Blepharoplasty

A blepharoplasty, also known as an eyelid lift, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove puffiness and/or sagging skin from around the eyes. There is an upper blepharoplasty, which addresses sagging upper eyelid skin or excess fat, and there is a lower blepharoplasty, which can reduce under eye wrinkles and baggage. These two separate procedures can provide results that erase years of aging by giving the eyes a more youthful appearance.

At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, Dr. Daniel Murariu and Dr. Robert Peterson offer eyelid lifts for patients who want to rejuvenate their appearance or address redundant eye skin. Dr. Murariu is double board-certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery–he is also a peer reviewer of esteemed surgical journals. Dr. Peterson is also a board-certified plastic surgeon who is dedicated to providing his patients with the most effective results.

At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, blepharoplasty can be performed with or without ptosis repair, which addresses underlying muscles. We also have the option of Asian blepharoplasty, specially tailored for patients of Asian descent.

To schedule an appointment at our Honolulu office, please call (808) 944-8551 or fill out our contact form.

Before and After Photos

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About Blepharoplasty

Changes in the skin around the eyes, such as sagging eyelids and bulging under eye bags, are common concerns that can arise because of aging and the downward pull of gravity. As we age, the skin’s production of collagen can decline, resulting in a loss of elasticity and a descension of these delicate tissues. Patients who experience this may feel as though they appear angry, unhappy, tired or sad–even when they are not. They may also feel like they look older than they are.

With a blepharoplasty, patients can address the sagging, wrinkly, or puffy skin with either an upper or lower eyelid lift procedure. Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson can perform these two different procedures as standalone treatments. ⁽¹⁾

Upper Eyelid Lift

An upper blepharoplasty primarily addresses the skin above the eye, which can hang over the eyes and create an angry or tired expression. This tissue can also somewhat obscure the eye, taking away from the appearance of the eyes themselves. Your surgeon can remove this sagging skin to achieve a more wakeful, brightened eye appearance while also making you look years younger.

Lower Eyelid Lift

The area beneath the eyes is prone to developing sagging skin or prolapsed fat pads over time. ⁽²⁾ Excess wrinkly skin or descended fat beneath the eyes can cause a puffy, unflattering appearance that, like sagging upper eye skin, can make you look tired or older than you are. Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson can skillfully remove bulging under-eye tissues to smooth the under eye area so that you look more well-rested and more youthful.

Asian Blepharoplasty

At Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery, our surgeons are experienced in the practice of Asian blepharoplasty as well. While this procedure can also be done in response to sagging skin caused by aging, it often functions in creating a fold for the upper eyelid. Our surgeons can use different techniques to attach the eyelid skin to the eyelid-lifting muscles. This will result in the skin being pulled up when the eye is opened.

Rather than completely alter the appearance of the eyes, this personalized procedure aims for subtle changes that are in line with the patient’s goals. During these procedures, our surgeons take extra considerations so as to maintain the patient’s characteristics. ⁽³⁾

Ptosis Repair

If one of your motivations for a blepharoplasty is sagging or “ptotic” eyelid skin, we can perform ptosis repair as well. A blepharoplasty can be performed with or without ptosis repair, depending on your needs and goals. Like the tissue around the eyes, the underlying muscles of the eyelids can become weaker or lose elasticity. Ptosis repair for the upper eyelid often involves the tightening of the levator muscle, which is mainly in charge of the extent to which the eye can open. Ptosis repair allows patients to achieve a more refreshed, wakeful look by addressing underlying muscle laxity for either the upper or lower eyelids, in addition to the excisional techniques employed during the overall blepharoplasty. ⁽²⁾

Benefits

The benefits of a blepharoplasty are numerous. Some of the most common include:

Candidates

If you are dissatisfied with your facial appearance because of sagging or drooping skin above or beneath your eyes, you may be a great candidate for either an upper or lower blepharoplasty. The best candidates for these procedures are people who are in generally good health and who are non-smokers–or are willing to quit smoking for several weeks before and after their procedure. It is also preferable that patients have realistic expectations regarding blepharoplasty results. A personal consultation will help Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson more accurately determine your candidacy.

Personal Consultation

During a consultation at Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery in Honolulu, you will meet with either Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson to discuss your potential upper or lower eyelid lift procedure. They will carry out a careful examination of your eye tissue laxity, request information about your medical history, and provide insight into the blepharoplasty procedure. You will engage in a detailed discussion regarding your goals and the specific techniques that will be suitable for achieving your desired results.

