Chicago Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) by Dr. David Dreyfuss
When they hide under sagging eyelids or if they display unsightly wrinkles, they undermine your facial beauty. Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) is designed to rejuvenate and brighten tired, puffy eyes, and drooping lids. The procedure delivers fantastic results by extracting excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids.
For more information about blepharoplasty eyelid surgery in Chicago and the surrounding areas, please contact board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David Dreyfuss today.
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Good Candidates for Blepharoplasty Surgery
Eyelid surgery is designed to remove the excess skin, muscle, and fat from the lower and upper eyelids. As with any surgical procedure, realistic expectations and good health are critical to achieving a successful result. Patients with ophthalmological, circulatory, or severe health conditions are not good candidates for this surgery.
Upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery improves the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids. It rejuvenates the adjacent areas of the eyes, so you look alert and rested. With age, the appearance of the eyelids may experience:
- Dark discoloration
- Excessive wrinkling
- Forehead furrows
- Droopiness
- Fatty deposit
- Weak muscles
- Stretched skin
Cosmetic concerns are not the only issues for having blepharoplasty; excess skin hanging over your eyes may impair your vision as well. Whether you are considering eyelid surgery for an aesthetic or functional concern, choosing a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon is crucial. During your consultation, Dr. Dreyfuss will assess your eyelids to determine the proper technique necessary to provide the best results.
Why Choose Dr. David Dreyfuss?
With decades of experience and board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. David Dreyfuss offers a refined balance of surgical skill, artistic vision, and personalized care, including cosmetic eyelid surgery. Patients from across the region trust him for his expertise in procedures such as breast augmentation, liposuction, laser skin resurfacing, and eyelid surgery. Known for his compassionate approach and commitment to excellence, Dr. Dreyfuss personally guides each patient through every step of their surgical journey—from the first consultation to your final results.
If you’re considering a change—whether it’s enhancing your features or restoring what time has altered—our Orland Park practice is here to help. Dr. Dreyfuss invites you to schedule a private consultation and discover the many surgical and non-surgical options available to help you look and feel your very best. Your vision, paired with his experience, can create results that are both natural and transformative.
Eyelid Surgery Techniques
Dr. Dreyfuss can perform blepharoplasty on your upper and lower eyelids simultaneously or each as a standalone procedure. Eyelid surgery is an outpatient procedure which takes up to two hours to complete. It is performed under general anesthesia or an IV sedation. Blepharoplasty scarring is concealed in the upper eyelid crease for upper blepharoplasty and the lash lines for lower eyelid surgery. Dr. Dreyfuss uses dissolvable sutures in most cases for closing incisions.
Most patients notice bruising and swelling can take up to 10 days to subside after blepharoplasty. Dissolvable sutures will diminish on their own; permanent stitches will be removed within a week. For a few weeks after surgery, you may experience sensitivity to light, blurred or double vision, or watery eyes, but these effects are temporary and will subside in time. Regular activities may be resumed after four days, although you should avoid strenuous physical activity for about three weeks after surgery.
View Real Patient Results
Explore our before and after gallery to see real patient transformations performed by Dr. David Dreyfuss. From subtle enhancements to dramatic results, these photos showcase the artistry and precision behind every procedure.
Eyelid Surgery Recovery
Following surgery, we apply a cold saline compress to your eyelids. Your eyes may feel sore and tight as the anesthesia subsides; however, this can be easily managed with an oral pain prescription. Your post-surgery instructions include resting with your head elevated to relieve swelling and using ice packs. Most bruising and swelling will subside within two weeks after blepharoplasty. You can gently clean your eyes with water, but you are advised not to rub them or wear contact lenses until your sutures are removed. You will apply antibiotic ointment to your eyes initially and return for a follow-up visit after one week.
Complementary Procedures
Eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty is often combined with other facial surgeries like a facelift or a brow lift or can be done as a standalone procedure. Non-surgical treatments like Botox® or skin resurfacing may also be done concurrently with eyelid surgery to raise the eyebrows or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet or dark circles under the eyes to improve the appearance of your eyes. Blepharoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia. Most patients recover fully within two weeks.
