WHAT IS EYELID SURGERY?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery in San Francisco can correct drooping upper eyelid skin and remove puffy bags from below the eyes. These features make a person look older and have the potential to interfere with peripheral vision.

Blepharoplasty Surgery Details

With modern blepharoplasty techniques, the fat removed during cosmetic eyelid surgery is relocated to a more youthful position. The goal is to prevent a hollow appearance of the eye over the long term. Even though cosmetic eyelid surgery does not reduce fine lines around the eyes, chemical peels and laser treatments are beneficial for these, especially in combination with the surgical procedure. Cosmetic eyelid surgery can be done alone or in conjunction with other facial procedures, such as facelift or brow lift.

If you are interested in cosmetic eyelid surgery, Dr. Miguel Delgado—our experienced plastic surgeon—is prepared to develop a unique treatment plan to get the results you desire. Our practice is dedicated to preparing our patients for the best surgical outcome possible. Post-operative care is also a vital part of any procedure, and patients often arrange for follow-up visits at either our San Francisco or Marin County office.

Procedure	What It Does	Surgery	Recovery	Results
Eyelid Surgery	Addresses excess skin and droopiness in the eyelids	Yes	7-10 days, scars fade 8-12 weeks	Long-lasting (results may vary)
Palomar Icon	Smooths out crow’s feet and wrinkles around the eyes	No	1-3 days	Long-lasting (results may vary)

BEFORE & AFTER

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR EYELID SURGERY?

The best candidates for blepharoplasty in San Francisco are men and women who are physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. Many people feel their eyes are their most attractive feature. When aging starts to steal that away, cosmetic eyelid surgery is the most reliable and successful means of restoring a youthful appearance.

Even people in their early-to-mid 30s will begin to notice early changes around their eyes. These changes are caused by fullness or puffiness due to fat pads and progressive laxity of the skin. An increase in these fat deposits’ size is generally unrelated to weight gain or loss but is a result of genetics, facial anatomy, and time passage. Indeed, increases in salt intake, alcohol, and sleeping in a dependent position will affect fluid fluctuation in the fat pockets. The fat pads have an essential function; they act as shock absorbers around the eyeballs and provide vital protection to the globes. With time, the connective tissue that once held this protective fat in position begins to stretch and loses its tone. Although it appears as if the fat is bulging, this phenomenon is caused by the relaxation of the tissue that encompasses it.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR EYELID SURGERY?

The initial consultation for eyelid surgery in Marin County can be scheduled at either Dr. Delgado’s San Francisco office near Union Square or his Novato office in Marin County. Dr. Delgado will discuss your concerns in great detail at this meeting, and your goals and expectations will be addressed. Computer imaging can aid in evaluating your appearance and demonstrating the proposed changes that can be achieved. Your medical history will be reviewed, and a physical examination will be conducted.

Dr. Delgado will advise you as to whether eyelid surgery is the best procedure. He will help you decide whether both the upper and lower eyelids need correction and whether a brow lift is advisable.

At times, additional suggestions are made. For example, if you would like eyelid rejuvenation, which will make your face look significantly younger, he may suggest other procedures to balance the face and create harmony.

Lastly, you will be given a pre-operative instruction booklet that will explain medications that will be ordered and any preparations that need to be made at home for recovery. This pre-operative booklet provides a detailed list of aspirin and aspirin-containing compounds, including anti-inflammatory products, that must be discontinued two weeks before and two weeks after surgery to minimize bleeding.

The booklet also recommends vitamin supplements and homeopathic remedies that can be taken to minimize bruising and promote healing.

WHAT DOES EYELID SURGERY INVOLVE?

UPPER EYELID SURGERY

The upper eyelid surgery procedure involves excising an ellipse of skin from the upper eyelid. The incision is made in the upper eyelid’s natural crease so that when the incision line heals, it will be virtually invisible. A section of muscle underneath is also excised to create a clean upper eyelid crease, and the fat distribution may be altered as well.

The aesthetics of cosmetic eyelid surgery have changed over the years—evolving from fat removal to fat preservation. As the face ages, it loses the fat that gives the face its youthful appearance. Therefore, the fat of the upper eyelid is often preserved, while the redundant skin is excised. The goal is to rejuvenate the eyelids and not create a deep-set or hollow appearance. Dr. Delgado specializes in natural-looking cosmetic surgery.

LOWER EYELID SURGERY

The lower eyelid is the most sensitive area of the face to be operated on. The tearing mechanism is altered due to swelling, and this takes time to adjust back to normal. Lower eyelid surgery is performed through an incision inside the eyelid (transconjunctival blepharoplasty) or through the skin underneath the eyelash line. The transconjunctival approach is especially ideal for younger patients when there is no skin or muscle laxity. Some people have puffy lower eyelids either prematurely in life or genetically, and this approach serves their purpose well. The procedure involves retracting the lower eyelid and making a minimal incision in the inner eyelid. The fat is dissected free and partially excised, and only the appropriate amount of fat is removed. The incision is closed, and it heals internally.

Many individuals require an external approach to lower eyelid surgery. This patient is usually older and displays loose skin, muscle laxity, and fat prominence. This procedure tightens the skin and muscle, as well as removes or re-positions the fat pads. After the incision, the fat pockets are trimmed or, in some cases, re-positioned. The muscle that attaches to the overlying skin is tightened and anchored to the eyelid’s outer corner. The skin may be treated with a chemical peel or laser resurfacing to reduce crepiness.

RECOVERY FROM EYELID SURGERY

The first few hours after surgery are spent in the recovery room, and cold compresses are placed over the eyes. The head and back are elevated above the heart to reduce swelling. When full alertness has returned, you may be discharged to your home. It is necessary to have a responsible adult to assist in the first 24 hours. The surgery is not painful, but a sensation of tightness from the swelling can be uncomfortable.

During the early 48 hours, cold compresses will significantly reduce this swelling. Some patients experience irritation and dryness after surgery, and in this case, an ointment or eye drops will be prescribed until the symptoms resolve. Following upper and lower eyelid surgery, the sutures are removed after one week, and bruising resolves within approximately 10–14 days.

Patients typically can drive by the end of one week, work by the end of the second week, and exercise after 4-6 weeks. Over time, the incisions heal to become practically invisible. Contact lenses can be worn after surgery when the swelling reduces, and the contacts can be inserted without pain or disruption of the incisions. Makeup can be worn to camouflage the bruising after the incisions have healed together and crusting is absent.

The whole experience was absolutely AMAZING. I’m obsessed with the results and I am incredibly happy. I would definitely recommend Dr. Delgado to anyone.

— Edna Gomes

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YOUTHFUL AND RESTED

Eyelid surgery in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County gives a person a more youthful and rested appearance without changing the eyes’ shape or expression. In some cases, peripheral vision will be restored to levels not enjoyed for many years.

NATURALAND BALANCED

The results will look natural and balanced without any surgical look. Although the results will last for many years, the aging process will continue. A small amount of excess skin or fat could be removed to extend the original procedure’s effectiveness in the future.

Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty FAQS

What is the cost of eyelid surgery?

Will I have visible eyelid surgery scars?

Are there potential eyelid surgery risks or complications?

Is an eyelid lift without surgery possible?

What's the different between blepharoplasty and ptosis repair?

Can other surgical procedures be done during the same operation?

Is there a chance that I could go blind in one eye?

What is the cost of eyelid surgery?

At our San Francisco and Marin County practice, the cost of eyelid surgery varies for each patient, depending on whether it is upper or lower eyelid surgery or both. Whether local or general anesthesia is used will also factor into the cost. During your consultation, we will be able to give you an exact price for your eyelid surgery.

Will I have visible eyelid surgery scars?

The upper eyelid incision is concealed within the natural crease fold and truly fades to the point of disappearing. The only way to see the incision is when the eyes are closed—this natural fold results in an excellent scar. For a lower lid blepharoplasty, potential post-operative scarring depends on the technique. If a patient has fat fullness, but the skin and muscle tone is tight, there is no incision outside the eyelid. This transconjunctival incision is on the undersurface of the eyelid—thus, no external incision or scar. The other lower eyelid technique is performed when the eyelid skin is loose or saggy, and there is muscle laxity and lid laxity. This requires an external incision below the eyelashes and usually extends out to the crow’s feet area. The incision below the eyelashes is an excellent scar. While the one that extends to the crow’s feet area takes more time to mature, it also typically results in a good-quality, inconspicuous scar.

Are there potential eyelid surgery risks or complications?

As with any surgery, there are risks and complications with eyelid surgery—but in the hands of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, the procedure can be performed with excellent safety.

Is an eyelid lift without surgery possible?

There is no practical way to perform an eyelid lift without changing the fat, muscle, and skin components through surgery. That being said, there are non-surgical treatments that can be performed around the eyes to improve the appearance. One of the most common non-surgical treatments is BOTOX® Cosmetic, which smooths wrinkles and lines in-between and around the eyes. A chemical peel or laser resurfacing can also reduce wrinkles around the eyes and tighten the lower eyelid skin.

What's the different between blepharoplasty and ptosis repair?

The blepharoplasty procedure improves the aesthetics of the eyelid region. Eyelid surgery removes redundant skin, muscle, and fat tissue to create more youthful eyelids. Ptosis repair is performed when the actual eyelid does not open enough and begins to cause a visual issue by covering the pupil’s upper portion. Ptosis repair will shorten the eyelid’s muscle, which opens the upper eyelid to the appropriate position. Ptosis is commonly seen as people age.

Can other surgical procedures be done during the same operation?

Yes, patients who undergo blepharoplasty frequently choose to have additional facial procedures done at the same time. Some added procedures may be a complete facelift, including the eyelid lift, an endoscopic brow lift, and a lower face and neck lift.

Is there a chance that I could go blind in one eye?

Unfortunately, yes. This complication is infrequent but does occur with 0.02% of blepharoplasties. It occurs due to bleeding and is caused by a vein or artery that begins to bleed. The hematoma (bleeding) can be successfully treated if caught in time.

The city of San Francisco is situated on a peninsula inside San Francisco Bay. At its center are the Twin Peaks, two prominent hills and two of the highest elevations within the city. They offer a prominent view of the entire city and are a popular location for travelers and tourists. Twin Peaks is reachable by roads specially designated for cars as well as pedestrians and cyclists respectively. The Twin Peaks are located only five miles from the practice of Dr. Miguel Delgado and 28 miles from Dr. Delgado’s Novato office in Marin County.

Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty
in San Francisco, Novato & Marin County, CA

WHAT IS EYELID SURGERY?

Blepharoplasty Surgery Details

BEFORE & AFTER

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR EYELID SURGERY?

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR EYELID SURGERY?