The eyelids and tissues surrounding the eyes may show the wear and tear of aging before lines and wrinkles etch other facial areas. An abundance of skin around the eyelids makes men and women look tired and projects an unflattering appearance. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, corrects cosmetic and functional concerns with the upper and lower eyelids, such as drooping upper eyelids and dark circles or under-eye bags. Amit Arunkumar, M.D. offers upper and lower blepharoplasty in San Francisco and specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck.

“Dr. Arunkumar is such a skilled and talented plastic surgeon! I’m getting so many compliments from people after my procedures. I look like a much younger version of myself. I’m so happy with the results. Truly amazing!! He is a wonderful person and was always available when I had questions. I highly recommend him!”
– Elaine Richheimer

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty, called eyelid lift or eyelid surgery, rejuvenates the upper or lower eyelids to address a tired appearance and create a refreshed and well-rested look. Subtle changes in the eyelids and underlying tissues can provide dramatic improvements, and these procedures boast high patient satisfaction rates. Lower blepharoplasty is one of the most common reasons for consultations with Dr. Arunkumar.

Eyelid surgery benefits include:

• Refreshes one’s appearance
• Increases self-confidence
• Restores the entire visual field by removing hanging eyelid skin
• Fine line reduction
• Dark circle correction under the eyes
• Smoother eyelid appearance
• Fills in deep valleys under the eyes
• Removes redundant skin and tissues
• Addresses puffiness under the eyes
• A brighter facial appearance

Upper and/or lower blepharoplasty lifts and tightens the eyelids for long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

Men and women with loose skin in the upper or lower eyelids may qualify for eyelid surgery. Upper blepharoplasty patients may have drooping upper eyelids that hang over the lash line and impact vision. Lower blepharoplasty patients may have bloated or puffy skin under the bottom eyelid and dark circles that make them look tired or older, and the lower eyelid may pull away from the eye. Patients must be in good overall health to optimize surgery and healing.

Prior to Your Blepharoplasty Procedure

During your consultation with Dr. Arunkumar, he will perform a physical examination and comprehensive assessment, review your medical history, and recommend one or more procedures to achieve your desired results. He evaluates your eyelids, brow position, skin quality, and other features to determine the right facial plastic surgery for your needs. Sometimes, a brow lift or a combination of brow lift and blepharoplasty is a better fit if you have deep forehead creases and sagging brows that hang over the eyelids. If you are a good candidate for eyelid surgery, our team will schedule your pre-operative and surgical dates.

The pre-operative appointment involves patient education and preparation for the procedure, aftercare instructions, and prescriptions. If you are going under general anesthesia or sedation, these directions may include not eating or drinking after midnight.

On the morning of your eyelid surgery, bring a close friend or family member who can stay with you for the first 24 hours after blepharoplasty. Dr. Arunkumar will review the surgical plan with you, and then his team will perform a pre-operative safety check. He and his surgical staff operate as a unit to provide exceptional outcomes and ensure a safe procedure.

Blepharoplasty Procedure

Lower eyelid surgery requires general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation (called twilight anesthesia). Upper blepharoplasty patients often qualify and elect for local anesthesia and an in-office procedure. Blepharoplasty may take up to two hours, depending on the surgical details and the number of procedures.

Upper eyelid surgery removes excess skin that droops over the eye for a refreshed, awake appearance. Dr. Arunkumar conceals the small incision in the natural eyelid crease, excises loose skin, and repositions and tightens the underlying tissues and muscles. Dr. Arunkumar may reduce or reposition fat pockets in the upper eyelid as indicated by an individual’s anatomy.

Lower eyelid surgery reduces dark circles and puffy under-eye bags with bulging skin. Dr. Arunkumar hides the incision along the ‘conjunctiva’ or along the lash line and repositions tissue and fat to create a flatter, softer lower eyelid appearance. Lower blepharoplasty subtly lifts the tissues and may replace missing or displaced fat in the tear trough or valley under the eyes that form hollows.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

Recovery after upper or lower blepharoplasty is unique to the patient and surgical approach. Dr. Arunkumar will provide post-operative instructions for eyelid surgery during the consultation and pre-operative visit. Generally, patients can plan to rest at home for a week before returning to work and may use a cold compress to alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling. Patients with in-office upper blepharoplasty with local anesthesia often have minimal downtime.

Eyelid Surgery Results

Patients may notice a lifted, smoother eyelid contour shortly after blepharoplasty that improves as swelling and bruising disappear. The longevity of eyelid surgery results depends on proper sun protection, good skincare, genetics, and a healthy lifestyle.

Eyelid surgery is one of the most durable face procedures. Non-surgical cosmetic treatments, such as laser treatments, can complement eyelid surgery results as part of a full face facial rejuvenation.

Why Choose Dr. Arunkumar in San Francisco

Facial plastic surgery requires a delicate touch, a deep understanding of the facial structures, and extensive experience to provide beautiful and predictable results. Dr. Amit Arunkumar is a board-certified, Columbia-University-instructed, UCSF-Medical-School-educated, and Park-Avenue-fellowship-trained plastic surgeon. He specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face and neck and is known for his exceptional outcomes and kind demeanor. Dr. Arunkumar respects his patients’ individuality and customizes each procedure, ensuring the most advanced techniques and technologies are used to achieve natural-looking results.

If you’re interested in upper or lower eyelid surgery, contact Dr. Arunkumar in San Francisco, California. Call our office at (415) 773-0800 or book your appointment online.