FACESURGICAL
Eyelid Surgery in Murrieta
Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The procedure can improve drooping eyelids that may impair peripheral vision, reduce puffiness and under-eye bags, and restore a more rested, youthful appearance to the eye area.
At a Glance
- ASPS member surgeons performed over 120,000 eyelid surgery procedures in 2024, making it one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures[2]
- Orbital hemorrhage, the most serious complication of blepharoplasty, has an estimated incidence of 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 25,000 cases[5]
- Upper eyelid blepharoplasty may improve visual field obstruction that affects daily activities such as driving, reading, and computer use[3]
- Bruising and swelling from blepharoplasty typically resolve within 10 to 14 days, and most patients resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours[3]
Overview
Blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic procedures. ASPS data indicates that eyelid surgery consistently ranks among the top five cosmetic surgical procedures performed in the United States, with over 120,000 procedures performed by ASPS member surgeons in 2024.
The procedure can be performed on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both during the same surgical session. Upper blepharoplasty addresses excess skin that can fold over the eyelashes and obstruct peripheral vision, while lower blepharoplasty targets puffiness, fat herniation, and loose skin beneath the eyes.
Eyelid surgery may be performed for cosmetic reasons, functional reasons, or both. Functional blepharoplasty addresses eyelid skin excess (dermatochalasis) that measurably obstructs the visual field, while cosmetic blepharoplasty focuses on aesthetic rejuvenation of the eye area without a documented visual deficit.
What to expect
- Consultation to discuss goals, review medical history, and evaluate eyelid anatomy including margin reflex distance and levator function
- Pre-operative evaluation including visual field testing, eyelid measurements, and photography
- Administration of local anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be used when combined with other procedures
- Precise marking of the eyelid crease and determination of skin and tissue to be removed
- Incision along the natural upper eyelid crease or along the lower lash line
- Careful removal of excess skin, orbicularis muscle, and protruding fat pads
- Repositioning or redistribution of remaining fat to achieve smooth contours
- Closure of incisions with fine sutures, tissue adhesive, or surgical tape
- Application of antibiotic ointment and cold compresses
- Post-operative instructions including head elevation and ice compress use
How a eyelid surgery works
- For upper blepharoplasty, the surgeon marks the natural crease of the eyelid and determines the amount of skin to remove using precise measurements. A total of approximately 20 mm of skin should remain between the lower eyebrow margin and the eyelash margin to preserve normal eyelid function.
- An incision is made along the marked crease using a scalpel, CO2 laser, or radiofrequency instrument. Excess skin, orbicularis muscle, and protruding preaponeurotic and nasal fat are carefully removed.
- For lower blepharoplasty, the incision is typically placed just below the lower lash line or on the inside of the eyelid (transconjunctival approach). Excess fat may be removed, redistributed, or repositioned to smooth the contour of the lower eyelid and cheek junction.
- The incisions are closed with fine sutures, tissue glue, or surgical tape. When performed in the natural eyelid crease, the resulting scars typically become inconspicuous once healed.
- Upper blepharoplasty is bounded by how much skin has to stay. Roughly 20 mm between the lower edge of the brow and the lash margin is what keeps the lid closing normally, so the amount available for removal is a measurement and not a preference. Dr. Banthia marks it against that limit, which is also why an over-resected lid from a previous operation is a much harder problem than an under-resected one.
- Upper and lower lids are separate operations with separate recoveries and are often planned together for that reason – one anaesthetic in place of two. What a patient actually needs is settled at the examination, and needing only the upper lids is a perfectly ordinary outcome of it.
- Removing skin and repositioning fat does not reach everything a patient dislikes around the eye. Crow's feet at the outer corner come from muscle movement, and pigment sits in the skin itself; neither is excised with the lid. Those answer to neuromodulators and resurfacing, neither of which is on a surgical menu with no cosmetic-injectable or med-spa side. Dr. Banthia separates the part an operation reaches from the part it does not at the examination, so a patient knows in advance, not afterwards.
When it's recommended
- Excess upper eyelid skin that obstructs peripheral or central vision
- Drooping or sagging upper eyelids creating folds that disturb the eyelid contour
- Fatty deposits appearing as puffiness in the upper or lower eyelids
- Under-eye bags caused by fat herniation
- Excess skin and fine wrinkles on the lower eyelids
- Drooping lower eyelids that reveal scleral show below the iris
- Headaches and brow ache from overworked frontalis muscles compensating for heavy lids
- Chronic dermatitis caused by redundant eyelid skin
Is a eyelid surgery right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Vishal Banthia.