To schedule a consultation where our team can provide you with more information about the blepharoplasty process, you can reach our Honolulu office at (808) 944-8551 or fill out our contact form.

Preparation

To help you prepare for your blepharoplasty procedure, our team will provide you with in-depth instructions after a personal consultation. These instructions may include:

Procedure

Before your procedure, we will administer the necessary anesthesia.

Upper Blepharoplasty Procedure

Dr. Murariu or Dr. Peterson will begin the upper blepharoplasty procedure by creating small incisions hidden along the natural creases of the upper eyelid, extending slightly beyond the outer corner of the eye into other present folds. Through these incisions, our surgeons can remove excess fat, skin, and muscle tissue from above the eyes. To perform ptosis repair of the upper eyelid, our surgeons can shorten the levator muscle during the upper blepharoplasty procedure. Once they finish making these careful adjustments, they will close the incisions, leaving a smoother, more youthful facial appearance. ^(1,3)

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

If you are receiving a lower blepharoplasty, the incision will typically be directly beneath the lower eyelashes. Through this incision, our surgeons can effectively remove excess skin, muscle, and fat to reduce the appearance of under eye bags. They can also redistribute fat in this area to create a smoother facial contour. Like an upper eyelid lift, our surgeons can perform ptosis repair for the lower eyelids by addressing underlying muscle laxity. In some cases, the surgeon may decide that the best approach will be through an incision inside the lower eyelid. During this approach, the surgeon cannot remove any actual excess skin, but applying laser technology can help with reducing wrinkles and sagging in the lower eyelid area.

These procedures are generally between one to two hours long, depending on the extent of sagging, muscle laxity, and excess tissue.

Recovery

After an eyelid lift, we will apply ointment to the eyelids and secure the treated areas with bandages. The eye area will most likely feel somewhat tight and sore. If necessary, we may prescribe medication to help alleviate any discomfort.

For the next several days, whenever you sleep or recline, you should keep your head elevated and supported. To minimize swelling and bruising, you may want to gently apply a cold compress around the treatment areas. We will remove your sutures within a week of the surgery. Most patients can return to work in one to two days. It is important to take care to protect your eyes from harmful contact and irritants as you heal.

Recovery times and experiences may vary. If you have any questions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Results

The results from your blepharoplasty will be fully apparent once you have finished healing. Whether you underwent an upper or lower blepharoplasty, your results will reveal a more youthful, wakeful facial appearance. Results from blepharoplasties often last a long time. However, the processes of aging will continue to impact the tissues of the face as time goes on.

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

If you are looking for a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation, you may be interested in the following procedures in addition to your blepharoplasty.

Brow Lift

During a brow lift, also known as a forehead lift, your surgeon can make strategic incisions hidden in the hairline or by the ears to lift drooping brows and surrounding skin. This can further contribute to a wakeful facial appearance. This method can also reduce the appearance of deep forehead wrinkles and effectively smooth out the upper portion of your face.

Facelift

There are different variations of the facelift, but this procedure usually addresses the areas of the neck, jawline, and cheeks. Your surgeon can remove excess skin from these areas to give the face a more defined and youthful contour. Because facelifts do not typically address the skin around the eyes, this makes the facelift a great addition to a blepharoplasty procedure. Combining a blepharoplasty with a facelift can lead to enhanced results.

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting to the face can help provide more volume in crucial areas. Aging can lead to facial volume loss that can cause the face to take on a hollow look, while also causing sagging, wrinkly skin to develop. By removing fat from elsewhere on the body with liposuction, your surgeon can reinsert this fat into the face and provide a more youthful, less wrinkled appearance. Fat grafting is also a minimally invasive procedure, making it an effective alternative to more extensive surgical procedures.

Cost of an Eyelid Lift in Honolulu

The cost of your blepharoplasty will depend on if you are addressing the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid, and if you are combining this procedure with any other procedures. A personal consultation at Athena Clinic Plastic Surgery is necessary for our team to be able to determine the cost of your individualized procedure. We offer financing options for your convenience.

To schedule a consultation at our Honolulu office where our team can provide you with more information about blepharoplasty pricing, call (808) 944-8551 or fill out our contact form.

FAQ

References

1. Rebowe RE, Runyan C. Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482381/
2. Kirthi Koka, Patel BC. Ptosis Correction. Nih.gov. Published September 16, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539828/
3. Park D. Aging Asian Upper Blepharoplasty and Brow. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2015;29(03):188-200. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1556853
4. Alghoul M. Blepharoplasty: Anatomy, Planning, Techniques, and Safety. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2018;39(1):10-28. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjy034