What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes excess skin and bulging fat deposits from the upper and/or lower eyelids to eliminate a tired, aged appearance. The procedure typically lasts 1 to 2 hours and can be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on patient needs.
Eyelid surgery (also known as eye bag removal) corrects drooping upper lids and puffy bags below the eyes — features that can make you look older and more tired than you feel, and that may even interfere with your vision. The procedure removes fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids.
It is important to understand what blepharoplasty will not do: it won’t remove crow’s feet or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under the eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. Patients seeking those changes may combine blepharoplasty with a brow lift, facelift, neck lift, or laser resurfacing.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Blepharoplasty can enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won’t necessarily change your looks to match an ideal or change how others treat you. Before deciding on surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with your surgeon.
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are:
- Men and women who are physically healthy and psychologically stable
- Patients with realistic expectations about the outcome
- Typically age 35 or older — though if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, surgery may be appropriate at a younger age
At your free consultation, your board-certified plastic surgeon will assess your eyesight, tear production, and general health, then explain the recommended technique, the anesthesia to be used, and how to prepare. Men considering this procedure can also read about male blepharoplasty.
How to Prepare
- Stop aspirin-based medication 3 weeks before surgery. Pharmaceuticals containing acetylsalicylic acid (such as Aspirin) decrease blood clotting time.
- Stop smoking at least one week before treatment — or at minimum cut down. Smoking slows recovery and increases the risk of complications.
- Arrive without makeup on the day of your operation.
Procedure Details
Upper eyelid surgery
Upper blepharoplasty takes about 1 hour and is performed under local anesthetic with a mild sedative. Incisions are made in the natural crease of the eyelid to loosen and remove excess skin and muscle, then closed with very fine sutures. Because eyelid skin has excellent healing capacity, visible signs of surgery typically fade within three months. Stitches are removed 6–7 days after surgery.
Lower eyelid surgery
Our surgeons use two methods to reduce excess skin and fat pads in the lower lids. At your free consultation, your surgeon will advise which is more suitable for you:
- Traditional surgical method. The incision is made in the skin and muscle just one millimeter below the eyelashes. Excess skin is removed and the incision is closed with very fine sutures, healing almost without a trace. Stitches are removed 6–7 days after surgery.
- Transconjunctival method. The incision is made inside the lower eyelid using a laser or radio scalpel, and fat pads (plus any excess skin) are removed through it. Because no external stitches are required, no visible scar remains — making this method especially suitable for younger patients with little excess skin. It is performed under general anesthetic, takes about 1 hour, and protective metal lenses are placed over the eyes during the laser portion.
To enhance results, your surgeon may suggest laser resurfacing of the area below the eyes to soften fine wrinkles when performed at the time of surgery. Blepharoplasty can also be combined with other facial or body procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or breast augmentation.
Recovery Timeline and Aftercare
Immediately after the operation, an ophthalmic cream is applied along with a dressing soaked in very cold saline solution to reduce discomfort and inflammation. You will be given painkillers and tablets to reduce swelling. Expect to feel tired and sleepy, particularly during the first three days.
Day-by-day recovery
- Days 1–3: Rest as much as possible; sleep on your back to prevent one-sided swelling of the lids. Apply cool sterile compresses to the lids every 3–6 hours as directed.
- Days 4–5: You can go outside wearing sunglasses.
- Days 6–7: Stitches are removed at a follow-up visit, with ophthalmic ointment applied to the incision area as directed before and after removal. Principal swelling and bruising have largely faded by now.
- Day 10: Makeup can be worn again.
- Days 10–12: Most patients return to everyday activities.
- Within 3 months: Visible signs of the incisions typically disappear.
Your surgical team will schedule follow-up visits during the first week to monitor healing and answer any questions. You can also ask a surgeon directly through our website.
Risks and Complications
Blepharoplasty is a well-established procedure with a strong safety record when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon, but like any surgery it carries some risks. Being informed helps you weigh the decision and recognize anything that needs attention during recovery.
