Eyelid Surgery (Eye Lift) in Washington, District of Columbia

Eyelid Surgery FAQs in DC

• How is blepharoplasty surgery performed?

  Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids individually or both eyelids at the same time. During the procedure, the surgeon makes incisions in the crease of the upper eyelid and beneath or behind the lower eyelid. The placement of the incisions help hide scars after the area heals.

  The surgeon marks the areas where excess skin and fat needs to be removed. Underlying muscle may also be removed or tightened with sutures.

  The tissue is removed using surgical instruments, such as scalpels, cutting lasers, surgical scissors, and other specialized surgical devices. After the tissue is removed, the surgeon closes the incisions with sutures or tissue adhesives.

  The surgeon carefully determines the amount of skin, muscle, and fat that needs to be removed, taking into account your facial muscle structure, eyebrow symmetry, and bone structure. If you have dry eyes, the surgeon may opt to remove less tissue and, in so doing, avoid exposing more of the eye to the air so that symptoms don’t worsen.

  Optional Steps During the Procedure

  Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser may be used to smooth wrinkles and lines around your lines, as well as to resurface the skin in the eyelid and eyebrow area.

  A brow lift may be performed in conjunction with eyelid surgery. The procedure involves making an incision near the brow area and tightening the skin.

• How do you prepare for eyelid surgery?

  Before undergoing eyelid surgery, you will need to have a thorough examination and discussion with your surgeon, to include the benefits, as well as the potential risks of the procedure. Your doctor provides pre-operative and post-operative instructions that you will need to follow closely. This will include any medication for pain relief, as well as measures to minimize discomfort, such as gauze, gel packs and artificial tears.

  At the time of the consultation, your surgeon explains if the procedure requires local or general anesthesia. This usually depends on the complexity of the blepharoplasty and whether you are undergoing additional cosmetic procedures at the same time.

  Before the day of the procedure (especially if it will be done under general anesthesia), you may need to:

  • Stop taking blood-thinning medication, including non-prescription pain medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin
  • Eat a light meal the evening before the surgery
  • Remove all makeup
  • Refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight
  • Arrange for transportation to and from the surgical appointment

  
  

• How long is the recovery time?

  Compared to other facial cosmetic procedures, the recovery time after blepharoplasty is relatively short. You may notice that bruising and swelling are worse on the day after the surgery. The swelling and the bruising quickly begin to go down after the first 24 hours.

  During the first 48 hours after the surgery, you can use cool compresses to reduce the bruising and swelling. Light exercise, such as walking, helps accelerate healing, but you should avoid any strenuous activities.

  Incision sites are covered with thin bandages, so you may not be able to see for the first five days or so. The sutures used for the procedure dissolve between four and seven days after the procedure. If your surgeon used non-dissolving stitches, they are removed seven to 10 days after the procedure.

  You may experience red and bloodshot sclera (the whites of your eyes). You should not wear eye makeup or use skin care products in your eye area. If you wear contact lenses, you can use them again once the swelling has subsided.

  You should be able to return to normal activities seven to ten days after the surgery. The majority of bruising and swelling should have disappeared after two weeks.

  Your doctor will offer advice on pain medication that you can use to stay comfortable. In most cases, you will only need non-prescription pain relief. You can expect discomfort, but if you have severe pain or impacted vision, call your surgeon immediately.

• What are the risks and possible complications of eyelid surgery?

  Dry eyes is one of the most common complications of eyelid surgery. This is typically due to not being able to close your eyes completely. This condition usually resolves within one to two weeks. You can use eye drops to keep your eyes moist. In some cases, the dry eye condition persists for more than two or three months and may require additional corrective surgery.

  Other possible complications include:

  • Infection of the eyelid
  • Double vision
  • Vision loss (due to retrobulbar hemorrhage)
  • Noticeable scarring
  • Incorrectly positioned eyelids
  • Under- or over-correction
  • Eyelid numbness

  
  

• How much does eyelid surgery cost? Does insurance cover the cost of blepharoplasty?

  The cost of eyelid surgery varies. In DC, the average cost is $2,000 to $5,000. Surgeons charge different rates based on their experience, sub-specialty, and facility where the surgery is performed.

  The starting cost for a basic upper eyelid surgery without fat removal is $2,000. More complicated eyelid surgeries that involve the upper and lower eyelids may cost $5,000, and this includes removal of fat. These estimates are for surgeon fees only, and There may be additional costs of $800 to $2,000 from the facility in DC.

  In general, eyelid surgery is not covered by insurance, as it is considered a cosmetic procedure. The exception to this is if is a functional blepharoplasty to correct vision obstruction from sagging eyelids. In this case, prior authorization is typically required by insurance carriers. Your medical insurance may cover a portion of the cost.

• Who are the best candidates for eyelid surgery?

  If you have drooping or sagging skin around your eyes due to aging, blepharoplasty may be a good option if you are in good health. For most people, eyelid surgery is performed for cosmetic reasons after the age of 40. This is when patients typically begin to notice the signs of aging around the eyes as their skin loses elasticity. While it may make a significant difference in your appearance, it is important to have realistic expectations.

  An ideal candidate for a lower eyelid procedure has puffiness under the eyes. Puffiness can be hereditary, due to fluid accumulation, or related to aging.

  If you are considering eyelid surgery, schedule a consultation with an experienced, qualified cosmetic surgeon to learn more about the procedure. The surgeon determines if you have any risk factors for complications associated with the procedure, such as dry eyes, diabetes, and thyroid eye disease. Health problems may mean that you cannot safely have the procedure.

  Smoking delays the healing process, and it is considered to have an increased risk of complications following surgery. If you are a smoker, you may need to stop smoking for several weeks before the surgery.

  Performing eyelid surgery on people of Asian descent is more difficult due to the unique structure of the eyelids. Therefore, this population is considered at higher risk of sub-optimal outcomes. If you are in this population, look for a surgeon who specializes in eyelid surgery for people of Asian descent.

• How long do the results of blepharoplasty last?

  The results of eyelid surgery may last up to 10 to 15 years. The aging process will continue and, as with any cosmetic procedure, the results will not last indefinitely. You may need a subsequent eyelid surgery in the future.

• Which procedures are often combined with eyelid surgery?

  Many patients will choose to address signs of aging by having several facial procedures at the same time. Eyelid surgery can be performed as a standalone surgery. However, it is often combined with a facelift (to address jowls and sagging) and/or a brow lift (for sagging and forehead wrinkles) for full facial rejuvenation.

• Are there non-surgical alternatives to eyelid surgery?

  f you have concerns about eyelid surgery and would prefer a non-invasive alternative, injectables may offer temporary anti-aging benefits. Discuss your options with a qualified surgeon.

  Alternatives to Upper Eyelid Surgery

  Droopy eyelids may be improved with Botox® or Dysport® to raise the eyebrows. This involves making injections in the muscles that pull the eyebrows down. This costs around $500 to $600 in DC, and the effects last for four to six months. Fillers, such as Restylane® or Juvéderm®, may also help by raising the corners of the eyebrows to raise your upper eyelids. Expect to pay approximately $700 for this treatment, and the results may last six to 18 months.

  Alternatives to Lower Eyelid Surgery

  Lower lid puffiness can be addressed with fillers. Fillers create a smooth surface from the lower eye area to the upper cheeks. This is most effective if the patient has firm skin under the eyes with minor puffiness.

  See below for a list of the top-rated eyelid surgery specialists in Washington, DC.