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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)


Droopy or puffy eyes and eyelids can result in a tired and aged appearance, making you look older than you really are. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, eliminates excess skin and fat around the eyelids, resulting in a more refreshed, youthful appearance. Eyelid surgery at The Aesthetic Surgery Centre can also widen the field of vision if sagging eyelids are obscuring your eyesight. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Orlando who can help you effectively rejuvenate your facial appearance.

"About a month after my surgery, I had gone to see my Facial Specialist and she was examining my whole face with magnifiers and could not tell I had my eyes done until I mentioned this to her. She commented on a job well done and how well the scars healed! I did see 2 other doctors before I chose Dr. Jon and I knew right away he was the right surgeon for me."

- Orlando, Florida
*Individual Results May Vary

What is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty, often known as eyelid surgery, is designed to treat signs of aging in the upper and lower eyelids. Over time, men and women may notice the formation of fine lines and sagging skin around their eyelids. These features can convey a look of anger, fatigue, or stress no matter what emotions a patient may actually be feeling. Blepharoplasty can smooth the contours of the eyelids to correct drooping tissue and alleviate any “hooding” of the upper eyelids, which occurs when excess skin or fat begins to rest on the lash line. In the most severe cases, the sagging upper lids may creep into your line of sight and interfere with your vision. Eyelid surgery may be performed to address “hooding” and/or reduce the appearance of puffy, baggy, or protruding lower eyelids.

Key Blepharoplasty Terms to Know

There are many aspects of eyelid surgery that may seem unfamiliar to patients who are interested in refreshing their eyes, but who do not have a strong grasp of the eyelid surgery procedure. While Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will go over everything you need to know about blepharoplasty in a consultation, reviewing these key terms prior to your appointment can help you during the research process:

  • “Hooding”: The buildup of excess skin and fat in the upper eyelids, which often accumulates on the lash line and may interfere with a patient’s vision.
  • Ptosis: The medical term for “drooping” is referred to as ptosis. Eyelid ptosis occurs when the eyelid muscles can no longer fully open the upper lids.
  • Skin laxity: Skin laxity, or “lax” eyelid skin, is one of the primary causes of tired-looking eyes. Referring to the tone and quality of the tissue, skin laxity is present when the skin is loose, sagging, or wrinkled.
  • Crow’s feet: “Crow’s feet” refer to the fine lines that develop in the corners of the eyes as a result of repeated facial expressions.

We encourage you to explore the topics on this page to gain more insight into how eyelid surgery may be able to achieve your goals. Reviewing our before-and-after gallery can also give you a better idea of the types of results possible with blepharoplasty.

What Can Blepharoplasty Accomplish?

Eyelid surgery can dramatically improve the appearance of the upper face by smoothing excess skin and drooping tissue around the eye contour. This eyelid rejuvenation can allow patients to look friendlier, brighter, and more energetic than they did before surgery. The aesthetic benefits of this procedure include minimizing:

  • Eyelid “hooding”
  • Excess skin around the eyes
  • Puffiness and under-eye bags
  • Drooping lower lids that reveal the white irises of the eyes

If descended or lax eyelid skin gathers along your upper lash line, blepharoplasty can also tighten this region to restore a smoother upper eyelid. Depending on your needs, the procedure can address both the upper and lower eyelids during the same surgery.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, depending on your unique anatomic needs and cosmetic goals. Ideal candidates for this procedure will be in good overall health, as well as dissatisfied with the appearance of their eyelids and eye areas. Some eye conditions may require a different technique or treatment, so please share any medical issues you may have with Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani during the initial consultation. In many cases, the brow position can contribute to the appearance of excess skin in this area. If this is true for you, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani may recommend a brow lift in addition, or as an alternative to, eyelid surgery. Other modalities may also help enhance your results, and Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will discuss all your options when you first meet. As with any procedure, the final decision for what to do will always be in your hands.

How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Your treatment plan will be fully customized to suit your individual needs and expressed goals. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani emphasizes a natural-looking outcome and the incisions used will be placed to appear as inconspicuous as possible. For instance, upper eyelid surgery incisions are typically located within the natural folds of the eyelid. In lower blepharoplasty, the incisions can be made along the lower lash line. Eyelid surgery usually takes about one to two hours to complete, although your experience and treatment plan may vary. Most procedures will be performed under general anesthesia; however, some patients may be able to have their operation completed using local anesthetic.

What Are The Different Types Of Eyelid Surgery?

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper blepharoplasty is performed to reduce the amount of excess skin and sagging tissue in the upper eyelids. As skin laxity increases with the passing of time, patients commonly find that their field of vision is partially impeded by drooping upper eyelids. Blepharoplasty can tighten the skin around the eyes and/or recontour fatty deposits to correct this upper eyelid “hooding,” and attain a more youthful and rejuvenated look.

