Blepharoplasty
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Englewood and Denver, CO
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure that minimizes puffy eyelids and lifts the lower or upper eyelid, creating a look that appears softer and rejuvenated. The eyes are a key focal point on the face and one of the first areas in which patients begin to show their age. Excess skin around the eyes can not only impact a person’s vision; it can make them look tired and older. Blepharoplasty reduces the skin and fat deposits to restore a patient’s most valuable facial feature.
Double board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Mario Imola and Dr. David M. Kowalczyk are experienced and equipped to perform all major facial cosmetic surgeries at their Denver practice. At Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery, our surgical staff focuses on offering natural-looking and exquisite results for every patient.
Schedule an eyelid lift consultation today by calling (303) 839-7980 or filling out our contact form to get in touch with us.
Contents
Before and After Photos
What is Blepharoplasty?
From sun damage to the simple passage of time, the skin around our eyes can start to lose elasticity, firmness, and structure as we age. The fat pads below the skin can descend and bags can form under the lower lash line. The upper eyelids can begin to droop and obstruct our peripheral field of vision. Other common signs of facial aging include hollowing around the upper eyelid, a higher natural eyelid crease, and a consistent lowering of the eyebrow. (1) Eyelid surgery safely removes excess skin and prolapsed fatty tissue from this area to smooth, contour, and restore lid shape.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk perform blepharoplasties to improve the overall lid structure. During an upper eyelid surgery, your surgeon places a concealable incision along the natural crease. They navigate toward the internal fat pads located above the eyeball and near the nose, then extract excess fat if necessary. They also remove small amounts of eyelid skin and carefully stitch the incision together with a thin suture. This makes the residual scar barely noticeable as it is hidden by the natural contours of the eye.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
A lower eyelid lift typically addresses the stubborn under-eye bags that can develop as a patient ages. (2) Our surgeons place incisions either inside or outside of the lower lid right underneath the lash line. From there, they can remove prolapsed fatty tissue to effectively smooth the area. They may remove skin as well to tighten the lower lid and create a youthful-looking contour.
Benefits of an Eyelid Lift
Blepharoplasty provides several aesthetic and functional benefits, including:
- Eliminating sagging, drooping skin
- Improving vision by expanding line of sight
- Achieving a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance
- Producing a more alert, awake look
- Minimizing “puffy” eyelids
- Removing under-eye bags and circles
- Enhancing comfort by reducing skin rubbing and eye irritation
- Improving overall aesthetics of the eyes
Ideal Candidates
Individuals who may benefit from blepharoplasty are those experiencing one or more of the following concerns:
- Excessive Eyelid Skin
- Prominent Under-Eye Bags
- Sagging Eyelids
- Tired-Looking Eyes
To qualify for this procedure, candidates should be in good overall health with realistic expectations. They should also be free of serious underlying medical conditions. Patients can schedule a private consultation with one of our surgeons to determine their candidacy.
Private Consultation at Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery
During the initial consultation, Dr. Imola or Dr. Kowalczyk will explain treatments based on your symptoms. Your surgeon will examine the treatment area and gather your medical history before creating a specialized procedure plan for you. They will then provide information about the surgery and what your recovery will be like. After this consultation, a member of the Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery team will help you schedule your eyelid lift procedure.
Preparation
Before eyelid surgery, patients should avoid blood-thinning substances like:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Aleve
- Vitamin E
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Tobacco
- Herbal Supplements
We encourage patients to follow a few instructions leading up to their procedure:
- Quit smoking at least 6 weeks before your surgery date
- Prepare your home for recovery by creating a comfortable space to relax
- Make easy-to-prepare meals that will save you time and energy
- Schedule time off of work
- Pick up new prescriptions beforehand to relieve stress
- Arrange for a ride to and from our surgical facilities
Procedure
Upper and lower eyelid surgeries take around two hours to complete and may require local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or IV sedation, depending on your treatment plan. At Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery, eyelid surgery may be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.
- Upper blepharoplasty: Your surgeon will carefully plan and mark the incision lines according to your natural eyelid creases, ensuring minimal visibility once healed. Through the incisions, excess skin and fatty tissue are carefully excised or repositioned to restore a more youthful contour to the upper eyelid.
- Lower blepharoplasty: When only fat needs to be addressed, your surgeon may use a transconjunctival approach. This involves making an incision inside the lower eyelid to access and reposition/remove excess fat. If there is also excess skin to be addressed, a small incision will be made just underneath the lashes, allowing for the careful removal or repositioning of fat and trimming of excess skin.
Recovery & Results
Most people will have some bruising and swelling for about 1 to 3 weeks after the surgery, but some may feel ready to get out and about after two weeks (even though the eyes will still be puffy and bruised). The overall look of your eyelids will continue to improve over the next 2 to 3 months. Most patients can resume normal activities within 7 to 10 days after their blepharoplasty. About two weeks after eyelid surgery, any associated bruising or swelling usually resolves.
The results from eyelid lift surgery are generally visible after 4 to 6 weeks and can provide lasting facial enhancement. The upper eyelids will be lifted and the eyes will look brighter and more alert. Patients often experience an increase in their field of vision as well as aesthetic improvements. Their dark circles and bulging under-eyes are smoother and rejuvenated.
Forehead Lift
The eyebrows tend to descend with age, often causing drooping along the upper eyelids and casting shadows over the eyes. This can make patients look tired and older than they are. A forehead lift can provide comprehensive rejuvenation of the upper facial third. Also called an eyebrow lift, this cosmetic procedure can lift the brows and reposition them higher along the brow bone. It can also reduce forehead lines to restore the area above the eyebrows.
With either an open, endoscopic, or endoscopic-assisted approach, Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk release the skin and soft tissue from the underlying bone. They then reposition it and place internal sutures to secure the new shape. Combining a forehead lift and an eyelid lift can completely reinvigorate a patient’s face.
Cost of an Eyelid Lift in Denver
Our team will be happy to explain the benefits of an eyelid lift, along with the cost and financing details at your personal consultation. For more on how this option can help you enjoy brighter, more youthful eyes, we invite you to call our Englewood, CO office at (303) 839-7980 to reserve a consultation.
FAQ
Are you awake during blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)?
At Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery, we use three types of anesthesia for our outpatient procedures: local anesthesia, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. With local anesthesia, the treatment area is numbed with a shot to keep you from feeling any pain or discomfort. IV sedation gives you a deep level of relaxation where you experience a minimal awareness of your surroundings with very little to no memory of the surgery. General anesthesia puts you in a medically induced coma, meaning you are fully asleep for the entire procedure.
How long does eyelid surgery take?
Most eyelid surgeries take about 1 to 2 hours if you are having both upper and lower lids done.
Does blepharoplasty hurt?
Even just using local anesthesia, many patients feel little to no pain or discomfort. IV sedation gives you an even deeper level of relaxation and pain management, and with general anesthesia, of course, you will be asleep.
Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
Most insurers will cover eyelid surgery if medically necessary, meaning the eyelids are interfering with your vision. If the eyelid surgery is for aesthetic purposes, it may not be covered as it will be considered elective surgery. You should always check with your insurance provider before scheduling any procedure.
Can I combine blepharoplasty with other facial procedures?
Yes, many patients choose to combine blepharoplasty with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or non-surgical treatments like dermal fillers or Botox to achieve more comprehensive and harmonious results.
References
- Rodrigues C, Carvalho F, Marques M. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Surgical Techniques and Results—Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2023;47(5):1870-1883. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03436-6
- Rostami S, de la Torre JI, Czyz CN. Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2021. Accessed October 11, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448181/
