Look Years Younger and More Refreshed in a Matter of Days!

Sometimes called an “eye lift” or “eye plastic surgery”, cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is considered to be the most effective plastic surgery of all. It corrects drooping and sagging of your upper lids (ptosis repair) as well as the puffy bags and dark circles under your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision

Male patient #63 before upper and lower eyelid surgery.

BEFORE

Male patient #63 after upper and lower eyelid surgery.

AFTER

  • Cosmetic eyelid surgery corrects drooping, sagging upper lids as well as puffy bags and dark circles under eyes.
  • Blepharoplasty is a simple procedure with quick recovery when performed by a specialist (Dr. Weiss is an Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon – also known as an Oculoplastic Surgeon)
  • Eyelid surgery can be safely and most accurately performed in the office operating room under local anesthesia

The Procedure

Female patient with upper eyelid droop and bags beneath her eyes.

As people age, the eyelid skin stretches, muscles weaken, and fat accumulates around the eyes, causing “bags” above and below.

Female patient with marking on upper and lower eyelids to indicate where surgeries are to take place.

Before surgery, your eyelid surgeon marks the incision sites, following the natural lines and creases of the upper and lower eyelids.

Female patient two days after surgery. Slight swelling is present on upper and lower lids. A slight incision line is present along the upper eyelids.

Excess skin, muscle and/or underlying fat is then carefully removed, and the incisions are then closed with fine sutures, which will leave nearly invisible lines.

Patient 3 weeks after upper and lower eyelid surgery.

The final result reveals a refreshed, natural appearance! (Image is after three weeks after procedure).

Removing the bags and dark circles with no skin incision (TCB)

Dr. Weiss has performed transconjunctival blepharoplasty (TCB) since 1987 when it was first introduced by and almost exclusively among oculoplastic surgeons. This procedure, used to improve the appearance of the lower eyelid, avoids skin incisions altogether. During a TCB, a tiny incision is made inside (behind) the lower eyelid. The fat deposits are removed, leaving no visible scar and minimal – if any – bruising. in fact, some patients are able to return to work on the second day without makeup (we recommend two days of cool compresses to decrease swelling no matter how good you look!)

  • TCB removes bags and dark circles under eyes with no skin incision
  • Safe and precise when performed by an Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon
  • No visible scar and minimal bruising
  • Quick recovery

Download our brochure today!

New Brochure Web Front
Learn more about the eyelid surgery process from this brochure written by Dr. Weiss himself!

Your Initial Consultation

Dr.-Weiss-consult-patient

  • Dr. Weiss will evaluate your unique facial anatomy, including bone and soft tissue structure, skin tone, coloration and texture
  • Your goals and expectations will be discussed in detail
  • You will be fully educated about cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), including your unique benefits and risks, as well as cosmetic eyelid surgery costs
  • You will have an opportunity to review non-retouched before-and-after photos of cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) patients with similar facial anatomy and conditions

During this first visit, Dr. Weiss will suggest recommended and alternative treatment plans. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions and, if you wish to speak to someone who has already experienced the procedure, we can arrange to have one or more former patients contact you.

Why is eyelid surgery safer when performed by an oculoplastic surgeon?

Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery (oculoplastic surgery) is a unique specialty combining training in ophthalmology and plastic surgery. This specialty has developed because of the amount of knowledge, expertise and special techniques needed to treat patients with conditions involving the eyelids and eyebrows, the lacrimal (tear drainage) system, the orbit (the bony socket around the eye), and the area of the face adjacent to the eye.

The primary difference between general and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery is on the emphasis of the health of the eye and preservation of vision. Oculoplastic surgeons have a special awareness of the importance of function as well as appearance This subspecialty came in to existence because of the delicacy involved in operating on the area surrounding the eye, and has resulted in significant surgical advances. Additionally, this highly specialized field provides expertise in revising and repairing unsatisfactory results from previous cosmetic or reconstructive surgeries surrounding the eye.

This field is divided into two areas: cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Cosmetic oculoplastic surgery is concerned with improving the appearance of the eyelids, eyebrows, forehead and face. Eyelid surgery (technically called blepharoplasty) is a procedure to remove fat, usually along with excess skin and muscle, from the upper and lower eyelids. Tendons that have shifted out of place with age or trauma may be moved and repositioned so that they will function more naturally. Eyelid operations make the person look younger, and it also allows women to take better advantage of makeup. Eyelid surgery can correct drooping upper lids and puffy bags below your eyes – features that make you look older and more tired than you feel, and may even interfere with your vision.

