Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

*According to the 2017 American Society of Plastic Surgeons Statistics Report

Typical post-operative side effects of eyelid surgery include:

• Blurry Vision: Dr. Newman applies an ointment to lubricate and protect the eyes. This can temporarily blur your vision.
• Tightness in the Area of Surgery: A result of post-surgical swelling, this usually diminishes quickly.
• Discomfort: Some pain is common to many cosmetic procedures. However, the discomfort from eyelid surgery is usually minimal.
• Bruising and Swelling: As with any plastic surgery procedure, some bruising and swelling can be expected. This generally fades in the days following treatment.

The Day of Eyelid Surgery

Elevating your head and applying cold compresses to the eyes will help to minimize swelling from blepharoplasty. It is particularly important to rest with your head up.

First Week 

Bruising in the area around the eyes will increase up to a point and then fade. However, you can use makeup to conceal discoloration. You may also experience blurred vision, excess tears or dry eyes, itchiness in the area, or sensitivity to light.

Stitches will be removed or will have dissolved by the end of the week. You can return to ordinary activity, but strenuous activities should be avoided for approximately a month after surgery.

First Several Weeks 

After about four weeks, you can resume more strenuous activities - contact lenses can be used after two weeks. You should no longer be experiencing blurry vision or sensitivity to light. After about four weeks, you can resume more strenuous activities and use contact lenses.

Striking Rejuvenation

Virtualy all patients are pleased with their blepharoplasty experience and their new invigorated appearance. In fact, greater confidence in one's appearance can often lend itself to greater confidence in professional and social engagements. Most people will not realize that you have undergone a surgical procedure but may comment that you look younger, healthier and better rested. 

The venue where surgery takes place is a significant cost factor. Hospitals are the costliest option, while an ambulatory surgical center (ASC) or third-party surgical venue costs less. Dr. Newman has his own surgical center certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, which is considered the gold standard for patient care and safety. In addition, the center meets the stringent requirements of the State of Connecticut, the same agency that credentials hospital operating rooms.

Having our own ambulatory surgical facility allows us to not only offer our patients increased privacy, but also provides significant cost savings compared to a hospital or ASC. We follow a strict screening protocol and do not treat anyone with infections. Patients need to first undergo pre-operative testing, after which they are cleared to receive treatment at our facility. This has ensured that we have an infection rate of nearly zero.

During your initial consultation with Dr. Newman, he will listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have. If he determines that you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery, he will create a customized treatment plan and a member of our staff will provide an overall cost estimate. 

While the cost of a surgical procedure is an important aspect of your decision-making process, it is even more important to ensure that your treatment is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who will customize the procedure to your unique needs. Dr. Newman places a strong emphasis on providing fully customized procedures in the utmost safety, designed to provide significant long-term benefits.

We can work with you to place the cost of your aesthetic goals comfortably within your budget.

With over 30 years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Fredric Newman can help you achieve natrual-looking results that improve your confidence as well as your appearance.

Types of Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty can address the upper or lower eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty can remove drooping skin and fat in the upper eyelids that can obscure vision and cause patients to look tired or angry. Lower blepharoplasty can reduce baggy skin under the eyes by tightening the skin and removing excess fat. Both procedures are simple, and scars can be easily hidden in the lashline or the crease of the upper eyelid for natural-looking results.

To complement your eyelid surgery, you may want to consider additional procedures offered at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, such facial implants, BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, and laser skin resurfacing. Dr. Newman can help create a treatment plan based on what you hope to achieve.

The Procedure

Patients typically undergo general anesthesia during blepharoplasty to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. The procedure lasts one to two hours, depending on the extent of surgery.

Upper Blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid surgery begins with an incision, usually made in the natural crease of the eyelid, beginning at the inside corner of the eye and extending past the outer corner. Through this incision, the surgeon removes excess skin and fat. The incision is then closed with sutures. The folds of the eyelid hide resulting scars.

Lower Blepharoplasty

During lower eyelid surgery, the incision is usually made just beneath the lower eyelashes. The surgeon trims away excess skin, tightens underlying muscle tissue, and can remove or reposition fatty tissue. The incisions are then closed. For patients who do not require extensive adjustments, lower blepharoplasty can sometimes be performed with an incision on the inside of the eyelid.