Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) in St. Louis, MO
Your eyes are often the first thing people notice about your appearance — and when your eyelids are sagging, puffy, or drooping, they can add years that don’t match up with how you feel.
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to refresh the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing and tightening excess skin, fat, and laxity. At Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in St. Louis, blepharoplasty is performed by award-winning surgeons and customized to help your eyes seem more rested, alert, and naturally youthful.
Types of Blepharoplasty
Several types of eyelid surgeries are available at Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, including:
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty for upper lids that droop or have excess skin.
- Lower eyelid blepharoplasty for lower lid eye bags.
- Asian blepharoplasty for adding a crease in single-lidded upper eyelids.
- Brow lift and endoscopic brow lift elevation for sagging upper eyelids and/or sagging eyebrows.
Concerns Blepharoplasty Can Address
Eyelid surgery can target:
- Loose, sagging skin that creates a hooded look on the upper eyelids
- Fatty deposits that make your eyelids appear puffy
- Bags under the lower eyelids
- Drooping lower eyelids that reveal the white below the iris
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid
Ideal Eyelid Surgery Candidates
Good candidates for blepharoplasty are adults bothered by drooping upper eyelids, under-eye bags, or excess eyelid skin that creates a tired or heavy appearance. Ideal patients are in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and want a refreshed look without changing the natural shape of their eyes.
What Happens During Blepharoplasty?
Most procedures last only one or two hours, and they are all done on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day. You will experience only minimal discomfort afterward, but each procedure is slightly different.
Patients can opt to have surgery done on either the upper or lower eyelid, or both.
What to Expect From Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Eyelid surgery with our team is a delicate procedure, so it makes sense that you might think the recovery would be difficult. Actually, the opposite is true.
Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication, but most patients don’t feel they need it, opting instead for over-the-counter options. The pain from this surgery is not severe, and most discomfort resolves within the first two or three days.
After your surgery, we’ll provide you with a cold compress and lubricating eye drops. If you use the compress diligently, your swelling and bruising can be minimized. Usually, our team will remove your stitches in about one week, and your eyes will already look great. There will be some residual swelling, but that is minimal.
Eyelid Surgery Scarring
In the upper eyelid, our surgeons make the incision in the natural crease, effectively hiding it from view. In the lower eyelid, the incision is made along the eyelash line or on the inside of the eyelid. Both options show little if any scarring. Eyelid skin is very thin, and it heals quickly. This keeps scarring to a minimum.
Eyelid Surgery Risks
Blepharoplasty is among the most popular cosmetic surgeries due to its strong safety record. Still, as with any surgery, there are some risks:
- Excessive bleeding
- Poor wound healing
- Reaction to anesthesia
Specific to this surgery, potential risks involve injury to the eye muscles, difficulty closing your eyelids, and dry eye. These are all very rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified surgeon.
How Long Will My Results Last?
Surgery can’t magically stop the aging process. Still, the improvements made to your eyelids will last forever, and you will look better than if you had never undergone blepharoplasty.
It’s generally thought that upper eyelid surgery shows its best results for the next seven years or so. Lower eyelid surgery lasts even longer than that. If more sagging occurs in the upper eyelids, a brow lift can often address it.
Why Choose Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery for Belpharoplasty in St. Louis, MO?
Choosing Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery for blepharoplasty in St. Louis means trusting a team devoted exclusively to the delicate anatomy of the eyes and upper face. Led by John B. Holds, MD, FACS — an internationally recognized oculofacial surgeon, longtime educator, and author of more than 100 peer-reviewed publications — the practice brings decades of academic leadership and surgical focus to every procedure.
Dr. Holds is joined by Adam G. Buchanan, MD, a former Army Colonel and respected examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology, and Sara Reggie Giardina, MD, a board-certified ophthalmologist with advanced fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery. Together, the team offers thoughtful, individualized care grounded in deep surgical knowledge and a long-standing commitment to patient outcomes.
FAQs
How Should I Prepare for Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery?
Our team will walk you through early preparations, including the need to stop taking certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, and herbal supplements. These can increase bleeding and subsequent bruising. You’ll need to stop smoking for a few weeks before and after, as this affects wound healing. Limit alcohol consumption a few days prior to and after your surgery.
The morning of your surgery, you’ll need to shower and shampoo your hair. Be sure to wash your eyebrows. Do not put on any makeup, jewelry, contact lenses, or other accessories. Arrange for someone to take you to our facility and pick you up afterward.
How Long Before I Can Drive After Eyelid Surgery?
If you’re taking your prescription pain medication, you cannot drive. Most of our patients don’t use their pain medication; however, opting instead for simple over-the-counter pain medication.
As long as you’re able to make the movements necessary for proper driving and safety, you’ll be able to get behind the wheel. Many patients wait until their pain basically resolves, which is just a couple of days for the most part, to start driving again. If you’re concerned about swelling and going out in public, give it a week.
Can I Combine Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures?
At Ophthalmic Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, many patients combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift to address the entire upper third of the face, or with a midface lift to cover the eyes through the mouth. These options offer broader rejuvenation with a single recovery period.
Will Blepharoplasty Affect My Vision?
Blepharoplasty is meant to improve the appearance and function of the eyelids, not alter your eyesight. In fact, some patients notice improved peripheral vision after upper eyelid surgery if sagging skin was blocking part of their visual field.
Temporary side effects, such as mild blurred vision, light sensitivity, or dryness, may occur during early healing and are often related to swelling or ointments used after surgery. These issues typically resolve as recovery progresses.
Can Eyelid Surgery Help With Asymmetry Between My Eyes?
Yes, eyelid surgery can often improve noticeable asymmetry between the eyes. It’s common for one eyelid to droop more than the other or for puffiness and skin laxity to develop unevenly over time. During your evaluation, your surgeon will assess differences in eyelid position, muscle strength, and skin excess to create a balanced treatment plan.
While perfect symmetry isn’t realistic — since no face is completely symmetrical — blepharoplasty can create a more even, harmonious appearance that looks natural rather than overcorrected.
How Soon Can I Wear Eye Makeup After Eyelid Surgery?
Most patients are advised to wait about 10 to 14 days before wearing eye makeup after blepharoplasty. This allows incisions to close fully and reduces the risk of irritation or infection. Applying makeup too soon can impede healing or introduce bacteria to sensitive areas.
Once your surgeon confirms it’s safe, you can resume makeup use gently, starting with clean brushes and new products when possible. Many patients actually report needing less makeup overall after healing, as the eyelids appear smoother and more refreshed.
Will Eyelid Surgery Change My Eye Shape?
Blepharoplasty is intended to refresh the eyelids while preserving your natural eye shape. The goal is not to change the appearance of the eyes, but to remove excess skin, reduce puffiness, or correct drooping that can weigh them down.
When performed by an experienced oculofacial plastic surgeon, the procedure respects the unique anatomy of your eyes and surrounding structures. While your eyes may appear more open or alert afterward, they should still look like your eyes — just less tired and more youthful.