Eyelid Surgery in Tampa
Drooping eyelids can make you look more tired and older than you feel, but eyelid surgery can restore a more alert and youthful appearance. Through eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, our experienced facial cosmetic surgeons can tighten and lift the upper eyelids, as well as improve under-eye puffiness and wrinkles in the lower eyelid area.
Additionally, vision impairment caused by prominent drooping of the upper eyelid skin can be resolved through eyelid surgery. Our Tampa cosmetic surgeons have the skills and expertise needed to address these common cosmetic and functional concerns in the delicate eye region.
Request a consultation at our practice to meet with Dr. Castellano or Dr. Giglio and learn more about how eyelid surgery can help you look and feel your very best.
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Who’s A Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?
If you’re in good overall health and want a refreshed, more youthful look around your eyes, you may be a candidate for an eyelid lift. Many men and women who choose to have eyelid surgery have puffiness near the eyes, eyes that look tired or aged or have excess upper eyelid skin that impairs vision.
As with any surgery, ideal candidates should also not smoke or be willing to quit for several weeks before and after surgery and have realistic expectations about their results.
Although blepharoplasty can improve the appearance of saggy lids or puffy bags, the procedure does not necessarily remove crow’s feet on the sides of the eyes or dark circles beneath. Your cosmetic surgeon may recommend combining laser resurfacing or other non-surgical treatments with your eyelid surgery for more comprehensive results.
Some medical conditions such as glaucoma or dry eye could be aggravated by surgery or may lead to surgical complications, so those with these conditions may not be good candidates. A personal consultation with your surgeon is the best way to learn if this procedure is safe and right for you.
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Benefits of Blepharoplasty
There are many cosmetic, emotional and functional reasons why people choose to get eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty:
- Brighter, more youthful eyes. Removing sagging skin and puffiness helps your eyes to look refreshed and less tired.
- Improved vision. In some cases, lifting droopy upper lids can correct vision impairment caused by sagging skin.
- Boosted confidence. Our Tampa eyelid surgery patients report feeling more confident and alert when their eyes better reflect how they feel inside.
- Natural-looking results. Eyelid surgery is designed to enhance your appearance without drastically changing your features. In fact, a hallmark of an effective eyelid lift is not being able to tell you’ve had cosmetic surgery at all.
- Long-lasting improvement. While eyelid surgery won’t stop the aging process altogether, results often last for many years.
Types of Eyelid Surgery
Eyelid surgery can be tailored to address concerns with the upper lids, lower lids or both, depending on your needs. At Castellano Cosmetic Surgery Center in Tampa, our experienced cosmetic surgeons perform both upper and lower eyelid surgery techniques.
- An upper eyelid lift focuses on removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids to reduce heaviness, improve vision if sagging skin blocks the eyes and create a more open, youthful look.
- A lower eyelid lift targets puffiness, bags and loose skin beneath the eyes, smoothing the under-eye area for a more rested and refreshed appearance.
- A combination of both. Some patients benefit from combining both procedures for more comprehensive eye-area rejuvenation.
During your eyelid lift consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will explain each of these techniques and their unique benefits in detail and help you decide which could be right for you. Pricing for eyelid surgery depends on your personalized treatment plan (technique, anesthesia, and whether procedures are combined). For current starting points, see our Pricing page. You’ll receive a written, personalized quote at your consultation.
Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation
During your personal consultation with one of our highly skilled cosmetic surgeons, we will review your medical history, ask about your goals and carefully examine your eyelids, skin quality and overall eye health.
You’ll also learn about the different surgical options described in the section above and how they may help to address your concerns. Your surgeon will also discuss what results you can realistically expect, where incisions will be placed, risks involved and what recovery will look like.
Your eyelid surgery consultation is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have and, together with your cosmetic surgeon, start planning the details of your customized procedure. This is an excellent time to discuss combining eyelid surgery with other surgical or non-surgical procedures to best meet your goals.
By the end of your consultation, you should feel equipped with everything you need to make a confident, well-informed decision about whether or not eyelid surgery is the best choice for you.
Our Before & Afters
The gallery contains before and after pictures of actual patients. View all cases for a complete listing of all of our before and after photos of the patients treated.
Need help deciding which treatments are right for you?
Our treatment planner lets you select your cosmetic concerns to develop a custom treatment plan.
Eyelid Surgery with Other Procedures
Eyelid surgery can be performed on its own or combined with other procedures for more comprehensive results. In some cases, a brow lift is recommended along with eyelid surgery to smooth forehead lines and lift heavy brows, helping the entire upper face look more open and refreshed.
For those looking to address cosmetic concerns outside the eye area as well, blepharoplasty can also be combined with a facelift, which addresses sagging skin and deep folds in the mid- to lower face. Pairing these procedures allows for balanced, natural-looking improvements and can reduce the need for multiple surgeries and recovery periods.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia or conscious sedation – in most cases, general anesthesia is not necessary. The procedure itself generally takes 1 to 2 hours to complete, depending on the details of your customized eyelid lift. You can expect to return home the same day and will need someone to drive you home.
