The Face
Blepharoplasty
Eyes That Reflect How You Actually Feel.
Eyes That Reflect How You Actually Feel.
The eyes are the first place others look, and the first place that aging makes itself known. Excess upper eyelid skin creates a heaviness that makes the eyes appear smaller and more tired, while bags and hollowing beneath the lower lids create shadows that no concealer can fully erase. Dr. Schwartz’s primary objective is to restore a sense of alertness and vitality to the eyes without ever making a patient look over-corrected. At Edition, we view the eyelids as a critical frame for the face; even subtle adjustments to sagging skin or puffiness can create a profound transformation in how our patients are perceived and how they feel.
At Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz emphasizes a conservative yet precise technique, placing incisions within the natural contours of the eyelids to ensure that the final result is both seamless and harmonious with your unique facial anatomy. Whether Dr. Schwartz is performing an upper blepharoplasty to remove redundant skin or a lower blepharoplasty to smooth under-eye bags, he maintains a strict focus on the delicate balance of tissue and volume. We tailor every procedure to address both functional concerns, such as heavy lids weighing down your expression, and your personal aesthetic goals, ensuring a result that is as functional as it is beautiful.
At Edition, we approach every eyelid procedure with the understanding that the eyes are the most scrutinized feature of the human face, and that a result that changes their natural character rather than restoring it is a result that has failed. Dr. Schwartz’s goal is to achieve a refreshed, "rested" appearance that enhances your natural beauty and stands the test of time, performed with exquisite precision that leaves almost no visible evidence that surgery occurred. Throughout the process, our team prioritizes your comfort and confidence, ensuring your results are as enduring as they are elegant.
Dr. Schwartz places incisions precisely within the natural eyelid crease where they heal to become essentially invisible. By carefully removing only the excess skin causing hooding and heaviness, he restores a refreshed, open appearance while our team prioritizes preserving the natural character and mechanics of your eye.
For our patients with good skin quality, Dr. Schwartz utilizes a transconjunctival approach with an incision inside the lid to address under-eye bags without any external scarring. If significant skin excess is present, he employs a subciliary incision just below the lash line to allow for both fat management and skin tightening.
Rather than simple fat removal, which can create a hollowed or 'skeletonized' appearance, Dr. Schwartz prefers fat repositioning to fill the tear trough. By draping the fat into the hollows that create dark shadows, he restores volume and creates a smooth, youthful transition between the eyelid and the cheek.
A descending brow often pushes skin onto the upper lid, creating an apparent excess that is not truly an eyelid issue. During your consultation at Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz evaluates your brow position to determine if blepharoplasty alone or a combination approach is necessary to achieve your aesthetic goals.
We prioritize patient comfort by performing most procedures under general anesthesia or IV sedation. While most of our patients return to work within three to seven days, Dr. Schwartz recommends avoiding strenuous exercise for three weeks to fully support your recovery and the healing process.
To achieve the most harmonious results, Dr. Schwartz often supplements blepharoplasty with nonsurgical laser treatments for skin discoloration or injectable fillers to restore lost volume. Our multi-dimensional approach ensures the skin around your eyes looks as smooth and vibrant as the surgical results themselves.
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All photographs are of actual Edition Plastic Surgery patients. Individual results may vary.
Blepharoplasty has one of the most rewarding recovery arcs in facial surgery — the improvement is visible almost immediately and the recovery is remarkably manageable.
Dr. Schwartz will evaluate the upper and lower eyelids, assess the brow position, examine the lower lid tone and snap test, and determine which procedure or combination is most appropriate for your specific anatomy and goals. He will discuss realistic expectations for the extent of change achievable, and whether adjunctive procedures would meaningfully improve the overall result.
Blepharoplasty is typically performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, taking one to two hours depending on whether upper lids, lower lids, or both are addressed. When combined with a facelift or brow lift, it is performed in the same surgical session. You are discharged the same day with cold compress instructions and a follow-up appointment within the first week.
Swelling and bruising around the eyes are expected and most pronounced during the first three to four days. Cold compresses and head elevation significantly reduce both. The eyes may feel tight and dry — lubricating eye drops are used regularly. Most patients are surprised by how quickly the bruising and swelling begin to resolve.
Most patients are comfortable appearing in public — with sunglasses, and makeup over any residual bruising — within seven to ten days. Sutures, if non-dissolving, are removed within five to seven days. Reading and screen time are resumed as comfort allows. Strenuous exercise is restricted for two to three weeks.
