Page Contents
- 1. What is Blepharoplasty?
- 2. Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
- 3. Ideal Candidates
- 4. Types of Blepharoplasty
- 5. Consultation
- 6. Preparing for your Eyelid Surgery
- 7. The Procedure Blepharoplasty in Bethesda
- 8. Alternatives
- 9. Recovery
- 10. Schedule an Eyelid Surgery Consultation
- 11. Frequently Asked Questions
CONTACT US
TEXTING AVAILABLE! For a text response feel free to text the number provided on your screen after filling out this form.
Eyelid Surgery
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Whether you have always been dissatisfied with the shape or appearance of your eyes, or whether you have noticed changes as a result of the natural aging process, a blepharoplasty can improve the aesthetic appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids. Our office is located just 11 minutes away from Potomac and 10 minutes away from North Bethesda & Rockville, Maryland.
What is Blepharoplasty?
This facial plastic surgery procedure can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes by removing the appropriate amount of fat and excess skin. This procedure usually takes approximately one to two hours.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to correct minor aesthetic defects of the eyes, improve facial symmetry and eyelid definition, and reverse unpleasant changes to the eyes as a result of the natural aging process.
Because of the central role the eyes play in the beauty and harmony of the face, as well as in our interactions and communications with the outside world, even the smallest changes to the eyes can dramatically improve our overall appearance.
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
-
Removing excess fatty deposits that make the upper eyelids appear swollen
-
Correcting folds in the upper eyelids, created by loose, sagging, or drooping skin, that can alter the natural contour of the upper eyelid, and even potentially impair one’s vision
When performed by skilled plastic surgeons, such as Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge, blepharoplasty surgery will enhance the bright, youthful appearance of your eyes, restore a refreshed, rejuvenated look to your entire face, and give you a naturally alert, well-rested, and gorgeous appearance.
Some people choose to undergo blepharoplasty eyelid surgery on its own, but eyelid surgery is also a natural part of facial rejuvenation through comprehensive plastic surgery techniques. When combined with procedures like a facelift, neck lift, or brow lift, the results of an upper or lower eyelid lift are compounded.
At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, located in Bethesda, MD, our board-certified plastic surgeons all have the artistic vision, surgical experience, and technical skills to ensure that your blepharoplasty will harmonize with your facial contours and subtly enhance your natural beauty!
-
Eliminating excess skin and wrinkles of the upper and lower eyelids
-
Eliminating bags and puffiness under the eyes
-
Correcting lower eyelid droopiness that causes excess white to show below the iris of the eye
When performed by skilled plastic surgeons such as Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge, blepharoplasty surgery will enhance the bright, youthful appearance of your eyes, restore a refreshed, rejuvenated look to your entire face, and give you a naturally alert, well-rested, and gorgeous appearance.
Some people choose to undergo blepharoplasty on its own, but eyelid surgery is also a natural part of facial rejuvenation through comprehensive plastic surgery techniques. When combines with procedures like a facelift, neck lift, or brow lift, the results of an upper or lower eyelid lift are compounded.
At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, located in Bethesda, MD, our board-certified plastic surgeons all have the artistic vision, surgical experience, and technical skills to ensure that your blepharoplasty will harmonize with your facial contours and subtly enhance your natural beauty!
Ideal Candidates
Candidates for a blepharoplasty procedure commonly experience drooping eyelid skin, bags under the eyes, or fat deposits.
While some want to undergo this surgery for physical hindrances such as blocked vision, others may simply wish for an aesthetic enhancement. These patients are generally 35 years or older and do not have any serious eye conditions. To find out if you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery, please schedule a consultation, and one of our expert surgeons will gladly assess your candidacy.
Types of Blepharoplasty
-
Upper Eyelid Lift (Upper Blepharoplasty): Corrects drooping or sagging upper eyelids by gently repositioning or removing excess fat, and removing excess eyelid skin. This procedure utilizes an incision made within the natural eyelid crease of the upper eyelid.
-
Lower Eyelid Lift (Lower Blepharoplasty): Improves aesthetic problems of the lower eyelid by tightening excess skin and muscle and removing fat in the lower eyelid area through an incision made just below the lower lash line.
-
Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Surgery: This surgical technique improves lower eyelid cosmetic issues as well, but utilizes an incision behind the lower eyelid, leaving no visible scar.
Consultation
At your initial consultation with either Dr. Jabs, Dr. Richards, or Dr. Magge, your doctor will conduct a thorough examination of your facial structure and discuss with you your specific concerns, medical history, and aesthetic goals in order to determine which type or types of eyelid surgery is most appropriate to achieve the results you are seeking. This consultation will enable them to develop a personalized surgical plan that is carefully tailored to ensure that the results of your surgery harmonize with and enhance your existing facial features. Any questions you may have will gladly be answered at this time.
