Blepharoplasty Before & Afters
Swipe To Next
Beautiful, Natural Results
Loose skin on the upper eyelids can hide your natural crease, and fullness under the lower lids can create shadows that don’t go away. At Evelina Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics, Dr. Katherine B. Santosa, a board-certified plastic surgeon, offers blepharoplasty for patients in the Atlanta area at her Sandy Springs office. She uses a careful, conservative approach to help you look refreshed while still looking like yourself. Schedule your consultation today at Dr. Santosa’s location in Atlanta, Georgia, and get back to looking younger and well-rested.
Swipe To Next
No Sagging Skin in Sight
Blepharoplasty is another name for eyelid surgery. This procedure can improve the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. It may involve removing extra skin or fat, or moving fat to smooth the area around your eyes. Some people choose blepharoplasty because sagging upper eyelids make them look tired. Others want to address under-eye bags or drooping skin that affects their side vision. The treatment plan should match your needs, keep your eyelids working comfortably, and maintain your natural eye shape.
Upper Lids, Lower Lids, or Both?
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery targets hooding, loose skin, and extra fat in the upper lids. Dr. Santosa makes the incision in the eyelid’s natural crease, so the scar blends in with the fold. She removes just the right amount of extra skin and treats fat if it causes puffiness. How much skin is removed is important. Taking a careful approach helps keep your eyelids looking natural and closing comfortably. Too much skin hanging over the lashes can also block your side vision. Sometimes, a full eye exam or visual field test is needed to show how much it affects your sight.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Puffiness under the eyes often doesn’t go away with sleep or skincare. Lower eyelid surgery can help with under-eye bags, loose skin, and bulging fat in the lower lids. Dr. Santosa may remove or move fat to smooth the area between your eyelid and cheek, so it doesn’t look hollow. The incision for lower eyelid surgery can be inside the eyelid or just below the lower lashes. The right choice depends on how much loose skin you have, where the fat is, and how strong your lower lid is. If you need both upper and lower eyelid surgery, they can often be done together in one outpatient visit.
Where Eyelid Surgery Stops
Blepharoplasty and facelifts target different areas. Eyelid surgery works on the upper and lower eyelids, while a facelift addresses sagging in the cheeks, jawline, and neck. A facelift won’t remove extra skin from the upper eyelids or fix bags under the eyes. You might need just one procedure or a combination. Dr. Santosa considers your whole face and suggests the right amount of treatment for you. Some procedures can be done together, while others are better done separately.
Achieving Realistic Goals
Since this surgery is very targeted, even a small change can make your eyes look brighter and more alert. Benefits can include:
Blepharoplasty won’t get rid of crow’s feet or all types of dark circles. Dysport can help with lines from muscle movement, and skincare or laser treatments may improve skin color and texture.
There Isn't a Magic Age
Many people who have eyelid surgery are between 30 and 60, but age isn’t the main factor. Good candidates are healthy adults who have realistic expectations and enough time to recover. You might be a candidate if you have extra upper-lid skin, bags under your eyes, or sagging skin that affects your vision.
A droopy eyelid can have different causes. Sometimes, a low brow pushes tissue down, while true eyelid ptosis happens when the eyelid edge is too low. In these cases, a brow lift or ptosis repair might be better, since removing skin or fat alone won’t solve the problem. Your eye health is important when deciding on surgery. Conditions like dry eye, glaucoma, thyroid disease, past eye surgery, or uncontrolled diabetes can affect your treatment and recovery. Any active eye infection or uncontrolled health issue needs to be treated before surgery. Candidates should not smoke or must stop using nicotine as instructed.
Start With Clear Answers
During your consultation, you can share what concerns you and what you want to keep the same. Dr. Santosa will ask about your health, medications, contact lenses, and any past procedures. Be sure to mention if you have dryness, irritation, blurred vision, or trouble closing your eyes. She will also check your brow position, eyelid tone, symmetry, and the area between your lower lid and cheek. You’ll discuss the surgical technique, anesthesia, scars, recovery, risks, cost, and other options. Bring a list of your medications, any eye records, and your questions. If you’re comparing surgeons, look for answers that relate to your specific needs.
Enhancing and Rejuvenating
You’ll get instructions tailored to your surgery plan. Preparation might include lab tests or a medical checkup. Review your medications and supplements with the Evelina team, and only stop prescriptions if your doctor tells you to. Dr. Santosa will explain what to do about nicotine, anti-inflammatory drugs, and sun exposure. Arrange for someone you trust to drive you home and be available during your early recovery. Set up a comfortable place to rest and make sure you have time to heal. Eyelid surgery should be done in an accredited surgical facility, licensed surgery center, or hospital.
A Precise Plan for a Delicate Area
Most of the time, blepharoplasty is done as an outpatient procedure. It can use local anesthesia with oral sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your needs and health. Dr. Santosa will go over the plan with you before surgery. For upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Santosa marks the skin to be removed and makes the incision in the natural crease. For lower eyelid surgery, she may use an incision inside the eyelid or along the lash line to move extra fat and tighten loose skin. Fine stitches close the incisions. After surgery, you’ll be monitored before you go home.