To begin eyelid surgery, your surgeon will first mark the eyes in order to correctly place incisions. For upper eyelid surgery, incisions are placed within the natural folds of the lids. For surgery on the lower lid, the incision is made along the lash line or within the “smile creases” at the corners of the eyes.
Working through these incisions, your surgeon is able to then remove excess fat, skin or even muscle that may be contributing to the puffy or drooping appearance of your eye. Very fine sutures are used to close the incisions, minimizing the possibility of scarring.
Recovery after Surgery
Following your procedure, there is likely to be bruising and swelling around the eye area. Our surgeons recommend keeping your head elevated as much as possible in order to minimize discomfort and promote healing near the eyes. Your eyes may also feel dry, sticky or itchy, and vision may be blurry initially. Post-surgical drops should be able to alleviate these symptoms.
Plan to take several days off work and other obligations to recover from eyelid surgery. It’s best to ease back into activities slowly, according to your personal comfort level as well as your post-surgical instructions and recommendations. Most people are able to resume all normal activities within 4 to 6 weeks after blepharoplasty.
Eyelid Lift Results
While you may see some initial results directly after eyelid surgery, keep in mind that swelling and bruising can hide these results. Over the next few weeks, swelling should significantly subside and your results should become clearer. It can, however, take 3 to 6 months for your final blepharoplasty results to fully develop.
Though the natural aging process will continue, the results of upper and lower eyelid surgery offer long-term results. The majority of patients enjoy a more vibrant and refreshed appearance for many years following surgery.
Eyelid Surgery FAQs
How much does eyelid surgery cost in Tampa?
Pricing varies based on your individual goals and treatment plan. For transparency, we list approximate starting prices on our Pricing page. Your exact cost will be confirmed during your consultation and typically includes surgeon, facility, and anesthesia fees (when applicable). We are also pleased to offer several financing options to help make your procedure as affordable and stress-free as possible.
Does insurance cover eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery may be covered by insurance if sagging upper lids significantly impair vision and the procedure is considered medically necessary. In these cases, documentation such as a visual field test is often required. Cosmetic eyelid surgery for appearance only is typically not covered.
What's the best age for an eyelid lift?
There’s no single “best” age for an eyelid lift – it depends more on your eyelid concerns than your specific age. That said, most people consider surgery in their 40s to 60s, when sagging skin and puffiness tend to become more noticeable, but younger patients with genetic eyelid issues may also benefit.
How painful is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is generally not very painful. Most patients describe the recovery as more uncomfortable or tight rather than truly painful. Any soreness or swelling is usually well-managed with cold compresses and prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication in the first few days.
Are there risks associated with eyelid surgery?
As with any surgery, eyelid surgery carries some risks. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, scarring, dry eyes, difficulty closing the eyes fully or changes in eyelid position. During your consultation, your surgeon will explain these risks, as well as the steps we take to minimize them as much as possible.
Still have questions? Check out our eyelid surgery FAQs on our dedicated page to get answers to the most common questions we hear.
Brighten and Refresh Tired Eyes
Typically, the first signs of aging are visible around the eyes. Hanging eyelids, puffiness, or an abundance of skin can give you a tired or aged appearance and this may happen even if you feel full of energy. At Castellano Cosmetic Surgery in Tampa, eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is the method that can both lift and recontour the upper and lower lids, thus restoring the skin to a vibrant and youthful look.
- Reduces sagging or drooping eyelids
- Smooths under-eye bags and puffiness
- Opens the eyes for a refreshed, alert look
Customized Blepharoplasty Solutions
Every face is unique, and so is every eyelid procedure. Dr. Castellano creates individualized plans to suit your specific needs and natural eye shape. Treatment options may include:
- Upper Eyelid Surgery – Removes excess skin and tightens muscles for a brighter look
- Lower Eyelid Surgery – Reduces under-eye bags and smooths fine wrinkles
- Combined Procedures – Addresses both upper and lower lids for comprehensive rejuvenation
This tailored approach ensures balanced, natural results that complement your features.
Your Eyelid Surgery Experience
From consultation to recovery, our team supports you every step of the way:
- Comprehensive Consultation – Discuss your concerns, review your health history, and design a custom plan.
- Precise Procedure – Surgery is performed in our accredited Tampa facility with advanced safety standards.
- Recovery and Follow-Up – Most patients return to normal activities quickly, with swelling and bruising fading over time.
Results that Look Naturally You
The patients state that the first thing they see after surgery is the brightness of their eyes, as in a sense, they pull off a rejuvenated look, and it is their close friends or relatives who tell them the tired look is gone instead of them having gone through surgery. By the use of the expert technique, personal care, and the practice of eyelid surgery at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery in Tampa, getting the most out of your natural beauty will be effortless in every emotion you show.
Written By: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
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Last Reviewed: December 16th, 2025