Lower Blepharoplasty

If you have the appearance of constant fatigue as a result of puffy or baggy lower eyelids, lower blepharoplasty can be an excellent solution to achieve a more rested aesthetic. This surgery is designed to tighten lax skin, smooth lines and creases, and reposition the fatty deposits under the eyes to improve the look of hollow tear troughs and under-eye “bags.”

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty

Transconjunctival eyelid surgery is essentially a lower blepharoplasty procedure that utilizes an internal, or “transconjunctival,” incision. This technique can reposition protruding fat pads to reduce eye bags without visible scarring. Plus, transconjunctival incisions often heal relatively quickly and may not require stitches. Not all eyelid surgery patients are good candidates for the transconjunctival technique, so Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will assess your concerns and recommend the best approach for your eyelid rejuvenation.

What Should I Expect During Recovery From Eyelid Surgery?

Our skilled medical team is dedicated to providing you with exceptional care from start to finish. After your surgery is complete, you should be able to return home, where we encourage you to relax and take some time off from regular activities. Most patients can return to work and other normal engagements after about one week, and Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can provide you with more detailed information during your initial consultation. Bruising and swelling in the treated area is to be expected, and these effects should fade with time. Additionally, some discomfort is not uncommon, and we will prescribe medication to help manage your pain.

What Are The Results Of Eyelid Surgery?

*The results of blepharoplasty are typically very long-lasting. While each person’s rate of aging is different, you can often help extend the longevity of your outcome by taking good care of your skin, avoiding excess sun, and refraining from smoking. Additionally, non-surgical treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic and Restylane® can help address fine lines and other cosmetic concerns affecting the eye area. These therapies can be used alone, or in conjunction with, an eyelid lift.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost?

The price of eyelid surgery usually depends on your geographic location and the expertise of your plastic surgeon, as well as factors like:

  • Whether you are pursuing upper and/or lower eyelid surgery
  • The extent of concerns being addressed
  • The overall complexity of your procedure

If upper eyelid “hooding” is obstructing your vision, certain insurance plans can sometimes provide partial or full coverage for correction of the condition. Generally speaking, the average cost of blepharoplasty in Orlando is $3,875, according to patient reviews on Realself.com. While this should not be considered an accurate reflection of the prices at our practice, it can serve as a general approximation while you research treatment options.

Our practice accepts most major payment methods, as well as plastic surgery financing from CareCredit®, one of the leading healthcare lending companies in the country. For patients who prefer to pay for their eyelid surgery expenses over time, rather than in a lump sum, we work with CareCredit® to help make the cost of treatment more manageable. Once approved, qualified applicants can choose from a number of flexible payment plans with low monthly installments to select the option that works best with their unique budget. To learn more about the price of blepharoplasty, please contact our team today.

Is An Eyelid Lift Without Surgery Possible?

Unfortunately, there is currently no non-surgical enhancement that can address the aesthetic concerns commonly corrected by eyelid surgery, such as excess skin around the eyelids and sagging tissue. However, there are a number of minimally invasive procedures that can temporarily treat age-related concerns around the eye region. For example, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections can be utilized to smooth creases in the brow, as well as fine lines around the eyes (crow’s feet) for very natural-looking results. Additionally, dermal fillers like Restylane® can fill in hollow tear troughs and provide subtle additions of volume to facial areas experiencing a volume deficit. While these treatments can achieve beautiful results with no surgery or downtime, blepharoplasty remains the most effective and long-lasting way to minimize signs of exhaustion and rejuvenate the aesthetic around the eyes.

Will I Have Noticeable Eyelid Surgery Scars?

Thanks to Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani’s inconspicuous incision placement, scars from eyelid surgery are typically camouflaged within the lower lash line or along the natural crease of the eyelid. The most ideal location depends on whether you undergo upper or lower blepharoplasty. After your incisions heal, any residual surgical scarring commonly fades to some degree as time passes. Generally, the likelihood of minimal visible scarring is increased if you adhere to Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani’s post-operative instructions on proper wound care, which may include measures like keeping incisions clean and covered.

Are There Complementary Procedures to Eyelid Surgery?

Yes. As blepharoplasty is solely designed to address the region around the eyes, many patients opt to combine eyelid surgery with other facial plastic surgery treatments for widespread rejuvenation of their appearance. Namely, a facelift can be an excellent procedure to supplement blepharoplasty. As a highly effective method of correcting signs of age in the lower two-thirds of the face, this surgery is performed to tighten loose skin and jowls, smooth facial creases, and generally attain a more youthful aesthetic. Those who incorporate both a facelift and an eyelid lift into their treatment plan usually experience a brighter and more refreshed look overall.

