Eyelid Surgery FAQ

If you’ve been considering eyelid surgery, you probably want to know more about what to expect. Here, we answer the most commonly asked questions our patients have about eyelid surgery. You can also request a consultation with us for more information.

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that helps you look refreshed by restoring droopy lids to a more youthful placement for a more alert, rejuvenated appearance. Eyelid surgery also removes any excess fatty tissue responsible for puffy lids or bags under the eyes, and can be performed on upper lids, lower lids or both.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery are in good physical and mental health, and are unhappy with their eye area or who feel that their eyes contribute to a prematurely aged appearance. It’s also important to have realistic expectations about your results and to know what an eyelid can and cannot accomplish. For example, the appearance of wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes, or crow’s feet, will not be improved through eyelid surgery.

For the best blepharoplasty results, you want a refreshed look that complements your natural facial features. There are many eyelid lift surgeons in the Tampa area, but not all of them can deliver the results you want. Dr. Castellano and his team have decades of aesthetic experience and hundreds of satisfied repeat patients. During your consultation, you can see more before and after images and hear our plan for helping you create a refreshed look through eyelid surgery.

It’s very common to combine blepharoplasty with additional cosmetic procedures for more comprehensive results. For example, BOTOX® Cosmetic can be incorporated to smooth away crow’s feet, while a chemical peel may help lighten dark circles below the eye. A brow lift combined with blepharoplasty offers a full rejuvenation of the upper face, but eyelid surgery can be combined with a face lift or neck lift as well.

Before your blepharoplasty, Dr. Castellano will discuss your appearance goals so that he has a clear understanding of your hopes following surgery. The procedure itself will vary in technique and time, depending on which approach is used and whether additional procedures are being performed, as well as the level of correction needed. Dr. Castellano will go over your surgery with you in more detail beforehand so you know exactly what to expect.

During upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Castellano places the incision to follow the natural crease of the upper lid. Through this access point, he can tighten lax muscles and remove fatty deposits. The incision is closed with ultrafine sutures.

In lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Castellano makes an incision along the lower lash line, through which he can eliminate excess skin and tissue. For lower blepharoplasty, incisions may also be hidden within the smile creases. Again, ultrafine sutures are used to close the incision.

After your blepharoplasty, your eyes will feel swollen at first, and may look bruised as well. They might feel dry or irritated. Cold compresses, especially applied in the first day or two after your procedure, can help you feel more comfortable. It’s very important to protect your eyes from the sun right after surgery and throughout the healing process. Most Tampa-St. Petersburg men and women are back to their normal daily routines about a week after surgery, but it’s important to check with Dr. Castellano before resuming more active pursuits.

Although any type of surgery will leave a scar, Dr. Castellano takes every precaution to ensure that the incisions made during eyelid surgery allow for very discreet, yet impressive, results. Most men and women can expect their incisions to heal up to nearly invisible after their recovery.

Patients typically see an improvement right away following eyelid surgery, with the final results becoming more apparent as any swelling and bruising diminish over the first few weeks. Although blepharoplasty will not prevent the aging process around the eye area, this surgery does deliver long-term results to help patients retain a more youthful look for longer.