What is an Eye Lift?
An eye lift, technically known as a blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery, is designed to address sagging and aging skin that causes the eyes to droop and look tired, angry or stressed.
Bright, open eyes are a sign of youth, and the eye lift can return many patients to a more refreshed appearance.
During your Los Angeles blepharoplasty procedure, excess skin is removed from the upper lid and bagginess and puffiness is addressed in the lower lid. Eye lifts are not the primary procedure chosen to address wrinkles, such as crow's feet—these can be successfully treated with facial fillers. Instead, eye lifts are ideal for older patients with a good deal of excess skin.
As we age, the delicate skin around the eyes loses elasticity and begins to stretch. Fat and other membranes that were once taut and resilient become less able to hold their shape.
Whole Eyelid Surgery
Some people would like sagging skin of both the upper eyelid and lower lid corrected at the same time. This is possible and results in an overall more youthful appearance, depending on the patient. Some patients experience no bagginess under their eyes and only sagging skin of the upper lid. Others experience only puffy and baggy under eye areas and do not have significant sagging of the upper lid.
If you are not sure whether or not a whole eyelid surgery is right for you, ask Dr. Aminpour during your consultation. During eye surgery, it is essential that your surgeon is not too aggressive with this delicate area of the face. You do not want to wind up with “over tight” lids that cause cause discomfort or vision problems. As a double-board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Aminpour thoroughly understands this and strives to deliver some of the best results after blepharoplasty.
Before & Afters
Within these galleries, you will find many examples of how Dr. Aminpour routinely delivers among the highest standards of facial plastic and reconstructive care.
View MoreUpper Eyelid Lift
An upper eye lift is often performed to correct sagging skin that is causing vision issues by pressing down on the eyelid or sagging over the eyelash. An upper eye lift can make it possible for patients to see easily during work and during their personal time, no matter what their work or hobbies may be. It also can dramatically improve the appearance by creating a more refreshed, awake and youthful look. Dr. Aminpour strives to achieve this result by performing among the best upper eyelid surgery Los Angeles has available.
Lower Eyelid Lift
The lower eye lift is typically done to address bags or sagging under the eyes. During this procedure, Dr. Aminpour tackles excess skin and fat that have accumulated while performing lower eyelid surgery in his Los Angeles office, leaving patients with a much smoother appearance under the eyes. This procedure may also be performed with a mid face lift to address wrinkling around the nose and eyes that wouldn't be addressed by a lower eye lift.
Recovering from Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery is often the first cosmetic procedure that many people have because it is a simple surgery that can be done under local anesthetic in less than two hours. Dr. Aminpour is known for his subtle placement of incisions, which heal to a virtually invisible thin line over time. Because this surgery can be done under local anesthetic, recovery is simply a matter of dealing with temporary swelling and possibly some bruising.
Swelling
After surgery any swelling is usually minimal and the use of cool gel packs on a regular basis is very helpful. Bruising can be minimized by the use of cool packs and by following Dr. Aminpour’s guidelines on which medications, herbal remedies or vitamin supplements to avoid. As in all cosmetic surgery, it is vital that you do not smoke for several weeks before and after surgery. Nicotine inhibits circulation, which can cause complications, particularly in facial procedures.
Returning to Work
Dr. Aminpour's patients can usually return to work or routine social activities in about two weeks with very little evidence of the procedure. If patients are able to apply cool packs very regularly and keep their head elevated while sleeping during the first few days, recovery is usually much faster. In some cases patients are ready to be seen in public in 4 or 5 days with little evidence of their procedure.
Pain
Pain is very minimal with eyelid surgery. Any discomfort is well managed using a non-ibuprofen based drug, which can be bought at a local pharmacy. Some patients find benefit in taking a homeopathic remedy called arnica Montana, both before and after surgery to reduce bruising and swelling.
Providing top-tier eyelid surgery is routine at Hills Aesthetics. As a double board certified facial and plastic surgeon, Dr. Aminpour has thousands of procedures to his credit and the same number of happy patients who now look as young as they feel.
Am I a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Good candidates for eye lifts have a significant amount of loose skin in the eye area. This usually occurs due to aging, so most good candidates are at least 35 years of age if not in their late 40s, 50s or 60s. All candidates for this procedure must be in good general health.
If you would like to address both your upper and lower lids, there should be significant amounts of sagging and loose skin in both areas, not just minor wrinkling.
In the case that you have puffiness and bags continually, regardless of diet or exercise, it is likely that these traits are hereditary and you may be a good candidate for a lower eyelid surgery.
It is also important to understand that an eye lift cannot stop the aging process and that skin will continue to age over time. However, results from a blepharoplasty can be expected to last five to seven years, if not longer.
Schedule Consultation
If you are interested in a blepharoplasty in Los Angeles with Dr. Aminpour, your next step is a private consultation. During this time, you and he will discuss your cosmetic objectives. He will perform a series of exams to understand the source of your cosmetic issues. By the end, he will give you an honest assessment of your best options. With his extensive, caring approach, Dr. Aminpour delivers among the best eyelid surgery available. Please call us today to schedule an appointment.
Testimonials
I came to Dr. Aminpour last month for Blepharoplasty. I was very glad to see that consultations were free, because money is tight for me right now.
He was very compassionate, and I felt very prepared and informed for the operation. The surgery was a tremendous success. I look great, and I've never been happier!
Thanks, Dr. Aminpour!
