Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills, CA

Overview

Eyelid surgery, also known as “blepharoplasty,” is a procedure that rejuvenates the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids. Loose skin that causes fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging is reduced, and fat deposits that cause puffiness and bags are reduced or repositioned. As the muscles and other tissues are tightened, the eyes attain a refreshed and invigorated appearance.

Blepharoplasty Benefits

More Youthful Appearance

Signs of aging are prominent around the eyes in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Blepharoplasty reduces excess skin and tightens loose tissue surrounding the eyes to produce firm, smooth skin with a more youthful appearance.

Brightens Tired Eyes

Loose skin and fat deposits can weigh down the eyelids and create a tired appearance even if a person is well rested. Excess fatty deposits can also create bags and puffiness around the eyes that contribute to a tired look. Eyelid surgery reduces excess skin and fat to rejuvenate the areas around the eyes and provide patients with a more rested and alert appearance.

Restores Impaired Vision

Excess fatty deposits and sagging skin on the upper eyelids can hang down and impair a person’s full range of vision. Upper eyelid surgery reduces this excess skin and fat so patients no longer have drooping eyelids impairing their vision.

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Good Candidates for Blepharoplasty

The best candidates for the procedure have sagging skin or fatty tissue on the upper or lower eyelids, bags under the eyes, visible puffiness, fine lines or wrinkles. This effective outpatient surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both upper and lower lids in the same procedure.

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Types of Eyelid Surgery

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Dr. Lee removes the excess tissue and skin immediately above the eye that weighs down the upper eyelid, causing it to droop. Simultaneously, he tightens the muscles to improve the eye’s ability to open more fully for a youthful appearance.  

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Lower eyelid surgery focuses on the skin and sometimes fat deposits just beneath the lower eyelid. By adjusting and removing tissue and/or fat in this area, Dr. Lee can minimize eye bags, dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness and droopy skin.  

Male Eyelid Surgery

Dr. Lee takes special care when performing eyelid surgery on male faces to avoid feminizing the face. He uses a modified approach when removing the skin and tissue around the eyes so that it does not disrupt the heavier brow line or voluminous facial muscles that are more common in men.

Ptosis Eyelid Surgery

This procedure specifically addresses a droopy eyelid (usually caused by factors other than aging) to improve the field of vision as well as the cosmetic appearance of the eye.

Ethnic Eyelid Surgery

Many Asian patients do not have a crease on their upper eyelid.  For those people who would like to add one, Dr. Lee can perform double eyelid surgery to create a crease that looks natural without altering any other ethnic features.

Revisional Eyelid Surgery

Patients who are displeased with the results of a previous eyelid surgery have extra incentive to find a skilled surgeon like Dr. Lee to correct existing issues in a way that looks more youthful, symmetrical and natural.

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Eyelid Surgery Costs

The price of blepharoplasty depends on the type of procedure being performed. After devising a surgical plan during a consultation, Dr. Lee can provide you with a complete quote so that you may make an informed decision. Patients who would like to make payments toward the total cost of the procedure may apply for financing through CareCredit, a leading medical lender.

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Testimonials

See what Dr. Lee’s real blepharoplasty patients have said:

 

“I had a double eyelid surgery with Dr. Lee two months ago and can’t be happier. My recovery was easy and quick. I love the look of my eyes — with makeup, they look gorgeous. Dr. Lee has amazing skills!”
– T.C.

“I first had incisional upper eyelid surgery elsewhere five years ago that made my eyes uneven and made me self-conscious and disappointed that I had the procedure in the first place. After researching online tireless, I came across Dr. Lee and booked a consultation. I wanted to look more awake so, so he gave me a very subtle, natural look that fits my face, and I could not be happier! So many people have complimented me and said that they can’t even tell that I had surgery.”
– A.T.

“Dr. Lee knows what he’s doing when it comes to eyelids. I let him know my concerns and desires and showed him some pictures. As long as you go over the changes you would like to see, he will tell you what’s possible. He goes above and beyond and is worth it. I am so very happy with my eyes now.”
– V.L.

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Eyelid Surgery FAQ

Where are the incisions placed for blepharoplasty?

The incision for upper eyelid surgery is placed within the natural crease of the eyelid so that no scar will be noticeable once it heals. The incision for lower eyelid surgery may be inconspicuously placed just below the lashes to reduce excess skin, or an incision hidden within the lower lid may be used to reduce and reposition tissue.

When can I return to work and normal activities after the procedure?

As with many other plastic surgery procedures, most patients are able to resume work and normal activities about ten days after eyelid surgery. Some swelling and bruising may persist for a couple of weeks, but cold compresses will help reduce these side effects.

How soon will I see the results of my eyelid surgery?

Results from blepharoplasty may be obscured at first due to swelling and bruising, but smooth, more youthful eyelids are generally visible within a few weeks after surgery. Incision lines will continue to improve over time and may take up to a year to fully refine.

How long will the results of blepharoplasty last?

Results from eyelid surgery can be long lasting as long as the patient maintains a healthy skincare regimen and protects the area from the sun. The skin and tissues around the eyes will continue to age naturally.

What causes tired-looking eyes?

Time-worn skin around the eyes can be caused by many factors. Lifestyle choices and behaviors such as smoking, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol and losing a significant amount of weight can contribute to tired-looking eyes. Other factors that are not in your control, such as allergies, your genetic predisposition to bags or puffiness, or normal effects of aging (e.g., volume loss, loss of skin elasticity) can also make your eyes appear perpetually tired.

Which is the better solution: blepharoplasty or brow lift?

It depends on your facial anatomy, the extent to which your features have aged and what you hope to achieve from treatment. If you are bothered by redundant fat in your upper and/or lower eyelids, but satisfied with the shape and position of your brows, blepharoplasty is probably the suitable choice. On the other hand, if your brow position is lower or heavier than you would like, and your eyelid skin is still smooth and taut, brow lift is probably more appropriate for your needs.

How can I ensure a natural-looking result?

If too much skin is removed during blepharoplasty, a number of problems may result, including an unnatural appearance, dry eye and even difficulty closing the eyes. This underscores why it is vital to work with a plastic surgeon who demonstrates exceptional surgical skill and aesthetic judgement. A surgeon who regularly performs blepharoplasty and stays up to date with the newest techniques can offer you better results than someone who only performs the occasional blepharoplasty procedure. Knowledgeable blepharoplasty surgeons look at the eye anatomy as a whole — considering the skin, underlying muscles and ligaments — and make subtle tweaks that do not look overdone or artificial.

Are there any alternatives to blepharoplasty?

Injections of dermal filler products such as Juvéderm Volbella, Juvéderm Vollure, Belotero, Bellafill, Perlane or Restylane can brighten your look.

Fillers instantly provide volume and “cushion” to the skin. This is very helpful when indentations below the lower eyelids, known as tear trough deformities, give the eyes a sunken look or cast shadows that appear as dark half-moons or circles under the eyes.

A few filler injections can smooth out tear trough deformities and erase the visible indentations in the skin. Dark circles will not be as noticeable and the skin will look plumper and healthier.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) or laser treatment can lighten discoloration from visible blood vessels under the eyes without damaging the surrounding blood vessels.  

In cases of fine lines and wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes, another type of injectables, called neuromodulators, can relax the muscle contractions that cause the wrinkles. Neuromodulators include Botox, Xeomin and Dysport.

In addition, trusted Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Charles S. Lee, MD is at the forefront of exciting new technologies such as radiofrequency (RF) energy and platelet rich plasma (PRP), which involves injecting stem cells and growth factors from your own blood into sagging, thinning skin to build volume and stimulate the production of both collagen and elastin.

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