Name: Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgeons
Address: 7301 Topanga Canyon Blvd Suite 330 Canoga Park, Los Angeles, CA, 91303, US
Telephone: 818-220-3393

Eyelid Surgery

Written by: Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgeons Editorial Team

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Saurabh Jain, MD, FAACS, Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

Last Updated: May 2026

Our eyes say more about us than any other feature on our face. They are also the first place where age starts to show. A heaviness in the upper lid that was not there before, puffiness beneath the eyes that does not go away with sleep, a general tiredness in the expression that has nothing to do with how the person actually feels. All are the signs of ageing.

Blepharoplasty, also referred to as Eyelid surgery, addresses these changes directly. When it is performed well, the result is natural, not dramatic. You simply have a more rested look, a more open version of the same face. That is the goal, and it is one that Dr. Saurabh Jain at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons in Los Angeles has been working toward with his patients for over 15 years.

Important note: Everything on this page is general and educational. Anyone seriously considering blepharoplasty surgery should consult a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who can look at their specific anatomy, go through their medical history, and give an honest answer about whether the procedure is right for them.

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What Blepharoplasty Actually Is?

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that removes or repositions excess skin, fat, and muscle around the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in Los Angeles and, for the right patient, one of the most reliably satisfying.

The procedure can be purely cosmetic (improving the appearance of eyes that have become heavy, tired, or aged), or it can be functional, removing excess upper eyelid skin that has started to obstruct the visual field. In many patients, it is both. When it is performed well, the eyes look refreshed and proportionate without any indication that surgery was involved.

Upper Blepharoplasty

The upper eyelid changes gradually. Skin that used to be there cleanly above the lash line starts to weigh down. The natural crease becomes less defined. The eye itself looks smaller. In more advanced cases, the excess skin begins to hang over the lashes and, for some patients, starts to cut into the upper field of vision.

Dr. Jain places the incision inside the natural crease of the upper eyelid (a fold that the eyelid already has), which allows the scar to heal so well that it becomes essentially invisible. Through that incision, he removes the excess skin, addresses fat where it is genuinely problematic, and refines the lid to produce a cleaner, more defined result.

One of the most common mistakes in upper blepharoplasty is taking too much fat. A hollowed upper lid looks older, not younger. Dr. Jain is conservative with fat removal, only taking what needs to go, leaving what preserves the natural fullness of the lid.

Upper blepharoplasty suits patients who:

Notice their upper lids feel heavy or look droopy.
Have difficulty placing makeup because of excess skin.
Eye shape has changed over time.
Peripheral vision has started to be affected by overhanging skin.

Lower Blepharoplasty

The lower eyelid narrates a whole different story. Fat that is behind the eyelid can push forward over time, creating the bags and puffiness that make someone look perpetually tired. The skin below the eye can loosen. Dark shadows form where the lower lid meets the cheek.

Dr. Jain typically approaches the lower lid through a transconjunctival incision (placed on the inside of the lower eyelid, where it cannot be seen from the outside at all). This gives access to the fat compartments without leaving an external scar. In patients who also have excess lower lid skin, a small refinement along the lash line can be added.

Whether fat is removed or repositioned depends entirely on the individual. In some patients, the fat needs to come out. In others, it makes more sense to reposition it into the hollow between the lid and the cheek (the tear trough), producing a smoother, more even transition rather than a sharp edge that deepens shadows.

Lower blepharoplasty suits patients with:

persistent under-eye bags
puffiness that makes the eyes look swollen, regardless of how much sleep they get
loose lower lid skin
dark shadows caused by the structural shape of the lower lid rather than skin pigmentation

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Overall Rating

PREV NEXT

Jenny Bermúdez

I highly recommend Doctor Jain and his team. It has been an amazing life changing experience for me. His work ethics and proffesionalism are the best. I love my results. Thanya and his team were also wonderful and very helpful. Doctor Jain guided me every step of the way. His one on one follow up system is hands down impressive. Never ever had a doctor been so attentive and caring. My healing time was super fast and now my confidence is to the roof. Thank you so much Doctor Jain and staff.

Lupe Alvarado

Beyond satisfied with Aesthetic & Cosmetic Surgeons! Everyone on the team is great and are super helpful to all your needs! Doctor Jain and Tanya really care about their patients and work hard with you to achieve your desired looks and are always going beyond to ensure you are well taken care of while in their care.

