Is Eyelid Surgery Painful?

A blepharoplasty is performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation to ensure patients do not feel discomfort during the surgery. Following the procedure, patients may experience swelling, blurry vision, and dry eyes, which can be managed with prescribed medication.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

A blepharoplasty may require several follow-up appointments to monitor the patient’s healing progress after the initial procedure. The exact number of appointments will vary from patient to patient and may be estimated during the consultation. Dr. Urban conducts at least one final evaluation within several months of the initial surgical procedure.

How Long Until I See Results?

The results of a blepharoplasty will be apparent after the swelling has subsided, typically two to four weeks after the initial surgery. Scars may fade in terms of redness and appearance over the course of up to six months following the procedure. Please note that a blepharoplasty does not prevent wrinkles that may occur later in life.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

The incisions for blepharoplasty are minimal and kept in the crease of the upper eyelid for an upper blepharoplasty and along the lash line for a lower blepharoplasty. The scars from these incisions are hidden when the eyes are open and fade to fine lines over time. The skin on the eyelids is delicate and heals more quickly than other areas of the body, allowing for scars that are often virtually invisible.

When Can I Resume Exercise After Eyelid Surgery?

Patients are advised to allow their eyes to recover for at least 10-14 days before resuming normal activities and are strongly discouraged from engaging in any strenuous activity during this period. Dr. Urban may require a follow-up appointment within two weeks to clear the patient for more strenuous activities. On average, most patients can resume their regular exercise within one to two months following their initial procedure.

Can I Combine Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures?

A blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It is often performed in conjunction with other surgical procedures, such as facelifts and eyebrow and forehead lifts . If you are interested in exploring these additional procedures, please mention them during your consultation with Dr. Urban. He can combine your procedures into a single, safe, and comprehensive surgical plan.

What Are the Risks Associated With Eyelid Surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks with a blepharoplasty. Some of these risks include: Infection Swelling Bleeding Dry eyes Blurry vision Nerve damage Permanent vision loss Anesthesia risks

Salt Lake City, Utah

Eyelid Surgery

Introduction

Introduction to Eyelid Surgery

Eyes are the window to the soul, as they say. In fact, the surrounding skin, rather than the eyes themselves, conveys emotion. The tissue, muscle, fat, hair, and lashes all contribute to the wide array of expressions. Age, sun exposure, and hereditary factors all contribute to wrinkles, deep lines, and puffiness around the eyes. The aging process can cause unwanted changes in facial expression, making us appear permanently fatigued and older than we really are. These changes in appearance can cause emotional distress and sometimes even visual impairment.

An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is designed to restore a more youthful appearance to your eyes. It may involve the upper lids, the lower lids, or both. Dr. Scott Urban at Utah Facial Surgical Arts, based in Salt Lake City, UT, performs blepharoplasty procedures to help restore the sparkle in your eyes. Read on to learn more, and schedule your complimentary consultation today!

Eyelid Surgery Results

Photo Gallery

What is Eyelid Surgery?

An eyelid lift, also known as a blepharoplasty, removes the excess skin and fat from the eyelids. This procedure can lift sagging eyebrows, reduce the appearance of under-eye bags, and smooth out fine lines surrounding the eyes. The result is a youthful, more alert appearance.

Upper Blepharoplasty

An upper blepharoplasty, which involves making an incision in the crease of the upper eyelids, can address drooping eyelids and remove excess skin that might obstruct vision.

Lower Blepharoplasty

A lower blepharoplasty reduces under-eye puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. The incisions for a lower blepharoplasty are made under the lash line along the lower eyelid.

What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Our patients in Salt Lake City, UT, often request eyelid surgery for the following benefits:

Reduced puffiness or under-eye bags
Minimized or reduced appearance of dark circles
Improved vision
Youthful, alert appearance

Who Are the Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery?

When it comes to eyelid surgery, a patient’s age is generally not a significant factor. The primary question is the status of your eyelid anatomy. Younger patients often experience issues with prominent, prolapsing fat beneath the eyelid skin. These patients often complain of bulging eyelids. Older patients may exhibit any combination of drooping eyelid skin, prolapsed fat, and brow laxity. Consequently, it is essential for the surgeon to be able to distinguish between drooping eyelids, excess eyelid skin, drooping brows, fat herniation, fat loss, and any combination of these conditions.

What’s the first step

Please schedule a consultation with Dr. Urban at Utah Facial Surgical Arts in Salt Lake City, UT, to understand how eyelid surgery can best address your aesthetic goals. Dr. Urban will conduct a comprehensive examination of your eyes and face to determine the most effective surgical approach. The amount, distribution, and type of excess skin to be removed will be carefully reviewed and explained to ensure you have a clear understanding of what is or is not possible with your eyelid surgery. The areas of your eyes that will be excised will be marked, and you will receive digital photographs and computer imaging to determine the improvement after surgery. Dr. Urban will also review your medical history to gain a better understanding of your overall health and identify potential risk factors for the procedure.

Dr. Urban will provide you with pre-operative instructions that may include the elimination of specific drugs containing aspirin several weeks before surgery to minimize excess bleeding. You may also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection.

What to Expect on the Day of Eyelid Surgery

We can perform blepharoplasty to correct sagging eyelids, bags, or pouches beneath the eyes, and excess folds around the eyes. The surgical procedure involves removing excess skin and fat on the upper and lower eyelids. Blepharoplasty can be performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation, both of which are very comfortable options for patients. Dr. Urban encourages patients to pre-medicate themselves with the prescribed medication prior to surgery to decrease swelling after the operation.

