Eyelid Surgery in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, California

The following information provides answers to many of the questions that patients ask about eyelid surgery.

Who can benefit from eyelid lift surgery?

If you have puffy upper or lower eyelids, sagging skin above or below the eyes, or if your vision is impaired by baggy skin around your eyes, then an eyelid lift can help your eyes look more alert and youthful.

What are the intended results of eyelid lift surgery with Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Agha?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a procedure to remove excess skin and muscle, usually with some fat, from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes. However, it will not eliminate dark circles under your eyes or lift sagging eyebrows. While it can add an upper eyelid crease to Asian eyes, it will not erase evidence of your ethnic or racial heritage.

Does the eyelid lift procedure require a hospital stay?

The eyelid lift procedure is performed either on an outpatient basis at an ambulatory surgical care facility or in the hospital. Patients can typically go home the day of their surgery, but occasionally an overnight stay is recommended. We can recommend Newport Beach recovery facilities or home care if you would like additional private post-operative care in the days following surgery.

What type of anesthesia is used for eyelid lift surgery?

Eyelid lift plastic surgery may be performed under general anesthesia, which is given by an expert anesthesiologist. These services will be provided by the Southern California surgical facility where your surgery is performed, and the fee for this service will be billed separately.

How long does eyelid lift plastic surgery take?

Blepharoplasty can take one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.

What is involved in the eyelid lift procedure?

In a typical eyelid surgery procedure, Orange County plastic surgeon Dr. Agha makes incisions following the natural lines of your eyelids, in the creases of your upper lids and just below the lashes in the lower lids. The incisions may extend into the crow’s feet at the outer corners of your eyes. Working through these incisions, he separates the skin from underlying fatty tissue and muscle, removes excess fat, and often trims sagging skin and muscle. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.

Blepharoplasty can be done alone or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures, such as a facelift or browlift to raise the eyebrows or reduce the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet.

What happens after my eyelid lift surgery?

The incisions are covered with light dressings, and stitches, if used, will be removed in 5 to 10 days. Initial discomfort subsides daily and can be controlled with oral medication. Scars will usually fade within a few months.

When can I return to work and regular activities after eyelid lift surgery? What restrictions will I have?

Some bruising and swelling may be present within the first week or so after eyelid surgery. Most eyelid lift patients choose to return to work after the initial healing is complete in 5 to 10 days and sutures are removed. Residual bruising can typically be hidden with cosmetics until bruising completely fades.

Is eyelid plastic surgery typically covered by insurance?

The eyelid lift procedure is unlikely to be covered by insurance.