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Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Houston, TX
Women and men typically first show aging in the skin around the eyes. These characteristics are easily corrected with Eyelid Surgery, also known as Blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery is a relatively small operation that can make a big impact with little amount of downtime. At Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, patients of Dr. Sean Delaney often comment on the fact that friends tell them they look younger and refreshed, but often can’t put a finger on what is different. These subtle, yet dramatic results restore a softer, more vibrant appearance.
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What Is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?
Eyelid surgery, also known as Blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can improve the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids by removing excess skin and fat. When Upper Eyelid surgery is done in combination with Lower Eyelid surgery it is commonly called Quad Blepharoplasty.
In addition to the aging process, droopy, down-turned eyes, overhanging upper eyelids and bags under the eyes can also be hereditary.
Upper Eyelid surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)
During Upper Eyelid surgery an incision is made within the natural fold of the lid and extended outward. The incision will go out as wide as necessary so that additional skin folds on the outside of the upper eye can also be addressed. Once the incision is made, excess fat and skin are removed. The incision is closed with sutures and the scar remains hidden because of where it resides in the natural crease.
Lower Eyelid surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)
During Lower Eyelid surgery an incision is made along the bottom of the lash line. This allows the surgeon to remove excess fat and tissue. In patients who have puffy lower eyelids but good skin elasticity, an approach known as a transconjunctival blepharoplasty can be performed. This technique puts the incision inside the lower eyelid rather than outside. For patients who have dark circles under their eyes due to a deficiency of fat in these areas, fat transfer or injectables can be used to help fill these soft-tissue deficiencies and improve the appearance of these circles.
Why should I select Dr. Delaney for my eyelid surgery?
At Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, Dr. Sean Delaney specializes exclusively in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. His approach to eyelid surgery focuses on creating natural, refreshed results that help patients look like themselves—rested, confident, and rejuvenated.
Eyelid surgery requires a detailed understanding of facial anatomy, aging, and aesthetic balance. Dr. Delaney combines advanced surgical techniques with a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s unique goals and anatomy. Whether addressing excess skin, puffiness, or age-related changes around the eyes, his goal is to achieve results that enhance the eyes while preserving natural expression.
Throughout your experience, you will receive comprehensive care from consultation through recovery. Dr. Delaney and the Facial Plastic Surgery Associates team are committed to providing attentive follow-up and personalized support at every stage of your surgical journey.
Eyelid surgery a.k.a. Blepharoplasty Explained
Combining a Brow lift and Upper Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty)
Lower Eyelid Exercises
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AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR EYELID SURGERY?
Eyelid surgery may be an excellent option for individuals who are bothered by:
- Excess skin of the upper eyelids that creates a tired or aged appearance
- Upper eyelid skin that interferes with peripheral vision
- Puffiness or bags beneath the eyes
- Excess skin or wrinkling of the lower eyelids
The best candidates are healthy, non-smoking individuals with realistic expectations and a desire for natural-looking improvement. Eyelid surgery can be customized for patients of all ethnic backgrounds and is tailored to each person’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Certain eye conditions may influence candidacy for surgery. Patients with significant dry eye symptoms, glaucoma, retinal disease, or a history of retinal detachment may require additional evaluation prior to surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Delaney will review your medical and ophthalmologic history to determine whether eyelid surgery is appropriate for you.
For patient safety and optimal healing, elective surgery is not performed on patients who smoke, vape, use nicotine products, or use illicit drugs.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY EYELID SURGERY CONSULTATION?
Your consultation is designed to be comprehensive, informative, and personalized. Most consultations last approximately one hour.
Upon arrival, a member of our team will obtain standardized photographs and review your medical history and patient information forms. Dr. Delaney will then meet with you to discuss your concerns, evaluate your eyelid anatomy, and learn more about your goals.
Based on your examination and discussion, Dr. Delaney will recommend a customized treatment plan and explain the potential benefits and limitations of surgery. Digital imaging may be used to help facilitate communication and provide a visual reference when discussing possible changes. While no surgeon can guarantee a specific result, this process helps ensure a shared understanding of your goals and expectations.
You will have ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss the procedure, recovery process, risks, and expected outcomes. Following your consultation, one of our patient concierges will review educational materials, before-and-after photographs, and pricing information, while guiding you through the next steps should you decide to proceed with treatment.
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What can I expect right after Eyelid Surgery?
Our patients often comment that the discomfort is far less than they expected. Most patients feel very little pain immediately after surgery but may experience some discomfort later in the evening or the next day or so. We prescribe pain medications to help you feel more comfortable. However, we have found that most patients transition to Tylenol after 24-36 hours.
One of the first things you may notice when you wake up from your surgery is blurry vision. That’s nothing to worry about. It doesn’t mean that the operation was unsuccessful. To avoid dryness in the treated area, we apply an antibiotic ointment to the surgical site. This antibiotic should be used for one week after surgery, four times a day, on the inside of the eye and on the incisions.
You will be seen the very next day in our office for your first post-operative visit. You will need to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first several days to a week after surgery.
After a couple of days, you should be able to take a bath or a shower. However, make sure that your eyes stay dry. Be sure to keep the shower head below your face. It is best to wash your hair in the sink, ideally with someone’s help. There’s no problem if your eyes are sprinkled with small amounts of water. You may use artificial tear drops to prevent your eyes from drying out. Ice packs or a cold compress may be used after the procedure. Sleeping in a sitting position would be best to help reduce swelling and avoid the accumulation of fluid.
