Blepharoplasty
Upper or lower eyelid surgery for excess skin, puffiness, and selected eyelid contour concerns.
Consult with Dr. Henry Huson at Queen City Plastic Surgery in West Chester, Ohio, serving the Cincinnati area.
- Setting
- Confirmed with your treatment plan
- Anesthesia
- Local, with sedation as needed
- Procedure time
- Individual estimate at consultation
- Recovery
- Often 1 to 2 weeks for early social recovery
- Results
- Develop over months; results vary
General planning information. Your procedure, anesthesia, recovery, and results depend on your health and treatment plan. Returning to work does not mean full healing.
About the procedure
Blepharoplasty removes or repositions eyelid skin and fat to address hooding or bags. Upper and lower eyelids require different planning. Brow position, dry eye, eyelid support, and any previous eye surgery should be assessed before deciding what to treat.
Eyelid surgery does not correct every cause of drooping or dark circles. True eyelid ptosis may require a different operation, and a low brow may need separate treatment. Upper eyelid procedures can sometimes use local anesthesia; more extensive surgery may require sedation or general anesthesia.
Good candidates
- Hooded upper lids or extra skin that hides the lid crease
- Puffiness or bags beneath the eyes
- Looking tired when you feel rested
- Upper lids that interfere with vision
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation. Dr. Huson will tell you honestly if a different approach would serve you better.
Before & after
Coming soon
Before and after photos for blepharoplasty will be added here.
What to expect
Your consultation
The consultation reviews your goals, medical history, medications, nicotine use, and examination findings. Discuss alternatives, the proposed setting and anesthesia, realistic changes, costs, and the support you will need during recovery.
The procedure
Upper eyelid surgery removes selected excess skin and may adjust fat through an incision near the natural crease. Lower eyelid surgery may reposition or remove fat through the inside of the lid or below the lashes. Skin removal and support procedures depend on the examination.
Recovery
Bruising and swelling usually improve over the first weeks, while dryness or irritation may need treatment. Follow the eye care plan and restrictions on contact lenses, makeup, and exercise. Sudden vision change or severe eye pain needs urgent assessment.
Risks and limitations
- Dry eye, difficulty closing the eyes, lower eyelid malposition, and persistent irritation are possible.
- Bleeding, scarring, or asymmetry can require treatment. Vision changes, including rare permanent vision loss, are serious risks.
This is not a complete list. Your clinician should explain the risks of the specific procedure and anesthesia, including bleeding, infection, healing problems, and any medical factors that change your risk.
Other options
Brow surgery or ptosis repair may be more suitable when those structures cause the problem. Selected skin or injectable treatments address other concerns but do not remove excess eyelid skin.
Planning your consultation
Bring your medication list and relevant medical history. Ask about the facility, anesthesia team, follow-up, time away from work, and help at home. Request an itemized estimate covering the procedure, anesthesia, facility, and any additional care; confirm coverage directly if insurance may apply.
Common questions
Bring the rest to your consultation. There is no such thing as too many.
Will eyelid surgery change eye shape?
It can. The aim is to address the agreed concern while maintaining eyelid function, but shape changes and asymmetry are possible.
Does it treat a low brow or true eyelid ptosis?
These may require separate procedures. The consultation should distinguish excess eyelid skin from brow descent and eyelid muscle weakness.
Will insurance cover upper eyelid surgery?
Some plans cover medically necessary surgery when documented criteria are met. Confirm the practice’s participation and your plan’s requirements; cosmetic treatment is generally self-pay.
Related procedures
View all 13Sources and further reading
Patient education from Queen City Plastic Surgery. Updated . General information does not replace a personal medical assessment. Sources explain general procedures and do not establish the services or protocols of this practice. Contact the practice with questions or to request a correction.
Ready to talk about Blepharoplasty?
Consultations are free, unhurried, and educational. Bring your questions and your goals; leave with an honest plan.