Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)

Natural Looking Blepharoplasty Results in Chevy Chase & the Washington, DC areas

The eyes convey your personality, energy, and youth. The eyelids, in turn, impact the eyes’ appearance. When eyelids lose their youthful tightness, you can look tired and aged. Droopy eyelids can even interfere with your vision. 

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) removes loose skin, returning your eyes to their previous brightness. If you have questions about eyelid rejuvenation procedures in the Chevy Chase and the D.C. area, feel free to call 240-630-8175 or leave a message for us on our online form with your questions.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Sagging, drooping, and puffy eyelids can make a patient look tired and worn out. Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery or an eyelid lift, is a type of facial plastic surgery to restore the eyelid area. It can treat the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both, addressing common signs of facial aging like:

  • Fat bags under the eyes
  • Puffy eyelids
  • Drooping skin that hangs over the eyes and obstructs vision
  • Lines and wrinkles on the lower eyelid
  • Saggy upper or lower eyelids

Blepharoplasty can freshen up the appearance and produce a rested, rejuvenated look. This procedure isn’t just cosmetic. Some patients notice an improvement in their vision after an eyelid lift since sagging skin can partially block vision.

eyelid lift in washington dc

Your Blepharoplasty Consultation

Anyone considering an eyelid lift procedure in the Washington, D.C. area should call our office to schedule a consultation with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Singleton. Making the decision to undergo cosmetic enhancements can be difficult, and a consultation provides the information patients need to make an educated choice. During our eyelid surgery consultation you’ll:

  • Receive an in-depth examination to determine the best treatment options for your facial concerns
  • Discuss your goals for surgery and your desired appearance
  • Discover the best treatment options for rejuvenating the eye area
  • Learn about cost and financing options available for blepharoplasty patients
  • Be able to ask questions and get answers from a trained facial plastic surgeon
  • Meet the staff at Capital Facial Plastic Surgery

Our consultations are designed to provide information to each patient, not pressure. We want you to choose blepharoplasty because it is the best fit for your goals. Whether you choose surgery or not, we encourage you to come in and learn more. Information is essential to making an informed choice about eyelid surgery.

benefits of blepharoplasty

What Happens During Eyelid Surgery?

We perform the majority of our eyelid lift procedures in an offsite surgical center, located nearby our office. This surgery is an outpatient procedure, so patients recover at home in a familiar and comfortable setting.

You’ll arrive at the surgical center on the morning of surgery. Someone will need to bring you as you won’t be able to drive yourself home. As we prepare for eyelid surgery you’ll:

  • Meet the surgical staff including anesthesiologists and nurses
  • Review your treatment goals again with Dr. Singleton
  • Ask any final questions
  • Be marked with surgical markings as needed
  • Move into the surgical suite

We start the procedure with anesthesia, either local or general anesthetic, to ensure comfort throughout surgery. We believe in a customized approach to surgery. Your needs and anatomy are thoughtfully considered as we plan and execute your procedure. The techniques used will be determined by your specific eyelid concerns:

We can perform treatment on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. We typically treat both eyelids to ensure a symmetrical and balanced facial appearance. Eyelid surgery is often paired with other facial plastic surgery procedures including facelift and brow lift.

In some situations, the upper eyelid surgery can be performed in the office. Using some anti-anxiety medications given by mouth as well as local anesthesia in the surgical area, the procedure can be performed on a comfortably awake patient with minimal to no discomfort

Recovery After Blepharoplasty

Patients heal quickly after this procedure. Most take 1-2 weeks off from work and limit strenuous activities for 3-4 weeks. If you wear contacts, you won’t be able to use them for the first few weeks. Wait until Dr. Singleton tells you to it is safe to resume exercise or contact use.

At first your eyes may feel dry and tight. We’ll provide prescriptions for eye drops and ointments as needed. Elevate your head to reduce swelling. Rest as much as you can the first day and then slowly introduce activities again. Gentle walking starting on day 2 can increase blood flow and help the body to heal.

We’ll meet with you multiple times during recovery and look forward to seeing your results!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty surgery, also known as cosmetic eyelid surgery or eyelid lift surgery, is a type of facial plastic surgery designed to improve the appearance of the eyelid areas. Various types of the surgery exist to treat a number of issues. For instance, upper blepharoplasty treats the upper eyelids, while lower blepharoplasty treats the lower eyelids.

Eyelid lift surgery treats issues associated with facial aging, including puffy eyelids, drooping skin that hangs over the eyes (which can obstruct your vision), fatty bags under the eyes, saggy upper or lower eyelids, and lines and wrinkles on the lower eyelids.

Lower and upper blepharoplasty before and after comparisons should show remarkable changes, including a fresher, rejuvenated look and improved vision in cases where sagging skin partially blocks the patient’s visual field.

Undergoing blepharoplasty surgery is not a matter of age but rather a matter of whether you can benefit from making your eyes appear more youthful and radiant. Some patients have an eyelid lift in their thirties, while peak numbers for the operation occur typically in a person’s forties. Patients in their fifties and sixties also see an increase in the number of procedures performed, often in conjunction with a facelift for aesthetic symmetry.

Those who have facial aging symptoms, who are in good health, and who have realistic expectations about the procedure are ideal candidates for blepharoplasty surgery.

