Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid Surgery Quick Facts
Length:
1-2.5 hours hours (depending on extent of procedure)
Anesthesia:
Local, IV sedation, general anesthesia
In/Outpatient:
Outpatient
Side Effects:
Swelling, bruising, temporary blurred vision, recurrent skin laxity
Risks:
Poor healing, eyelid retraction, scarring
Recovery:
2-4 weeks
Duration of Results:
About 10 years

Dr. Kenkel is considered one of the best blepharoplasty surgeons in Dallas and Frisco, TX. Often called eyelid surgery, blepharoplasty is a versatile and adaptable procedure that’s popular with both men and women from McKinney, Prosper, Allen, and neighboring cities. Eyelid surgery removes a variable amount of skin from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both to rejuvenate them. It may be combined with other cosmetic facial procedures to help restore a more youthful appearance to the face.

Dr. Kenkel is skilled and careful about his work. I drive over an hour to see him, even though there are many other doctors close by, as I trust his opinion and professionalism. He will never create an unnatural look, and always shares his honest opinion to make you look your best!

– Real patient review

Eyelid Surgery
 Before & After Photos

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Before & After Eyelid Surgery Case 31 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8

Case 31

56 year old who desires improvement of his upper and lower eyelids. He is shown here one year after upper and lower eyelid surgery. 
Before & After Facelift Case 346 Front View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8

Case #346

This 66 yo female with severe actinic changes is shown here following upper and lower lid blepharoplasty, high SMAS facelift and erbium resurfacing. She is shown here four months following her surgery.  
Before & After Eyelid Surgery Case 38 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8

Case 38

55 yo male desires improvement in eyelids.  He underwent an upper and lower blepharoplasty shown here >> months postoperatively
Before & After Facial Rejuvenation Case 53 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8

Case 53

This 72 year old female underwent a facelift, upper blepharoplasty, chemical peel and erbium resurfacing to the perioral area.  She is shown here 1 year following her procedure.  Read More
Before & After Eyelid Surgery Case 28 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8

Case 28

57 yo female who is 18 months following facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty and endobrow lift. She is shown here 2 years out from her procedure.   Read More
Before & After Facial Rejuvenation Case 49 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8

Facial Rejuvenation Case #49

This 57 year old female was a good candidate for surgery and decided to have the procedures done at Dr. Kenkel's Dallas location.  The patient is shown here 18 months following a facelift and endobrow lift with pleasing results, looking energized and refreshed.  Read More
Before & After Facelift Case 345 Front View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8

Case #345

This 67 yo female desired improvement in her upper eyelids and face.  She is shown here 4 months following an upper blepharoplasty and high SMAS facelift. 
Before & After Eyelid Surgery Case 33 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8

Case 33

68 yo male who complained of visual impairment from his hanging upper eyelids and unsatisfactory appearance of his lower eyelids. He is shown here one year after upper and lower  lid blepharoplasty.  Read More

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

Who is a good candidate for blepharoplasty?

If you are in good physical and mental health with reasonable expectations, you should be an appropriate candidate. Many candidates are over 35 years of age, but if droopy, baggy eyelids run in your family, you may decide to have the surgery at a younger age. Dr. Kenkel provides detailed information about the benefits of upper and lower blepharoplasty in this blog post.

A few medical conditions make this surgery more difficult. They include the following:

  • Hypothyroidism
  • Graves’ disease
  • Dry eye or lack of tears
  • High blood pressure or other circulatory disorders
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes

A detached retina or glaucoma are also reasons for caution. Dr. Kenkel will review these conditions with you. He may have you see your eye doctor or internist prior to determining if you are a candidate for surgical correction.

Before you decide to have surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them with Dr. Kenkel.

A Passion for Facial Plastic Surgery

Jeffrey Kenkel, MD, FACS

At the apex of an accomplished career, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel is enthusiastic about turning his focus exclusively to facial plastic surgery and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation. Known for creating understated yet remarkable results, Dr. Kenkel ranks among the best plastic surgeons in the greater Dallas area.

  • Chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery, UT Southwestern
  • D Magazine, Best Doctors in Dallas 10+ years
  • Past president, The Aesthetic Society
  • Past president of Dallas Society of Plastic Surgeons
Meet Dr. Kenkel

Credentials You Can Trust

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What should I expect from my blepharoplasty consultation?

During your consultation, you will learn about the surgery, its limitations and risks, and discuss your needs and concerns. This will help Dr. Kenkel understand your expectations and determine whether they can be realistically achieved. He will review any alternatives that exist. He will specifically state what he would recommend as the treatment to address the upper or lower eyelids. In some cases, this may be the removal of skin only. He may recommend combining upper eyelid surgery with a brow lift. In others, some fat may be removed or repositioned to help fill an area where fat was lost.