SID Prabhu

It was great experience with Dr. Jain and his team. They took great care. Dr. Jain was v detail oriented in explaining everything that should be done pre n post Op.

How Dr. Jain Approaches Eyelid Surgery?

Every blepharoplasty at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons, Los Angeles begins with a thorough examination of the eyelid anatomy. Everything is checked from brow position and fat volume and distribution to skin quality and muscle tone; the overall relationship between the eye area and the rest of the face is considered.

The brow matters because a brow that has descended significantly creates upper eyelid heaviness that blepharoplasty alone will not fully correct (understanding whether the concern is the lid, the brow, or both). Getting that distinction right during consultation is what separates a complete result from one that leaves the patient wondering why it did not quite work.

Dr. Jain uses imaging during consultation to help patients see what is realistically achievable for their specific anatomy. The conversation is direct and honest, which includes questions like what surgery can do, what it cannot, and why. Patients leave the consultation with a clear picture of the procedure, the recovery, and the result they can expect.

The surgery itself takes between one and two hours, depending on whether upper lids, lower lids, or both are being addressed. It is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the work and the patient's preference.

Who Is a Right Candidate?

Eyelid surgery produces the best results for patients who meet specific criteria. Dr. Jain assesses every patient carefully before making any recommendation.

General health needs to be in reasonable shape.

Dry eye conditions, thyroid disorders, and certain other medical conditions can affect how the eye area heals and must be disclosed and reviewed before surgery. Patients who smoke are asked to stop several weeks before surgery and to remain stopped through the recovery period.

The concern needs to be structural.

Eyelid surgery addresses excess skin, fat, and muscle. It does not treat dark circles caused by pigmentation, fine surface wrinkles from sun damage, or volume loss in the tear trough (these problems need different approaches). A consultation with Dr. Jain will clarify which concerns the procedure addresses and which may benefit from something else alongside it.

Expectations need to be grounded.

Blepharoplasty produces meaningful, long-lasting improvement to the eyelid area. It does not stop aging. Patients who go in with a clear understanding of what the procedure does and what it does not consistently handle the experience better and are more satisfied with the result.

The right candidates for blepharoplasty are those who present with one or more of the following:

heavy or drooping upper lids
excess skin touching or hanging over the lash line
persistent under-eye bags unaffected by sleep or skincare
lower lid puffiness
Reduced peripheral vision from the upper lid skin
loose skin along the lower eyelid

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What Recovery Looks Like Week by Week

Recovery from blepharoplasty is generally more straightforward than patients expect. The eye area heals quickly, and most people are back to normal life within two weeks.

Days 1 to 3

Swelling and bruising are at their most noticeable. The eyes may feel tight and dry. Cold compresses are applied gently, and the head stays elevated even during sleep. Prescribed eye drops or ointment keep the eye surface comfortable.

Days 4 to 7

Sutures come out around day five to seven. Bruising begins to shift and fade. The improvement from the procedure is already visible beneath the swelling, even at this early stage.

Weeks 2 to 3

Most of the visible bruising has cleared. The majority of patients are comfortable returning to work and normal social situations by the two-week mark. Light activity is fine. Strenuous exercise and anything that significantly raises blood pressure stays off the table for six weeks.

Months 1 to 3

The lids continue to soften and settle. Residual swelling resolves gradually. Contact lens wearers can typically return to lenses in weeks two to three, depending on comfort.

Months 6 to 12

The final result is fully visible. Incision lines have faded to the point of being essentially invisible within the natural eyelid crease. The improvement at this stage is stable and long-lasting.

Risks and Complications

Blepharoplasty has a strong safety record when performed by a qualified cosmetic surgeon, but like any surgical procedure, it carries risks that every patient should understand before making a decision.

Possible risks include temporary dry eye irritation, blurred vision, or double vision. Swelling and bruising that extends beyond the typical recovery window, infection, asymmetry between the two sides, temporary difficulty fully closing the eyes, and, in rare cases, changes to vision. Serious vision-affecting complications are rare but exist and are worth discussing openly during consultation.

Dr. Jain reviews the specific risks relevant to each patient's anatomy and medical history during the pre-operative consultation. Patients with pre-existing dry eye, thyroid conditions, or other relevant history receive additional assessment before any surgical plan is confirmed.

