Blepharoplasty
Serving Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, and the Northwest Arkansas area
Serving Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bentonville, and the Northwest Arkansas area
Your eyes are one of your most engaging features. They're also one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Over time, excess skin, fat, and muscle laxity can affect the upper eyelids and lower eyelids, making you look more tired or older than you feel. In some cases, this sagging can even affect your visual field or lead to functional concerns. Dr. Michael Spann, a board-certified plastic surgeon, performs blepharoplasty to help patients achieve a smoother, more alert look that complements their natural features.
Whether you're considering upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or a combination of both, Dr. Spann will walk you through your options and develop a treatment plan that prioritizes both form and function.
Helps reduce puffiness and drooping in the eyelids
Upper and/or lower eyelid surgery tailored to your anatomy and goals
Improvements typically last years with a healthy lifestyle and good skin care
Most patients return to normal activities within 7–10 days
Blepharoplasty, also called eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance and function of the upper and lower eyelids. For the upper eyelids, the goal is to remove excess eyelid skin and restore a more open, youthful eye shape. For the lower lids, the focus is often on removing or repositioning fat to reduce puffiness, or bags under the eyes, and smoothing the skin beneath the eyes.
There are several approaches to blepharoplasty surgery, including upper lid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid blepharoplasty, or a combined approach. The best technique depends on the structure of your eyelids, your aesthetic goals, and whether your symptoms are functional or cosmetic.
Upper Blepharoplasty – Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin and, in some cases, excess fat from the upper eyelids to improve a hooded or heavy-lidded appearance. It can also enhance peripheral vision when sagging skin interferes with the visual field. The incision is typically placed within the natural crease of the eyelid for a discreet result.
Lower Blepharoplasty – Lower blepharoplasty targets under-eye bags and loose skin by removing or redistributing excess fat and tightening the surrounding tissues. In patients with good skin tone and minimal excess skin, the transconjunctival approach may be used, placing the incision inside the lower eyelid to avoid any visible external scarring.
Dr. Spann performs blepharoplasty as an outpatient procedure, typically using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your comfort level and the extent of your surgery. For the upper lids, a small incision is placed within the natural crease to remove excess skin and fat and tighten the underlying muscle. In lower eyelid surgery, incisions may be made along the lower lash line or inside the lid (transconjunctival approach), depending on your anatomy and goals.
Once the adjustments are complete, Dr. Spann meticulously closes the incision sites to ensure minimal scarring. The blepharoplasty procedure usually takes 1–2 hours, and patients return home the same day.
Blepharoplasty is designed to correct both cosmetic and functional concerns of the eyelids. Conditions it can improve include:
A well-performed blepharoplasty offers a number of lasting benefits. You may notice that your eyes appear brighter, more awake, and more expressive. For some, the improvement is subtle, just enough to reduce the look of fatigue without making it obvious that surgery was performed. For others, especially those with a functional concern like ptosis, the results may dramatically improve vision.
Whether cosmetic or functional, blepharoplasty results often bring renewed self-confidence, improved eye symmetry, and a return to your natural eye shape. When combined with a brow lift or fat transfer, it can also contribute to overall facial rejuvenation.
Ideal candidates for eyelid surgery are adults in good health who are experiencing droopy eyelids, excess skin, or puffiness in the upper or lower eyelids. A consultation with Dr. Spann includes a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and a discussion about your goals.
Many patients combine blepharoplasty with other procedures such as brow lift or facial fat transfer to maximize their results. Dr. Spann will walk you through your options and help determine the best course of action based on your anatomy, skin type, and vision needs.
Most patients experience mild swelling and bruising during the first few days after surgery. These effects can be managed with cold compresses and sleeping with your head elevated. Stitches are typically removed within 5–7 days, and many patients feel ready to return to non-strenuous activities within 7–10 days.
Dr. Spann will provide detailed post-op instructions to support a smooth recovery and help minimize potential complications, such as dry eyes, numb eyelids, or blurred vision. Temporary tightness or mild discomfort may occur but is usually well controlled with over-the-counter pain medication.
The final blepharoplasty results begin to emerge within a few weeks as swelling resolves, revealing a refreshed, smoother eye contour. Full healing typically takes several months, though early results are often noticeable after just 2–3 weeks. Because the blepharoplasty procedure removes excess skin and repositions fat, results are long-lasting and can significantly improve the appearance of tired or aging eyes.
Many patients report not only aesthetic improvements, but a positive shift in how they feel day to day. Blepharoplasty helps many people feel more refreshed, more energized, and more at ease in their appearance.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Spann brings a high level of technical expertise and artistic attention to every blepharoplasty procedure. He focuses on achieving natural-looking results that enhance your appearance while preserving your unique features. With offices in both Little Rock and Fayetteville, patients across Arkansas trust his personalized approach and commitment to safety. Here, you’ll be met with thoughtful guidance and realistic expectations from a team that’s dedicated to helping you feel comfortable and informed.
Not necessarily. While blepharoplasty is often performed for cosmetic reasons, it can also be medically necessary in cases where droopy eyelids obstruct the visual field. In these cases, insurance coverage may apply, and visual field testing can determine your eligibility.
Results from eyelid surgery typically last many years. Although it cannot stop the aging process, most patients enjoy long-term improvement in eyelid contours, excess skin, and puffiness.
Most patients can resume wearing contact lenses within 1–2 weeks of eyelid surgery, depending on their individual healing progress. Dr. Spann will advise you on when it's safe based on your recovery.
While uncommon, possible complications of eyelid surgery include poor wound healing, numb eyelids, blurred vision, dry eyes, and temporary asymmetry. Choosing a skilled plastic surgeon and following aftercare instructions reduces the likelihood of complications.
Transconjunctival blepharoplasty is a lower eyelid surgery technique where incisions are made inside the lower lid, avoiding external scarring. It's often used to reposition or remove excess fat and treat under-eye bags in patients with good skin quality.
At Little Rock Plastic Surgery, we offer flexible payment options through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit. The cost of your surgery will vary based on the extent of the procedure and any additional services you may choose. During your initial consultation, we will provide a detailed quote and discuss flexible payment solutions.
