Aging around the eyes often does more than create unwanted wrinkles—it also affects a person’s resting expression, vision, and creates under eye “bags.” Patients fed up with constantly looking tired may benefit from a blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills to create a more youthful expression. This surgery can resolve drooping eyes, remove excess skin, and take years off the face.
Dr. Benjamin Swartout is pleased to offer blepharoplasty procedures in Beverly Hills for men and women who would like to improve the appearance of their eyes and resolve visible signs of aging.
Table of Contents
- What is Blepharoplasty?
- Why Blepharoplasty?
- Candidates
- Consultation
- Preparing
- Procedure
- Recovery
- Side Effects and Risks
- Choose Dr. Swartout
- FAQs
What is Blepharoplasty?
The natural process of aging causes the eyelid skin to stretch and sag and the muscles that support them to become weaker. When this happens, excess fat often gathers above and below the lids, leading to droopiness and bags under the eyes. Also known as eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is a popular cosmetic surgery that corrects droopy, aging eyelids by removing or tightening excess skin, muscle, and fat.
Why Choose Blepharoplasty?
There are several reasons one would perform a cosmetic reconstructive surgery like blepharoplasty. Foremost, it can make patients look years younger and more vibrant by opening the eyes and creating a more alert and awake resting expression. It can also improve vision if the excess skin of the upper eye interferes with the patient’s ability to see.
Eyelid surgery can significantly raise a patient’s self-esteem and help them to feel more confident in social situations. Each patient has their own reasons for choosing blepharoplasty, but the most common reason is to look younger and slow down the rate of future aging in the eye area.
Related procedures: Rhinoplasty, Facelift.
Am I a Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty in the Beverly Hills area are healthy men and women unhappy with the appearance of their eyes and overall expression. Prospective patients should have signs of aging in the eye area that may include sagging skin, eye bags, and changes in resting facial expression.
Dr. Swartout does not recommend blepharoplasty to patients with health conditions, such as:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- glaucoma
- dry eyes
- hypothyroidism
Although most patients who opt for this procedure are at least 35 years of age, younger patients may also find value in a blepharoplasty. Patients should have realistic expectations for their results before moving forward with blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty Consultation in Beverly Hills
We encourage men and women interested in a blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swartout at his practice in Los Angeles. Dr. Swartout will get to know the patient’s medical history and examine their eye region. If he believes the patient is a good candidate for eyelid surgery, he will explain the procedure in great detail and share before and after photographs of real patients to help patients understand the typical results of the surgery.
Preparing for Blepharoplasty
We require patients who have scheduled a blepharoplasty in Los Angeles to adhere to certain pre-op restrictions. Dr. Swartout will instruct patients to stop taking medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen and certain supplements at least two weeks before the procedure as they may lead to excessive bleeding.
Also, smokers will need to quit at least a month before their blepharoplasty as smoking can interfere with the healing process and make a patient more prone to complications. Prior to the day of the surgery, patients should arrange for a friend or family member to drive them to and from the procedure. Lastly, they should refrain from wearing any eye makeup or lotion on the day of their plastic surgery.
The Blepharoplasty Procedure
Dr. Swartout performs cosmetic eyelid surgery under IV sedation and typically takes around two hours to complete, depending on the patient’s goals. During the blepharoplasty procedure, Dr. Swartout carefully removes excess folds of skin and fat from a patient’s lower and upper lids. He places incisions carefully so any scars get hidden within the natural folds of the eyelids. Some patients only need the upper or lower lids addressed while others benefit from having both areas rejuvenated in one procedure.
To get rid of upper eye droopiness, Dr. Swartout will make an incision in the natural eyelid crease of the upper lid. Then, he’ll remove excess skin, tighten the tissues and muscles, and reposition the fat. To resolve lower lid issues, Dr. Swartout will make an incision under the lower lash line to reposition fat causing under eye bags and to remove or tighten excess skin. Once Dr. Swartout has made the adjustments according to the patient’s goals, he closes the incisions with sutures.
Recovering from Blepharoplasty Surgery
Immediately after blepharoplasty, patients will go home with tape over their incisions. We will remove this tape at their initial follow-up appointment. We will remove sutures at their second follow-up appointment, which will take place five to seven days after the procedure.
Patients will need to refrain from vigorous activities and focus on resting for the first few days after surgery. After about eight to 10 days, their swelling and bruising should have subsided enough for them to feel comfortable returning to work and social activities.
What Are Possible Side Effects or Risks of Surgery?
