Eyelid Surgery

Refresh your eyes, renew your look. Eyelid surgery can rejuvenate your appearance and boost your confidence.

Years of Experience
1 +
Procedures Performed
1 +
Happy Women
1 +

Overview

Procedure Summary

Eyelid surgery is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of the eyelids for rejuvenated and more youthful look.

Average Cost

$4,500 to $12,000

Time Duration

1 to 3 hours

Alternate Names 

Blepharoplasty, Eyelid Lift, Eye Lift Surgery

Eyelid Surgery Before & After

Check out these before and after photos of past eyelid surgery patients at our clinic. These photos can give a realistic idea of the improvements you can achieve through this procedure.

As we age, our eyelids can stretch, and the muscles supporting them weaken. This can lead to excess skin and fat gathering above and below the eyelids, causing sagging eyebrows, droopy upper lids, and bags under the eyes. These visible signs of aging can leave you feeling self-conscious and frustrated.

At Kanata Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we offer eyelid surgery to help you achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance.

Ottawa Eyelid Surgery Eye Lift Before and After 1Ottawa Eyelid Surgery Eye Lift Before and After 2
Ottawa Eyelid Surgery Eye Lift Before and After 3Ottawa Eyelid Surgery Eye Lift Before and After 4

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the eyelids. Eyelid surgery involves removing excess skin, fat, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. This procedure addresses issues like sagging skin, puffy bags, and drooping eyelids. Additionally, it can improve vision by correcting obstructed peripheral vision. While in some cases, rather than removing tissue, our board certified surgeon, Dr. James Lacey may reposition existing tissue. Depending on your needs, surgery can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids, or both. 

Benefits of Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery offers several benefits that make it a popular choice for those who want to get a refreshing, natural and more youthful appearance.

  • Removes or resurface excess fat and skin under the eyes to eliminate puffiness, dark circles and sagging eyelids.
  • Improves vision by removing excess skin that obstructs peripheral vision.
  • Creates a refreshed and natural appearance by reshaping the eyelids.
  • Minimizes discomfort caused by folds of excess skin rubbing together.
  • Smooths and tightens the skin around the eyes..
  • Addresses hollowness in the lower eyelids.
  • Reduces strain on forehead muscles caused by sagging skin around the eyes.
  • Diminishes fine lines around the outer corners and lower eyelids.
  • Delivers a natural look with very little visible scarring.

Common Eyelid Disorders Treated by Eyelid Surgery

  • Ptosis: Drooping of the upper eyelid that can obstruct vision.
  • Blepharoplasty: Excess skin and fat causing puffiness or sagging.
  • Ectropion: Outward turning of the lower eyelid.
  • Entropion: Inward turning of the lower eyelid, causing irritation.
  • Ankyloblepharon: Adhesion of the eyelids.
  • Coloboma: A congenital defect in the eyelid.
  • Distichiasis: An extra row of eyelashes growing in an abnormal location.

Types of Eyelid Surgeries

Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)

Upper eyelid surgeryprocedure corrects drooping or hooded eyelids. During the surgery, excess skin, muscle, and fat that contribute to the heavy appearance are removed.

Lower Eyelid Surgery (Lower Blepharoplasty)

Lower eyelid surgery address issues in the under-eye area. The procedure involves carefully removing or repositioning excess fat that causes puffiness or bags. In some cases, excess skin may also be removed.

Double Eyelid Surgery (Asian Blepharoplasty)

Double eyelid surgery creates a crease on the upper eyelid. Many people of Asian descent have a single eyelid or no crease at all. This surgery involves carefully creating a natural-looking fold above the eyelashes to enhance the eyes' appearance.

Preparing For Eyelid Procedure

To begin your journey, schedule a consultation with our experienced surgeon, Dr. James Lacy. During your consultation, he will conduct a thorough examination of your eyelids and discuss your medical history. This evaluation will help determine if eyelid surgery is the right choice for you. You will also be asked to:

    • Quit smoking.
    • Adjust your current medications or start taking new ones.
    • Stop taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, blood thinners, multivitamins, and herbal supplements to reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising.

 

Additionally, arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from the surgery and stay with you the first night after the procedure.

What To Expect During Eyelid Surgery?

You’ll be administered general anesthesia which will make your comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. 

Once you’re relaxed and numb, Dr. Lacey makes precise incisions. These incisions are strategically placed to minimize scarring, typically within the natural crease of the upper eyelid or just below the lower lash line.