Moreover, patients seeking to improve their facial profile at the same time as enhancing an aged or tired appearance may be able to achieve their goals with the addition of a neck lift. This treatment can produce a sleeker and more defined neck contour for those who struggle with excess skin, loose musculature, and fatty deposits around the neck and under the chin — commonly referred to as a “turkey neck.”

Are There Alternatives to Eyelid Surgery?

Blepharoplasty is one of many treatments that can refresh the face. If you would like to gain sleeker and more youthful angles along the jawline and lower face, facelift surgery is often considered the “gold standard” of facial rejuvenation. During a facelift, loose skin and fat obscuring your facial contours can be corrected to make the face and neck look smoother and more youthful. This can be combined with neck contouring techniques if desired, improving the entire facial profile overall.

While eyelid surgery is the most effective and lasting procedure to rejuvenate the eye region, there are less invasive treatments that can address wrinkles, creases, and other concerns making you look aged.
For individuals who wish to avoid surgery, minimally invasive dermal fillers and injectable treatments can also be utilized as a non-surgical counterpart to replenish age-related volume loss and smooth expression lines in many areas of the face. These treatments only offer temporary results, but they can be a simple and convenient way to address certain signs of aging. In any case, Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can recommend the most beneficial treatments to help you achieve your ideal look once he assesses your concerns.

Will Blepharoplasty Change My Vision?

Immediately after eyelid surgery, you may experience temporary changes in vision. During the initial healing process, some patients experience blurriness and double vision at intermittent points of their recovery. These are normal reactions that can occur as the tissues of the eyes begin to heal, but should resolve naturally within the first few days of the recovery period. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani can explain the full range of changes patients may experience in their vision, which may also include sensitivity to light for a timeframe of two to four weeks. We encourage patients to limit their time outdoors during their recovery, and wear sunglasses whenever necessary. It’s important to note that eyelid surgery does not improve the actual quality of your eyesight and the procedure is not a means of vision correction surgery.

That said, eyelid surgery can effectively enhance your field of vision if you’re bothered by upper eyelid hooding. For many patients, excess tissue drooping into their line of sight can be bothersome and interfere with the ability to read, drive, etc. By smoothing the contour of the upper lids and correcting sagging eyelid skin, blepharoplasty may offer functional benefits on top of cosmetic improvement. Rest assured that Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will fully explain what you can expect during the healing process.

Does Eyelid Surgery Get Rid of Wrinkles?

Blepharoplasty is more performed to improve puffiness and eyelid laxity causing an older appearance rather than to smooth wrinkles. That said, eyelid surgery can sometimes have the effect of reducing certain wrinkles in the upper face since the procedure addresses excess skin and laxity. If deepening wrinkles or fine lines are your main concern, you may be able to achieve your goals with less invasive measures, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®. These non-surgical injectable treatments only take 15 to 30 minutes to complete, and do not require any anesthesia or downtime. By temporarily relaxing the muscles in the area(s) of injection, BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® can reduce wrinkling and make fine lines less noticeable. No matter your goals, our team can develop an appropriate treatment plan to address your concerns.

Eyelid Surgery vs. Ptosis Repair

Blepharoplasty and ptosis repair are both procedures designed to treat the eye region, but these surgical treatment options differ in many respects. In general, eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure designed to aesthetically improve the upper face, while ptosis repair is performed to address a medical condition that often reduces a patient’s vision. Ptosis, which means “drooping,” occurs when the levator muscles of the eyelids weaken and can no longer raise the upper lids, resulting in an inability to fully open the eyes. Ptosis repair is intended to tighten this musculature in order to restore the full scope of vision. In contrast, eyelid surgery is primarily designed to reduce an aging appearance by resculpting excess skin and fat around the upper and/or lower eyelids. Simply put, blepharoplasty is an elective option to cosmetically enhance the upper face, while ptosis repair is typically considered a medical necessity.

What are the Most Common Eyelid Surgery Complications?

Complications during and after blepharoplasty are extremely rare, especially when patients are under the care of a board-certified plastic surgeon. However, the risk of possible complications exists with any surgical procedure and eyelid surgery is no exception. Adverse side effects from surgery in general typically include the potential for bleeding, infections, poor wound healing, and negative reactions to anesthesia. Blepharoplasty in particular carries an additional risk of injury to the eye muscles, difficulty closing the eyes, and eye irritation. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will further explain the various risks associated with blepharoplasty during your consultation so you are able to make a well-informed decision about whether you would like to continue pursuing the procedure. Patients can often maximize their safety by selecting a blepharoplasty surgeon who performs eyelid surgery frequently, and who is extensively trained in the different techniques to smooth the eyelid contour.