Procedures That Complement Blepharoplasty

Some patients benefit from procedures performed alongside or after blepharoplasty that further improve the eye area and overall facial appearance:

Brow lift

When brow descent is contributing to upper eyelid heaviness, a brow lift surgery addresses the underlying cause rather than just its effect on the lid. Many patients benefit from both procedures together.

Facelift

For patients with concerns beyond the eye area, a facelift procedure can be combined with blepharoplasty for comprehensive rejuvenation in a single recovery period.

Fat transfer to the face

Fat transfer to face procedure restores volume to the cheeks and under-eye area, complements blepharoplasty by addressing hollowing and tear troughs that the eyelid procedure alone does not treat.

PDO thread lift

PDO thread lift is a non-surgical option for mild brow or mid-face descent that can support and complement blepharoplasty results in appropriate candidates.

Non-surgical treatments

Botox, dermal fillers, and skin resurfacing address fine lines, crow's feet, and skin texture around the eye area that surgery does not target directly.

Why Choose Dr. Jain at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons, Los Angeles?

Board certification and experience: Dr. Saurabh Jain is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with specific expertise in facial procedures. Eyelid surgery is one of the most technically demanding procedures in facial surgery, and choosing a surgeon who performs it regularly and in high volume matters more than in almost any other procedure.

Individual assessment: Brow position, fat distribution, skin quality, dry eye history, functional versus cosmetic goals — all of it shapes the surgical plan. No two patients at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons receive the same approach because no two patients have the same anatomy or the same concerns.
An honest consultation: Dr. Jain uses imaging during consultations to help patients understand what is realistically achievable for their specific anatomy. The consultation is a genuine discussion (not a sales process), and patients leave with a clear, honest picture of what the procedure involves and what results they can expect.
Support throughout recovery: The recovery from blepharoplasty takes months. Dr. Jain and the team at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons provide support throughout the full recovery arc, not just in the days immediately following surgery.

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Blepharoplasty is a significant decision. The right starting point is a personal consultation with a board-certified surgeon who can examine the eyelid anatomy directly, review the medical history, and give an honest, specific answer about what the procedure can achieve.

Dr. Jain at Aesthetic and Cosmetic Surgeons Los Angeles offers private consultations for patients considering upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, combined blepharoplasty, Asian eyelid surgery, or functional blepharoplasty for vision improvement.

Practice address: 7301 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Suite 330, Canoga Park, CA 91303 Phone: 818-220-3393 Email: info@aestheticandcosmeticsurgeons.com

*All procedures are performed in an accredited surgical facility meeting California state requirements for patient safety.

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FAQ

A good candidate for eyelid surgery has lower eyelids that are sagging and affecting vision. Having bags or puffiness under your eyes, which has acquired various scars, makes one appear exhausted. It is good to be healthy and also not to have great expectations. Our doctor will examine your eyes and will chat with you to determine whether this surgery is appropriate for you or not.

The eyelid surgery procedure is non-aggressive, and tiny incisions are created in accordance with the natural crease of your eyelids. By doing these, Dr. Jain removes or transfers additional skin, fat, and muscles in order to make your eyes appear fresher and younger. Whether it is locally anesthetized or under general anesthesia, the eyelid surgery procedure normally lasts 1-2 hours.

This surgery makes you appear more awake and fresher by taking out sagging skin, wrinkles, and puffiness in the area that surrounds your eyes. It can even enhance your peripheral vision, in case you do not see well at the side due to drooping eyelids. The main advantage of eyelid surgery is that the results are long-term and able to make you confident.

The procedure normally takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether one wants the upper lids, the lower lids or both treated.

Anesthesia is used on most of the patients so that they feel minimal to no pain during the eyelid procedure. Subsequently, the resulting discomfort is normally mild and can easily be managed with medication.

Almost all swellings and bruises reduce in 7 to 10 days. At that time, you can resume usual activities, and healing and the final appearance can take some weeks.

The incisions are done in the natural crevice of your upper eyelid, and any scarring forms within this incision and, as such, is well concealed when it heals.

No! Even though most older patients prefer eyelid surgery, younger individuals who have a genetic predisposition to droopy eyelids or under-eye puffiness can treat their condition.

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