Eyelid Surgery in NYC

Tired of your droopy eyelids making you look older or more tired than you are?

Eyelid surgery is a well-established way to address the sagging and puffiness that can make the eyes look tired.

As one of the top eyelid surgeons in New York, Dr. Darren M. Smith has extensive experience with blepharoplasty. He will explain what the procedure can change about your upper and lower lids, and what it cannot.

Explore our gallery of real patient results. These before-and-after photos show outcomes of plastic surgery performed by Dr. Smith. Individual results vary.

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can address both functional and cosmetic concerns of the eyelids. There are different types of blepharoplasty procedures depending on the specific goals:

Eyelid surgery provides both functional and aesthetic improvements.

• It addresses impaired vision from excess skin weighing down the eyelids. By removing extra tissue, blepharoplasty lifts the eyelids to enhance one’s field of vision.
• Eyelid surgery achieves facial rejuvenation and a refreshed look. As skin loses elasticity with age, eyelids can take on a loose, tired appearance. Blepharoplasty contours the eyelid border for a more youthful, wide-eyed effect.
• Eyelid surgery also remedies specific concerns like dark circles and puffiness. By reducing bags and excess skin and fat, the eyelids appear refreshed with less tissue redundancy. The result is a more alert appearance around the eyes. Blepharoplasty can help with both vision and appearance.

While everyone ages differently and at different rates, most patients undergoing eyelid surgery in our practice are between their mid-thirties and mid-sixties. Interest in the procedure typically develops as skin laxity develops in the upper lids and fat herniation becomes apparent in the lower lids.

All patients must be assessed for eye disease like dry-eye or glaucoma and systemic issues like diabetes, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease, as these can impact healing and safety.

Patients should discuss their full medical history with Dr. Smith. In some cases, we will consult with your ophthalmologist or primary care doctor as appropriate to ensure your safety during the procedure.

Realistic expectations are also important. While blepharoplasty relieves tired eyes and boosts confidence through a more youthful appearance, it cannot always completely erase dark circles or eliminate all signs of aging. We will discuss your desired goals and expectations during your consultation.

The best candidates for eyelid surgery will have some combination of skin excess, fat herniation and muscle laxity. These anatomical issues can be very effectively addressed with blepharoplasty. At the initial consultation, Dr. Smith will review the anatomical basis for your aesthetic concerns and discuss the best plan for your individual needs.

1. Initial Consultation

During the initial meeting, Dr. Smith examines the eyelids, reviews the medical history, and discusses goals to see if surgery is an appropriate option.

2. Surgical Planning

A tailored plan is devised based on each patient’s unique presentation and what they wish to achieve.

3. Selection of Technique

Technique selection depends on individual factors like skin quality and level of laxity. Options may include external, transconjunctival, or specialized modified procedures.

4. Anesthesia and Safety

When your procedure day arrives, local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia will be administered. Anesthesia is provided by board-certified anesthesiologists.

5. Incision Placement

Incisions are carefully designed to sit in natural skin creases. In some cases the incision is placed inside the eyelid, so there is no external scar. Scars from external incisions fade over time but do not disappear completely.

6. Removal of Tissue

Excess skin, muscle, and fat are removed to create the desired contour and lift of the upper and lower eyelids.

7. Closure of Incisions

Incisions are meticulously closed using fine sutures to minimize scarring. Transconjunctival incisions do not require closure.

Recovery from Eyelid Surgery

Throughout your postoperative period, Dr. Smith will counsel you on how to keep your eyes lubricated with specialized drops and on the other steps that support healing.

Beyond basic blepharoplasty, certain supplementary procedures can further enhance eyelid rejuvenation:

Contact us today to discuss your aesthetic goals and medical suitability for eyelid surgery. Dr. Smith’s evaluation will assess your eyelids, medical history, and lifestyle to develop a surgical plan suited to your anatomy and your goals.

He will explain the options, what recovery involves, and the realistic range of results.

Take the first step by calling (212) 633-0627 or booking a consultation online. 

Dr. Smith’s practice is located at the Ritz Tower, 111 East 57th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10022, in Midtown Manhattan. The office welcomes patients from across the five boroughs, the tri-state area, and well beyond.

Choosing where you have surgery matters as much as choosing who performs it. New Yorkers come to Dr. Smith because his work reflects the city itself: refined, exacting, and never one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or traveling in for a consultation, you’ll find a practice that treats every patient with precision and discretion that have made Manhattan a destination for plastic surgery patients from around the world.