Eyelid surgery, technically called blepharoplasty, is a procedure that removes fat - usually along with excess skin and muscle - from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes - features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision, if the eyelids hang over the lid margin.

        Blepharoplasty surgery won’t remove crows feet or other wrinkles around the eyes, and it will not eliminate dark circles under your eyes or lift sagging eyebrows. Please look at the other web pages on laser eyelid surgery and skin resurfacing surgery to deal with these problems.

        A blepharoplasty can be done alone, or in conjunction with other facial surgery procedures, such as a facelift, browlift, or skin resurfacing. Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and your self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match your ideal, or cause other people to treat you differently.

       The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Most are 35 years or older, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have eyelid surgery at a younger age.

                   Blepharoplasty usually takes one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. It frequently can be done in the office under a local anesthetic, if no other major procedures are desired.

                   Dr. Taylor also performs eyelid surgery in the hospital, if the patient prefers, or on an outpatient basis. The surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia - which numbs the area around your eyes - with the addition of an oral or intravenous sedative to make you drowsy. Although there is not usually much pain, the first 2-5 days after the surgery can be uncomfortable and difficult, if there is a lot of swelling of the eyelid areas. It is best to have limited activity for the first few days after surgery with care to the incisions and cool dressings to the eyelid areas.

                The healing and results vary tremendously from person to person. Some people have a great deal of swelling and discoloration, which may take 2-3 weeks to resolve. Normally, the majority of the swelling is gone in a few days and makeup can be worn to cover the discoloration to a large degree within 5-10 days.

        The final results develop over the next 2 - 3 months.

       The cost varies as to the procedures performed. A blepharoplasty is generally $1,800.-2,400.00.

       Dr. Taylor will be glad to discuss the surgical approach he will recommend for you and answer any
questions you may at a consultation appointment.

Note: Eyelids can also be treated with the a laser. Please see the "Eyelid/Baggy Eyes" page under Laser Surgery.