Common, usually temporary effects
- Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort during the first week
- Dry, irritated, or watery eyes for a few days to weeks
- Temporarily blurred vision or sensitivity to light
- Difficulty fully closing the eyes while swelling resolves
Less common risks
- Bleeding, infection, or reaction to anesthesia
- Noticeable scarring or asymmetry between the eyelids
- Ectropion (outward rolling of the lower lid), which can require correction
- In very rare cases, changes to vision
Your surgeon minimizes these risks through the pre-operative assessment of your eyesight, tear production, and general health described above, careful technique selection, and scheduled follow-up visits during the first week of recovery. Any concerns between visits can be raised directly with your surgical team. For an independent overview of blepharoplasty risks, see the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Have questions about whether blepharoplasty is right for you? Ask a surgeon online or call (310) 620-7911 to schedule a free consultation — there’s no obligation.
Why Choose Beverly Hills Physicians?
- Board-certified plastic surgeons. Eyelid surgery at BHP is performed by plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery — a credential requiring years of dedicated plastic surgery training and rigorous written and oral examinations, renewed every ten years.
- Two lower-lid techniques offered. Our surgeons perform both the traditional external approach and the scarless transconjunctival method, and will recommend the right one for your anatomy at your free consultation.
- Proven results you can see. Browse our before-and-after gallery and read patient testimonials.
- Convenient Southern California locations. Offices in Beverly Hills, Encino, Pasadena, Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Lancaster, Bakersfield, Valencia, and the Inland Empire.
- Flexible financing. Treat now, pay later with Cherry financing — true 0% APR options, no hard credit checks, and approvals up to $50,000. Our consultants also help with insurance verification when blepharoplasty is functional rather than cosmetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does eyelid surgery take?
Blepharoplasty typically takes 1 to 2 hours. Upper eyelid surgery alone takes about 1 hour under local anesthetic with a mild sedative; combined upper and lower procedures take closer to 2 hours.
How long is recovery?
Principal swelling and bruising fade within about a week. Stitches come out at 6–7 days, makeup can be worn after 10 days, and most patients return to everyday activities within 10–12 days.
Will there be visible scars?
Incisions are hidden in the natural crease or just below the lash line and heal almost without a trace within three months. The transconjunctival lower-lid method leaves no external scar at all.
Who is a good candidate?
Healthy adults with realistic expectations. Most are 35 or older, but hereditary droopy or baggy lids can justify earlier surgery.
Does it fix dark circles or crow’s feet?
No — blepharoplasty addresses excess skin and fat, not skin texture or pigmentation. A brow lift or laser resurfacing can be combined with it for those concerns.
Is eyelid surgery safe?
Blepharoplasty has a strong safety record when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Temporary swelling, bruising, and dry or irritated eyes are common in the first week; serious complications are uncommon. See the Risks and Complications section above for details.
How much does it cost?
Pricing depends on whether upper, lower, or both lids are treated and on the anesthesia used. See our blepharoplasty cost guide, or get a personalized quote at your free consultation. Cherry financing offers 0% APR options, and if drooping lids obstruct your vision, part of the cost may be covered by insurance — our team can help with verification.
Ready to learn more? Request a free consultation or call (310) 620-7911. Out-of-town patients can book a virtual consultation.
Sources and Medical References
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons — Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) procedure guidelines: plasticsurgery.org
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons — Inaugural ASPS Insights and Trends Report: Cosmetic Surgery 2022
- American Academy of Ophthalmology — Blepharoplasty patient information: aao.org
- American Board of Plastic Surgery — surgeon certification verification: abplasticsurgery.org
This page was medically reviewed on June 11, 2026 to reflect current procedural standards.
About Our Surgeons
This page is reviewed by the board-certified plastic surgeons of Beverly Hills Physicians, including Parviz H. Goshtasby, MD, FACS, Richard Hodnett, MD, FACS, Daniel Yamini, MD, FACS, and Johnson C. Lee, MD. View all surgeon profiles and credentials →