Recovery & aftercare
- Cold compresses are applied continuously for the first 2 to 3 days to minimize swelling and bruising
- Head elevation at 45 to 60 degrees is recommended during recovery
- Most patients resume normal daily activities within 24 to 48 hours
- Bruising and swelling typically resolve within 10 to 14 days
- Nonabsorbable sutures are removed in approximately 5 to 7 days
- Contact lens wear may resume after approximately 1 week
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 2 to 4 weeks
- Postoperative eyelid numbness typically resolves within 2 to 4 months
- Final results continue to improve as subtle swelling resolves over several weeks to months
Alternatives
- Non-surgical skin tightening procedures for mild eyelid laxity
- Injectable fillers to address under-eye hollowing
- Botox injections to reduce crow's feet and brow positioning
- Laser skin resurfacing for fine lines around the eyes
- Chemical peels for surface skin texture improvement
- Brow lift for upper eyelid heaviness caused by brow descent
Frequently Asked Questions
- Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. It can improve drooping eyelids that obstruct vision and reduce puffiness and under-eye bags for a more rested, youthful appearance.
- Eyelid surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation, so discomfort during the procedure is minimal. After surgery, patients may experience tightness, mild soreness, and swelling around the eyes. Discomfort is usually well managed with acetaminophen and cold compresses.
- Blepharoplasty is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified surgeon. Complications are infrequent and most are minor and temporary. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks that your surgeon will discuss during consultation.
- Most patients resume normal daily activities within 1 to 2 days. Bruising and swelling typically resolve within 10 to 14 days, and sutures are removed in about 5 to 7 days. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for 2 to 4 weeks. Final results continue to improve over several weeks.
- Upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed during the same surgical session. Combining both procedures typically adds to the total surgery time but avoids a second period of recovery. Your surgeon can evaluate whether treating both areas simultaneously is appropriate for your goals.
- Eyelid surgery may not be appropriate for individuals with dry eye syndrome, compromised blink function, active smoking habits, uncontrolled bleeding disorders, or thyroid eye conditions such as Graves disease. A thorough pre-operative evaluation helps determine whether blepharoplasty is suitable for each individual.
- By where the heaviness is coming from, which is measurable rather than a matter of taste. Dr. Banthia assesses brow height, the amount of upper-lid skin, and how much of the lid platform is visible when the forehead is relaxed. A dropped brow and a heavy lid produce the same complaint and need different operations, and sometimes both. The brow lift page covers the second in full.
- It can, where the skin has come far enough down to block the upper field. That is a finding on examination rather than something a patient can judge at home, so Dr. Banthia checks for it as part of the assessment and says plainly whether what he sees is a functional problem, an appearance one, or both. The operation is the same either way; how it is documented is not.
- Consultations for eyelid surgery are available at Dr. Banthia's Murrieta office (39755 Date St, Suite 105, Murrieta, CA 92563); Dr. Banthia's Carlsbad office (2390 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008). Contact the office to schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you.
Eyelid Surgery risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Dry eye syndrome or compromised tear production
- Compromised blink function or pre-existing lagophthalmos
- Active smoking or nicotine use (impairs wound healing)
- Uncontrolled bleeding disorders or unmanaged anticoagulation therapy
- Active infection at the planned surgical site
- Graves disease or thyroid eye disease (requires special evaluation)
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Unrealistic expectations regarding surgical outcomes
Possible risks
- Temporary bruising, swelling, and discoloration around the eyes
- Dry eyes or increased tearing (epiphora)
- Temporary blurred or double vision
- Infection at the incision site
- Difficulty closing the eyes temporarily (lagophthalmos)
- Asymmetry between the two eyelids
- Visible scarring, scar hypertrophy, or inclusion cysts
- Numbness or altered sensation around the eyelids
- Postoperative ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid
- Orbital hemorrhage (rare but serious, estimated at 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 25,000)
- Need for revision surgery
Your practitioner
Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS
Dr. Vishal Banthia is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Murrieta and Carlsbad, California. He is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His practice is surgical and face-only: facelift, neck lift, eyelid surgery, and rhinoplasty. He lectures internationally, has published peer-reviewed research indexed in the National Library of Medicine, and received the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Humanitarian Travel Award for cleft lip and palate surgery in Honduras.
Sources & references
This article draws on 5 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.
Government & research
Medical institutions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vishal Banthia, MD, FACS · Last reviewed: 2026-08-07