Harold Lee
Eyelid Surgery FAQ
Eyelid surgery can open up the eyes and restore a more refreshed, alert, youthful appearance to the upper face. Dr. Shervin Aminpour at Hills Aesthetics performs eyelid surgery with artistry and skill. Below we have provided answers to some commonly asked questions about eye lift surgery.
How popular is eyelid surgery in the U.S.?
Eyelid surgery is among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures in the nation, exceeded only by breast augmentation, nose reshaping, and liposuction. According to statistics provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), over 200,000 blepharoplasty procedures were performed in the U.S. in a recent year.
What is ptosis and how can it be corrected with blepharoplasty?
“Ptosis” is the medical term for drooping upper eyelids. It is not a disease, but rather a symptom that can be treated with a surgical eyelid lift. Ptosis may be caused by sagging skin and weakened muscles in the upper eyelids, which can develop through aging or other causes.
Dr. Aminpour performs blepharoplasty procedures in Los Angeles to lift the upper eyelid and correct ptosis. Excess skin and fat are removed, and the delicate muscle structure is tightened and corrected as needed through a small incision expertly placed in the upper eyelid crease.
How does the aging process affect the eyelids?
With aging, collagen production diminishes and the skin loses elasticity. Over time, the combination of skin laxity and gravity can cause excess skin to appear on the upper and lower eyelids. Loose, excess skin results in wrinkles and bulges in the lower lids and extra skin folds in the upper lids that can impair the youthful look of the eyelids or be so serious that vision is obstructed.
What is the cost of eyelid surgery?
Several factors contribute to overall cost of a blepharoplasty procedure, including surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, facility costs, testing, and medications. Every procedure is customized to meet the unique needs of the patient, and costs vary based on what is required to restore and rejuvenate the area.
Is eyelid surgery covered by health insurance?
When performed for cosmetic reasons, eyelid surgery is not typically covered by health insurance. However, when this surgery is performed to correct obstructed vision due to excess sagging skin on the upper eyelids, insurance often covers some portion of the cost of the procedure. We can help review your health insurance policy to determine whether you are eligible for eyelid surgery performed for medical reasons.
Can eyelid surgery be performed on both the upper and lower eyelids in the same procedure?
For patients who are good candidates, Dr. Aminpour can perform both upper and lower eyelid surgery to correct problems. This treatment may be recommended for men and women who have sagging skin and droopy upper eyelids who also have unsightly bags or puffiness beneath the eyes. Whole eyelid surgery can result in a dramatically more youthful overall facial appearance.
How should I prepare for an eye lift?
While the healing time associated with eyelid surgery is not extensive, you will need to take some time off work to recover. If your procedure is performed under general anesthesia, you will need another person to drive you home afterwards. Have ice packs on hand to help reduce swelling, as well as large sunglasses to wear when out-of-doors, eye drops to help relieve dryness, and plenty of pillows to keep your head elevated during sleeping and resting hours.
How long does an eyelid lift procedure take?
In most cases, patients can be in and out of the office for a blepharoplasty procedure in less than two hours. This is a relatively simple, routine plastic surgery performed on an outpatient basis.
What happens in an eyelid surgery procedure?
Eyelid surgery may be performed under general anesthesia, under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, or under local anesthesia alone. The surgeon makes an incision in the natural crease of the eyelid (upper eyelid surgery) or just under the lower lash line (lower eyelid surgery) through which excess skin is removed and excess fat around the eye is removed or re-contoured. These incisions are closed with tiny sutures.
When will my stitches be removed after eyelid surgery?
After excess skin and fat are removed and muscles are tightened, blepharoplasty incisions are closed using tiny sutures (stitches). For most procedures the sutures will be removed after the incisions have healed, as absorbable sutures could create an inflammatory reaction in the thin skin of the eyelids. Stitches are typically removed in five to seven days after surgery.
How noticeable are the scars after eyelid surgery?
The appearance of incisions lines after blepharoplasty will reflect the skill and artistry of the surgeon. Dr. Aminpour is known for subtle incision placement in eyelid surgery. His incisions heal to an almost invisible line over time.
Is revision eyelid surgery possible?
Patients who are unhappy with the results of an earlier eyelid surgery may have revision blepharoplasty to achieve their personal cosmetic goals. Conditions patients may want to correct with revision eyelid surgery include:
- Too much of the upper eyelid folds removed in earlier surgery
- Upper eyelid creases placed too high
- Loose, wrinkled skin remaining on the upper eyelid
- Upper eyelashes that point downward
- Heavy inner eye corners
How long do blepharoplasty results last?
The aging process does not end after an eye lift procedure and will continue to impact the skin as the years pass. However, blepharoplasty results can be expected to last at least five to seven years, and for some patients, decades.
What are the most common reasons to have an eyelift?
Many patients have eyelid surgery because they want to look younger. The blepharoplasty procedure tightens the skin around the eyes to create a brighter, more youthful appearance.
Eyelid surgery is also performed to improve vision. Loose, excess skin of the upper eyelids can be so extreme that the field of vision is impaired. Blepharoplasty performed to correct vision problems is often covered by health insurance, in full or in part.
What results can I expect from eyelid surgery?
After an eye lift procedure performed by Dr. Shervin Aminpour at Hills Aesthetics, you can expect your eyes to look younger, brighter, and more open, without appearing unnatural or “worked on.” Sagging, excess skin of the upper eyelids will no longer obstruct your vision or interfere with natural eyelid contours. You will appear more youthful, vibrant, and rejuvenated – but not pulled or unnatural. Schedule a consultation today for arguably the best eyelid surgery Los Angeles has available.