Scars are an inevitable consequence of any surgical procedure; however, the tissue near the eyelid heals exceptionally well, making any scars barely visible. In addition to this, several of the techniques used by Dr. Singleton aim to hide scars as best as possible, only being visible to someone who knows what they are looking for.

The deep lines on the side of your eyes, often referred to as “crow’s feet,” will not be improved by eyelid lift surgery. Alternative cosmetic treatments, such as Botox® or dermal fillers would be more appropriate and effective for getting rid of side-eye wrinkles.

A significant portion of individuals born of Asian descent lack a crease or fold separating the portion of the eyelid covering the eye and the portion attached to the brow. Cosmetic Asian eyelid surgery, also known as “double eyelid” surgery, helps to create this crease in the upper lid, typically seen in other ethnicities. Double eyelid surgery can give Asian individuals the appearance of larger eyes, allowing for more expression and for the improved appearance of various types of makeup products, such as mascara.

For most patients, blepharoplasty surgery produces long-lasting results as skin and fat are permanently removed during the surgery. However, due to the effects of time and gravity on our skin, some patients may choose to undergo minor touch-ups to their eyelid area fifteen or twenty years later.

No. Blepharoplasty surgery does not alter the facial structures that produce the typical surprised appearance. Rather, a brow lift may lead to such a result if the central portion of the brow is raised too high during the procedure.

Common side effects include bruising, swelling, and redness at the treatment areas. It’s also possible to experience sensitivity to light, watery eyes, and double vision.

While these side effects are most pronounced immediately after the procedure, they subside quickly. Using cool compresses during the first 48 hours can reduce the swelling and bruising. Light exercise such as walking can contribute to faster healing. Your surgeon will prescribe creams or eye drops to help you manage any discomfort, as well as provide you a list of things to do and avoid doing during the recovery.

After your blepharoplasty surgery, it will take about two weeks for your swelling to be completely unnoticeable to others, with any bruising usually disappearing in one to two weeks.

Very rarely, bleeding can occur that puts pressure on the eye that if left untreated can lead to blindness. Fortunately, bleeding is an obvious symptom and is recognized very quickly allowing you to seek medical attention right away. Other obvious indicators of eyelid lift surgery complication include excessive eye swelling, severe pain, and loss of vision. If any of these symptoms occur, it’s highly recommended to immediately go to your closest emergency room.

The recovery time for an eyelid lift—whether it’s upper blepharoplasty or lower blepharoplasty—varies per individual, but it is generally short. After surgery, most people are able to resume regular activities in seven to ten days. Expect the majority of swelling and bruising to disappear in around two weeks post-surgery. You’ll have to wait a month or more for a full recovery.

Avoiding wearing eyeglasses soon after getting an eyelid lift is unnecessary. In fact, glasses can be a great way to mask any visible swelling during the blepharoplasty recovery period.

After surgery, it is recommended to wait about one to two weeks before wearing contact lenses. This is because the skin around your eyes is still healing. You will want to avoid pulling up or down on your eyelids during the recovery phase.

Your eyelid lift cost will depend on your specific goals, and the complexity and type of the procedure required to achieve those goals.

As such, your upper and/or lower blepharoplasty cost will also depend on your unique needs.

Insurance will cover the eyelid lift cost only if your vision is being obstructed by the overhanging skin. Insurance carriers will typically require medical documentation of this issue before agreeing to cover surgery costs.

To get an eyelid lift without surgery, you’ll have to turn to nonsurgical cosmetic treatments such as Botox® and dermal fillers. Though such treatments are extremely effectively at improving the appearance of your eyelids, their results are temporary. For more permanent results, you’ll need blepharoplasty surgery.

The surgery may be performed at a surgeon’s clinic, a hospital, or an outpatient surgical facility.

The best blepharoplasty surgery is offered at Capital Facial Plastic Surgery clinic at 2 Wisconsin Cir #820, Chevy Chase Village, Maryland. Learn more about the procedure by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Singleton, our fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon.

Why Choose Dr. Singleton for Eyelid Surgery in the D.C. area?

Eyelid surgery can dramatically enhance appearance, helping patients to look years younger and more refreshed. Dr. Singleton is proud to offer facial plastic surgery services, including eyelid surgery, to patients throughout the metropolitan D.C. area, including Chevy Chase and Bethesda. While there are many great plastic surgeons in the area, we recommend choosing Dr. Singleton because he:

  • Uses the Latest Techniques: Dr. Singleton is trained in many of the latest facial surgery techniques and uses these methods to obtain stunning, natural-looking results for his patients.
  • Is Personally Present Throughout the Surgical Process: Dr. Singleton will be involved in your procedure from beginning to end. Unlike many practices that outsource post-operative checks to nurse practitioners, Dr. Singleton performs these checks himself. You’ll receive personalized attention from your surgeon at every visit.
  • Focuses on the Patient: We know you’re busy and won’t waste your time. We strive to ensure that all patients are seen on time, treated with respect, and given sufficient time to ask questions.

Eyelid surgery at Capital Facial Plastic Surgery is a unique and enjoyable experience for many of our patients. Come in for a consultation to experience our one-of-a-kind approach to plastic surgery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have any questions about a procedure or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Singleton, please contact our office.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have any questions about a procedure or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Singleton, please contact our office.