Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery incisions are carefully placed to minimize the appearance of scarring. For an upper eyelid lift, we place incisions in the crease of the eyelid. When the eye is open, your incision will be practically invisible. For a lower eyelid procedure, incisions are placed either inside of the eyelid or just below the lash line.

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids. You may choose an upper eyelid lift for sagging upper eyelids or eyelids that block your vision, or a lower eyelid lift for bags under your eyes. Many patients choose both an upper and lower eyelid lift, as we regularly pair these together to minimize downtime and provide a complete rejuvenation and dramatic transformation.

The total cost of your procedure will depend on the extent of your surgery. Depending on if we treat the upper or lower eyelids, and whether you schedule other services at the same time, the total cost will vary. We’ll provide an estimate of your total expenses during your eyelid surgery consultation at Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery. Contact us to learn more.

Eyelid surgery pairs well with other facial rejuvenation treatments, including facelifts and brow lifts.Botox^® and fillers are also non-surgical treatments that may enhance your results.

You’ll need to take time off work to recover from eyelid surgery. There is typically at least one week of cosmetic downtime, during which you may wish to avoid being seen while you are healing. Patients with low-impact, office-type jobs usually take five to eight days off from work, or less if they can work from home for a few days. If you have a more strenuous job, talk with your surgeon to determine how much downtime you need.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery can address factors of the upper and lower eyelids that contribute to the appearance of aging. Upper eyelid surgery typically corrects tired, heavy lids that are a result of excess skin. Lower eyelid surgery may involve removal of excess fat that makes the eyes look puffy and/or loose skin.

For the upper eyelids, the scars typically fall within a patient’s natural upper eyelid crease. The scars along the lower lid vary from patient to patient, depending on what surgical approach is needed to correct their concerns. The scar may be hidden along the inside of the lower eyelid or be placed just below the lash line.

For the upper eyelids, most patients prefer to have the procedure performed in the comfort of our procedure room at the Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery clinic. Usually patients will take oral medication to help them relax after arriving at the office. Once this has taken effect, the eyelids are numbed with local anesthetic injections. Patients experience minimal to no discomfort during the procedure.

Lower eyelid surgeries are performed in the operating room with anesthesia for patient safety and comfort reasons. On the day of surgery, your surgeon will meet you in the preoperative area to review the surgical plan and your post-operative instructions. You will then be transported to the operating room where the procedure will take place.

Patients will typically need 7-10 days of “cosmetic downtime” prior to resuming public activities. During this time, they will likely have sutures in place and may have bruising and swelling. Patients may resume normal physical activities approximately 2 weeks after their procedure if they are healing as expected.

The goal of periorbital rejuvenation is to refresh a patient’s appearance without changing their unique features. The shape of your eyelids is a key beauty characteristic, and thus care is taken to ensure the shape of the eyelids is not changed after surgery.

Patients typically experience minimal pain following eyelid surgery. With proper rest, head elevation, and icing of the surgical site, patients report their recovery was easier than expected.

For either an upper or lower eyelid procedure, patients will need a driver. This ensures that you return home safely, as your eyelids may be swollen, making it difficult to see. In addition, you cannot safely drive after taking sedating medications.

Swelling and bruising can be expected following eyelid surgery. This typically improves over the first 7-10 days.

Eyelid surgery may exacerbate dry eyes. This is usually temporary, and most patients return to their baseline level of dry eyes once they have recovered from surgery.

The bags under your lower eyelids are likely due to herniated orbital fat. A lower blepharoplasty can be performed to remove this fat, making you look refreshed and more youthful.

Patients who have had PRK or LASIK need to wait at least 6 months before undergoing eyelid surgery to reduce the risk of complications, particularly the worsening of dry eye symptoms.

Some patients with significant excess skin of their upper eyelids and visual field testing that confirms obstructed peripheral vision may qualify for a functional upper blepharoplasty, which may be covered by insurance. At Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery, all eyelid procedures are done on a cosmetic basis and therefore no insurance claims are submitted.

Upper eyelid surgery results in a visible scar that is hidden along your pre-existing upper eyelid crease. Lower eyelid surgery is performed using various incisions depending on your anatomy and whether skin needs to be removed. Your surgeon will discuss the expected scars with you prior to surgery.

Patients may begin to return to normal activities approximately 2 weeks after surgery.

Patients may resume wearing contact lenses approximately 2 weeks after surgery.

Learn more about eyelid surgery by contacting Ann Arbor Plastic Surgery.