Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

The eyes are our most expressive feature, and can also be one of our most attractive. A loss of skin elasticity and thinning facial tissue due to age can obstruct the beauty in and around our eyes, leading to sagging eyelids, under-eye bags and a constantly tired expression. Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can remove droopy eyelid skin and fatty deposits around the eyes.

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Harrington prides herself on her attention to detail when performing delicate facial surgeries like blepharoplasty. During your consultation, she will work with you to determine the best facial rejuvenation plan for your unique needs.

Contact us online or call our Plymouth office today at 651-290-7600 for more information about eyelid lifts, including pricing. Harrington + Associates Plastic Surgery has helped women and men from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Wayzata, Minnetonka and beyond with upper and lower eyelid surgery.

Eyelid surgery, sometimes also referred to as an eyelid lift, is designed to refresh and rejuvenate the appearance of the eyes by addressing common concerns that contribute to a tired, aged or heavy look. Not only can eyelid surgery address a variety of cosmetic concerns, but it can also improve impaired vision caused by drooping upper eyelids.

The cosmetic and functional concerns that eyelid surgery can treat include:

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are men and women who want to correct drooping eyelids, puffiness or excess skin that makes them look tired or older than they feel. Ideal candidates should:

During your consultation, Dr. Harrington will perform a physical examination and carefully listen to your goals to determine if an eyelid lift could be right for you.

Eyelid Surgery Techniques

Eyelid surgery can be customized to address the upper lids, lower lids or both, depending on your needs and goals. Each technique is customized to create natural-looking results while minimizing visible scarring. Dr. Harrington uses precise incision placement and advanced surgical methods to rejuvenate the eyes, restore a youthful contour and improve eyelid function – all while maintaining your natural facial features and appearance.

An upper eyelid lift focuses on correcting sagging or heavy eyelids that can make the eyes appear tired or even obstruct vision. Dr. Harrington places small, discreet incisions within the natural crease of the upper eyelid, ensuring scars remain virtually hidden once healed. Through these incisions, she carefully removes excess skin, tightens underlying tissue and, when needed, repositions small pockets of fat to create a more refreshed and alert appearance.

Lower eyelid surgery targets puffiness, fine lines and under-eye bags that can create a tired or aged look. Dr. Harrington typically places incisions just below the lower lash line or inside the eyelid to ensure optimal healing and minimal visible scarring. Using these incisions, she removes or redistributes excess fat and tightens loose skin to smooth and rejuvenate the under-eye area.

Your consultation with Dr. Harrington is the first step in your eyelid surgery journey. At this appointment, Dr. Harrington will take the time to carefully listen to your specific goals, concerns and trouble spots and will use this information, together with a physical exam and a review of your medical history, to create a customized eyelid lift plan for your specific situation.

This is also an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about what you can expect before, during and after the procedure. Dr. Harringon will review potential risks and complications, as well as the steps that she and her team take to prioritize patient safety and optimal outcomes.

The goal of this visit is to ensure you leave feeling confident and well-informed about your treatment plan and decisions.

Eyelid surgery is a same-day procedure that is performed under general anesthesia. Patients who have sensitivities to narcotic medications may benefit from our opioid-free or reduced surgery and recovery customized approach. The surgery itself usually takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete, and takes place at our accredited surgery center

You should arrive at the surgical facility 1 hour before your procedure begins. If you are put under general anesthesia, you will need to stay in a recovery room for 1 hour after your surgery is over, and a friend or family member will need to drive you home. An adult should plan to stay with you for 24 hours after your eyelid lift.

Depending on your appearance goals, Dr. Harrington may suggest combining your eyelid surgery with additional procedures. Because eyelid surgery does not improve the appearance of crow’s feet, Dr. Harrington may recommend BOTOX® injections

Most people take about 5 to 7 days off work and normal activities after eyelid surgery to allow swelling and bruising to subside. These side effects are common and should gradually diminish within the first week. During the early recovery period, Dr. Harrington may recommend cold compresses and topical treatments to minimize swelling and promote healing.

You’ll also need to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and bending over for at least 2 to 3 weeks, as these activities can increase blood flow to the face and worsen swelling or bruising. Light walking is encouraged to maintain circulation. Sunglasses and a broad-spectrum sunscreen should be used when outdoors, and the delicate skin around your eyes should be protected from direct sun exposure for at least 6 months to prevent pigmentation changes.

You’ll begin to notice an improvement in the appearance of your eyes within 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, once most swelling and bruising have resolved. Your eyes will look more open, refreshed and youthful at this stage.

Final results typically appear around 3 months after eyelid surgery, when the incision lines have softened and the eyelids have fully healed. Eyelid surgery results are long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their rejuvenated look for up to 10 years or even longer. While no procedure can stop the natural aging process, blepharoplasty effectively turns back the clock, and your eyes will always appear younger than if you hadn’t had surgery.

To maintain those results, Dr. Harrington recommends practicing healthy sun protection habits, eating a healthy balanced diet, not smoking and, in some cases, considering nonsurgical treatments to complement surgical results.

For those not ready for surgery, several nonsurgical options are available that can help to rejuvenate the eye area. Injectables like BOTOX and dermal fillers can smooth fine lines, lift the brow and reduce hollowness under the eyes. Sciton® laser treatmentsimprove skin texture, tighten laxity and minimize pigmentation, while EXION® skin treatmentsuse advanced radiofrequency and ultrasound energy to firm and tone delicate facial skin.

Though these treatments can’t achieve the same dramatic results as surgery, they can offer excellent, low-downtime alternatives for subtle rejuvenation or as complements to a previous surgical procedure.