Open, Rested Eyes
Skin loses its elasticity with age, and as the aging process continues, gravity and skin laxity can create loose skin, droopy eyelids, a tired appearance, and an aged appearance around the eyes. The skin on the upper and lower eyelids is the thinnest area of skin on the face.1 This delicate eyelid area is often one of the first places to show changes in skin elasticity, causing people as young as their late twenties or early thirties to notice excess upper eyelid skin, under-eye bags, or changes in the lower eyelid skin that can affect both appearance and, in some cases, peripheral vision.
If you are searching for eyelid surgery in Washington, DC, Dr. James M. Economides offers upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and combined eyelid lift surgery at Ikon Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics in Chevy Chase, MD, for people seeking both cosmetic and functional improvements. Depending on your concerns and goals, this eyelid lift procedure can address drooping upper lids, puffiness, dark circles, excess fat, and under-eye bags, so you look more refreshed than tired. Many patients also seek treatment earlier when droopy eyelids or under-eye changes run in the family. This page explains your treatment options, who is a good candidate, what to expect from outpatient surgery, recovery time, cost, whether procedures can be combined, and why patients from the Washington, DC area choose Dr. Economides for blepharoplasty.
Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the area around the eyelids.2 It helps achieve both aesthetic and functional results, allowing people to enjoy a more alert, youthful appearance and improve vision restricted by drooping eyelids.
Eyelid surgery can target the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both in the same procedure.
Upper eyelid surgery, also called upper blepharoplasty, removes loose skin, muscle, and excess fat from the upper eyelids and the neighboring area. When excess upper eyelid skin interferes with peripheral vision, upper blepharoplasty can improve the visual field while creating a more open, refreshed appearance. This type of eyelid surgery can be classified as a medical necessity, especially if there is significant drooping or heavy lids. Insurance may cover surgery when impaired vision is documented. Results from upper eyelid surgery often last 5 to 7 years, although the aging process continues. Ptosis repair is a different procedure used when drooping is caused by weakness in the eyelid muscle rather than excess skin alone.
Lower eyelid surgery, also called lower blepharoplasty, removes under-eye bags, reduces puffiness and dark circles, and tightens or smooths the skin of the lower eyelid. This yields a more rested, youthful appearance. Individuals who primarily need eye bag removal by removing or repositioning fat pads or fatty tissue, rather than skin excision, are generally a better fit for this technique than for upper eyelid surgery. Results can last 5 to 10 years, although longevity varies with the aging process and skin elasticity.
1-2 hours, depending on which eyelids are targeted
~$3,000 to $8,000 (For an accurate cost, please ask during your consultation).
Final results typically settle over 3-6 months
3-6 months
A good candidate for eyelid surgery in the Washington, DC, area is someone with concerns about the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, whether that means droopy eyelids, a tired appearance, or changes related to skin laxity. You will discuss your candidacy in further detail during a consultation with Dr. Economides, including whether treatment should focus on excess upper eyelid skin, under-eye fullness, or excess lower eyelid skin to achieve your desired results, but here are some qualifications that ideal candidates have:
Our patients across Washington, DC, enjoy several remarkable benefits of their eyelid surgery, and many patients choose eyelid lift surgery to look years younger without changing their natural expression. Here are some key advantages of eyelid surgery:
We strive to make our patients feel comfortable from the beginning of their aesthetic journey. You’ll begin with an informative, non-judgmental consultation at our office in Chevy Chase outside Washington, DC, with Dr. Economides, who will take you through everything you need to know about blepharoplasty surgery from start to finish.
Preparing for your eyelid surgery ensures your surgery is safe and your recovery is smooth. Here are some critical steps to a successful eyelid surgery experience:
Your eyelid surgery will take place at our surgical center in Washington, DC. You will review your treatment plan with Dr. Economides before receiving local anesthesia with sedation or twilight anesthesia to help you relax and numb the eyelids.
During upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Economides makes a precise incision hidden within the natural fold of your upper eyelid. Then, he carefully trims excess skin, muscle, and fat as part of the eyelid lift procedure, removing loose skin and refining the upper eyelid skin while preserving a natural look. The incision is closed with sutures and placed to minimize visible scarring, typically healing as a fine line.
During lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Economides makes an incision inside the lower lid along the lash line. Dr. Economides will trim excess, sagging skin and tighten the underlying muscle. Rather than simply removing bulging fat pads, which can create a hollow appearance, Dr. Economides may reposition fatty tissue to create a smooth transition between the eyelid and cheek, helping with dark circles and reducing puffiness before closing the incisions with sutures.
The blepharoplasty surgery typically takes around 1-2 hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. You’ll spend some time in a recovery room before going home the same day, driven by a friend or family member.
Dr. Economides offers an array of procedures that pair well with eyelid surgery, allowing his Washington, DC, patients to address multiple concerns in a single session, with combination treatment options customized to the patient’s facial anatomy and desired results. Additionally, combining procedures helps reduce overall anesthesia and facility costs, as well as the total amount of downtime.
Facelift surgery is commonly combined with eyelid surgery because it enables comprehensive, harmonious rejuvenation of the entire face, and it may be paired with eyelid surgery when patients want more complete correction of an aged appearance. This procedure specifically rejuvenates the middle and lower third of the face, addressing features like hollow cheeks, a soft jawline, and deep folds.
Aging affects the entire upper face, including the brows and forehead. A brow lift is often added to eyelid surgery because it helps address the root cause of sagging by lifting the brow, resulting in a more balanced, natural, and longer-lasting outcome.
The eyes and lips are the primary focal point of facial expression. A lip lift shortens the distance between the lips and nose to expose more of the pink vermilion and upper teeth, creating a fuller, more youthful smile. A lip lift combined with eyelid surgery enhances facial harmony, providing widespread rejuvenation to brighten the upper face while restoring youthful fullness and proportions to the mouth.
The first few days of recovery typically involve mild swelling, bruising, tightness, and irritation around the eyes. Take the prescribed pain medication as directed to help manage any discomfort. Cold compresses and keeping your head elevated with a couple of pillows will help minimize swelling and inflammation.
Apply lubricating ointments as instructed to keep your incision sites moist, reduce scabbing, and support optimal scar healing. Avoid rubbing your eyes, protect them from wind and UV exposure by wearing sunglasses outdoors, and be aware that temporary blurred vision and light sensitivity are common during the early healing period. Stitches are typically removed around 7 days after surgery.
Many patients feel comfortable returning to work within 7 to 10 days, although mild residual swelling may continue to improve. Driving can usually be resumed once you feel comfortable and are no longer taking prescription pain medication. Continue limiting eye strain when possible and avoid strenuous activities, bending over, lifting more than 5 to 10 pounds, and cardio exercise during this stage of healing.
As your tissues continue to heal, swelling gradually subsides and your refreshed eyelid contours become more apparent. Follow Dr. Economides’ recommendations for returning to more strenuous exercise, continue protecting your healing incisions, and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure your recovery remains on track.
Here are some simple recovery steps that will make a significant difference in achieving optimal results.
The cost of eyelid surgery in Chevy Chase, MD, and Washington, DC, depends on whether you have upper, lower, or both upper and lower eyelid surgery, and on the extent of the procedure. Because this is typically considered cosmetic surgery, pricing can also vary based on surgical complexity and whether your case involves the upper lids, lower lids, or both. Patients who combine additional procedures will also see a higher overall cost than those who only get eyelid surgery, even though it will reduce the overall cost compared to if they got the procedures at different times.
Comprehensive quotes may include surgeon, facility, and anesthesia fees.
Providers with more experience typically charge more but are more likely to deliver more accurate, long-lasting results.
You will go over the cost before you commit to the procedure. We are always transparent with pricing and offer payment plans.
Dr. Economides is internationally recognized for his ability to produce exquisite, world-class results for eyelid surgery. By taking a completely personalized approach for each of his patients, Dr. Economides prioritizes each patient’s needs and preferences to align with their goals. He deeply values the patient experience, ensuring his communication is clear and that his patients do not feel pressured to add procedures they are not comfortable with.
Dr. Economides is Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a proud Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. His recognition goes even further: he has been named a Top Doctor every year since 2019 and was named a Power Player by Modern Luxury DC. His insights have been featured in Bloomberg, applying the same rigor and curiosity to the readers that he brings to the operating room.
If you’re ready to reset your upper or lower eyelids, achieve more youthful eyes, and improve your vision, schedule a consultation with Dr. Economides at Ikon Plastic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics. We are located in Chevy Chase, MD, just outside Washington, DC.
