Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Rejuvenate tired, aging eyes with upper or lower eyelid surgery. Remove excess skin, eliminate bags, and restore a bright, youthful appearance.

SURGERY TIME

1-3 Hours

ANESTHESIA

Local or General

RECOVERY

1-2 Weeks

RESULTS

10-20 Years

Restore Youthful, Alert Eyes

Your eyes are often the first feature people notice—and the first to show signs of aging. Drooping upper eyelids, puffy bags under the eyes, and excess skin can make you look tired, older, and less approachable, even when you feel energetic and vibrant inside.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is one of the most popular and transformative facial rejuvenation procedures. Whether addressing heavy upper lids that impair vision, puffy lower lid bags, or both, Dr. Kim creates natural-looking results that restore a refreshed, youthful appearance while maintaining your unique eye shape and ethnic features.

Transformative Benefits

Refresh your entire appearance

Eliminate Heavy Eyelids

Remove excess upper eyelid skin that creates hooded appearance and may impair peripheral vision

Brighter, Alert Eyes

Look more awake, energetic, and approachable by opening up the eye area

Reduce Under-Eye Bags

Eliminate puffy lower eyelid bags caused by fat herniation and excess skin

Improved Vision

Restore peripheral vision blocked by severely drooping upper eyelids (functional improvement)

Smooth Wrinkled Skin

Tighten and smooth crepey, wrinkled eyelid skin for more youthful appearance

Natural Results

Achieve refreshed appearance while maintaining your natural eye shape and ethnic features

Eyelid Surgery Options

Customized to your specific needs

Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)

Eliminates Under-Eye Bags & Dark Circles

Lower blepharoplasty removes or repositions bulging fat pads and excess skin under the eyes to eliminate puffy bags and create a smoother, more youthful under-eye area.

  • Two Incision Options: Just below lash line (skin visible) or inside eyelid (transconjunctival, no visible scar)

  • Fat Removal/Repositioning: Eliminates bulging fat causing "bags" or repositions to fill tear trough hollow

  • Excess Skin Removal: Tightens loose, wrinkled lower eyelid skin if present

  • Transconjunctival Approach: For younger patients with fat bags but good skin, no visible scar

  • Fat Repositioning: Can fill hollow tear trough area for smoother transition

  • Muscle Tightening: Lower eyelid muscle can be tightened for additional support

  • Laser Resurfacing Option: Can add laser to tighten skin and improve texture

  • More Complex Recovery: 2 weeks to look presentable, swelling lasts longer than upper

  • Risk of Complications: Slightly higher than upper (dry eyes, ectropion if overtightened)

Asian Double Eyelid Surgery

Creates Natural Upper Eyelid Crease | Preserves Ethnic Identity

Asian blepharoplasty creates a natural-looking upper eyelid crease (supratarsal fold) for patients born without one or with a very low/faint crease. Dr. Kim specializes in techniques that enhance the eyes while maintaining ethnic features.

  • Creates Eyelid Crease: Forms natural-looking supratarsal fold typically absent in Asian eyes

  • Two Techniques: Incisional (permanent, can remove fat/skin) or non-incisional suture method

  • Customized Height: Crease height tailored to facial anatomy and desired look (subtle to more prominent)

  • Fat Pad Reduction: Can reduce fullness in upper lid for more defined appearance

  • Epicanthoplasty Option: Can modify inner corner fold (epicanthal fold) if desired

  • Preserves Ethnic Features: Enhances eyes while maintaining Asian characteristics

  • Natural Appearance: Avoids "Western" or "operated" look

  • Quick Recovery: 7-14 days to look natural

  • Permanent Results: Incisional method provides lifelong crease

Combined Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty

Comprehensive Eye Rejuvenation | Single Recovery

Many patients benefit from addressing both upper and lower eyelids simultaneously for comprehensive eye rejuvenation. This provides dramatic improvement while requiring only one recovery period.

  • Complete Eye Rejuvenation: Addresses all concerns—drooping upper lids and lower lid bags

  • Single Recovery: One surgery and recovery period vs. two separate procedures

  • Cost Savings: Less expensive than two separate surgeries

  • Balanced Results: Ensures upper and lower lids complement each other

  • Common Combination: Often performed with facelift or brow lift for full facial rejuvenation

  • Longer Surgery: 2-3 hours for combined procedure

  • More Swelling: Expect more significant swelling when both done together

Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)

Most Common | Addresses Hooded, Drooping Lids

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids to eliminate the hooded, heavy appearance that makes eyes look tired and can impair vision. This is the most commonly requested eyelid procedure.

