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Eyelid Surgery

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What is Eyelid Surgery?

An eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, fat, and puffiness from the upper or lower eyelids. It is commonly performed to reduce drooping eyelids, under-eye bags, and signs of aging around the eyes, helping you look more refreshed, alert, and youthful. An eyelid lift can improve both appearance and, in some cases, vision if sagging skin interferes with the upper visual field.

The Procedure
The Incisions
Frequently Asked Questions
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  • An upper eyelid lift removes excess skin and fat that can cause drooping, heaviness, or hooded lids, helping to brighten and open the eyes.

  • Lower eyelid surgery smooths under-eye bags, puffiness, and wrinkles, creating a more rested, youthful look.

  • Excess skin on the upper eyelids can sometimes obstruct peripheral vision; lifting the lids can improve sight and comfort.

  • Refreshing the eyelids can make you feel more awake and confident, balancing your overall facial appearance.

Why get an Eyelid Lift?

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Eyelid Gallery
Close-up of a woman's eyes before and after cosmetic treatment, showing changes in eyelid appearance.
Before and after images showing a person's under-eye area, with the top image showing swollen, dark circles, and the bottom image showing reduced puffiness and darker circles around the eyes.
Close-up of a person's eyes, showing before and after comparison of an eye treatment, with the top image displaying more puffiness and wrinkles and the bottom image showing reduced puffiness and smoother skin.

The Procedure

Here’s what you can expect during your eyelid procedure.

Comparison of two women's faces with different skin tones, both wearing headbands and with their hair styled in buns.

    • You’ll receive local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your surgical plan.

    • Dr. Gupta will carefully mark the areas of skin, fat, or muscle to be removed or repositioned on the upper and/or lower eyelids.

    • Upper Eyelids: The incision is made in the natural crease of the upper eyelid for a virtually invisible scar.

    • Lower Eyelids: Incisions may be placed just below the lash line or inside the lower lid (transconjunctival) depending on whether skin needs to be removed.

    • Upper Eyelids: Excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat are trimmed to open up the eyes and reduce hooding.

    • Lower Eyelids: Fat is either removed or redistributed to smooth under-eye bags; in some cases, a small amount of skin is removed to tighten the area.

    • Incisions are closed with fine sutures or dissolvable stitches depending on the approach.

    • Cold compresses and lubricating ointment are applied to reduce swelling and protect the area.

    • You’ll go home the same day.

    • Bruising and swelling typically peak at 2–3 days and improve over 1–2 weeks.

    • You may be asked to sleep with your head elevated and avoid strenuous activities.

    • Dr. Gupta will schedule follow-up visits to ensure a smooth recovery and beautiful results.

Procedure Video

The Incision

  • Incisions for the upper eyelid will be concealed in the eye crease

  • Incisions for the lower eyelid will be along the lower lash line or along the lower inner portion of the eyelid – this approach is called transconjunctival and results in no scars along the lower lid

Diagram showing incision lines on upper and lower eyelids for eyelid surgery, with labels indicating upper eyelid incision line and lower eyelid incision line.

 FAQs

    • Lower eyelid surgery will tighten excess skin, resulting in less wrinkles under the eyes as well as reduce excess fat pads under the eye which result in the puffy or bag appearance.

    • Facial fat grafting or Dermal fillers will be needed to restore volume depletion under the eye.

  • We do not perform upper eyelid surgery under insurance. In some severe instances where the upper eyelid skin is impairing your vision, certain policies may cover the cost of eyelid surgery.

  • No. It is recommended to wait 2 weeks before resuming contact wearing.

  • Your vision may be blurry following your surgery. This is caused by swelling of the cornea, we will prescribe some lubricating eye drops & ointment to reduce the swelling. This will be resolved in a few days.

  • A: Recovery from blepharoplasty is generally smooth and well-tolerated. Swelling and bruising are most noticeable in the first 5–7 days and gradually improve over 1–2 weeks. For upper eyelid surgery, most patients return to normal activities within 7–10 days, while lower eyelid surgery may involve slightly more swelling and can take closer to 2 weeks to fully settle. Stitches (if non-dissolvable) are usually removed around day 5. Temporary dryness, tightness, or mild irritation is normal and can be managed with ointment or drops. Final results become more visible as swelling subsides over the first few weeks to a couple of months.

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Book a consultation for an Eyelid Surgery!

info@verveplasticsurgery.com
(760) 436-7600

700 Garden View Court STE 208
Encinitas, CA 92024