases. For lower eyelid surgery, these may be located along the lash line and smile creases. Once the incisions are made, he will remove excess fat, muscle, and loose skin. The incisions will then be closed with fine sutures. Patients who have just eyelid puffiness caused by excess fat may be candidates for transconjunctival blepharoplasty in which excess fatty tissue is removed through an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid.
The incisions are made along the natural lines and creases of the upper eyelid(s) and the lash line and smile creases of the lower eyelid(s). For transconjunctival blepharoplasty, the incisions are made on the inside of the lower eyelids.
For traditional blepharoplasty, the incisions are located in such a way to be as inconspicuous as possible. For transconjunctival blepharoplasty, the incisions are made on the inside of the lower eyelids and leave no visible scarring.
Does eyelid surgery hurt?
Patients may experience some soreness and tightness of the eyelids along with some temporary tearing and burning. Prescription medication can help to alleviate discomfort.
What is the recovery from blepharoplasty like?
Some soreness and tightness of the eyelids may occur after surgery along with temporary dryness, itching, burning, tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurred or double vision. Discomfort can be managed with prescription pain medication. Swelling and bruising may occur and can be relieved with cold compresses and keeping the head elevated. An ointment will need to be regularly applied to the eye area for a period of time to help prevent dryness.
When can I go back to work after a blepharoplasty procedure?
Work and most other normal activities can usually be resumed about five to ten days after the blepharoplasty surgery.
Schedule your Cincinnati Eyelid Surgery Today
If your eyes are giving off that tired appearance or seem to age you, contact us today to see if you quality for an eyelid surgery in our Cincinnati, OH practice. Call 513-891-5438 today or fill out our online contact form.
Related procedures: Otoplasty, Facelift, Brow lift, Mini Facelift, Rhinoplasty, Revision Rhinoplasty