Before & After Brow Lift Case 304 View #1 View in Dallas, Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, Celina, Denton, Anna, TX
Before & After Upper Eyelid Surgery and Brow Lift

After your consultation, a photographer will take photographs for your medical record and you will meet with Dr. Kenkel’s administrative assistant to discuss the cost of the surgery and scheduling dates. Most insurance policies do not cover eyelid surgery unless you can prove that drooping upper lids interfere with your vision. Discuss this with Dr. Kenkel. He will give you his opinion as to whether or not to seek special testing that may be required for insurance approval. You can also check with your insurer for more information.

Dr. Kenkel will review your medical history and check for conditions that may cause problems during or after the procedure such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood clotting problems, or the tendency to form excessive scarring. You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history. You should provide information about any medical conditions, drug allergies, medical treatments you have received, previous surgeries, and medications that you currently take. It is important for you to provide complete information as it can affect your recovery and result.

How much does blepharoplasty cost in Dallas & Frisco?

At your initial consultation, you will be quoted a price that will include Dr. Kenkel’s fee as well as hospital and anesthesia fees. Fees are due at least three weeks prior to your surgery. Checks, money orders, cash and credit cards may be used for payment. A $500.00 deposit will reserve a specific time and date for your surgery.

How is eyelid surgery performed?

Upper eyelid surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation. Dr. Kenkel prefers to perform lower eyelid surgery under general anesthesia in the operating room. Eyelid surgery usually takes 1 to 2 hours depending on the extent of your procedure and what is required.

In a typical procedure, the incisions are well-concealed in either the natural eyelid crease of the upper eyelid or just beneath the lash line of the lower eyelid. Dr. Kenkel often makes a small incision on the inside of the lower eyelid to help facilitate the removal of fat in your lower eyelids. Working through these incisions, he will separate the skin from the underlying fatty tissue and muscle, remove excess fat and trim the sagging skin and muscle when indicated. In the case of the lower eyelids, he will also perform the appropriate suspension technique to improve its shape. The incisions are then closed with very fine sutures.

What happens the day of eyelid surgery?

Your eyelid surgery will be performed in the outpatient surgery center under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. Oral medications are administered for your comfort and to lessen the anxiety if need be. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital and to stay with you at least the first day following surgery. Our patient care document will give you instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking and smoking. If you are a smoker, you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. If you are on these medications for medical reasons, Dr. Kenkel will ask you to see your primary care physician to determine if it is safe for you to stop these medications.

What can I expect after eyelid surgery?

Swelling and some degree of bruising are common in the region around the eyes following surgery. This can last for several days to several weeks depending on what type of procedure you undergo. You will be given special cold compresses to wear for the first 48 hours after your surgery. You will be required to sleep with your head elevated on 2 pillows to help decrease the swelling. Your vision can be blurry for several days to a few weeks as expected from your surgery and from the eye ointment you will apply. Your eyes may not close shut as they did prior to your surgery for a few days. This is normal and may take a few weeks to completely resolve before your upper and lower eyelids close. You will be given prescriptions for pain medication and eye drops to take following your surgery. You should be able to read and watch television after 2 to 3 days, but you will not be able to wear contact lenses for about two weeks and even then it may feel uncomfortable for a while. Bruising will resolve in 10 to 14 days, as will most of the swelling.

How long does it take to recover from eyelid surgery?

You should be able to return to work in approximately 7 to 10 days depending on your occupation and the extent of your surgery.

Recovery Timeline

While patient experiences vary and lower blepharoplasty is typically longer, here is a general timeline for recovery milestones:

  • Stay in hospital: not needed for most patients
  • Apply cold pack: first 2 days as directed
  • Keep upper body elevated: 2 days
  • Sutures removed: 7 to 10 days
  • Blurry vision: several days to a few weeks
  • Wear contact lenses: 1 to 2 weeks
  • Resume nonstrenuous exercise: 2 weeks
  • Swelling and bruising fade: 10 to 14 days
  • Ready to go in public: 10 days upper lids; 2 to 3 weeks lower lids
  • Resume strenuous activities: 4 weeks

How long after blepharoplasty do you see results?

You will see a noticeable difference in the shape of your eyelids soon after surgery. However, improvement will become even more apparent after 2 weeks when most of the swelling has resolved. In some cases, it may take up to a couple of months for all the swelling to resolve.

Does eyelid surgery leave scars?

Whenever surgery is performed on the body, a scar will result. The scars for eyelid surgery may remain slightly pink, depending on your skin tone, for 6 months. Eventually, they will fade to a thin, nearly invisible line.

How many visits do I have after eyelid surgery?

You will usually return for an initial checkup in 3 to 4 days following surgery then in 7 to 10 days for suture removal. During your postoperative visits, Dr. Kenkel will discuss further postoperative activity and concerns you may have. Following this visit, you will return in approximately 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and one year.

Please remember that your relationship with Dr. Kenkel does not end when you leave the operating room. If you have questions or concerns during your recovery or need additional information at a later time, you can always contact Dr. Kenkel.

Request a Consultation

If you’re looking for an eyelid surgeon in Frisco or elsewhere in the Dallas area, Dr. Jeffrey Kenkel and his staff look forward to helping you reach your goals. Request a consultation online, or call us at (214) 645-3112.

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