Through these incisions, Dr. Lacey carefully removes or repositions excess skin, muscle, and fat. Once the desired outcome is achieved, the incisions are closed using fine sutures or skin adhesive to promote optimal healing and minimize visible scarring.

The duration of the surgery varies depending on the extent of the procedure. An upper eyelid surgery typically takes between 45 minutes to an hour. If both upper and lower eyelids are addressed during the same procedure, the overall time can extend to approximately two hours.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

After eyelid surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling and bruising for 1 to 3 weeks. For upper eyelids, stitches will be in place for about a week, while lower lids may not require stitches if the incisions are made inside the lid. The appearance of your eye may continue to get better for 1 to 3 months. Most people feel ready to go out in public and back to work in about 10 to 14 days.

Some additional tips include:

  • Keep your head elevated and use cool compresses regularly to reduce swelling
  • Prop your head up with pillows while resting to reduce swelling.
  • Gently clean your eyelids with prescribed ointment or eye drops.
  • Apply a cold pack, such as a packet of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel, to help reduce swelling.
  • Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
  • Take prescribed painkillers as needed to relieve discomfort.
  • Avoid Strenuous activities and swimming for a few days.
  • Quit Smoking, as it can irritate your eyes.
  • Stop Wearing contact lenses or rubbing your eyes.

Ottawa’s Private Surgical Facility

To schedule your consultation, simply call our Cosmetic
Patient Coordinators at 613-591-1099 or complete the
contact form below. We are here to support you through
your journey and look forward to assisting you!

 

Cost of Eyelid Surgery

The cost of eyelid surgery can range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000. During your consultation, you will receive a detailed cost breakdown tailored to your individual needs. Eyelid surgery costs commonly include:
Surgeon's fee
Hospital or surgical facility costs
Anesthesia fees
Prescriptions for medication
Medical tests

Ideal Candidates for Eyelid Surgery

To be considered a suitable candidate, you should be in good general health and physically fit for surgery. Anyone over 18 can have eyelid surgery, but usually people are over 40. Following are some additional characteristics for procedure suitability:

 

  • Sagging or excess skin in the upper or lower eyelids
  • Puffiness in the upper eyelids due to fat deposits
  • Under-eye bags or drooping lower eyelids
  • No serious eye conditions
  • A non-smoking lifestyle

What Will My Eyelid Surgery Scars Look Like?

Scarring after eyelid surgery is minimal. Unlike other areas of the body, the eyelid skin is exceptionally adept at healing and minimizing scarring. This is due in part to its rich blood supply, which promotes efficient tissue repair.

Who Should Avoid Eyelid Surgery?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for eyelid surgery. Certain medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and unrealistic expectations can make the procedure inadvisable. These include: 

  • Severe dry eye, glaucoma, active eye infections, or retinal detachment.
  • Uncontrolled Medical Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disorders, hypertension and circulation disorders.
  • Individuals with drooping eyebrows may not benefit from eyelid surgery alone, as it can make the appearance of the brows worse if not addressed.

Eyelid Surgery Risks and Complications

While eyelid surgery is generally safe, it’s essential to be aware of potential complications. Here are some potential complications and side effects:

Choosing an experienced and board-certified surgeon like Dr. James Lacey and following all pre- and post-operative instructions can help minimize these risks.

Alternatives to Eyelid Surgery

The delicate eye area often reveals the first signs of aging. Fortunately, a variety of non-invasive treatments can effectively address wrinkles, under-eye hollows, and sagging skin. They are: 

Botox

This injectable relaxes facial muscles, smoothing lines and lifting eyebrows. Ideal for mild wrinkles and crow's feet, results are temporary.

Dermal Fillers

These volumizing injections can correct under-eye hollows, erase lines, and soften wrinkles. Results are immediate but not permanent.

Microneedling

Combining radiofrequency with microneedling, this treatment stimulates collagen production for improved skin texture and tightness.

Microneedling

Combining radiofrequency with microneedling, this treatment stimulates collagen production for improved skin texture and tightness.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

This treatment can improve skin tone, texture, and wrinkles. Ablative lasers offer deeper

RECENTLY ON THE BLOG

News & Events

Enhance your look with eyelid surgery at our clinic. Schedule a consultation with Dr. James Lacey to see if eyelid surgery is right for you.