A few days up to a week later, you may begin to wash your eye area gently with mild cleanser. Avoid picking scabs because they will fall off when they’re ready. Scabs are part of the natural process of healing. Sutures are removed a week after the operation.
After two weeks, you can start wearing light makeup and contact lenses again. To protect your eyes from harsh sunlight or wind, sunglasses should be worn outside. By this time, you should be back to your usual self and seeing visible results from the surgery with full recovery within two months. Your eyes will start to look younger, rejuvenated, and refreshed. The results of your procedure will last for several years, and in some cases, an entire lifetime!
HOW LONG IS THE RECOVERY TIME FOR EYELID SURGERY?
Our surgical techniques and postoperative care protocols are designed to minimize bruising and swelling and promote a smooth recovery. However, some degree of swelling and bruising is expected after eyelid surgery.
Recovery varies from person to person and depends on the specific procedures performed. In general, patients can expect the majority of swelling and bruising to improve within 1 to 3 weeks. Most patients feel comfortable returning to social activities after approximately 10 to 14 days, although subtle swelling may persist for several weeks.
Most patients can return to desk work and light daily activities within a few days of surgery. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and activities that significantly increase blood pressure should be avoided for approximately 4 to 6 weeks to allow for optimal healing.
Adequate rest, hydration, and following your postoperative instructions are important components of recovery. While you will notice improvements early in the healing process, final results continue to refine over the following months as residual swelling resolves.
Dr. Delaney and the team at Facial Plastic Surgery Associates will closely monitor your recovery and provide guidance throughout the healing process. Patients are typically seen several times during the first few weeks after surgery, as well as at routine follow-up visits to ensure they are healing appropriately and achieving the best possible result.
Can I combine Eyelid Surgery with other procedures?
Absolutely! Patients like to take advantage of the opportunity to have just one recovery period. It is common to combine eyelid surgery with a Browlift, also known as a Forehead Lift, to improve the height and maintain the contour of the upper eyebrow. Some patients also combine eyelid surgery with Facelift surgery or laser resurfacing for a more complete facial transformation.
Before Surgery
What do I need to do before surgery?
If you elect to have Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty) or Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty), or both, Dr. Delaney will ask that you obtain from an ophthalmologist or optometrist to make sure your eyes are in good health. With any surgical procedure, it is necessary to avoid any medications or supplements that may thin the blood two weeks before and two weeks after your surgery. Our clinical staff will review instructions relating to medications and supplements at your pre-operative appointment.
Dr. Delaney does not operate on patients who smoke, chew tobacco, vape or take illicit drugs prior to or at the time of surgery, as these activities have a detrimental effect to the healing process.
We recommend that patients avoid alcohol for two weeks prior to and after your surgery. You should maintain a healthy diet and avoid salt, fatty foods and processed sugar. Some patients eat pineapple for the anti-inflammatory effect of its naturally occurring Bromelain. We recommend taking Arnica, Bromelain, and Vitamin C supplements 5 days before the surgery and 1 week following surgery. It is also very important to avoid significant sun exposure.
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Surgery
What happens on the day of surgery?
Eyelid Surgery is an out-patient procedure performed under IV Sedation in our AAAHC accredited operating room and takes 1.5 to 3 hours to complete depending on whether you have both Upper and Lower Eyelid surgery. You should have nothing to eat or drink (not even water, candy, or gum) after midnight the night before your procedure. Patients should arrive approximately 1.5 hours prior to the start time on the day of surgery. You should wear a button-up top or loose-fitting clothing to allow you to change easily without placing unnecessary pressure or stress on the nasal area. You will need an adult driver on the day of your surgery to bring you to our office and to pick you up following surgery.
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When is my pre-operative appointment?
Your pre-op appointment will take place two to three weeks before your surgery. We strive to make this appointment as stress free as possible. At this appointment, you will receive pre-operative and post-operative instructions, review and sign consents, take pre-operative photos, and make final payment. You will also receive the list of your prescriptions. Most of our patients find that using our Capsule Pharmacy service in advance of the pre-op is quite convenient because all prescriptions will be delivered to our office and ready for you at the pre-op appointment.
At this appointment, patients also like to select skincare products appropriate for pre-operative and post-operative skin health and optimal healing.
Does insurance cover surgery?
Insurance does not cover cosmetic Eyelid Surgery because it is an elective, cosmetic procedure. Some Upper Eyelid patients have severe hooding that affects their vision which may be covered by insurance. Dr. Delaney does not accept insurance and are considered out-of-network providers. We are happy to provide our patients with appropriate information they may need to file directly with their insurance carrier.
Fully Accredited
On-Site Surgical Facility
Dr, Sean Delaney, and FPSA Team provide patients with an exceptional surgical experience at our AAAHC accredited on-site operating facility. Our patients enjoy the comfort, ease and convenience of having surgical and medical aesthetic procedures in our beautiful practice environment. Facial Plastic Surgery Associates’ operating room has been certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Accreditation by this highly regarded, independent organization ensures that our in-office operating room meets the highest quality of standards and safety. This accreditation is similar to the process completed for out-patient surgical facilities associated with hospital systems.
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