Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty or eyelift, is performed to help address sagging skin above and below the eyelid. An eyelift may help restore the skin around the upper and lower eyelid and reveal a refreshed, more youthful appearance. People of all ages can experience the benefits of eyelid surgery, and eyelid surgery can help not only those who are looking to smooth out their wrinkles or crow’s feet, but also those who are seeking to fix drooping eyelids in order to help dispel discomfort and improve their vision. If you feel like your eyes make you look more tired than you really are, or if sagging skin is getting in the way of your vision, you may want to consider upper eyelid surgery.

Our facial plastic surgeons have advanced training an experience specifically in facial plastic surgery techniques, which help them achieve beautiful, natural-looking results for patients.

Dr. Richard Gangnes is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. In addition to his education from the Washington University School of Medicine, he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery as well as the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Dr. Bryan Brandon is a facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial plastic surgery techniques, having performed over 500 facial rejuvenation procedures. His meticulous approach to plastic surgery delivers his patients a natural and balanced result, while achieving each individual’s unique aesthetic goals.

We will be happy to discuss your concerns as well as your treatment options. We offer convenient appointment times at 3 locations in Southern California to accommodate your needs.

An eyelid lift is a simple procedure designed to address any wrinkles, sagging skin, puffiness, or other signs of aging around the upper and lower eyelid areas. For an upper eyelid lift, after you have been sedated and given a local anesthetic, your surgeon will make a small incision within the natural crease above your eye. Through this incision, your surgeon will then remove a certain amount of excess skin and/or fat and repair underlying muscle in order to make the necessary improvements.

Some people experience puffiness, also known as bags or circles, under their eyes, which makes them appear as if they are tired or possibly unhealthy. This type of issue may potentially be fixed with lower eyelid surgery. For this procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision to the outer edge, just under the eyelashes or inside the eyelid. Once that is done, he will remove any excess fat as well as any skin that may require removal, leaving a smoother surface beneath the eye.

Real Before and After Patient Photos

Though eyelid surgery alone may do wonders for improving your appearance, there are often additional options worth considering to address other signs of aging that may have become more noticeable on your face. Many people also choose to have a microlift, brow lift, or skin resurfacing treatment such as a chemical peel or a combination of treatments in order to achieve the best possible result.

Because each person has unique concerns, you may be a better candidate for one of these skin treatments than for eyelid surgery. For example, the appearance of drooping eyelids may potentially be caused by sagging or relaxed muscles in the forehead or brow area. In that particular case, the issue you are seeking to fix may be helped by treatments other than an eyelid lift. your surgeon will go over any and all options that may be right for you during your initial consultation.

In order to be a candidate for any type of surgery, you must be in good physical health. Aside from health, a good candidate for eyelid surgery will typically have excess skin and fat in the upper or lower eyelid area and a desire to refresh their appearance or address obstructed vision concerns.

If you have similar experiences, you may want to consider upper eyelid surgery and contact our office for a consultation. your surgeon will go over all of your medical history and will examine not only your eyes, but your entire facial structure in order to determine whether or not eyelid surgery is right for you.

Your eyelid surgery will take place at our award-winning cosmetic surgery center. At Facial Aesthetic Concepts, we take great care to ensure that you are comfortable and ready for your procedure when you arrive. Following sedation and administration of local anesthesia, your surgeon will make small incisions in the natural crease of one or both of your eyelids to address any issues with sagging skin, excess fat, or muscle tone. After the eyelid lift is completed, any additional facial treatments that you may have discussed may be performed. At this point, your incisions will be closed and a surgical dressing will be applied to your eye area.

When the procedure is finished, you will spend time, under medical supervision, in a recovery room at our office. When you are deemed ready, you will be allowed to return home unless you have opted to receive other treatments that require an overnight stay. If we plan for you to return home after the procedure, you will need to arrange for someone to take you to and from your surgical appointment. Ask a friend or family member to drive you that day and to stay with you for at least the first night after your eyelid procedure. You may be tired and a little groggy after taking any medications, so it’s important that you have assistance at home to get you well on your way to recovery.

After your eyelid surgery, you may expect to experience some blurred vision as a result of the lubricating ointment that will be applied to your eyes, as well as some bruising, swelling and discomfort. Some people may also temporarily experience watery eyes or sensitivity to light. These effects from the eyelid surgery are normal and will soon dissipate as you continue to heal.

