Introduction to Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Eyelids are some of the most sought-after features for surgery or enhancement. In Beverly Hills, they are one of the most inquired procedures. Drooping eyelids and the development of puffy bags under the eyes can be a natural effect of aging. As gravity pulls the skin down, it collects on the upper and lower lids. In some cases, the extra skin can hang over your eyelashes and interfere with sight. Eyelid Surgery removes fat, excess skin, and muscle from your lower and upper eyelids, bringing a new look to what people notice the most, the eyes.
At The Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, California, skilled plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov offers Eye Surgery to improve your look and even enhance sight in people who have vision impairment due to sagging skin. Eyes are delicate windows, with gentle skin in and around them. The skilled hand of Dr. Nikolov is ready to discuss your Blepharoplasty, and this page is dedicated to answering some of the most common questions about the popular procedure.
What is Eyelid Surgery?
A Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) corrects drooping lids and abnormally puffy bags underneath your eye, although it should be noted that this specific procedure cannot reduce the appearance of wrinkles or dark circles. If you have bothersome bags or excess skin around your eyes, Eyelid Surgery may be the right procedure for you. Eyelid surgery is often seperated into either upper blepharoplasty or lower blepharoplasty. During your consultation, Dr. Nikolov will evaluate your eyelids and explain if you need only the upper or lower eyelids operated on, or if getting both will be necessary.
Types of Eyelid Surgery
Dr. Nikolov uses one of two procedures to address the lower eyelids. He may make an incision on your lower eyelid to remove fat. The advantage of this procedure is that the cut will be invisible. Alternatively, he may make a cut along the eyelash area, and this incision fades in a short time.
To further understand the difference between upper and lower Eyelid Surgery, see below:
Upper Eyelid Surgery
This addresses eyes that appear plump or droopy due to excess skin and fat. Excess sagging eyelid skin can make an individual appear tired, sad, or older. Upper eyelid surgery rejuvenates the eye area, helping patients look younger and well-rested.
During surgery for the upper eyelid, the incision is typically hidden within the natural fold of the upper eyelid, extending slightly beyond the outer corner into the laugh lines or existing creases. Since this incision follows the natural contour of the upper eyelid, it is usually undetectable.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery addresses puffy under-eye bags, loose skin, and hanging tissue in the lower eyelid area. Many patients come to us seeking this procedure because they’re simply tired of looking exhausted. Just like in upper eyelid surgery, incisions made for lower eyelid surgery are hidden in natural crease lines just below the lower lashes. If the patient is only having fat removed and not skin, the incision can be placed inside the lower eyelid, eliminating the need for external incisions. Lower eyelid surgery may be combined with laser treatment or dermabrasion in order to tighten and smooth the lower eyelid skin.
What are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?
In Beverly Hills, our Eyelid Surgery patients consist of men and women of all different orbital face types. Dr. Nikolov addresses each surgery with the proper attention it needs. Some people seek blepharoplasty to correct problems related to aging occurring around the eyes and eyelids. However, many younger adults choose to undergo Eyelid Surgery to address drooping hereditary traits. No one wants tired-looking eyes, and Eyelid Surgery is here to help bring a more refined look to your eye area, restoring you cosmetically with fresh new confidence. Benefits include:
- Expanded line of sight for improved vision
- Enhanced eye shape for a refreshed appearance
- Reduced skin irritation from excess folds rubbing together
- A more youthful and rested appearance
- Removal of dark under-eye circles
What’s the First Step?
The first step to getting eyelid surgery in Beverly Hills is to call The Nikolov Center for Plastic Surgery for your consultation. After a decision on what works best for you, Dr. Nikolov will instruct you on how to prepare for your Eyelid Surgery and will ensure that you know all of the benefits and risks of the procedure. Upon consultation, we follow a process that determines what treatment is required based on the patient’s needs and specific eye type/variety. Although Blepharoplasty follows a parallel pattern in all cases, minor changes in technique can be implemented in specific situations for specific eye or skin types. After consultation with Dr. Nikolov, there will be instructions for pre-surgery prep that you’ll need to follow for the best outcome. These instructions are planned out and personalized to fit each of our Beverly Hills patients.
What to Expect on the Day of Eyelid Surgery
First and foremost, we intend for all patients to feel as comfortable and confident as possible on the day of their Eyelid Surgery. The entire surgery usually takes two hours when both your upper and lower lids are done at the same time. You usually have just local anesthesia around your eyes and mild sedation during the procedure. To address the upper lids, Dr. Nikolov cuts along the natural lines of your eyelids, then removes any excess tissue. He uses extremely small stitches to close the incisions. The stitches stay in place for three to six days.
Who are the Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery?
Wondering if Eyelid Surgery is the best route for you? You should be in generally good health, physically and psychologically, to undergo the surgery. Dr. Nikolov can help you envision the effects of eyelid surgery to determine if it’s the right procedure to help you meet your aesthetic goals. The average age of patients seeking lower eyelid surgery is mid-thirties, and for upper Eyelid Surgery, patients are typically age 40+. Younger patients tend to seek under-eye surgery to get rid of lower eyelid “bags” and “dark circles” which are hereditary traits. If you’re bothered by droopy, baggy eyelids, however, eyelid surgery may be appropriate at any age.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Most people can get back to their regularly scheduled activities in about 10-14 days after Blepharoplasty, but you should be prepared to take time off to let your eyelids heal correctly. A good way to speed up your recovery is to cover your primary responsibilities ahead of time.
We advise getting plenty of rest and relaxation, which should be easy, knowing you are one step closer to achieving the eyes you have always desired. Post-surgery, it is common for your eyelids to be puffy, as your incisions will emerge red, and the swelling and bruising may resemble that of a black eye. We understand you will be excited to see results, but this healing process is incredibly important to reach the results you seek. Don’t let recovery time get you down; embrace it. Dr. Nikolov and our highly skilled team are here to answer any and all questions about the healing process. When healed, you’ll look younger, your eyes will look brighter, and you’ll feel on top of the world.
How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost in Beverly Hills?
The most suitable way to understand the price of your procedure is to come in for a consultation and allow Dr. Nikolov to give you an examination. Once our team knows best how to help you, you will be provided with a cost breakdown for your entire treatment. The cost of Eyelid Surgery in Beverly Hills will change depending on various factors. Financial planning and cost questions can be discussed in a consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Nikolov?
Dr. Nikolov is world-renowned for his keen aesthetic sense that emphasizes facial harmony and subtle changes to create a fresh appearance. Whether he’s performing plastic surgery or an in-office aesthetic procedure, he uses his skills to help every patient enhance their natural beauty.
As a leader in the field of plastic surgery for more than twenty years, Dr. Nikolov has consulted for television programs and publications and has been featured on CNN, CBS, NBC, and the Discovery Health Channel. He has published and lectured extensively in his field and often hosts other doctors to help them learn about his techniques and procedures.
“My goal is to help all those under my care achieve better harmony, feel youthful, and gain more confidence in their appearance while retaining a natural look.” — Dr. Nikolov
Get in Touch
We all seek better, healthy-looking eyes; they are truly the windows to our souls. Dr. Nikolov and our masterful team are here to make this vision a reality for all types of patients. Eye Surgery will have you feeling confident and satisfied with a new you to take on the future. Our team works around the clock with each patient individually to determine an adequate treatment plan for his or her needs. Contact our office today at (310) 247-1932 or request your consultation through this website, and someone will be in touch with you shortly!