If you want to find out if you’re a good candidate for eyelid surgery, or eyelid lift, or to learn more about the procedure, please reach out to Dr. Dreyfuss.
Chicago, IL Eyelid Surgery – FAQs
What are the risks of eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty is a safe surgical procedure, but as with every surgery, it does carry risks which include bleeding, infection, and scarring. If any of these occur after blepharoplasty, you should call Dr. Dreyfuss immediately.
Does insurance cover eyelid surgery?
Blepharoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure in most cases; however, if Dr. Dreyfuss determines the sagging brow or excess skin of your upper eyelids result in visual impairment, he will recommend your optometrist or ophthalmologist perform a visual field test. Insurance may cover blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, if there is sufficient documentation to assess visual field impairment.
Does blepharoplasty remove under eye dark circles?
Several of our patients who have dark circles have pigmentation in the lower eyelids, which we can’t remove. However, some cases involve shadowing under a bulging lower eyelid. When this is the case, eliminating these bulges via lower eyelid surgery can help diminish these dark circles. Ask Dr. Dreyfuss if he thinks lower eyelid surgery is the best approach.
When will I realize the benefits of upper and/or lower blepharoplasty?
Any bruising should abate within ten days, and swelling should diminish within four weeks. You will realize the aesthetic benefits in a couple of months, with any scarring continuing to fade for up to a year. Results vary patient to patient.
What are the benefits of eyelid surgery?
The primary benefit of eyelid surgery is the elimination of unsightly bags under the eyes. This benefit will immediately improve your appearance by making you look alert and refreshed. Your eyelids will be tighter and firmer, and your vision will be clearer after drooping eyelids are corrected.
Wrinkles will diminish, and your eyes will look clearer, brighter, and alert. Your confidence and self-esteem will improve because of the physical and cosmetic benefits afforded to you by eyelid surgery.
When will I be able to resume wearing contact lenses after eyelid surgery?
You will need to refrain from wearing contact lenses for at least two weeks after blepharoplasty. Most patients return to wearing contact lenses after about two weeks and wear glasses immediately following their eyelid lift.
Why do eyelids sag?
Because we blink tens of thousands of times per day, the eyelid skin is thinner than other skin on your face. It contains fewer moisture glans and is prone to stretching and drooping. Rubbing your eyes, squinting, and sun exposure contributes to the situation.
Also, aging brings adjacent fat bulges and since fat retains water, bags under the eyes may appear. Multiple factors, including heredity, are responsible for these cases.
What are the differences between lower eyelid blepharoplasty and upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedures?
The primary distinction between upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery is the eye area each procedure targets. Lower blepharoplasty addresses the lower eyes, while upper blepharoplasty targets the upper eyelid. Many patients choose to combine upper and lower eyelid lift to improve the appearance of their eyes in one procedure.
What is a good age for blepharoplasty?
There is no age requirement for upper or lower eyelid surgery. However, if you are pursuing an eyelid lift to restore a youthful appearance, you’ll usually get the best results after age 40.
Will I have eyelid surgery scars?
While all surgeries have a risk of scarring, eyelid surgery has very minimal scarring comparatively. During upper eyelid surgery, board-certified surgeon Dr. Dreyfuss is careful to make his incisions along the eyelid’s natural crease.
How do I choose an eyelid surgeon in Chicago?
Selecting the right surgeon is one of the most important steps in ensuring a safe procedure and a result you’ll be happy with. When consulting with potential cosmetic surgeons, ask about their specific training and experience in facial cosmetic surgery, and take the time to review before and after photos of their past blepharoplasty patients.
It’s also important to choose a surgeon who has experience performing eyelid surgery on patients who share your ethnicity, as anatomical differences can affect the aesthetic outcomes of the procedure.
During your consultation, your surgeon should also evaluate whether you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Ideal candidates are typically non-smokers in good overall health, have realistic expectations about the outcome, and have no serious underlying eye conditions.
Finally, a good surgeon will set clear expectations about your recovery timeline — final results are typically visible after three to six months, once fine swelling resolves and scars mature into nearly invisible lines.