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Beyond cosmetic concerns, drooping upper eyelids can affect vision and cause discomfort. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excess skin and fat to restore natural eye contours and improve both appearance and function. Dr. Farbod Esmailian, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Orange County helps patients achieve a more youthful, refreshed look through eyelid surgery.

What is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that addresses the effects of aging and gravity on the delicate eye area. This facial rejuvenation procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis to correct common concerns, including:

  • Puffy or baggy upper eyelids
  • Excessive drooping skin in the upper eyelid
  • Lower eyelids that droop or sag
  • Under-eye bags

Blepharoplasty can be combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures for more comprehensive results. During your consultation, Dr. Farbod Esmailian will discuss your goals and recommend personalized options to achieve a refreshed, natural appearance. Known for providing advanced eyelid surgery results, Dr. Esmailian prioritizes patient comfort and individualized care to help you feel confident every step of the way.

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Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

Eliminating the bags and puffiness beneath the lower lids and the sagging skin on the upper eyelids makes patients appear younger and more rested. Good candidates for blepharoplasty should be in good overall health, have realistic expectations and are typically seeking to address:

  • Loose skin on the upper eyelids
  • Eyelid skin that obscures peripheral vision
  • Deep grooves beneath the eyes in the tear trough
  • Excess skin that hangs down, covering the upper eyelid fold
  • Puffy eyelids that make the eyes appear aged and tired

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Procedure

Eyelid surgery can target the upper lids, lower lids, or both.2 When performing upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Esmailian makes an incision along the eyelid's natural fold to keep scars discreet. He removes excess skin, fat, and muscle through this incision to restore a more refreshed and youthful appearance. The incision is then closed with stitches to ensure minimal scarring.

For the lower eyelids, the incision is placed either just below the lash line or inside the eyelid (transconjunctival approach), depending on the patient’s needs. Dr. Esmailian carefully removes or redistributes excess fat, tightens sagging skin, and smooths the area to reduce under-eye puffiness and improve contours.

For patients with ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) or those with scleral show on the lower eyelid, Dr. Esmailian can incorporate an additional procedure to correct the underlying muscle weakness and improve both function and appearance.3

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Blepharoplasty Techniques

A blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery usually lasts one to two hours, depending on whether the upper or lower eyelids are addressed or both. Before eyelid surgery begins, Dr. Esmailian makes precise markings on the patient’s upper and/or lower eyelids to indicate where he intends to remove the excess tissues.

The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, where the patient is completely asleep and comfortable during the procedure. Dr. Esmailian will use permanent sutures (removable) for the upper eyelid closure and absorbable sutures for the lower eyelid incision closure. These incisions generally leave no detectable scar.

Upper Eyelid Surgery

When performing an upper eyelid lift or blepharoplasty, Dr. Esmailian makes the incision within the upper eyelid’s natural fold, ensuring it remains hidden.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

During lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Esmailian frequently makes the incision just beneath the lash line; alternatively, if he needs to remove excess fat only, he performs a transconjunctival incision (inside the lower eyelid). On certain occasions, a transconjunctival incision may be combined with a pinch excision of the skin.

Fat Redistribution

If necessary, Dr. Esmailian redistributes the fat deposits in the lower lids to eliminate bulges or puffiness. Additionally, he may make adjustments to address other issues, such as muscle laxity. Not every patient needs fat removed from the lower eyelid area. If necessary, the fat is redistributed to fill in hollows and improve the appearance of dark circles to achieve the most natural results.

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Eyelid Surgery Recovery

After eyelid surgery, small sterile tape is typically applied to keep the sutures in place. Some patients may receive ointment or eye drops to prevent dryness and reduce inflammation. Bruising and swelling are common, but these can be managed by keeping the head elevated while resting and applying cold compresses to ease discomfort. Pain is generally mild, and Dr. Esmailian may prescribe pain medication or recommend over-the-counter options as needed. During the first two weeks of recovery, patients may experience dryness, stickiness, or itchiness around the eyes. Dr. Esmailian may suggest eye drops to alleviate these symptoms and recommends gentle cleaning of the eyelid area for the first 10 days. Sutures are self-dissolving or removed at the office within five to seven days. To ensure proper healing, patients must follow post-surgical care instructions, including avoiding specific environments and activities. Fortunately, eyelid incisions heal quickly, and scars are discreet, often becoming nearly invisible due to their strategic placement.

Schedule a Consultation for Blepharoplasty

If you are interested in learning about blepharoplasty surgery, other types of facial plastic surgery, or non-surgical cosmetic procedures offered by Dr. Esmailian to patients in and around Orange County, please contact us today. As a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Esmailian has the experience, skills, and knowledge to help you attain the look you desire.

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FAQs About Blepharoplasty

Does blepharoplasty leave visible scarring?

Can I combine blepharoplasty with any other cosmetic procedures?

Does insurance cover blepharoplasty?

Where can I find blepharoplasty near me?

What’s the difference between upper and lower blepharoplasty?

Does blepharoplasty leave visible scarring?

Ideal candidates for facelift surgery with Dr. Esmailian are those seeking facial rejuvenation to address signs of facial aging, such as skin laxity and a tired appearance.3 If you feel your face no longer reflects the youthful look you desire or believe aging is impacting your confidence in social and professional settings, a facelift may be the right surgical option for you. Dr. Esmailian will evaluate your concerns and recommend the most appropriate approach to help restore a refreshed, natural appearance.

Can I combine blepharoplasty with any other cosmetic procedures?

Eyelid surgery can be performed with other surgical facial rejuvenation procedures such as brow lifts or facelifts and non-surgical injectables like Botox and dermal fillers. During your initial consultation with Dr. Esmailian, he will cover your options to get the most out of your cosmetic surgery and provide you with a customized treatment plan.

Does insurance cover blepharoplasty?

Recovery time after a facelift typically lasts about two to three weeks. During this period, patients can expect swelling and bruising to gradually subside, allowing the natural results to become more visible. While many individuals feel comfortable returning to normal activities within two weeks, Dr. Esmailian may recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a few more weeks to ensure optimal healing.

Where can I find blepharoplasty near me?

If you're seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in eyelid lift procedures, contact Dr. Farbod Esmailian today. Dr. Esmailian combines precise surgical techniques with an artistic approach to help patients achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results.

What’s the difference between upper and lower blepharoplasty?

Upper and lower blepharoplasty are surgical procedures that improve the appearance of the eyes to achieve a more youthful appearance. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids to correct sagging or drooping. Lower blepharoplasty addresses bags, puffiness, and wrinkles under the eyes by removing or repositioning fat and tightening the skin.

1 Mayo Clinic. Blepharoplasty. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blepharoplasty/about/pac-20385174. Accessed January 7, 2025.
2 Cleveland Clinic. Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/8409-eyelid-surgery-blepharoplasty. Accessed January 7, 2025.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Eyelid Surgery. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery. Accessed January 7, 2025.

Page updated: January 30, 2025

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