Residual swelling, particularly in the lower lids, fully resolves over three to six months. The upper lid scars within the crease become essentially imperceptible. The final result is a rested, open, more youthful eye appearance that patients consistently describe as transformative — the single change that most dramatically affects how others perceive their age and energy.
Eyelid surgery is unforgiving — the results are on constant display and any imprecision is immediately visible. Dr. Schwartz approaches every blepharoplasty with the understanding that the margin between a beautiful result and a compromised one is measured in fractions of a millimeter. His meticulous technique, conservative philosophy, and deep familiarity with periorbital anatomy consistently produce results that look natural, rested, and entirely intentional.
Full Credentials →Blepharoplasty is most appropriate for patients whose eyes look tired, heavy, or aged in a way that does not reflect how they actually feel — and who want a natural restoration rather than an altered appearance.
Dr. Schwartz will conduct a thorough periorbital evaluation — including brow position, lid tone, and dry eye assessment — to determine which procedure or combination will genuinely achieve your goals safely.
Answers to the questions Dr. Schwartz hears most often from blepharoplasty patients.
If you are bothered by sagging upper eyelids that make you look tired or persistent under-eye bags that do not resolve with rest, you are likely an ideal candidate. Many of our patients at Edition Plastic Surgery also seek blepharoplasty because excess skin is beginning to heavy the lid and potentially obscure their vision. During your consultation, Dr. Schwartz evaluates your anatomy and brow position to ensure this is the right step for your aesthetic and functional goals.
A well-performed blepharoplasty should make you look rested and refreshed — not different. Dr. Schwartz’s goal is to remove the elements contributing to a tired or aged appearance while preserving the natural shape and character of your eyes. He specifically avoids the over-removal of skin or fat, which can produce a hollowed, unnatural appearance, ensuring a result that is both harmonious and youthful.
Eyelid surgery has one of the more manageable recovery profiles in facial surgery, and most of our patients describe the process as much easier than they expected. You should plan to rest and use cold compresses for the first several days to manage swelling and bruising, which are most pronounced during the first 72 hours. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work within 3 to 7 days and are 'socially ready' with makeup or sunglasses by day ten. Dr. Schwartz advises waiting three weeks before resuming strenuous exercise.
Discretion is a priority in Dr. Schwartz’s technique. Upper blepharoplasty scars are placed within the natural eyelid crease and become essentially imperceptible once healed. For the lower lid, Dr. Schwartz most commonly performs a transconjunctival approach where the incision is hidden inside the eyelid, leaving no external scar at all. If skin needs to be removed from the lower lid, a subciliary incision is placed just below the lash line, which typically becomes inconspicuous within a few months.
While the natural aging process continues, the improvements made during a blepharoplasty are meant to last for many years; indeed, many patients find the results are permanent for their upper lids. To maintain the refreshed look of the surrounding skin, Dr. Schwartz often recommends supplemental non-surgical treatments at Edition Plastic Surgery, such as laser therapy or medical-grade skincare, to keep the delicate eye area smooth and glowing.
Many patients who present with upper eyelid concerns actually have brow descent as the primary contributing factor. If the brow is low, it pushes skin onto the upper lid, creating an apparent excess that is not truly eyelid skin. During your consultation, Dr. Schwartz evaluates the relationship between your brow position and your eyelid to determine which procedure — or which combination — will address the actual underlying cause of the heaviness.
Blepharoplasty is a common and safe procedure, though it carries standard surgical risks such as temporary dryness, bruising, or swelling. Our team prioritizes your safety by conducting a thorough medical review during your consultation and providing detailed post-operative protocols. At Edition, our priority is a smooth, predictable recovery and a result that looks entirely natural.
The investment for eyelid surgery at Edition Plastic Surgery varies based on whether we are addressing the upper lids, lower lids, or both, and whether advanced techniques like fat repositioning are required. In some cases, upper blepharoplasty may be partially covered by insurance if significant visual field obstruction is documented. A personalized fee quote and information on financing options are provided following your private consultation with Dr. Schwartz.
Dr. Schwartz performs your blepharoplasty as an outpatient procedure under IV sedation or general anesthesia, as we prioritize your comfort throughout your time at Edition Plastic Surgery. While peak swelling occurs during the first 72 hours, most of our patients return to work and light daily activities within seven to ten days as bruising begins to fade. By the three-week mark, Dr. Schwartz typically clears you to resume your full exercise routine and more strenuous exertion as your results settle into a naturally alert and refreshed appearance. To guide you through this transition, our patient concierge team provides high-touch aftercare—from cold compress protocols to lubricating eye drop recommendations—while we coordinate all follow-up care to monitor your exquisite final result.