Blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills, CA

Most patients are surprised by how manageable blepharoplasty recovery is. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, so you will not feel anything during surgery. In the days following eyelid surgery in Beverly Hills, patients typically experience mild swelling, bruising, and tightness around the eye area — not sharp pain. Any discomfort is well managed with oral medication and cold compresses in the first 48 hours. Most patients feel comfortable and presentable within 10–14 days.

Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial plastic surgery procedures and has an excellent safety profile when performed by a double board-certified surgeon in an accredited facility. Potential risks include temporary swelling, bruising, dry eyes, and light sensitivity — all of which typically resolve within weeks. Rare complications include asymmetry, infection, or changes in eyelid position. All eyelid surgeries at Harris Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics are performed either in office or at Summit Surgery Center on Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills, a AAAASF-accredited facility, with board-certified anesthesiologists.

There is no single ideal age for blepharoplasty — candidacy is anatomy-driven, not age-driven. Upper eyelid surgery is most commonly performed in patients in their 40s and 50s as the skin begins to hood or droop. Lower blepharoplasty, which addresses under-eye bags, can be appropriate from the late 30s onward. Some patients in their 30s benefit from lower blepharoplasty when hereditary under-eye bags are a concern. The right time for eyelid surgery is when the condition is affecting your confidence or your field of vision, which can also be the case with upper eyelid drooping.

Insurance may cover upper blepharoplasty when excess eyelid skin is clinically shown to obstruct your visual field — known as functional blepharoplasty. A visual field test is typically required to document the impairment before coverage is considered. Cosmetic upper eyelid surgery and lower blepharoplasty performed for aesthetic reasons are not covered by insurance. During your consultation at our Beverly Hills practice, Dr Harris can advise on whether a functional evaluation may be appropriate for your case.

Upper blepharoplasty results typically last 10–15 years, though this varies with genetics, skin quality, and sun exposure. The skin removed during upper eyelid surgery does not return, but the aging process continues over time. Lower blepharoplasty results tend to be very long-lasting, as the underlying structural changes to fat and tissue are permanent. Protecting the eye area from UV exposure and maintaining a good skincare routine will help preserve your results.

This depends on the procedure. Upper blepharoplasty performed on its own is commonly done under local anesthesia with oral sedation — keeping you relaxed and comfortable but technically conscious. When blepharoplasty is combined with a brow lift, facelift, or lower eyelid work, general anesthesia is typically used. Dr Harris will discuss the most appropriate anesthesia plan for your specific procedure during your consultation. All surgeries are performed with board-certified anesthesiologists at Summit Surgery Center in Beverly Hills.

Upper blepharoplasty alone typically takes 45 minutes to one hour. Lower blepharoplasty generally takes one to one and a half hours. When both upper and lower eyelids are treated together — full eyelid rejuvenation — total time is two to two and a half hours. If blepharoplasty is combined with a brow lift or facelift, surgical time will be longer. Plan to arrange a driver for your procedure day and keep the first 24–48 hours restful.

Upper and lower blepharoplasty address different concerns and use different techniques. Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin from the upper eyelid — the skin that folds over the lash line creating a hooded appearance — and in some cases addresses the underlying muscle and a small amount of fat. In addition, lower lid tightening can be performed at the same time as upper blepharoplasty as well as lacrimal gland resuspension. Lower blepharoplasty focuses on the area beneath the eye: addressing fat pads that create puffiness or bags, and sometimes redistributing fat to soften the tear trough hollow. Both procedures can be performed independently or together as part of a comprehensive eyelid rejuvenation in Beverly Hills.

A skin-pinch blepharoplasty is a conservative lower eyelid procedure that removes a small, precisely measured amount of excess skin directly beneath the lower lash line, without disturbing the deeper fat or muscle layers. It is well suited to patients who have good lower eyelid structure and tone but have developed fine or crepey skin beneath the eye. The incision is hidden beneath the lower lashes and recovery is typically faster than a full lower blepharoplasty. It is often a good option for younger patients or those with mild lower eyelid skin laxity rather than significant fat prolapse.

Good candidates for blepharoplasty are patients in good general health who are bothered by hooded upper eyelids, under-eye bags, or excess lower eyelid skin. Candidacy is anatomy-driven, not age-driven — there is no minimum or maximum age. Ideal candidates are non-smokers or are willing to stop prior to surgery, have realistic expectations, and do not have active eye conditions such as severe dry eye syndrome that would need to be addressed first. During your consultation in Beverly Hills, Dr Harris will assess your eyelid anatomy, skin quality, and facial proportions before recommending the most appropriate procedure.

The cost of blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills depends on whether upper, lower, or both eyelids are treated, and whether the procedure is performed alone or combined with other treatments such as a brow lift or facelift. Because every patient's anatomy and goals differ, the most accurate pricing comes from a personal consultation. At Harris Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Dr Harris provides transparent, all-inclusive surgical pricing that covers pre-operative appointments and all post-operative follow-up care — there are no hidden fees for aftercare visits.

When choosing a blepharoplasty surgeon in Beverly Hills, verify that they are board-certified in a specialty that encompasses eyelid and facial surgery — ideally double board-certified — and that procedures are performed in a fully accredited surgical facility. Review before-and-after photos specifically for the procedure you are considering, and look for consistent, natural-looking results across different patient anatomies. Dr William Harris is double board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. All eyelid surgeries are performed in office or at Summit Surgery Center in Beverly Hills, a AAAASF-accredited facility.

Yes — blepharoplasty is frequently combined with other facial procedures for a more comprehensive result. Upper blepharoplasty is commonly paired with a brow lift when brow descent is contributing to upper eyelid heaviness, as treating the brow without the eyelid (or vice versa) can leave the result looking incomplete. Lower blepharoplasty is often performed alongside a facelift or midface lift as part of a full facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures allows for a single recovery period. Dr Harris will advise on what combination makes sense for your anatomy during your consultation.

Most patients take one to two weeks away from work following blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills. Swelling and bruising peak in the first three to five days and improve significantly by day seven to ten. Cold compresses, keeping the head elevated, and avoiding strenuous activity all accelerate recovery. Sutures are typically removed within five to seven days. Most patients feel comfortable returning to social and light professional activities within ten to fourteen days. Some residual swelling can persist for several weeks, with final results fully visible at six to eight weeks post-procedure.