Choosing a Top Blepharoplasty Surgeon for Your Needs

Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani understands that identifying the right plastic surgeon to achieve the results you desire can be overwhelming. There are countless plastic surgery providers available, but not all are created equal. In researching the best blepharoplasty surgeon for your unique needs and goals, these tips may be able to help you narrow down your options:

  • Make sure your plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
  • Review a plastic surgeon’s experience, education, credentials, and online reviews.
  • Look through a plastic surgeon’s patient gallery to see if their work aligns with your aesthetic goals.
  • Find out if he/she has won any awards or belongs to any professional organizations.
  • Book an initial consultation to meet your prospective surgeon, and determine whether you can feel confident in their ability to address your needs and concerns.

ADDITIONAL EYELID SURGERY FAQS

What will my eyes feel like after eyelid surgery?

After a blepharoplasty procedure, your eyes will likely feel tight or sore and your vision may also be temporarily blurry. This is caused by a combination of swelling, dryness, and the eyedrops used to keep the eyes hydrated. While the changes in your vision can be disconcerting, this feeling is only temporary and your normal sight should quickly return. Swelling and bruising are expected following the procedure, but applying a cool compress can help these reactions subside. Your eyes may need to be covered for a brief period of time while the healing process progresses.

How can I reduce swelling after eyelid surgery?

Swelling may last for approximately six weeks after blepharoplasty, but most inflammation should resolve within the first two weeks. To help encourage a speedier recovery, it is often helpful to maintain a healthy diet consisting of vitamin- and nutrient-rich foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, fish, leafy greens, and foods abundant in antioxidants. Along the same vein, limiting salt intake and avoiding alcohol can help optimize the healing process. Take care to keep the head elevated when possible and apply a cold compress if swelling begins to cause discomfort.

When can I wear contacts again?

Contacts should be avoided for at least one to two weeks after surgery to prevent the opening of your incisions and decrease the risk of infection. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani recommends wearing eyeglasses during this period of time to lower the risk of incisions being touched or disrupted.

When can I wear eye makeup after eyelid surgery?

Incisions should be kept as clean as possible after blepharoplasty, therefore eye makeup shouldn’t be worn for at least three to four weeks. Eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow typically attract bacteria, highlighting the importance of refraining from makeup application until the initial recovery period is completed.

Will insurance cover my eyelid surgery?

Blepharoplasty can sometimes be covered by medical insurance if overhanging eyelid skin is interfering with your scope of vision. Every patient’s policy differs, so your insurer can advise you about whether you are eligible for eyelid surgery coverage. If not, The Aesthetic Surgery Centre accepts a range of financing plans that can make out-of-pocket expenses more affordable.

Can blepharoplasty get rid of dark circles under the eyes?

Yes, eyelid surgery can often improve the appearance of dark circles by removing and repositioning fat along the lower eyelids. As you age, the fat that supports the lower eyelids can begin to weaken and bulge outward, making the eyes look “baggy” or tired regardless of how well-rested you are. Additionally, the protruding fat can cast shadows under the eyes and create the characteristic appearance of “dark circles.” By addressing this excess fat and smoothing the under-eyes, dark circles are often greatly improved for a brighter look overall. Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani will discuss what you can expect from the possible outcome during your consultation.

How can I improve a hollow look under the lower eyelids?

If the region under the eyelids looks hollow or sunken, this may be caused by the deepening of your tear troughs — a crease between your lower eyelids and cheeks. The tear troughs often become deeper and more pronounced as you get older and start to lose facial volume. Fortunately, this can be improved with either blepharoplasty alone, or the procedure plus a tear trough filler like Restylane®. An ideal treatment plan can be created based on the severity of your concerns.

When will the results of eyelid surgery be noticeable?

Your results will become more visible as swelling continues to diminish during the healing period. For many patients, a noticeable improvement is evident after one to two weeks. The outcome should continue to improve as your recovery progresses, but the final results may not reveal themselves for six months.

Can I get eyelid surgery if I have an eye-related condition?

Some eye disorders may prevent you from safely undergoing blepharoplasty, such as dry eye and glaucoma. It’s critical to discuss your entire medical history with Dr. Jon Paul Trevisani so you both can determine the best treatment for your needs. The best candidates for eyelid surgery are usually patients who do not have any eye-related medical conditions that may increase the risk of complications, but each person is evaluated on an individual basis.

How should I sleep after eyelid surgery?

You will receive detailed post-operative instructions about how to sleep, shower, etc. after blepharoplasty. In general, patients should sleep with their head elevated above the level of their chest to help reduce swelling and improve blood flow while the eyes heal.

For more information about eyelid surgery, or to schedule a consultation, please contact The Aesthetic Surgery Centre.

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