Houston Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) Surgeon
Blepharoplasty also referred to as eyelid surgery or eyelid lifts, improves the appearance of the upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. Eyelids are one of the first areas where aging can show and cosmetic eyelid surgery can provide a more youthful appearance. The purpose of eyelid surgery is to give patients a rejuvenated appearance to the surrounding area of your eyes, making you look more rested and alert.
View Eyelid Surgery Before & Afters
Dr. Etai Funk, MD, FACS specializes in plastic surgery of the face and neck exclusively at his Houston office and has an intimate understanding of eyelid anatomy and aesthetics. Dr. Funk is one of the top-rated facial plastic specialist surgeons in Houston, which is why many patients have chosen Dr. Funk as their blepharoplasty surgeon to correct drooping upper eye lifts and puffiness under their eyes (eye bags). Dr. Funk practices in Houston, TX treating blepharoplasty patients from Katy, Memorial City, Memorial, The Woodlands, Spring Cypress, and Sugar Land. Dr. Funk also sees many patients from South Texas, international patients, and from all over the US.
Blepharoplasty for Wrinkle Treatment
Blepharoplasty will allow for a mild improvement of the fine wrinkles surrounding the eye. However, these wrinkles are best addressed with resurfacing techniques such as laser or chemical peel and Botox®.
What is the blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) process like?
On the day of your eyelid surgery, you will check in at the facility and then move on to the preop area. There you will change into a surgical gown and have an IV started. Consent forms will be signed and you will meet the surgical team. You will then move on to the operating room.
Your blepharoplasty procedure will be performed in Houston usually at a surgery center.
Eyelid surgery usually requires light sedation but can also be done under general anesthesia. You will be taken to the recovery room after surgery.
This patient had upper and lower eyelid surgery in Houston for lower eyelid bags and upper eyelid hooding. She also underwent rhinoplasty.
What is the Cost of Eyelid Surgery?
The cost of blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) can vary from surgeon to surgeon and depends on the complexity of the eyes and whether upper, lower or both eyelids are done. The average surgeon’s cost for upper eyelid surgery or lower eyelid surgery depends on the complexity of the case. Location may also be a consideration in the cost of an eyelid surgery. Dr. Etai Funk performs blepharoplasty surgeries and other facial plastic surgeries in Houston, TX.
How Long Does Eyelid Surgery Last?
Eyelid surgery does not stop the aging process. Your skin will continue to lose elasticity and become more lax over time. Eyelid surgery should last between 5-10 years. However, at this time, your eyes will still look better than they did prior to your surgery. You will just start noticing some of the signs of aging again.
Common Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Questions
What will my eyelid surgery consultation be like with Dr. Funk?
When visiting our Houston office for eyelid surgery consultation, you will meet with Dr. Funk to discuss your concerns regarding your eyelids. Whether you are considering upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery for bags, or both, Dr. Funk will concentrate on the areas you want to focus on improving.
Dr. Funk will then examine your eyelids and assess the best treatment option for them. Photographs will be taken and you and Dr. Funk will sit in his office reviewing these photographs and making digital changes to provide an approximation of what blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery may look like for you.
For more on our eyelid surgery experience from consultation to recovery, see our process.
Should I do both upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery for bags?
Many of my Houston eyelid surgery patients who come in for lower eyelid surgery for lower eyelid bags question whether to have upper eyelid surgery at the same time. Upper blepharoplasty is performed to remove excess skin of the upper eyelid which can lead to hooding, a tired appearance, and less open eye appearance.
Although there is benefit to having one anesthetic exposure and one recovery, there is no perfect answer here. The question is how much do your upper or lower eyelids bother you and whether you are a good candidate for one or both.
What is lower eyelid surgery?
Lower eyelid surgery is a blepharoplasty procedure to reshape the lower eyelid. Many patients choose lower eyelid surgery because of lower eyelid bags, dark circles, heaviness, and a tired appearance. Blepharoplasty helps to rejuvenate the eyelid and improve these issues.
What is upper eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery is a blepharoplasty procedure often used to help with the excess skin you may have to your upper eyelids, also known as "hooding."
Can I have eyelid surgery and a brow lift?
Many of my Houston eyelid surgery patients are concerned about their saggy skin over their upper eyelids. What some of them do not realize is that a large component of this eyelid hooding is due to brow ptosis or the brows having fallen over the years leading to that heavy tired appearance to the eyes.
Some of these patients may benefit form a brow lift or forehead lift. There are many different types of brow lifts but the most common kind today is the endoscopic brow lift where small incisions are made in the hair bearing scalp and dissection is performed to release the brows and resuspend the entire forehead along with the brows to anchors in the bone. Some patients will not need upper eyelid surgery after their brow lift. Others, may require both the brow lift and the upper eyelid surgery.
What are the benefits of eyelid surgery?
Upper eyelid surgery or an upper eyelid lift can help with the excess skin you may have to your upper eyelids. Upper blepharoplasty will provide a more open eyed, rested, and refreshed appearance. It may even help with some peripheral visual loss you may have. Lower eyelid surgery will address lower eyelid bags and the dark circles under the eyes. It will also help with lower eyelid wrinkles. Lower blepharoplasty will provide a more rejuvenated and rested appearance to your eyes and will provide a more youthful appearance.
Office-based vs Outpatient Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid can be either an office-based or outpatient procedure performed in the operating room. Upper eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or sedation in the operating room. Lower eyelid surgery is usually performed in the operating room under sedation or general anesthesia. The fat of the lower eyelid is quite sensitive and therefore this requires anesthesia to make the surgery more comfortable.
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
Saggy upper eyelids or eyelid hooding is a common concern for patients starting in their forties and becomes more prominent entering our fifties. Saggy upper eyelids can be corrected with upper blepharoplasty where the excess upper eyelid skin is removed to create a more open-eyed appearance.
If you feel your eyes appear tired and are noticing excess skin to the upper eyelids, difficulty placing mascara or eye shadow, and just a heavy-eyed appearance, you may want to obtain a consultation for blepharoplasty. Upper eyelid surgery patients should be evaluated by an experienced surgeon. For the lower eyelids, if you are noticing bags under the eyes, dark circles, or hollows under the eyes, a surgeon with expertise in lower eyelid surgery can assess if you are a good candidate for lower blepharoplasty.
What’s the Difference Between Traditional Blepharoplasty & Laser Blepharoplasty?
The primary difference between traditional and laser eyelid surgery is that the traditional method uses a scalpel to make the necessary incisions while a laser is used to make the incisions in the latter.
Transconjunctival lower eyelid surgery can be performed with a laser and laser resurfacing of the lower eyelid can be combined with traditional blepharoplasty to repair wrinkles and folds.
It’s important to note that both forms of blepharoplasty yield the same results with the same recovery time, provided the surgeon is experienced. Proponents of laser blepharoplasty claim that there is less swelling, pain and bleeding than the traditional method, but there are no studies to corroborate these claims.
Is eyelid surgery covered by insurance or Medicare?
Many older patients ask if blepharoplasty is covered by insurance. This is dependent on the severity of your peripheral visual field loss which needs to be documented by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. This result is then submitted to your insurance and they can determine whether they would cover the cost of your upper eyelid surgery. It is important to note that this is only for upper eyelid surgery and not for lower eyelid surgery.
At Funk Facial Plastic Surgery, upper eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure and therefore not covered by your insurance. If you elect to try and get partial reimbursement for your upper eyelid surgery from your insurance, our team can provide you with any of your medical records for you to work with your insurance company.