What is Eyelid surgery?
An Eyelid lift, or Blepharoplasty surgery, removes excess skin from the upper and/or lower eyelids, giving you a more refreshed, rested, and youthful look.
While Eyelid lifts are one of the most popular procedures, it is important to remember that your eyelids are part of your overall facial anatomy and, as such, a good Eye lift surgeon will be helping you determine which procedure (or procedures) will help you best address your specific concerns.
What problems does an Eyelid surgery address?
I have extra skin on my upper eyelids. -a Baltimore patientPatients who request an eyelid lift often present the following symptoms:
- crowded (hooded) eyes
- outer corner of eye is lower than inner corner
- sagging upper eyelid (ptosis)
- drooping lower eyelids
- bags under the eyes
How is Eyelid surgery performed?
The eyelid procedure can be performed under local sedation as well as under IV sedation.Type of anesthesia
- local anesthesia in the office
- IV sedation or General anesthesia
Surgical technique
Surgical technique is typically as follows:1) Upper eyelid surgery
During eyelid surgery, the upper lid is corrected through an incision made in the natural crease to remove excess skin, reposition fat, and tighten muscle.2) Lower eyelid surgery
The lower eyelid incision is generally made just below the lower lash line.Alternative treatment: Brow lift instead of an Upper eyelid lift
Often times I prefer to treat sagging upper eyelids with a Brow lift since drooping eyelids are usually a result of a sagging brow. Lifting the brow is often the most natural way to bring the eyebrows and lids back to where they were in their youthful state. You can get some idea if you might benefit from a brow lift by looking in the mirror and raising your upper brow 1/2 inch on each top side. To read more about my thoughts on why some patients benefit more from a brow lift than an eyelid lift, please read this blog post.Can I get a Brow lift AND an Upper eyelid lift?
If there is excessive eyelid skin, you may need both procedures. However, I prefer to perform the Brow lift first, as more than 90% of the time, this procedure is effective in lifting the upper eyelids to a youthful position. I typically only perform the Upper eyelid lift if the Brow lift does not completely correct the ptosis of the upper lids.What are the preoperative requirements?

- Eyelid procedures performed under local anesthesia do not require pre-operative clearance. You may also eat a light breakfast before your surgery.
- Patients with procedures under IV sedation (or General anesthesia) are required to get a medical clearance 30 days prior to surgery. This includes a History and Physical (H&P), as well as a CBC blood test.
- Quit smoking 3-4 weeks prior to surgery
- Stop taking multivitamins, herbals, and aspirin two weeks prior to surgery
- Schedule a pre-op appointment with your surgeon to review the surgical plan and discuss risks associated with the procedure. The Informed Consent document should also be discussed at this appointment.
- If your procedure is under IV anesthesia (or General Anesthesia) you should not drink or eat anything (NPO) after midnight prior to surgery.
What is posterior Eyelid surgery recovery like?
- use a cold compress to reduce swelling the first few days
- no driving for 3-4 days
- out of work for at least 7 days
- sleep with your head elevated for the first week
- Expect to have bruising for the first 10 days. Many people wear sunglasses during this period if you must go out in public.
- You may have residual swelling for up to 4 months.
What are the risks and possible complications?

- swelling and bruising
- dry eyes
- infection
- unfavorable scarring
- sensitivity to light
- difficulty shutting the upper eyelids completely
How much does an Eyelid lift procedure cost?
The Upper Eyelid lift procedure is less expensive if performed under local anesthesia because there are no hospital or anesthesia fees. Having local anesthesia is comparable to having a dental procedure. If performed under local anesthesia, the upper eye lift procedure is $2,300. If the procedure is performed under IV sedation in the main operating room, the total cost is approximately $3,200. Total cost includes surgeon's fee, operating room fee, and anesthesia fees. All post op office visits are also included in the total cost.Eyelid Surgery Options | 2022 Price |
---|---|
Upper eyelid surgery under local anesthesia | $2,300 |
Upper eyelid surgery under iv sedation | $3,200 |
Can I finance my Eyelid surgery?
Yes, we work with a number of finance companies so that you can have a low, affordable, monthly payment. Please call our office at 410-494-8100 or see our financing section for more information.
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Board Certified Plastic Surgery, ASPS Member
NOTICE
Patients depicted in our before and after galleries have provided their written consent to display their photos online. Every patient is unique, and surgical results may vary. Please contact us if you have any questions.
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