Eyelid Surgery: A Minor Procedure That Delivers Major Results

When your eyes look tired, your whole appearance and confidence can take a hit. And loose skin, puffiness, or under-eye bags can make your eyes look exhausted.

If these symptoms carry on even when you’ve had a good night’s rest, you may be a good candidate for an surgery known as eyelid blepharoplasty. The procedure can also improve your vision if sagging skin gets in the way. 

At our offices in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, and Rye, New York, board-certified cosmetic surgeon Robert Schwarcz, MD, and his team offer both upper blepharoplasty and lower blepharoplasty to give your face and eyes a more vibrant appearance.

Here, we delve into this minor procedure, including the major results you can look forward to.

What causes sagging eyelids and under-eye bags

The skin surrounding your eyes can droop or become shallow for numerous reasons, including genetic factors and the passage of time. Almost everyone experiences facial skin changes as a natural part of aging, as your body produces less collagen and elastin.

Weakened muscles around your eyes, associated with aging and conditions like allergies, can also lead to puffiness and sagging. A lack of sleep, smoking, and poor hygiene habits also play a role in tired or obstructed eyes. A history of tanning or sun exposure without ultraviolet (UV) protection, for example, makes premature aging likely.

How eyelid blepharoplasty works

Eyelid blepharoplasty surgically alters the eye area by doing away with excess skin and fat and reducing puffiness. Dr. Schwarcz can perform this surgery on your upper or lower eyelids, or both at the same time.  If you’re just doing your upper lids, local anesthetic to numb the area is all that is required.  If doing your lower lids, you will be required to have sedation anesthesia. 

During upper eyelid blepharoplasty, Dr. Schwarcz makes incisions in the creases of your upper lids. He makes incisions for lower eyelid blepharoplasty below your lower lash line. In both cases, the placement aims to minimize potential scarring for beautiful results. 

Through the incisions, Dr. Schwarcz moves or reduces sagging skin and fatty deposits. If needed and possible, he also can perform ptosis repair to tighten the muscles around your eye.

Eyelid blepharoplasty results

After your eyelid surgery, you may experience a bit of bruising or swelling that resolves on its own within a few weeks as healing unfolds. You can expect to see a more refreshed, rejuvenated appearance within months. 

Results are permanent with the expectation that you will continue to age.  After about ten years you may notice that you would like additional surgery.  

Even minor adjustments to the tissues around your eye can produce major results, including a more youthful and rested look. The surgery can even address vision problems caused by excess eyelid skin.

If you’d like to enhance your results with reduced crow’s feet or minimized concave areas around your temples, talk with our team about injectables such as Botox®, Dysport®, or dermal fillers.

To learn more about the results you can expect from eyelid surgery or to learn if you’re a good candidate, book a consultation with expert oculoplastic surgeon Robert Schwarcz, MD, today. Call the office convenient to you or request an appointment online.