As with all surgical procedures, blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills involves some side effects and risks including:
| Swelling | Bruising |
| Scarring | Soreness |
| Dry Eyes | Blurred Vision |
| Difficulty Closing Eyes | Eye Numbness |
When highly skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Swartout perform eyelid surgery, these side effects or risks are far less likely to occur.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Swartout to Perform My Blepharoplasty?
A Beverly Hills Blepharoplasy Specialist
Dr. Benjamin Swartout is a fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon. Dr. Swartout commits to providing high-quality care to his patients and leaving them with natural-looking results that allow them to look and feel their best.
Dr. Swartout went to college at Harvard and completed his medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Dr. Swartout has successfully performed blepharoplasty surgeries in Beverly Hills and looks forward to helping you achieve the youthful, vibrant look you desire.
Dr. Swartout is awesome! After having two failed rhinoplasty procedures, I was lucky to find Dr. Swartout. He completely fixed my nose and dramatically improved my breathing (which was never addressed in my previous surgeries). My nose also looks beautiful! I had given up on my nose ever being fixed let alone looking normal. After my fist visit, I was convinced Dr. Swartout could help me. He is very friendly and patient and truly cares about each patient's experience pre- and post-op. Because he took his time and was so careful, I had practically no swelling or bruising. Within a week my nose looked normal. I am so thankful for everything Dr. Swartout was able to do for me.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blepharoplasty
My upper eyelids look like saggy flaps of eyelid skin hanging down to my lashes. Can this be fixed?
Of course. This problem worsens as the brow sags with advancing age. We can expect improvement from the use of Botox to elevate the brow and bring skin upward, off the eyelid.
If this does not provide sufficient improvement, we can remove and tighten skin. We can perform this procedure in the office using only numbing medicine in the skin or in the Surgery Center with the help of an anesthesiologist if we need more sedation. Brow lifting may also help to elevate the brow and improve this problem, depending on the patient’s individual case.
My lower eyelids have some darkening of the skin. What can be done?
This depends on the cause of the darkened skin. When there are bags under the eyes, they cast a shadow under the bulge, creating a darkening of the lower lid. In some patients, the skin itself can become dark, creating dark circles. Sometimes, both factors happen.
When darkened skin occurs, we can improve the issue with lower eyelid surgery to reduce the fat bulge and decrease this shadow. When the skin changes color, it may be more difficult to treat dark circles.
Is eyelid surgery painful?
After eyelid surgery, patients may experience minor discomfort. However, it can be controlled with prescription pain medication and ice packs. Rarely do patients experience unmanageable pain after blepharoplasty.
When will I look normal again after blepharoplasty?
Most patients look normal and feel comfortable going out in public about two to three weeks after surgery. At the three month mark, most patients will see almost all of their final results. After six months, they usually look their very best and enjoy a refreshed appearance.
How long do blepharoplasty results last?
For the upper lids, blepharoplasty results may last around seven years. This is because the natural process of aging may cause skin and fat to continue to accumulate. Some patients may undergo another eyelid surgery for their upper lids. The good news is that the lower lids rarely require a second procedure.
Does eyelid surgery interfere with LASIK?
LASIK has increased in popularity in recent years. Patients who have undergone LASIK will be happy to learn that eyelid surgery is perfectly safe after this procedure. LASIK and blepharoplasty are compatible.
Is eyelid surgery a cosmetic procedure?
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is for patients who wish to get rid of droopy eyelids for aesthetic purposes. The procedure may be a medical necessity, however, if a person’s upper eyelids cause vision challenges.
Can blepharoplasty erase crow’s feet?
Eyelid surgery can help patients appear more relaxed and refreshed. However, the procedure cannot get rid of crow’s feet, dark circles, or other wrinkles that often appear in the eye area. Patients concerned about these issues should inform Dr. Swartout so he can recommend alternative procedures.
When can I wear eye makeup after blepharoplasty?
After eyelid surgery, Dr. Swartout encourages patients to wait at least two to three weeks before applying eye makeup such as eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Once any crusting or scabbing has gone away, they will be permitted to apply makeup.
Can a blepharoplasty be combined with another procedure?
Yes. Some patients pair blepharoplasty with brow lifting, a facelift, or another facial surgical procedure. You can discuss these options in your Beverly Hills blepharoplasty consultation with Dr. Swartout.
How does an Asian blepharoplasty differ from a traditional blepharoplasty?
During Asian eyelid surgery, we create a crease above the lashes to preserve a patient’s ethnic characteristics.
Contact us today if you are in need of a blepharoplasty specialist in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles & surrounding areas.
