Are You a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) is a safe and effective procedure for most healthy adults. It’s often combined with a temporal brow lift or even a facelift for full periorbital rejuvenation. However, certain factors should be considered to ensure the best results and a smooth recovery.

General Candidacy Criteria

You may be a good candidate for eyelid surgery if you:

Have sagging upper eyelids that affect appearance or vision
Have under-eye bags, puffiness, or tear trough hollows
Are in good overall health and don’t smoke
Have realistic expectations about surgery and recovery
Are not currently on blood thinners or can safely stop them
Can avoid contact lenses and eye strain before and after surgery
Have not had any corneal surgery in the last 6 months
Don’t have chronically dry eyes.

Important Considerations

Medical and lifestyle factors to consider:

Chronic dry eye should be evaluated and managed by an ophthalmologist before surgery, as it may worsen post-op symptoms.
Laser vision correction (LASIK, PRK) should be scheduled at least 6 months before or after eyelid surgery.
Contact lenses should be avoided for 4 weeks before and after surgery to protect the healing eyelid tissues.
Blood thinners should be stopped one week before surgery with your doctor’s guidance.
Smoking significantly delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
Patients must quit smoking one month before and after surgery.

What to Expect from Eyelid Surgery

Both upper and lower blepharoplasty and temporal brow lift are typically

performed under local anesthesia with sedation for maximum comfort and safety.

Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty

Incisions:
- Upper eyelid: Hidden in the natural eyelid crease
- Lower eyelid: Placed just below the lash line or inside the lid (transconjunctival)
Pain: Minimal and manageable with medication
Aftercare:
- Lubricating eye drops and ointment
- Antibiotic + Steroid eye ointment
- Rest, icing and sleeping with an elevated head of bed
- Sunglasses recommended for 1 week outdoors
- Massaging is started at 7 days
Downtime:
- Bruising and swelling for ~1 week (up to 2 to 3 weeks depending on patients and type of work)
- Typically no visible signs of surgery after 3 weeks

Follow-Up Appointments

Day 7: Suture removal
6 weeks: Second check-up for monitoring, and referral for peels or lasers
3 Months: Final assessment

Temporal Brow Lift Overview

Incision: Horizontal, hidden in the hairline (temporal region)
Goal: Gently lifts the outer third of the brow using deep tissue anchoring
for longer-lasting results
Sensation: Mild tugging or tightness; minimal pain
(some patients might feel a tension headache for the first week to 10 days,
this is usually temporary and responds well to over-the-counter pain relief)
Recovery:
- Swelling and bruising for 1-2 weeks
- Staples removed after 7 days
Second follow-up: At 3 months, to assess for symmetry and the need for botulinum toxin (great for maintenance of result)