Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift) Introduction
Your eyes are one of the first things people notice—and one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Drooping eyelids, under-eye bags, and puffiness can make you look tired, older, or even obstruct your vision. At Maryland Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Adam Summers and Dr. Christopher Spittler, offer advanced upper and lower blepharoplasty procedures to restore a refreshed, youthful appearance. Whether you’re seeking subtle refinement or a dramatic rejuvenation, our team is here to help you look as energized and confident as you feel.
Blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery, is a procedure that addresses sagging skin, excess fat, and muscle laxity in the upper and/or lower eyelids. The goal is to create a more alert, youthful appearance while maintaining your natural facial expressions.
Upper blepharoplasty focuses on removing or repositioning excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids, often improving both appearance and peripheral vision. Lower blepharoplasty smooths under-eye bags and hollows by tightening or redistributing fat and skin beneath the eyes. The result is a more vibrant, well-rested look that enhances your overall facial harmony.
Various types of facelifts depend on the patient’s individual needs and medical history. At Maryland Plastic Surgery, your dedicated surgeon will help you choose the best option for you.
This procedure targets drooping or heavy upper eyelids. Excess skin and fat are removed or repositioned through an incision hidden within the natural crease of the eyelid. The result is a more open, lifted appearance that can also improve visual field obstruction caused by hooded lids.
Lower eyelid surgery addresses puffiness, under-eye bags, and loose skin beneath the eyes. Depending on your needs, the procedure may involve an incision just below the lash line or inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival approach), allowing for the removal or repositioning of fat and tightening of skin. This technique softens shadows and creates a smoother, more youthful under-eye contour.
Many patients choose to address both the upper and lower eyelids in a single procedure for more comprehensive rejuvenation. Combining both treatments allows for harmonious results with one recovery period and can significantly reduce signs of aging across the entire eye area.
The RE•Lift™ set of facelift procedures are long lasting, minimally invasive treatments that achieve natural results in just one hour with minimal downtime.
The key to these procedures is lifting of the fat and muscle without pulling on the skin.
Enjoy natural results without a “windswept”, pulled or stretched look. Customize your results by choosing from the following combination of procedures: Brows, Eyes, Cheeks, Jowls, and Neck.
At Maryland Plastic Surgery & PURE MedSpa, Dr. Adam Summers and Dr. Christopher Spittler bring decades of experience and artistry to every cosmetic surgery they perform. Known for their precision and natural-looking results, both surgeons take a personalized approach—starting with an in-depth consultation to understand your goals and areas of concern. Whether you’re looking to lift sagging jowls, smooth deep lines, or restore youthful contours, Dr. Summers and Dr. Spittler are committed to helping you look like the best version of yourself. Their reputation for excellence and their dedication to patient satisfaction means you’ll be in the best hands—every step of the way.
Blepharoplasty provides both aesthetic and functional improvements. It enhances your natural features by eliminating signs of fatigue and aging while restoring confidence and in some cases, peripheral vision.
Benefits of eyelid surgery include:
More youthful, refreshed, and rested eye appearance
Smoother under-eye area with reduced puffiness or bags
Improved vision (in cases where upper lids obstruct sight)
Greater symmetry and definition in the eye area
Long-lasting results that age naturally with you
Invisible or well-concealed incisions within natural eyelid creases
Ability to combine with other facial rejuvenation procedures
Ideal candidates for upper and/or lower blepharoplasty are men and women who are bothered by excess skin, puffiness, or sagging around their eyes and want a more youthful and alert appearance.
You may be a good candidate for blepharoplasty if you:
Have drooping upper eyelids that impact vision or make you look tired
Struggle with persistent under-eye bags, puffiness, or hollowing
Are in good general health and a non-smoker
Have realistic expectations about surgery and healing
Want long-term facial rejuvenation with minimal scarring
Are looking to refresh your eye area without dramatically changing your appearance
During your consultation, Dr. Summers or Dr. Spittler will evaluate your eyelid anatomy, skin quality, and goals to recommend the best treatment plan for you.
LET’S GET YOU STARTED
On the day of your surgery at Maryland Plastic Surgery & PURE MedSpa, you’ll be welcomed into our state-of-the-art surgical suite by Dr. Summers, Dr. Spittler, and our experienced clinical team. Before your procedure begins, we’ll review your surgical plan with you once more — giving you a final opportunity to ask questions or share any last-minute thoughts. Our goal is to ensure you feel completely comfortable, confident, and cared for every step of the way.
A board-certified anesthesiologist will then administer the appropriate anesthesia, which will have been carefully selected and discussed during your consultation to ensure a pain-free, relaxed experience throughout your procedure.
Once your ideal results have been achieved, your surgeon will carefully close the incisions using advanced suturing techniques designed to support healing and minimize visible scarring. In some cases, a small drain may be placed to prevent fluid buildup and support a smoother recovery process.
Blepharoplasty is performed at our state-of-the-art outpatient surgical suite in Millersville, MD. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether one or both eyelids are being treated.