The cost of a procedure such as an eyelift may vary depending on several different factors. If you have medical reasons for needing eyelid surgery, it is possible that your insurance will cover the procedure. Experiencing discomfort or obscured vision may make you eligible for coverage, and some insurance companies will require you to submit paperwork and photographs before being approved, so be sure to go over your current plan to find out. If your reasons for wanting an eyelift are cosmetic only, we may be able to offer certain payment plans based upon the services in which you are interested.

Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically lasts from 1 to 2 hours, so you will be able to return home with the help of a friend or family member when it is finished. While recovering at home for the next 1 to 2 weeks, you may experience some swelling and bruising around your eyes, in addition to some possible tightness in the area. To help alleviate any discomfort, it is recommended that you keep your head elevated as much as possible and use cold compresses to soothe the area.

After your eyelid surgery, you may be tired and may feel the need to rest your eyes more than usual. It is especially important to always protect your eyes from the sun and wind when you are outside. You will also have to avoid lifting any heavy objects or bending over for the next few weeks after the procedure so that you don’t experience any sudden increases in blood pressure and disrupt the healing of your incision site. While many men and women who have eyelid surgery are typically able to get back to their daily activities after about a week and return to work after about 10 days, our staff will let you know what your specific timeline will be after a personal, in-office evaluation.

Having surgery on your upper or lower eyelid will remove excess skin and fat in order to give you the desired outcome and/or more youthful appearance you are looking for. The results of an eyelift will vary from person to person, but you should be able to see a visible improvement to your eye area when the majority of any bruising or swelling is gone, usually after about 2 weeks.

After your skin has healed and any lingering swelling has gone down, you will begin to see the outcome of your eye procedure. Final results are typically experienced a few months following surgery. While the natural signs of aging will progress over time, you may expect the results of your eyelid surgery to potentially last for many years.

Making the results of your eyelid surgery last as long as possible is up to you, your habits and your health. Living a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet and regular physical exercise will help you look and feel your best. Other good practices such as applying sunscreen daily and refraining from smoking are also highly recommended to help make the results of your eyelid surgery last.

In general, too much exposure to the sun may cause loss of elasticity and damage to your skin, but it is especially important to avoid UV rays after your eyelift so that you don’t irritate your skin or cause further swelling and inflammation. It is essential to follow any and all aftercare instructions that Dr. Gangnes gives you, including remaining indoors immediately following your surgery. Even after your recovery is complete, make sure that you are using a sunscreen with a high SPF and minimizing time spent under direct sunlight.

Before you have eyelid surgery, be prepared to discuss your health and full medical history. We will ask any pertinent questions regarding existing health conditions or risk factors, so it may be helpful to bring any medical records that you may have with you to your initial consultation. He will evaluate and take photographs of your eye area while discussing your specific eyelid surgery options, including your likely outcome, any potential risks, and what type of anesthesia that will be used during your surgery. Your surgeon will also provide you with a medication prescription, which you will get filled prior to your eye lift so you can bring the medication with you on the day of your procedure.

To prepare for your eyelid surgery, you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly so that you continue to stay in good physical shape for your surgery. You may be asked to avoid taking any anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin since they can potentially increase the possibility of bleeding and bruising. If you smoke, you will be asked to refrain from smoking for at least two weeks before and after your procedure, as smoking can negatively affect your surgery and your healing and recovery time.

Before you have your consultation for eyelid surgery, it may be helpful for you to write down a list of questions you have and bring them with you. That way, you will be sure to remember all of the things you want to address with Dr. Gangnes and ensure that each of your questions are answered fully and to your satisfaction. To help you get started, here are some questions you may want to consider asking before you have eyelid surgery:

• Am I a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
• Can I see before and after photos of previous eyelid surgery patients?
• What type of surgical technique will be used for my procedure?
• Where will my incisions be made?
• What kind of individual results should I expect?
• What medications will I be prescribed post-surgery?
• Am I allowed to wear contact lenses after my eyelift?
• When will I be able to drive again?
• When do I return for follow-up care?
• Are there additional treatment options that may be right for me?

Taking care of yourself after any type of surgery is crucial for your recovery so that you heal properly and receive the best possible results. While your surgeon will give you specific aftercare instructions for your individual recovery, here are some general steps to take following your eyelid surgery.

