Blepharoplasty Serving Oakland, Walnut Creek, and the greater San Francisco Bay Area at our Dublin, CA locations

According to data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), eyelid surgery is the world's third most popular elective surgery. Nearly 997,000 women and 263,000 men had the procedure in 2019 alone. At Tri Valley Plastic Surgery, Dr. Williams frequently performs blepharoplasty to help their patients refresh their eyes.

Dr. Williams specializes in awake blepharoplasty with patients in the Oakland and Bay areas. Blepharoplasty surgery is usually a day procedure. You may go under local anesthesia, which numbs the area around your eyes. You'll be awake during the surgery but relaxed and not be sensitive to pain. Some patients may prefer general anesthetic, meaning you would be asleep during the operation.

Whether you have an upper blepharoplasty, a lower blepharoplasty, or both upper and lower lids, the surgery will last between one and three hours. If you are having other cosmetic surgery procedures done at the same time, you may be in surgery even longer.

Eyelid surgery may be performed in a clinic or in the hospital. It's usually done outpatient and rarely requires an inpatient stay.

Your eyelids may feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off after your eyelid surgery. Dr. Williams will prescribe pain medication and eye drops. In the unlikely event you feel severe pain, call your surgeon immediately.

Eyelid swelling and bruising under the eyes are common post-operative blepharoplasty side effects in the first few days after eyelid surgery, though these can last up to two weeks. A rest regimen, sleeping with your head elevated, and using ice compresses can all speed the healing process.

Blepharoplasty complications are infrequent and usually minor. As with any surgery, the outcome is not predictable. Blepharoplasty risks and complications may include an unexpected reaction to the anesthetic, excessive bleeding, infection, or developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis, DVT). Antibiotics may be needed to help prevent infection.

Most patients enjoy more youthful-looking eyes for an average of five to seven years. Technically, no cosmetic surgical procedure is considered permanent. The skin and tissues around your eyes will continue to age after blepharoplasty.

Upper blepharoplasty is the preeminent way to treat naturally hooded eyelids caused by genetics. If you have acquired blepharoplasty, or hooded lids resulting from aging, prescription eye drops such as Upneeq can offer a temporary solution, although the eye-opening effect pales in comparison to what upper eyelid surgery can achieve.

Patients with heavy upper eyelids that droop onto the lash line may see improvements in peripheral vision after upper blepharoplasty.

Absolutely. Upper and lower eyelid surgery is a combined procedure that can be safely done on the same day. Treating the upper and lower eyelids simultaneously can correct a host of issues, from puffy eyes to under-eye bags and drooping, tired, or angry-looking eyes.

The majority of patients who seek out eye procedures such as blepharoplasty or canthopexy are in their 40s and 50s. However, patients with naturally hooded eyes may choose to undergo such a procedure in their 20s or 30s.

Most patients feel comfortable going out in public within seven to 14 days after blepharoplasty. High-impact exercise and heavy lifting are best avoided for four to six weeks.

Blepharoplasty recovery times will vary patient by patient and by the extent of the eyelid surgery performed. Healing time after eyelid surgery depends on a patient's physical and emotional health and response to surgery. Patients with a history of medical problems such as scarring or circulation problems and patients who smoke may experience a longer or more arduous healing time after blepharoplasty. The recovery rate also depends on the quality of a patient's aftercare and whether or not they experience complications.

Someone must be present to drive you home after your procedure. While you will most likely be awake during blepharoplasty, your vision may be blurry temporarily. Driving after three to four days may be possible if you have minimal work done. However, most patients should plan to wait at least five days before getting behind the wheel.

Insurance coverage is not typically applicable to cosmetic procedures. However, coverage is possible if one of these procedures is performed to address an obstructed field of vision. As the lower lid does not usually contribute to a loss of peripheral vision, lower lid blepharoplasty is generally not covered by insurance.

The cost of blepharoplasty can vary widely based on the extent of surgery, the type of anesthesia, and the surgeon’s expertise. Patients in need of financial assistance may apply to CareCredit or PatientFi.

Reputable blepharoplasty surgeons will take care to hide the incision lines in the natural skin folds above and below the eye. This helps to minimize scars. After the incisions heal, they should ultimately fade to a fine line that is not obvious from a conversational distance.

Important things to remember for a faster blepharoplasty recovery:

• Keep your head propped up on pillows when you are lying down to reduce swelling and bruising.
• Avoid bending forward for a few days.
• Carefully cleanse your eyes and use the ointment prescribed by your surgeon.
• Don't wear contact lenses for at least two weeks.
• Don't drive until your eyes have stopped watering and your vision has returned to normal.