Droopy eyelids can give the impression that you are chronically tired, even if that is not the case. They can also cause you to look older than you feel. If you are dissatisfied with your eyelids and the way they affect your facial appearance, you may benefit from a blepharoplasty. Dr. Brad Gandolfi, a double board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, provides corrective eyelid surgery to help improve your upper and lower eyelids, leaving you looking more refreshed and rejuvenated.
Blepharoplasty is a facial plastic surgery procedure designed to rejuvenate the eye area by correcting sagging upper lids, puffy lower lids, or tired-looking eyes. During the blepharoplasty procedure, Dr. Gandolfi carefully removes or repositions excess eyelid skin, orbital fat, and, in some cases, muscle to achieve a smoother and more youthful contour.
For the upper eyelid, surgery focuses on lifting drooping tissue that may obscure the eyelid crease, create a tired appearance, or even affect the visual field. Upper lid blepharoplasty often helps patients see more clearly and enjoy a refreshed, awake look.
For lower eyelid surgery, or lower eyelid blepharoplasty, the focus is on removing or redistributing lower eyelid fat and tightening sagging skin to smooth under-eye bags and dark circles. Dr. Gandolfi may perform a transconjunctival blepharoplasty (using an incision inside the lower lid) to perform fat removal without creating external scars.
Each blepharoplasty procedure is tailored to the individual’s anatomy and goals, ensuring natural results that maintain your unique expression.
Blepharoplasty is ideal for addressing both aesthetic and functional concerns that affect the eyelids and the surrounding skin.
It can improve:
By refining the eyelid contour, blepharoplasty surgery restores youthful definition, subtly revitalizing your entire facial appearance.
What should you expect from your blepharoplasty procedure? The specifics of the surgery may vary depending on your needs, but here is an outline of the basic steps involved.
Your blepharoplasty experience will begin with a phone call from a member of our team, during which you will discuss your medical history and aesthetic goals. At the end of this call, you will be invited to schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gandolfi.
During this appointment, Dr. Gandolfi will conduct a physical evaluation, review medical images, and discuss your aesthetic goals further. You will also have a chance to ask any questions and learn more about the anesthesia options available. You can expect the consultation to last roughly half an hour.
Before your surgery, Dr. Gandolfi and his team will provide you with full instructions about what you need to do to prepare for your procedure. This may involve pausing certain medications or supplements, fasting on the night before surgery, and refraining from wearing facial cosmetics on the day of the procedure.
When you arrive at our surgery center, you will receive a warm welcome from our surgical team. They will guide you to your operating suite, answer any last-minute questions, and administer anesthesia to keep you comfortable. For upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Gandolfi will make incisions in the creases of the upper eyelids, positioning them strategically to minimize any visible scarring. Lower blepharoplasty incisions are placed along the lower lash line or inside the lower lids. Through these incision sites, Dr. Gandolfi will carefully remove excess skin, and possibly excess fat and muscle as well. The incisions are then closed using meticulous techniques to minimize scarring.
After a short monitoring period, patients return home the same day with a friend or family member to drive them. Surgery typically lasts 1-2 ½ hours, depending on whether upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or both procedures are performed.
The most common benefits of a blepharoplasty are:
Blepharoplasty Is Generally Ideal For:
It is Not So Great For:
You will be discharged on the same day as your operation and be provided with written instructions regarding recovery and aftercare. By carefully following these guidelines, you can promote a healthy recovery and increase your chances of achieving optimal results.
For a few days after surgery, you may experience some symptoms related to your eyesight, including increased sensitivity to light. These are normal side effects and will subside on their own. Pain and swelling can also be expected and may be managed with medication and ice packs. The best thing you can do to promote recovery is to rest and heal for several days, using cold compression regularly. Dr. Gandolfi will monitor your healing at post-operative appointments and remain available to answer questions or provide additional support, ensuring a smooth recovery.
Patients typically notice early improvements in the eye area within the first two weeks as swelling and bruising diminish. Eyes appear brighter, smoother, and more alert, yet completely natural. The final results evolve over several months as the eyelids settle and incision lines fade into the surrounding skin.
Blepharoplasty results can last for many years, especially when combined with healthy lifestyle habits, sun protection, and occasional non-surgical maintenance treatments, such as skin resurfacing or BOTOX. Beyond physical enhancement, most patients describe feeling lighter, more confident, and authentically refreshed, as if their outer appearance finally matches how they feel inside.
Dr. Brad Gandolfi is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with offices in New York City and Englewood, NJ. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and is a member of The Aesthetic Society, a by-invitation-only society for doctors with experience and excellence in cosmetic surgery. He obtained his plastic surgery degree at Duke University Medical Center and spent additional training in facial surgery at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Gandolfi is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
Ready to learn more about having cosmetic eyelid surgery? Dr. Brad Gandolfi has a reputation for promoting patient safety and wellbeing, and for combining artistic skills with advanced surgical techniques to ensure beautiful, natural-looking results. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Gandolfi, contact us directly at (212) 287-7211.
As a highly skilled double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Brad Gandolfi brings both artistry and precision to every blepharoplasty procedure. His training at Duke University Medical Center and UCLA, combined with years of specialized experience in facial plastic surgery, allows him to achieve elegant, natural outcomes that complement each patient’s unique features.
With Dr. Gandolfi, patients receive an individualized experience in a boutique setting, where safety, comfort, and discretion come first. Whether you’re seeking an upper blepharoplasty to lift your eyes, a lower blepharoplasty to smooth under-eye bags, or a combination treatment for total rejuvenation, Dr. Gandolfi delivers results that reflect timeless confidence and refined beauty.
While all surgery comes with risk, you can mitigate that risk by choosing a highly trained and credentialed surgeon.
The answer depends on how much work is involved and can only be accurately answered after a consultation. Generally speaking, patients who have just had an upper blepharoplasty can return to a desk job the next day. Lower blepharoplasty generally requires more time. Both surgeries involve post-procedure swelling that will last at least one week.
Blepharoplasty results can last for a long time, especially if you follow aftercare guidelines faithfully and maintain an overall healthy lifestyle. However, surgery will not halt the effects of aging or gravity. Your plastic surgery procedure may benefit in the future from non-surgical enhancements such as BOTOX®, fillers, and medical-grade skincare.
Only you can decide whether eyelid surgery is worth it, but overall satisfaction rates for blepharoplasty are over 90% according to RealSelf!
Absolutely. Many patients enhance their results with a brow lift, facelift, or skin resurfacing treatment. Combining procedures can deliver comprehensive facial rejuvenation and help maintain balanced, natural results.
Upper blepharoplasty targets the upper eyelid to lift sagging tissue, while lower eyelid blepharoplasty removes or redistributes lower eyelid fat to smooth puffiness and wrinkles. Some patients benefit from a combined blepharoplasty procedure.