After administering local anesthesia with IV sedation (or general anesthesia if preferred), Dr. Summers or Dr. Spittler will make discreet incisions in the natural eyelid creases or inside the lower lid. They will then carefully remove, reposition, or tighten the fat, muscle, and skin to achieve your desired result. Once complete, the incisions are closed with fine sutures and protected with cooling pads or ointment.
After a brief recovery in our office, you’ll be released to go home with detailed post-operative instructions and a follow-up schedule.
Recovery after eyelid surgery is typically mild and manageable. Most patients experience temporary swelling, bruising, and mild irritation or tightness around the eyes during the first week.
Stitches are removed within 5 to 7 days.
Most swelling subsides within 10 to 14 days, and patients generally feel comfortable returning to social activities or work within 7 to 10 days.
Final results continue to refine over the next few weeks to months as residual swelling resolves.
Makeup can usually be worn after about 10 days, and protective sunglasses are encouraged during healing.
Patients are advised to rest with their heads elevated, avoid heavy lifting or straining, and use cold compresses and prescribed ointments to aid healing.
FAIR & TRANSPARENT PRICING
The cost of upper and/or lower blepharoplasty at Maryland Plastic Surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether both eyelids are being addressed. On average, pricing ranges from:
Upper Blepharoplasty: $3,500 – $5,000
Lower Blepharoplasty: $4,500 – $6,500
Combined Upper & Lower: $6,500 – $9,000
During your private consultation, Dr. Summers will perform a detailed evaluation, listen carefully to your goals, and design a customized treatment plan that best addresses your needs. Once your surgical plan is finalized, our Patient Coordinator will provide you with a personalized cost breakdown and discuss available financing options.
For your convenience, we proudly partner with trusted financing providers such as PatientFi, Alphaeon Credit, and CareCredit, making it easier to move forward with your procedure on terms that fit your budget. Whether you choose to pay upfront or through a flexible monthly plan, our team is here to help you every step of the way.
For general pricing estimates on our full range of services, we invite you to visit our Pricing Page.
No. When performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Summers or Dr. Spittler, blepharoplasty is designed to refresh and enhance—not drastically alter—your appearance. The goal is to maintain your natural eye shape while removing the excess tissue that contributes to a tired or aged look. Proper technique ensures that your expressions remain authentic and your results are subtle, yet powerful.
Results from upper blepharoplasty often last 10 to 15 years, while lower blepharoplasty results can be even longer-lasting. While aging continues, the improvements made during surgery age naturally with you. Many patients never need a second procedure. Consistent skincare and sun protection can help prolong your results further.
Blepharoplasty addresses sagging or puffy eyelids, while a brow lift elevates the position of the brows and smooths the forehead. In some cases, a drooping brow can contribute to upper eyelid hooding, making a brow lift the more appropriate procedure—or a valuable addition to eyelid surgery. During your consultation, we’ll help determine which procedure (or combination) will best meet your goals.
Under-eye bags are usually caused by fat pads that protrude or shift over time due to aging, weakening muscles, and skin laxity. Blepharoplasty can significantly reduce or eliminate these bags by either removing or repositioning the fat and tightening the skin. In cases where there’s also significant hollowing or discoloration, complementary treatments such as dermal fillers or skin resurfacing may be recommended.
While dermal fillers, Botox®, and skin-tightening lasers can provide modest improvements, they do not remove excess skin or significantly reposition fat. Non-surgical treatments are best for mild aging changes. For more advanced concerns like sagging skin or prominent under-eye bags, blepharoplasty remains the most effective, long-lasting solution.
Incisions for upper blepharoplasty are made in the natural crease of the eyelid, and for lower blepharoplasty, they’re either just below the lash line or inside the eyelid (transconjunctival). Once healed, scars are usually invisible or extremely faint. We’ll provide detailed scar care instructions, and in some cases, recommend laser or topical treatments to further minimize any visible marks.
Makeup can typically be worn 7 to 10 days after surgery, once the incisions are healed and any stitches are removed. Contact lenses can usually be resumed around the 2-week mark but may feel uncomfortable at first due to temporary swelling. We’ll give you personalized guidance during your follow-up appointments.
For some patients with excess upper eyelid skin, blepharoplasty can improve visual fields by removing the tissue obstructing the line of sight. However, the procedure does not impact the function of the eye itself. If there’s a medical necessity, some vision-related blepharoplasties may even be eligible for insurance reimbursement, though cosmetic cases typically are not.
Most blepharoplasties are performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation, allowing you to remain relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. General anesthesia may be used in some cases, especially when combining procedures. Your anesthesia plan will be discussed thoroughly during your pre-operative visit.
Absolutely. Eyelid surgery is often combined with other rejuvenation procedures such as facelift, brow lift, neck lift, or non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing and fillers. Combining treatments allows for a more balanced, comprehensive result and can reduce overall downtime.
Financing is available to ensure your dream results fit comfortably within your budget.
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