Preparing for your Eyelid Surgery
Prior to your blepharoplasty procedure, your doctor may ask you to complete other medical tests specific to your case. Refrain from smoking and taking anti-inflammatory medications 2-3 weeks leading up to your surgery date, since these increase the amount of bleeding. Your doctor may prescribe you pain medication, which you will need to pick up before your procedure so you have them readily available afterward. Patients generally take 3-5 days off from work to ensure ample rest for proper healing.
You will not be able to drive afterward, so please arrange for a friend or family member to take you home. We highly recommend having this person spend the first night of recovery with you. Bethesda eyelid surgery patients should have enough ice packs, gauze, and washcloths stocked to last them through the entirety of their recovery. On the day of surgery, you should wear something that wraps around you as opposed to a pullover; you do not want to accidentally brush against your eyes.
The Procedure Blepharoplasty in Bethesda
Depending on your specific aesthetic concerns and goals, your blepharoplasty will address the upper lid, lower eyelids, or both.
During the procedure, which usually lasts between one and two hours, the surgeon will remove and/or carefully reposition select areas of fat and skin while tightening the adjoining musculature surrounding the eyelids.
This is most commonly done under local anesthesia with oral sedation; however, it can be performed under general anesthesia if desired. The result of these precise adjustments will be to enhance eyelid definition and symmetry. Your surgeon will ensure that all incisions are well-concealed by the natural shape of the eye to avoid visible scarring.
Watch our video of Dr. Jabs performing an upper and lower blepharoplasty.
Alternatives
Some patients may benefit from alternative cosmetic procedures that provide similar results to that of blepharoplasty.
Botox
While blepharoplasty can make your eyes appear more youthful, it does not address all eye wrinkles. Botox is an FDA-approved minimally invasive injectable that can be used to diminish frown lines and crow’s feet. Botox is injected into the facial muscles that lie below the wrinkled skin to temporarily paralyze them. By doing so, the muscles do not contract and wrinkles are diminished, leading to a smoother appearance.
Brow Lift
Also known as a forehead lift, a brow lift is a procedure that raises low-sitting brows to a youthful position. When you raise the eyebrows, forehead wrinkles are reduced and the upper eyelids are raised as well, both improving vision and cosmetically enhancing the eyes. Blepharoplasty can raise the upper eyelids, but a brow lift procedure is a great alternative for those who have sagging upper eyelids as well as low-sitting eyebrows. A brow lift can be performed at the same time as a blepharoplasty.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing is an excellent choice for those who do not need a surgical procedure, but rather a more refreshed look. This non-surgical alternative addresses acne scars, wrinkles, dark circles, and blemishes by removing the damaged top layer of skin. Laser skin resurfacing acts as a pick-me-up to reveal glowing, radiant skin.
Recovery
Recovery from blepharoplasty usually requires a week of downtime. After surgery, it is critical to avoid exposure to the sun. You’ll want to wear darkly-tinted sunglasses until healing is complete. Common side effects of eyelid surgery include bruising, irritation, swelling, and dry eyes; these side effects are usually mild and temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications, cold compresses, and ointments. You will most likely feel ready to go out in public and/or back to work in a week.
FREE GUIDE
Click to download the information provided on our website in a PDF format.
Schedule an Eyelid Surgery Consultation
If you have been considering blepharoplasty, we encourage you to set up a one-on-one consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to determine if you would be a good candidate for the procedure. Our office is located just 2 miles away from North Bethesda and 5 miles away from Potomac & Rockville. Call or contact us online to get the conversation started today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get rid of hooded eyelids?
How is eyelid surgery performed?
How is upper eyelid surgery done?
How is upper eyelid surgery performed?
How do you fix droopy eyelids?
Is drooping eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
How long does droopy eyelid surgery last?
How long after blepharoplasty do you see results?
How long are eyes blurry after blepharoplasty?
How can I reduce eyelids?
Does eyelid surgery leave scars?
How long does eyelid surgery take?
Is eyelid surgery painful?
Can Botox lift droopy eyelids?
Can droopy eyelids cause blurred vision?
Can I sleep on my side after eyelid surgery?
How do you reduce bruising after eyelid surgery?
How long does it take for lower blepharoplasty scars to heal?
How long does it take to heal from upper eyelid surgery?
How long does plasma skin tightening last?
How long does upper eyelid surgery take?
Is plasma skin tightening painful?
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
What can I expect after eyelid surgery?
Why are my eyelids hooded?
Can you go blind from blepharoplasty?
Is eyelid surgery safe?
Our Plastic Surgery Associates team includes Dr. Franklin Richards, Dr. A. Dean Jabs, and Dr. Keshav Magge. Each of our plastic surgeons is board-certified, and together they have over 60 years of combined experience. Drs. Richards, Jabs, and Magge are all highly qualified in procedures for the face, breast, and body, and pride themselves in providing excellent results through our state-of-the-art, Quad A certified operating centers