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Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery that can reverse common signs of aging on the upper lid and lower eyelids for a more youthful look. The eyes are an essential focal feature of your face, and they help to communicate your thoughts, feelings, and intentions. Unfortunately, the sensitive eye area is also prone to premature signs of aging. Heavy, sagging eyelids can unintentionally convey that you are sad, tired, or older than your chronological age. Our Las Vegas, NV Blepharoplasty Surgery Specialists, can lift and tighten the skin of the upper eyelids and remove fat from the lower eyelids to refresh and rejuvenate your face. As Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, our doctors have the expertise to alleviate heavy lids and under-eye bags for a smoother, younger, natural-looking appearance. In addition, we offer consultations to help you make the best decision for your needs and goals. Contact our office today to learn more about eyelid surgery or schedule an appointment.

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures because it can successfully rejuvenate the eye area.1 Blepharoplasty can achieve many benefits, including:2,3

  • Reduced excess fatty tissue and puffiness
  • Fewer wrinkles and lines around the eyes
  • Smoother, firmer eyelids
  • Minimizes the appearance of dark circles
  • Improved eye functionality (if skin laxity has obstructed eyesight)
  • Long-lasting results for most patients
woman with her hands above her head

Blepharoplasty can be an excellent option for certain patients, but it’s not appropriate for everyone. In some cases, the cause of sagging eyelids may be a heavy brow caused by excess tissue on the forehead. A brow lift may be more effective if our surgeons determine this is the case. We will also evaluate your general health, expectations, and other considerations to identify the ideal treatment for your needs and goals.

Blepharoplasty Procedure

Many factors contribute to the appearance of heavy or droopy upper eyelids, including brow position. For example, significant slumping of the brow can cause the upper eyelids to appear overly full and puffy. Other eyelid concerns may be due to excess baggy or loose skin. Depending on your anatomic needs and goals, the best cosmetic procedure may be an eyelid lift (upper, lower, or both), a brow lift, or a combination of techniques. Our plastic surgeons will recommend the ideal approach for you during your initial consultation, and together you will develop a treatment plan that can optimize your outcome.

During an eyelid lift procedure, incisions are created in the upper or lower eyelids and excess fat, muscle, and skin removed. The incisions used for eyelid surgery are hidden in the natural creases of the upper eyelid for upper blepharoplasty or along the lash line of the lower lid for a lower blepharoplasty. In some cases, the incisions and sutures may be hidden inside the lower lid (transconjunctival), which is a “scar-less” approach. This technique is only appropriate for some candidates, and our surgeons will explain if this option may be right for you.

If the excess skin of your eyelids impairs your vision, your treatment may be eligible for insurance coverage. We can discuss whether this is a possibility during your appointment.

Your treatment plan will be tailored to address your concerns and to provide the most natural-looking outcome possible. 

Upper Lid Blepharoplasty

Eyelid Lift Recovery

Blepharoplasty typically takes about one-to-two hours to complete, depending on your unique treatment plan and whether you are undergoing one or more procedures. Less complex techniques can sometimes be performed using local anesthesia, and general anesthesia will be used in other cases. Most patients spend about one week recovering at home; however, everyone’s healing rate is unique. Our plastic surgeons will provide more detail about when you can begin exercising again at your follow-up appointments. Bruising and swelling are expected, as is some level of discomfort. We will provide prescription medication to make the healing process as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Eyelid surgery scars should be small and virtually unnoticeable. While the natural aging process will continue, the results of an eyelid lift are often very long-lasting.

*Individual Results May Vary

Planning Your Eyelid Lift Procedure*

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Average Procedure Time:
1 – 2 hours

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Average Recovery Time:
1 – 2 weeks

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Post-Op Consultation:
8 weeks

*Your treatment plan at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates will be customized to meet your needs and your individual experience will vary depending on a number of factors. All information provided on this page is an estimate of typical time and cost and does not represent an offer or guarantee of pricing or availability. Please schedule a consultation appointment to discuss which options may apply to you.

FAQs About Eyelid Surgery

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  • Will medical insurance cover the cost of eyelid surgery?

    The skin of the eyelids can become inelastic to the degree that it begins to impair a patient’s range of vision. If that’s true for you, your medical insurance may cover the cost of your procedure, in part or in whole. Every individual’s medical plan is unique, and we recommend talking with your insurance agent about your options to determine if functional blepharoplasty might be covered. If you’re considering eyelid surgery purely as a cosmetic treatment, you will have to cover the total cost of the operation. We work with plastic surgery financing firms that offer enticing payment plans for qualified applicants if you prefer to pay for your eyelid surgery in several installments.

  • How much does eyelift surgery cost?

    The price of eyelid surgery will depend on several factors, including the plastic surgeon’s experience, the unique details of your treatment plan, and whether you’re combining techniques (for instance, proceeding with eyelid surgery and a brow lift). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recently revealed the average surgeon’s fee for blepharoplasty in 2016 was $3,022. This number does not include the expense of anesthesia, operating room facilities, or incidentals. To help you form the most accurate picture of what this procedure will ultimately cost, we will review all the anticipated fees during your initial consultation. We believe this gives you the information you need to make the best decision for you.

  • What will eyelid surgery scars look like?

    Our surgeons take great care to minimize the appearance of scars, particularly in sensitive areas like the eyelids. In general, the incisions used in eyelid surgery are small and well-concealed. It may be possible to place the lower eyelid incision either along the lower lash line or on the inside of the eyelid, where the healed scar will be essentially unnoticeable. The upper eyelid incision is usually placed within the natural fold of the eyelid skin so as to be inconspicuous to the casual observer.

  • Can I combine any other procedures with eyelid lift surgery?

    Yes, many of our patients combine upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery with non-surgical treatments like Botox and other injectables like dermal fillers or additional surgical procedures such as a facelift for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Schedule a Consultation For Eyelid Surgery

Contact our Nevada office today for more information on lower and upper eyelid rejuvenation with eyelid lift surgery or schedule an appointment with our surgeons.

1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2018/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2018.pdf

2 Eyelid Surgery Guide. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Available at: https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/face/eyelid-surgery-guide. Accessed January 6, 2020.

3 What is eyelid surgery? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery. Accessed November 27, 2019.

This content has either been authored or reviewed and approved by the doctors at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates.