Serving Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Orange County, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and the greater Los Angeles area.
1) What Is Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)?
Blepharoplasty is eyelid surgery designed to refresh a tired appearance by addressing excess upper-lid skin, puffiness, lower-lid bags, and fine wrinkles around the eyes. Aging, genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to hooded upper lids or under-eye hollows that make you look fatigued even when you feel well rested.
At Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, blepharoplasty is performed with a focus on natural results. The goal is not to change the shape of your eyes but to restore a more open, alert, and youthful look while preserving your unique features.
Dr. Raman Mehrzad treats patients from Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, and throughout Orange County and the greater Los Angeles area. Upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or a combined approach may be recommended based on your anatomy and goals.
2) Who Is a Good Candidate?
- Excess skin on the upper eyelids that interferes with makeup or vision
- Persistent under-eye bags or puffiness that does not improve with rest
- Good general health and realistic expectations about recovery and scarring
- Non-smoker or able to stop smoking before surgery
- No uncontrolled dry eye or active eye disease without ophthalmology clearance
- Stable brow position, or willingness to address brow descent if it contributes to heaviness
3) How the Procedure Works
- Consultation: Evaluate upper and lower lids, brow position, skin quality, and fat distribution.
- Markings: Precise surgical lines are drawn to preserve natural creases and symmetry.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia depending on the plan.
- Upper bleph: Excess skin and selective fat are removed through a hidden crease incision.
- Lower bleph: Fat may be repositioned or conservatively removed via transconjunctival or skin-muscle approach.
- Closure: Fine sutures and cold compresses; ointment protects the eyes during early healing.
4) Recovery Timeline
Week 1: Swelling and bruising peak then begin to fade. Use cold compresses, head elevation, and prescribed eye drops or ointment. Sutures are typically removed around day 5 to 7 for upper lids.
Week 2: Most bruising resolves enough for public outings with sunglasses. Many patients return to desk work. Avoid rubbing the eyes and strenuous activity.
Month 1: Swelling continues to improve and scars soften. Makeup can often be applied to upper lids once incisions are healed.
Month 3: Final refinement becomes visible. Scars fade toward thin lines hidden in natural lid creases or lash margins.
5) Risks and What to Expect
- Temporary bruising, swelling, and light sensitivity
- Dry eye or irritation, usually short-lived with proper care
- Minor asymmetry during healing that typically settles
- Rare changes in eyelid position if healing is complicated
- Visible scarring, usually well concealed in natural eyelid anatomy
Serving patients from Los Alamitos, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Orange County, Cypress, Cerritos, Lakewood, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and the greater Los Angeles area.
6) Before and After Gallery
See the before and after images on this page for examples of upper and lower blepharoplasty results from patients in Orange County and Los Angeles County.
7) Frequently Asked Questions
Will blepharoplasty change my eye shape?
Our goal is a refreshed version of your own eyes. We preserve canthal support and avoid over-resection so you still look like yourself, just less tired.
Upper blepharoplasty or brow lift?
If brow descent is the main cause of heaviness, a brow lift may be recommended instead of or in addition to upper lid surgery. We assess this carefully at consultation.
How long does eyelid surgery take?
Upper blepharoplasty alone often takes about one hour. Combined upper and lower procedures may take two hours or slightly longer.
When can I wear contacts or makeup?
Makeup on upper lids is often possible after about one week once incisions are healed. Contact lenses are resumed when irritation and swelling have settled, often within one to two weeks.
Does insurance cover upper blepharoplasty?
Purely cosmetic eyelid surgery is not covered by insurance. If excess skin significantly impairs vision, documentation and visual field testing may support a functional claim in select cases.
Can blepharoplasty be combined with a facelift or neck lift?
Yes. Combining periorbital rejuvenation with face or neck surgery can provide harmonious results with a single recovery when medically appropriate.