Look Younger. See Better.

Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that removes excess skin and fatty deposits that hood the upper eyelids, as well as repositions excess muscle and periorbital fat to give the eyes a more energetic, youthful appearance. 

Yes. Eyelid surgery can be performed on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. 

You may want eyelid surgery if you have: 

• Excess skin obscuring the natural fold of your upper eyelids 
• Loose upper eyelid skin that impairs your vision 
• A puffy appearance to the upper or lower eyelids, making your eyes look tired and sad 
• Excess skin and fine, crepe paper-like lower eyelid wrinkles 
• Bags and dark circles under your eyes 
• Have deep grooves under your eyes 
• An eye surface too small or not smooth enough to apply makeup 

Upper eyelid surgery is often done along with a brow lift to open up the eyes. In some patients, the eyebrows may drop lower after upper eyelid surgery if the eyebrows are not lifted with a brow lift. Hyaluronic acid fillers, like Restylane and Juvéderm,  are a nonsurgical alternative to rejuvenate the appearance of the under eye area. 

Eyelid surgery cannot reverse sun damage to the skin or remove all  wrinkles around the eye area. For best results, you may want to treat the remaining wrinkles with injectables. 

During your consultation, Dr. Rosing will start by asking about your goals for the procedure and what specifically you would like to change about your appearance and why. Dr. Rosing will examine your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both and evaluate factors such as your underlying facial muscle structure, bone structure, and the symmetry of your eyebrows, Dr. Rosing will decide how much skin, muscle, and fat to remove to achieve your desired results. He will share before and after photographs of his work and set realistic expectations. He will also complete a full medical history, evaluate your current health, and make note of any prescriptions or supplements you take and whether you smoke. He will then review all of the possible risks of the surgery and a complete breakdown of the cost.  

Eyelid surgery can be performed via local anesthesia.  Intravenous sedation can be used to help you relax. 

Eyelid surgery is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure.  

Eyelid surgery can be performed on your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. Dr. Rosing will make precise markings to indicate where excess tissues will be removed from your upper eyelids and lower eyelids. He will make an incision hidden within the natural fold of your upper eyelid. In the lower eyelid, the incision will be hidden just below the lower lashes. Dr. Rosing will remove tissue through these incisions using surgical instruments, including scalpels, surgical scissors, and radiofrequency cutting devices. Lasers may be used to remove this excess tissue to reduce swelling and bruising. Alternatively, a transconjunctival incision (inside the lower eyelid) will be used to remove excess fat to improve lower eyelid bags and puffiness. Lasers can also be used to enhance the procedure by resurfacing skin and smoothing wrinkles in the eyelid and eyebrow area. Dr. Rosing will use sutures or tissue adhesives (glue) to smooth and reconfigure areas around the eyebrows and eyelids. Sutures will be invisible to the eye and are commonly self-dissolving. In most cases, there is virtually no detectable scar. 

On average, eyelid surgery takes 1-2 hours. The length of the surgery depends on the complexity of the procedure. 

For some people, results of eyelid surgery may last a lifetime. For others, droopy eyelids may recur. Proper use of sunscreen every day and a consistent skin care routine will prolong results. 

You’ll likely be bruised and swollen, and your eyes may be itchy and dry following the procedure. Dr. Rosing will discuss your options to manage pain. He may also prescribe eye drops or ointments to aid your recovery. You will need to use ice packs on your eyes for 10 minutes every hour the night after surgery to reduce swelling. The day after surgery, you will need to use ice packs 4-5 times throughout the day. You will also need to sleep with your head elevated for a few days. Any sutures will be removed one week after surgery. 

Most patients can expect to return to normal activities 1-2 day after eyelid surgery. Bruising and swelling generally subside in 10-14 days. Scars will continue to fade over several months. 

It is important to avoid any form of nicotine for at least 3-4 weeks before and after surgery. Nicotine, in any form, can increase the risk for skin and tissue death and will delay your eye’s healing process and worsen scarring. You must also avoid vigorous activity or exercise for one week. If you use contact lenses, do not wear them for two weeks post surgery. Avoid rubbing your eyes, and wear sunglasses to protect the skin of your eyelids from the sun. 

Problems that may be caused by eyelid surgery include: 

• Infection and bleeding 
• Dry, irritated eyes 
• Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems 
• Noticeable scarring 
• Injury to eye muscles 
• Skin discoloration 
• The need for a follow-up surgery 
• Temporarily blurred vision or, rarely, loss of eyesight 
• Risks associated with surgery in general, including reaction to anesthesia and blood clots 

Complications are rare and are often easily solved by Dr. Rosing if you notify us. Call us if you experience any of the following: a temperature of 101 or higher, increased local redness or warmth, chest pain, shortness of breath, legs swelling, calf pain, or if you have any other concerns. 

It depends. Insurance will likely cover surgery to repair a condition that impairs vision. However, if the surgery is only to improve your appearance, the cost probably won't be covered by insurance. It is important to find out the total costs of the procedure, which includes Dr. Rosing’s fees along with fees for the operating facility, anesthesia, medicines, follow-up care, office visits, and other services. Make sure you ask your health insurance company about its policies and whether having eyelid surgery will affect your coverage in any way. Some insurance companies may raise your premiums after you get cosmetic surgery, and, in some instances, getting eyelid surgery affects future coverage. If your plan won’t cover treatment for any complications from cosmetic surgery, you may want to consider getting a supplemental insurance policy.