Your eyes say a lot about you, from communicating emotions to whether or not you’re tired. People often interpret what a person is thinking and even what their personality is like based on what they see in the eyes.
As we age, the skin around our eyes becomes more lax and begins to droop or sag. This can become severe enough to interfere with sight, and causes a hooded, tired or even grouchy appearance. Bags and dark circles can make you look older or exhausted. But while this is the outward appearance, inside you might be feeling quite happy and rested. If you have decided you are ready to do something about your eyelids, eyelid surgery in Orange County with Dr. Miller can give remarkable improvement and rejuvenate your appearance.
What is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a procedure to address sagging or drooping skin on the eyelids. Upper eyelid surgery targets the loose skin on and around the upper eyelids, while lower eyelid surgery targets bags, dark circles and puffy skin. Eyelid surgery is designed to tighten and significantly refresh the eye area, leaving you looking younger and happier.
What Is the Cost of Eyelid Surgery?
The cost of blepharoplasty depends on the complexity of the procedure, whether you are doing both the upper and lower eyelids or not, and whether you choose to do other procedures in conjunction with your eyelid surgery. The cost includes the surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, and others.
We will go over your personalized quote with you during your initial visit with Dr. Miller. The cost for eyelid surgery is varies depending on your concerns and anatomy and typically starts from $5,800 - $6,000.
Am I a candidate for eyelid surgery?
Generally, those who would like to lift and refresh their eyes may be good candidates for this procedure. Eyelid surgery candidates must meet the following requirements.
- Have no serious eye conditions
- Are generally healthy
- Are nonsmokers
- Have realistic expectations about what this surgery can do for them
- Would like to address drooping, sagging eyelids
- Have bags or dark circles under their eyes
- Have puffy skin under their eyes
- Are experiencing some limited vision from drooping eyelids
What are the details of the eyelid surgery procedure?
Preparing for surgery
Prior to your eyelid surgery in Orange County, you will be provided a list of medications to avoid, including aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements. If you are taking any important and unavoidable medication, make sure you get it approved by Dr. Miller in advance. A pre-operative appointment with Dr. Miller and his staff will be scheduled to provide more in-depth instructions to ensure a safe and speedy recovery.
For eyelid surgeries, you will not be allowed to drive home. Your safety is of utmost concern, so a relative or close friend should drive you home and be available for 24 hours after the procedure to help with anything you need.
The surgical procedure
Eyelid surgery is usually done under local or monitored anesthesia given by a fully accredited anesthesiologist. If preferred, the surgery can be done under general anesthesia.
Dr. Miller will make a single, laser-focused incision in the natural crease of the upper or lower eyelid, depending on whether you are getting upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or some at the same time. Eventually the incisions will fade into well-concealed scars.
During upper eyelid surgery, the extra skin is removed. Lower eyelid surgery involves tightening of the ligaments of the lower lid and repositioning the fat that is causing the bags or puffiness. Dr. Miller will then re-drape the lower lid skin to create a youthful, smooth result. The incision is closed with absorbable sutures or biological glues.
Recovery
After your procedure, you will need to take about one week off from work. Wait ten days to two weeks before putting your contacts in. You may begin wearing your glasses the day following surgery.
You will need to sleep on your back for one to two weeks and avoid exercise and sun exposure for three to four weeks. Swelling and bruising should be mostly gone after the first couple of weeks.
Non-surgical eyelift
For those who are not ready to have a surgery to address their eyelids, Dr. Miller offers a non-surgical blepharoplasty. This procedure is performed with injectable fillers to refresh and rejuvenate the eye area, treating fine lines, wrinkles, hollows, dark circles and under-eye bags. Dr. Miller will consult with you about which fillers would be best to treat your eye area, then create a treatment plan of a combination of different fillers to achieve a more youthful, smooth and refreshed appearance. Depending on which type of fillers are used, the results will last from six months to about one year.
Complementary procedures
Depending on your aesthetic goals, Dr. Miller may recommend complementary procedures to enhance your eyelid surgery results.
- Injectables such as botox to minimize dynamic wrinkles in the eye area and forehead, or dermal fillers to firm, sculpt and rejuvenate other areas of your face and neck.
- Laser skin resurfacing to tone and firm your skin, minimize age spots, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Rhinoplasty to reshape or enhance your nose, making it symmetrical and proportionate with the rest of your facial features.
- A brow lift pairs well with eyelid surgery to elevate a heavy forehead above the eyelids. This significantly reduces forehead lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
- For the most dramatic results, a facelift can be combined with blepharoplasty in Orange County. This lifts and tightens the skin and muscles of the entire face and neck, leaving it smoother, younger-looking, firmer and beautifully rejuvenated.
Why choose Dr. Miller?
Double board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Timothy R. Miller is amongst the most highly sought-after authorities in the field of facial plastic surgery, contributing frequently to scientific journals, meetings, and industry literature while running his thriving practice. His long experience, expertise and rigorous, prestigious training background make him a trusted doctor with a distinguished reputation for natural, nuanced results.
FAQs
Will there be scarring?
Because the incisions are very small, the scars will be concealed in the natural creases of the eyelids. In some cases, the incisions are made within the eyelid itself, meaning that there are no visible scars at all.
How long does the surgery take?
This minimally-invasive surgery takes just an hour or two to be completed.
How long until I can drive again after eyelid surgery?
You can drive again after 1-2 weeks.
What are the risks?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Blood clots
- Dry, irritated eyes
- Difficulty closing your eyes or other eyelid problems
- Noticeable scarring
- Injury to eye muscles
- Skin discoloration
- The need for a follow-up surgery
- Temporarily blurred vision or rarely, loss of eyesight
How long will the results last?
Lower eyelid surgery is essentially permanent. Upper eyelid surgery lasts between 5-7 years.
Can I have upper and lower eyelid surgery at the same time?
Yes, these procedures are often done during the same procedure.
How long should I wait to return to work after eyelid surgery?
Most patients can return to work after one week after eyelid surgery in Newport Beach.
When can I wear eye makeup again?
Wait to use makeup, including false eyelashes, for two weeks.
What is the best age to have an upper blepharoplasty?
Any age is acceptable if there is enough sagging or other concerns in the eye area. Generally, the age range for patients is between the thirties to the sixties.
