Eyelid Surgery Cost & Procedure Details

“What is the cost of eyelid surgery?” is a question we frequently receive from prospective patients at our practice. And it’s certainly a worthwhile inquiry.

After all, most plastic surgeries are notoriously not covered by insurance (though blepharoplasty sometimes is; more on that later), and patients need to know if they can actually afford undergoing eyelid surgery.

We understand that cost is an important factor when choosing a surgeon as well. So, below, we want to help you understand the price of this procedure by outlining the cost breakdown for eyelid surgery.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost? Top Factors

When considering eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, it’s essential to understand the various factors that can influence eyelid surgery costs.

Remember that cost should never be the sole determining factor when choosing  between many plastic surgeons. However, being informed about the financial aspects of cosmetic surgery can help you plan effectively and make an informed decision moving forward.

#1 – Surgeon’s Fee Related to Experience and Expertise

The experience and expertise of the plastic surgeon performing your eyelid surgery can significantly impact blepharoplasty cost. When a surgeon is more skilled and experienced, it’s likely you’ll be charged more for their services, but you’re also more likely to be in the best hands.

#2 – Geographic Location

Often, cosmetic procedures performed in areas with a higher cost of living are more expensive than those performed in less populated areas.

#3 – Hospital or Facility Fees

The quality and amenities of the hospital or facility where you have surgery can impact the overall cost too. You want a clean, safe, licensed, and accredited facility for your surgery, but this will naturally add to the price.

#4 – Anesthesia Fees

The type of anesthesia used (local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia) and the duration of the surgery can influence procedure cost as well. Your anesthesiologist will be monitoring you throughout the procedure and will be paid partly by the length of your operation.

#5 – Extent of the Procedure

Lastly, how complex your surgery is will also affect cost. For instance, a lower eyelid blepharoplasty to address under eye bags may be less costly than a combination upper and lower eyelids surgery to rejuvenate the entire area. Talk with your surgeon about a proposed plan, and be sure to inquire how various approaches will affect price.

Eyelid Surgery Procedure Details and Recovery

Consultation with a Plastic Surgeon

Before moving forward with eyelid surgery, you’ll need to set up a consultation. Choose only board certified plastic surgeons to work with.

At your consultation, your chosen surgeon will:

• Evaluate your medical history
• Look at your eye area anatomy and talk to you about your motivations for surgery
• Explain how eyelid surgery works and the associated costs
• Outline a proposed treatment plan that will help you achieve your goals and address your needs

Preparing for Surgery

Leading up to your actual operation, your plastic surgeon will provide you with a pre-surgery protocol. This will vary depending on the surgeon and your course of treatment.

But in general, you can expect any of the following guidelines:

• Avoiding certain vitamins and medications that may cause excessive bleeding
• Stopping smoking
• Arranging for post-surgery at-home assistance
• Setting up a schedule of follow-up appointments to assess your eyelid surgery recovery

The Eyelid Surgery Procedure

Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic and reconstructive surgery that is typically performed as an outpatient procedure. Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed on the lower eyelids or upper eyelids or both.

Discreet incisions will be made within the eyelid crease for upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery or directly beneath the lash line for lower eyelid surgery. Sometimes, they are made inside the lid.

At this point, excess skin or sagging skin, muscle, and/or fat can be repositioned or removed according to the patient’s goals. Your surgeon will carefully reshape the tissues to create what the patient hopes to achieve after recovery. Lastly, all incisions will be carefully closed so as to minimize the appearance of scars following the healing process.

Post-Operative Care and Recovery

After your cosmetic eyelid surgery, adherence to your surgeon’s post-operative instructions is critical in order to achieve optimal reconstructive procedure results. Patients will need to refrain from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. You’ll also need to keep your head elevated and in a stable position while sleeping.

Sometimes, certain ointments and eye drops may be prescribed for the upper lids, and these should be administered carefully according to your surgeon’s guidelines. The same goes for any pain medications.

Finally, remember to attend all plastic surgery followup appointments. Most facial plastic surgery procedures go well and optimal results are achieved. But it’s important to maintain communication with your surgeon and ensure the recovery process is going well.

Results and Long-Term Maintenance

While you may notice some immediate improvements in the appearance of your sagging upper eyelids after surgery, final results may take several weeks or months to fully manifest. The tissues need time to settle, and swelling must go down.

Once you have achieved complete results, you should be able to enjoy them for many years to come. Some patients may decide to undergo additional eye procedures down the line as, unfortunately, the aging process will continue to occur and sometimes, patients desire additional improvements.

FAQ: Cost of Eyelid Surgery & Procedure Steps

Will insurance coverage pay for upper or lower eyelids surgery?

On rare occasions when the upper lid is hindering a person’s ability to see properly, some insurance companies may pay for upper eyelid surgery costs

Is upper eyelid surgery worth it?

Upper eyelid surgery is a well-established procedure with a great track record of success when performed by a qualified surgeon. Most patients do say that their surgery was worth it.

What is double eyelid surgery?

Double eyelid surgery, or Asian blepharoplasty, enhances the eyes by creating a defined upper crease, improving symmetry, and correcting issues such as droopy lids or inward-growing lashes.

Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Sieber

The most important financial factor when considering the cost of eyelid surgery is who your surgeon is. But remember that the best surgeons are often in higher demand, and this can mean they charge more for their care and treatment.

Double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Sieber is exceptionally well-trained and experienced when it comes to the blepharoplasty procedure. To learn more about his skill as a surgeon and to find out your cost estimate for this procedure, please contact our office today to book your consultation.

References

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/eyelid-surgery/cost