Your Health is Important
Expect some swelling and bruising at first. Your eyes might feel tight, watery, dry, or sensitive to light. Ointment can cause blurred vision for a short time. Keeping your head up and using cold compresses can help, but always follow Dr. Santosa’s instructions for eye drops, caring for your incisions, and activity. If you have stitches that don’t dissolve in your upper lids, they are usually removed at a follow-up visit about a week after surgery. Bruising usually fades in 10 to 14 days. Most people feel ready to go back to desk work and public activities in one to two weeks. Lower eyelid surgery or combined procedures may need a bit more recovery time.
Swelling often lasts longer than bruising, so it’s best not to judge your results too early. Wait for Dr. Santosa to clear you before driving, wearing contact lenses or eye makeup, exercising, or lifting. Your eyelids will continue to soften over the next few months, and the final shape will become clearer after two to three months or more. Dr. Santosa will schedule early follow-up visits and is available as you recover. Contact the office right away if you have more pain, bleeding, sudden vision changes, or any other concerning symptoms. Always follow your specific postoperative instructions over general timelines.
Help Your Results Last
For many people, blepharoplasty results last 10 to 15 years or even longer. The procedure can’t stop aging, so your brows and nearby skin will still change over time. Genetics, skin quality, health, and daily habits all affect how long your results last. Protect your eyelid skin from the sun, avoid nicotine, and use a skincare routine that works for you. These steps help scars heal and can help you keep your results for years. Dr. Santosa may also recommend products or treatments that match your long-term goals.
Risks Worth Knowing
Possible risks include bleeding, infection, irritated or dry eyes, trouble closing your eyes, uneven results, visible scars, changes in feeling, lid lag, the lower eyelid turning outward, temporary vision changes, hollowing, and the need for revision surgery. Serious vision problems are rare. Dr. Santosa will go over the risks for your procedure so you can make an informed choice.
Your Quote, Explained
The cost of blepharoplasty depends on the area treated, how complex the surgery is, anesthesia, facility fees, and any other procedures you have at the same time. Your total may also include medical tests and prescriptions. After your consultation, Evelina will give you a personalized quote and explain what’s included. Financing is available for qualified patients. Most cosmetic blepharoplasty procedures are paid out of pocket. Insurance may cover upper eyelid surgery if extra skin causes documented vision problems. Coverage rules and approval depend on your insurance plan.
Experience With a Personal Touch
Eyelid surgery requires skill and precision. Dr. Santosa is a board-certified plastic surgeon known for her warm and straightforward approach. She trained at Washington University School of Medicine and the University of Michigan, completed a postdoctoral research fellowship, earned a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, and spent an extra year in aesthetic fellowship training. She has written more than 60 plastic surgery publications. Her background shapes how she approaches cosmetic procedures. She takes time to find the real cause of your concern and won’t suggest blepharoplasty if a brow lift, ptosis evaluation, or another treatment is better for you. Her patients get clear explanations and attentive follow-up from the first visit through recovery. When choosing a plastic surgeon or an oculoplastic surgeon with special training in eye procedures, check for board certification, eyelid surgery experience, facility accreditation, before-and-after photos, and a clear follow-up plan. The right surgeon should help you feel informed and comfortable, not pressured.
Your Future Begins Here
If sagging upper eyelids or bags under your eyes are affecting how you look or see, a consultation can help you find out why. Request an in-person or virtual visit with Evelina Plastic Surgery & Aesthetics in Sandy Springs for honest, personalized advice about blepharoplasty in Atlanta.
Yes. Upper blepharoplasty can improve peripheral vision when excess skin creates a documented obstruction. It won't correct vision problems caused by the eye itself.
Every surgical incision creates a scar. Upper incisions follow the natural crease, while external lower incisions sit close to the lashes. The lines tend to soften and fade, though they won't disappear completely.
It may reduce shadows caused by under-eye bags. It won't remove pigment, visible blood vessels, or every source of dark circles.
Anesthesia keeps you comfortable during surgery. Some soreness, tightness, dryness, or irritation is normal during the early healing process.
Yes. Eyelid surgery may be combined with a brow lift, facelift, fat grafting, or selected nonsurgical treatments. Dr. Santosa will explain whether combining or staging procedures makes more sense for you.
Discuss your personalized treatment with Dr. Santosa today
Dr. Santosa delivers a well-rounded treatment experience through combined science, compassion, and experience. Begin your journey with trusted board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Katherine B. Santosa in Sandy Springs, and rest assured that you have selected your best path to exquisite results.
At Evelina Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics, we are proud to be a women-owned practice committed to delivering exceptional care and outstanding results. Our dedication to excellence ensures that we stand out as a trusted choice for premier plastic surgery and aesthetic services in the Atlanta-metro area.