During the procedure, Dr. Urban will trace the natural lines and creases of your face and make incredibly fine incisions from the inner to the outer edge of the eyelid. Surgery on the upper eyelid will be performed first, with the incision made in the fold of the lid. For a lower blepharoplasty, the incision will be made below the eyelash on the lower eyelid. In certain cases, lower eyelid incisions can be made inside the lid. Any excess fat and skin will be removed from the underlying compartments. The amount of fat to be excised can be determined by the degree of protrusion of fat when pressure is applied to the area. Laser treatments may also be applied to reduce wrinkles in the area.

When the procedure is complete, Dr. Urban will use small sutures to close the incision and apply special ointments and dressings to protect the skin. The surgery typically lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

The area surrounding the eyes will remain swollen for several days following eyelid surgery, but it should begin to subside by the first day. Some amount of blurry vision or dry eyes is normal and can be alleviated with medication. Patients are advised that they may be sensitive to bright light and wind for a period, and may experience numbness or itching. The stitches will be removed in 4 to 5 days. Swelling and bruising will persist for about 10 days, but wearing makeup around this time is safe to help conceal these concerns.

Patients can expect to resume normal activity within one to two weeks and start enjoying their new look within approximately 10 to 14 days. It may take approximately 6 months for the scars to fade in redness. Wrinkling will recur later in life; however, it is unlikely that the bags will recur because the fat has been removed. Deeper wrinkles around the outer eye that extended onto the temple are not greatly affected by the eyelid lift, and these areas may be treated with laser resurfacing.

A final evaluation may occur within several months of the initial surgical procedure.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost in Salt Lake City?

The cost of Eyelid Surgery in the greater Salt Lake City area will factor in the type and extent of blepharoplasty needed to deliver the best results for the patient, the expertise of your plastic surgeon, and facility fees. You will be able to receive an overview of the costs for your eyelid surgery at the time of your consultation.

For your convenience, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Lending USA, and CareCredit (call for details). We deliver the finest care at the most reasonable cost to our patients. Therefore, payment is due at the time service is rendered unless other arrangements have been made in advance. If you have questions regarding your account, please contact us at 801-282-5363. Often, a simple telephone call can clear up any misunderstandings.

If you reschedule or cancel your surgery less than 48 hours before it, you will be charged a fee of $500 to $1000.

Please remember you are fully responsible for all fees charged by this office, regardless of your insurance coverage.

We will send you a monthly statement. Most insurance companies respond within four to six weeks. Please call our office if your statement does not accurately reflect your insurance payment within the specified time frame. You are responsible for any remaining balance after your insurance has been paid. Your prompt remittance is appreciated. We can arrange a monthly payment plan, but that must be implemented before the actual procedure.

Why Choose Dr. Urban?

Scott D. Urban, MD, DMD, FAACS, specializes in Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery. He received his doctoral degrees from Harvard University (DMD) and Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (MD) and completed a general surgery internship and an oral & maxillofacial surgery residency at the renowned Mayo Clinic. Afterward, Dr. Urban completed an American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery-accredited Facial Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham under the tutelage of Dr. Peter Waite, the Past President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Urban is triple board-certified in facial surgery by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Urban is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Urban loves the practice of healing, helping, and serving. His hobbies include bicycle riding, mountain biking, snow skiing, waterskiing, hiking, reading, and spending time with his family.

Eyelid Surgery FAQ’S

A blepharoplasty may require several follow-up appointments to monitor the patient’s healing progress after the initial procedure. The exact number of appointments will vary from patient to patient and may be estimated during the consultation. Dr. Urban conducts at least one final evaluation within several months of the initial surgical procedure.
The incisions for blepharoplasty are minimal and kept in the crease of the upper eyelid for an upper blepharoplasty and along the lash line for a lower blepharoplasty. The scars from these incisions are hidden when the eyes are open and fade to fine lines over time. The skin on the eyelids is delicate and heals more quickly than other areas of the body, allowing for scars that are often virtually invisible.
Patients are advised to allow their eyes to recover for at least 10-14 days before resuming normal activities and are strongly discouraged from engaging in any strenuous activity during this period. Dr. Urban may require a follow-up appointment within two weeks to clear the patient for more strenuous activities. On average, most patients can resume their regular exercise within one to two months following their initial procedure.
A blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It is often performed in conjunction with other surgical procedures, such as facelifts and eyebrow and forehead lifts. If you are interested in exploring these additional procedures, please mention them during your consultation with Dr. Urban. He can combine your procedures into a single, safe, and comprehensive surgical plan.
As with any surgery, there are risks with a blepharoplasty. Some of these risks include:
- Infection
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Dry eyes
- Blurry vision
- Nerve damage
- Permanent vision loss
- Anesthesia risks

Patient Reviews

I went home today and literally was blown away by how good my procedure looks! This is why you come to Dr. Urban and his team. I pulled out my license photo when I was 39 and I look just like that again. It’s amazing. Feel free to ask for before and after photos at the the office.

You will not be disappointed!

View Results – S.V.
Best experience! If you’re looking for a great result and great treatment, this is the place for you!

View Results R.C.
Mini facelift and I am loving it! The Drs follow up was beyond expectations. I feel so much more confident when meeting new people. I would do it again but only with Dr Urban.

View Results C.C.

Schedule a
Consultation

Dr. Urban is dual board-certified and fellowship-trained in Facial Surgery. If you are interested in learning more about eyelid surgery, please call our office to schedule your complimentary $100 personal consultation today. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Urban will listen to your treatment goals and discuss the various non-surgical and surgical options with you, including advantages, disadvantages, benefits, risks, preoperative care, and postoperative care. There is no pressure to select a treatment – we only want you to be happy with your decision and your results! Contact Utah Facial Surgical Arts in Salt Lake City, UT, at 801-282-5363 today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward achieving brighter, more brilliant eyes!

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