  • Incision Placement: Hidden in natural upper eyelid crease, virtually invisible when healed

  • Excess Skin Removal: Eliminates drooping, hooded skin that weighs down upper lid

  • Fat Removal/Repositioning: Addresses bulging fat pads if present

  • Opens Eye Appearance: Creates more visible eyelid and brighter, alert look

  • Vision Improvement: Can restore peripheral vision blocked by severe drooping

  • Makeup Application: Easier to apply eyeshadow with visible lid space

  • Insurance Coverage: May be covered if impairs vision (requires visual field testing)

  • Quick Recovery: Most presentable at 7-10 days

  • Long-Lasting: Results typically last 10-20 years

  • Can Combine: With brow lift for comprehensive upper face rejuvenation

Am I a Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

Determining if blepharoplasty is right for you

You May Be a Good Candidate If:

  • You have excess, drooping upper eyelid skin (hooded lids)

  • Upper eyelids impair your peripheral vision

  • You have puffy bags or bulges under your eyes

  • Lower eyelid skin is wrinkled, loose, or crepey

  • You look tired even when well-rested

  • You're typically 35+ years old (though varies by concern)

  • You're in good overall health

  • You don't smoke or are willing to quit

  • You have realistic expectations about results

  • You can take 1-2 weeks off for recovery

  • You want natural-looking rejuvenation, not drastic change

You May Not Be a Candidate If:

  • You have uncontrolled medical conditions (diabetes, thyroid, high blood pressure)

  • You have dry eye syndrome or Sjögren's syndrome

  • You have glaucoma or detached retina

  • You have unrealistic expectations

  • You smoke heavily and won't quit

  • You're looking for dark circle elimination only (fillers better)

  • Your concerns are caused by brow ptosis (need brow lift instead)

  • You cannot commit to recovery instructions

  • You have blood clotting disorders

  • You're taking blood thinners you cannot stop

Eyelid Surgery: Starting at $4,500

Upper Eyelid Surgery

This Includes:

  • Board-certified plastic surgeon with 25+ years experience

  • All surgical fees and anesthesia

  • Removal of excess skin and fat

  • Accredited surgical facility or office-based suite

  • Post-operative care and follow-up visits

Variables Include:

  • Upper lids only vs. lower lids only vs. both

  • Extent of skin and fat removal needed

  • Asian double eyelid creation (if applicable)

  • Transconjunctival vs. transcutaneous lower lid approach

  • Addition of laser resurfacing for skin texture

  • Combination with brow lift, facelift, or other procedures

Final investment depends on whether upper, lower, or both eyelids are treated.

Most patients invest $5,000-$8,500

Pricing Guide: Upper lids only $4,500-$6,000 | Lower lids only $5,000-$7,000 | Upper + Lower combined $7,500-$10,000 | Asian double eyelid $4,500-$6,500

Insurance Note: Upper blepharoplasty may be covered by insurance if severely impairs vision (requires visual field testing showing significant impairment). Lower blepharoplasty is almost always cosmetic and not covered.

Real Patient Results

See the natural, beautiful transformations Dr. Kim's patients have achieved

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most patients describe discomfort rather than pain. Eyes feel tight, swollen, and sore—similar to bad sunburn or allergic reaction. Pain medication helps first 2-3 days. The swelling and bruising are more bothersome than pain. Discomfort significantly improves after first week. Lower lid surgery typically more uncomfortable than upper.

  • Most presentable at 7-10 days when significant swelling/bruising subsided. Can return to desk work at 7-10 days. Can wear makeup to cover remaining bruises at 7-10 days once stitches removed. Avoid eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner) for 2 weeks. Most comfortable socializing at 2 weeks. Physical work or exercise resume at 3 weeks.

  • Upper lid scars hidden in natural eyelid crease—virtually invisible when healed. Lower lid scars (if external incision) just below lash line, also well-concealed. Initially pink/red for 2-3 months, then fade to thin white lines. By 6-12 months, scars nearly imperceptible even to close observers. Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty (inside eyelid) has no visible external scar.

  • Partially. If dark circles caused by bulging fat creating shadows, removing fat improves appearance. However, true pigmentation (hereditary dark circles) is NOT corrected by surgery. Hollow tear troughs that create dark shadows can be addressed with fat repositioning or filler injection. Set realistic expectations—surgery improves puffiness and shadows from bulging, not skin pigmentation.

  • Temporary dry eyes are common and expected for 2-4 weeks as eyes heal. Use artificial tears frequently. Permanent dry eyes are rare but possible, especially with aggressive lower lid surgery. Patients with pre-existing dry eye syndrome have higher risk and may not be good candidates. Dr. Kim carefully assesses this during consultation.

  • Upper blepharoplasty results typically last 10-20 years. Lower blepharoplasty results last 10-15 years. Eyes continue to age, but you'll always look better than if you hadn't had surgery. Some patients desire revision 10-20+ years later for additional rejuvenation. Results are long-lasting but not permanent—aging continues.

  • Yes, frequently combined for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Most common combinations: blepharoplasty + facelift + neck lift, blepharoplasty + brow lift (addresses entire upper face), upper and lower blepharoplasty together, blepharoplasty + laser resurfacing (improves skin texture). Combining saves recovery time and overall cost.

  • Maybe. Insurance covers upper blepharoplasty ONLY if excess skin significantly impairs peripheral vision. Requires documentation with visual field testing showing impairment. Purely cosmetic concerns (appearance, not vision) are NOT covered. Lower blepharoplasty is almost always cosmetic and not covered. Our office can help with insurance pre-authorization if you qualify.

Ready to Refresh Your Eyes?

Schedule a consultation to discuss your eyelid surgery options with Dr. Kim

Schedule Consultation
Call: (415) 362-1846