• Use a cool compress on your eyes for about 10 minutes each hour on the night of your procedure, then 4 to 5 times a day during the next few days to help reduce swelling.
• Gently clean your eyes, following the instructions provided for you.
• Take any medications/eyedrops prescribed by your physician.
• Avoid heavy lifting, straining, bending over and swimming for a few weeks or so.
• Do not smoke.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes.
• Wear your glasses instead of contacts for about 2 weeks.
• Protect your eyes from the sun and wind by wearing darkly tinted sunglasses and/or a hat with a large brim while you are outside.
• Try to sleep with your head elevated for the next few days.
• Avoid any medication that may potentially increase bleeding such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Instead, medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be taken to alleviate any discomfort.
• Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any shortness of breath, fever, bleeding, vision problems or any severe discomfort.

Many questions may come to mind when you are considering an eyelid procedure. Doing your research and getting answers regarding eyelid surgery will help ease your mind while preparing for the procedure. Dr. Gangnes will thoroughly explain everything you need to know during your initial consultation, but in the meantime, here is a list of the most frequently asked questions we receive about eyelifts.

Which types of issues does eyelid procedure address?
Eyelid procedures can help with cosmetic concerns that make you look more tired or older than you are, such as wrinkles, puffiness, and sagging or drooping skin. In addition, eyelifts may also be done for medical reasons if the excess skin or fat around your eyes is obstructing your vision or causing discomfort.

What causes the need for eyelid surgery?
In many cases, the natural effects of aging take their toll on our faces and leave us with loose or sagging skin. How much elasticity your skin will lose as you age will largely depends on your genetics as well as certain lifestyle habits. Though eating healthy, drinking lots of water, not smoking, and staying out of the sun as much as possible will certainly help keep your skin looking its best, an eyelift is an effective way to rejuvenate your appearance with noticeable results.

As you get older, the skin of your upper eyelid will begin to naturally droop, and some people may experience extreme loss of elasticity that gets in the way of their sight. In addition, some men and women have excess fat under their eyes that may make them unhappy with their appearance. This issue is also based on genetics, but may also be corrected via eyelid surgery.

How long does an eyelift procedure take?
An eyelid procedure is an outpatient procedure, which means that you are able to go home immediately following the eyelid surgery. In most cases, an eyelift will typically take about an hour to perform, depending on the individual and their specific needs or if there is any administration of additional treatment options for the face. Since you will be sedated and given local anesthesia, you will spend the first moments following your eyelift in a recovery room under medical supervision. After Dr. Gangnes determines that you are able to leave, you will be driven home from our office by a trusted friend or family member the same day of your surgery.

Are there any possible side effects from eyelid surgery?
During your first consultation at Facial Aesthetic Concepts, your surgeon will go over any potential risks or complications with you based on your personal medical history. It is always important to be honest and truthful when it comes to providing this kind of information so that it does not affect the surgery or potentially impede your healing or recovery from your eyelift. Temporary side effects from eyelid surgery could potentially include blurry vision, dry eyes, discomfort, swelling and bruising around the treated area.

What will the incision and resulting scars be like?
Your surgeon will make a small incision within the natural fold of your eyelid, on the outer edge of the eye below your eyelash or just inside the eye. In most cases, scarring from eyelid surgery is subtle and often unnoticeable as it is obscured within the crease of the eyelid. Any visible scarring as a result of an eyelift will most likely fade over time.

How long does recovery from an eyelift take?
Every person who has eyelid surgery will heal at their own rate, so individual results may vary, but many people are able to return to work and their usual routine anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks after their procedure, depending on their job and daily activities. Be prepared to do a lot of resting following your eyelift, but keep in mind that it is important to get up and walk around every so often to increase circulation and get your blood moving. Any swelling or bruising that may occur from eyelid surgery is typically resolved within 4 weeks or so, but the results from your procedure will become more apparent as you continue to recover and heal.

For more information about eyelid surgery and all of the other surgical and non-surgical options that we offer at Facial Aesthetic Concepts, contact us online or call us today at (949) 313-2600. We will also help you set up a free consultation in one of our Orange County offices. We are here to answer your questions and help you get the results you want, so contact us now.

When deciding to have any plastic surgery procedure, you want to find the best, most qualified plastic surgeon and surgery team in Southern California. At Facial Aesthetic Concepts, we use state-of-the-art technology combined with the latest medical training and techniques to give you the best results possible. We’ll provide you with a complete skin analysis and develop a specific treatment plan to address your concerns.

Contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation and find out more about nose surgery to see if it’s the right choice for your cosmetic goals.