Eyelid Surgery

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then the eyelids are the window treatments! Excess skin, protrusion of fat, and dark circles are all tell-tale signs of aging. Dr. Shari Reitzen can address all of these at her Upper East Side practice.

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Most patients seeking eyelid surgery complain of looking tired all the time despite getting adequate rest. Eyelid rejuvenation can involve surgery of the upper and/or lower eyelids. Sagging skin and bulging fat are removed through well-hidden incisions, and patient satisfaction is extremely high because they can look much younger after a blepharoplasty. This procedure truly brightens up the face, and is one of Dr. Reitzen’s primary procedures.

What Does Blepharoplasty Do?

Opens up and refreshes the eyes
Removes sagging skin of the upper eyelids
Reduces under-eye bags
Decreases puffiness around the eyes
Addresses drooping lower eyelids that appear to be “pulled down”
Improves vision for those whose skin is obstructing their view
Provides an overall more attractive and youthful appearance

Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty

There are two types of eyelid surgery: upper and lower. Many patients choose to have both their upper and lower eyelids addressed for complete rejuvenation, while others prefer to focus on just one or the other. Some patients also request complimentary procedures (such as Botox® or fat transfer) to be combined with eyelid surgery.

Sometimes a patient may think they need eyelid surgery, when in fact a brow lift would be a better option. To determine this, Dr. Reitzen will distinguish between the eyebrows being droopy or the eyelids being droopy. She will also determine if there is a muscular problem with the upper lid. During your consultation with Dr. Reitzen, she will talk with you about whether upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, both combined, or a different procedure will be best for your personal cosmetic goals.

Before & After Eyelid Surgery in Upper East Side

Blepharoplasty in Upper East Side patient 1

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“Amazing doctor. Understood my needs and wants and was open, honest, and straightforward.”

Patrick G.

Who is a Candidate?

If you’re in the Upper East Side and you’re considering eyelid surgery, you may be the ideal candidate. Those who make excellent patients for this procedure are men and women who:

Want their eyes to look more awake, brighter, and refreshed
Are experiencing excess skin, puffiness, or drooping of the eyelids
Are suffering from eyelid skin blocking their vision
Are non-smokers in general good health
Don’t have pre-existing eye conditions
Don’t have any kind of thyroid condition
Have realistic expectations for what eyelid surgery can do
Fully understand the procedure, risks, recovery, and what to expect

Eyelid Surgery Details

Upper blepharoplasty alone can be performed in the office under local anesthesia only. Dr. Reitzen will carefully make tiny incisions within the natural folds of the eyelid. From this incision, she will remove or adjust extra skin and fat and tuck the skin to achieve a rejuvenated appearance. Performed alone, upper eyelid surgery takes approximately one hour. Once the incisions are healed, they will be hidden because they are made within the crease of the eyelid.

For lower eyelid surgery, general anesthesia is typically used. Dr. Reitzen will make incisions either on the inside of the lower eyelids or beneath the eyelash line. She will remove or redistribute skin and fat, or add volume if needed. Performed alone, lower eyelid surgery takes approximately 90 minutes.

Recovery and Results

A week of recovery is normal for eyelid surgery, and after one week Dr. Reitzen will remove your sutures. During recovery, you may experience bruising, redness, swelling, discomfort, blurry vision, and/or dry eyes. These side effects are all temporary. During this time, you should also avoid wearing contact lenses.

You will have a one-month follow-up with Dr. Reitzen after your procedure.

Results from blepharoplasty are apparent at six weeks. Dr. Reitzen’s patients frequently say that their eyes feel brighter and less heavy, and that they can apply makeup more easily, without it clumping up.

Why Choose Dr. Reitzen for Eyelid Surgery?

Dr. Shari Reitzen strives to provide individualized care and results that are both beautiful and natural in every procedure she approaches. She is a double board-certified ENT and facial plastic surgeon serving Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and she is highly favored among her patients for her exceptional results. Dr. Reitzen achieves beautiful results by putting her patients first and closely listening as they discuss their areas of concern. Her goal is to safely deliver a natural look that doesn’t appear overdone — just rejuvenated. Now with two locations to better accommodate her patients, Dr. Reitzen is here to help you look your best.