Plastic surgery seems to be more common than ever, but the reality is that we finally are speaking about that. Whether it’s celebrities talking about what they’ve had done — like Bella Hadid with her rhinoplasty — or people talking about the pressure to have a perfect “Instagram body” (which has popularized the butt lift procedure in Brazil) , discussions around “adjustments”. ” are becoming more and more common.
One procedure, in particular, is starting to make waves on TikTok: blepharoplasty. The process, which has been around for years, was resurfaced by a recent viral video that has garnered more than 100,000 views. In the video, the TikToker Julia Carpenter shows the before and after of her blepharoplasty. Users flooded her comments section, saying they were either considering the surgery themselves or had already had it.
So what exactly is blepharoplasty? To better understand the procedure, we spoke with board-certified ophthalmofacial plastic surgeon Robert Schwarcz, MD, and ophthalmic plastic surgeon Kami Parsa, MD, who discuss everything from downtime to price.
Experts featured in this article
No ParshaMD, is an ophthalmic plastic surgeon based in Los Angeles.
Robert SchwarzMD, Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon based in Manhattan.
What is blepharoplasty?
An eyelid lift, also known as blepharoplasty, is “a general term for lifting the upper eyelid,” Dr. Schwarcz tells PS. Although the term may suggest an exclusive focus on the eyelid, Dr. Schwarcz says the procedure could include skin removal with selective fat manipulation or surgery involving the levator muscle to address drooping of the upper eyelid, which is when the upper eyelid falls over the eye.”
The best candidates for blepharoplasty
“A good candidate for blepharoplasty is someone who has noticed a drooping of their upper eyelids over the years or a buildup of fatty tissue,” says Dr. Schwarcz. While sagging and drooping around the eyes is expected with aging, it can become bothersome for some people. “Peripheral vision can be affected due to a drooping eyelid, and if this is the case, surgery can be quite successful in restoring that vision,” adds Dr. Schwarcz. Blepharoplasty may also be necessary after eyelid trauma or eyelid skin cancer.
While some patients choose to have the surgery for health reasons, others choose to do it purely for cosmetic reasons. “In my practice, I see many patients who complain that they look tired, even though they are well rested, and explain that their energy level doesn’t reflect how they look on the outside,” says Dr. Parsa. Dr. Schwarcz agrees, adding, “Many patients also feel the psychological effects of their appearance changing, and that plays a big role in seeking surgery.”
Blepharoplasty cost
Depending on your current location, the extent of the surgery and other factors, Dr. Schwarcz says the total cost can run between $6,000 and $8,000. However, there is some cases where the procedure could be covered by insurance.
“In order for an blepharoplasty to be covered by insurance, a patient must meet certain criteria that prove it [eyelid drooping] can functionally affect vision,” says Dr. Schwarcz. “A patient should obtain a visual field that can demonstrate that about 30 percent of the upper visual field is involved, and this should be related to a photograph.”
How long do the results of blepharoplasty last?
Results from blepharoplasty surgery can last up to 10 years before patients begin to see changes due to aging, says Dr. Schwarcz. Because of this, while there is no specific age that is best for surgery, he usually sees patients in the 40-55 age range.
Does blepharoplasty hurt?
Although considered major surgeries, eyelid lifts take much less time to perform than other, larger procedures. According to Dr. Schwarcz, the surgery is “somewhat invasive, but compared to larger procedures like abdominoplasty, it’s significantly less.”
Blepharoplasty preparation tips
Before making a decision about surgery, patients should always make sure that the surgeons they consult are certified to perform blepharoplasty. “Surgeons should have an educational background in cosmetic surgery and have a very strong knowledge of eyelid anatomy,” says Dr. Schwarcz. “Most importantly, they should feel comfortable recognizing and dealing with their own complications, at least.” Make sure you find a board-certified ophthalmic facial plastic surgeon with aesthetic orientations.
Once you’ve decided on surgery, there’s a bit of work involved in preparing for it. “Each surgeon has a different protocol, but I recommend a low-inflammatory diet for the week before surgery and for patients to stop all blood thinners,” says Dr. Schwarcz.
Eyelid surgery before and after
Blepharoplasty recovery tips
The duration and interruption of the operation is relatively easy. “The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes,” says Dr. Schwarcz. Patients can expect recovery to take one to two weeks. After the procedure, Dr. Schwarcz has patients use ice and apply antibiotic eye ointment to the suture line. He also recommends avoiding heavy lifting and exercise for two weeks.
There may be slight downsides after the procedure, such as drier eyes. Overall, however, blepharoplasty can give a more “relaxed, radiant look, provide some relief from the feeling of heaviness around the eyelids, and make a person look more youthful while providing more symmetry to the face,” says Dr. Schwarcz . . It is important to note that you should never feel pressured by social media or outside sources to get any type of plastic surgery. If you decide to have cosmetic surgery, make sure it’s something you want to do and that you’ve done your research beforehand.
Risks of blepharoplasty
Common side effects may include bruising, bleeding, dry eyes, or blurred vision. Less common side effects may include scarring and trouble closing your eyes.
Dr. Parsa says the risk is usually associated with the surgeon’s experience, so he recommends finding an experienced doctor and doing as much research as possible before opting for blepharoplasty.
Ariel Baker is the Associate Editor of PS Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends and product reviews. It has additional lines with Essence and Forbes Vetted. Fun fact: Ariel is a big animal lover, especially her two cats, a cow and a chicken..
Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all industries, but her main areas of expertise are fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on editor reviews and experiments. It also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