Reconstructive oculoplastic surgery involves the correction of defects caused by aging, trauma, tumors and congenital abnormalities. Most of these conditions can detract from appearance and cause discomfort. Certain conditions – such as eyelid tumors, eyelid position problems, thyroid disease and congenital ptosis (droopy eyelids), can cause significant permanent damage if left untreated.

Where Your Surgery Will be Performed

Where Your Surgery Will be Performed
Most of the procedures described here can be performed in our fully equipped office-based surgery suite. The same surgical instruments and equipment, anesthesia and sterile techniques are used as in hospital-based surgery.

Advantages of office-based surgery

  • More personalized attention – Dr. Weiss is involved in all aspects of your pre-operative and post-operative surgical care.
  • Safer – Office-based surgery prevents exposure to powerful infectious organisms that can develop over time in a hospital environment.
  • Saves time and money—Outpatient surgery is less costly and time consuming, and far more convenient – you can return home the same day of surgery!
  • More comfortable—You’ll appreciate the pleasant ambiance and non-institutional setting of our surgical facility. You can even choose what type of music you prefer to listen to over our state-of-the-art surgery suite sound system – or ask Dr. Weiss to play you one of his own piano recordings of Chopin waltzes or jazz standards.

Types of Anesthesia

Eyelid surgery is commonly performed under local anesthesia – which numbs the area around your eyes – along with oral sedatives. In some cases you may elect to have more sedation, including general anesthesia, but it’s usually not necessary. You’ll be awake but relaxed and insensitive to pain during the surgery, although some people may feel occasional tugging or mild discomfort. Music of your choice will be playing in the background to relax you even further. More complicated or extensive procedures do require general anesthesia or IV sedation.

Minimizing Risk

All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk, but when eyelid and eyebrow surgery is performed by a qualified oculoplastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, there is always a possibility of complications, including infection or a reaction to the anesthesia.

You can reduce your risks by closely following Dr. Weiss’ instructions both before and after surgery:

  • Keep your head elevated for several days – use a few pillows when sleeping.
  • Use frequent cold compresses for the first two days to reduce swelling and bruising.
  • Avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting and rigorous sports.

With Dr. Weiss’ surgical techniques and pre- and post-operative care, about 75% of his patients have literally no bruising at all (however, there is always mild to moderate swelling).

  • Bruising, when it does occur, usually resolves completely in 7-10 days and can be covered with makeup well before that.
  • Swelling or slight puffiness is also 85-90% improved within 7-10 days after surgery, although occasionally a small amount of tissue swelling may persist for weeks or months.
  • No eye patches are needed after cosmetic eyelid surgery.
  • Stitches will be removed 7-10 days after surgery.

Dr. Weiss personally calls all of his surgical patients on evening of surgery and will follow your progress very closely for the first week or two.  Sutures will be removed 7-10 days after surgery. Once they’re out, the swelling and discoloration around your eyes will gradually subside, and you’ll start to look and feel much better.

The surprising benefits of local anesthesia

Learn more about why Dr. Weiss prefers local to general anesthesia.  Worried about safety and efficacy?  While we can’t promise every patient will be singing standards during their procedure, we can certainly show you a video of one who did!

Richard Weiss, M.D. talks about the two different forms of anesthesia, and which one he believes is better for performing eyelid surgery.

You may already know that Dr. Weiss strongly believes that local anesthesia leads to safer and more accurate results in eyelid surgery.   But how do the patients feel about it?  Follow us into the OR and listen to one of our patients…ahem…sing its praises, so to speak. 🙂

Getting Back to Normal

Cosmetic surgery is still surgery and it’s very important that you give your body time to heal.

  • You should be able to read or watch television after two or three days, but you may not be able to wear contact lenses for 1-2 weeks.
  • You may be sensitive to sunlight, wind, and other irritants for several weeks, so you should wear sunglasses and a special sunblock made for eyelids when you go out.
  • Most people feel ready to go out in public (and back to work) in 7-10 days without makeup.
  • You will need to keep your activities a minimum for 3-5 days, and avoid more strenuous activities for about two weeks.
  • It’s especially important to avoid activities that raise your blood pressure, including bending, lifting, and rigorous sports.

Your New Look

After cosmetic eyelid surgery, the upper eyelids no longer droop and the skin under the eyes is smooth and firm. The positive results of your eyelid surgery – the more alert and youthful look – will last for years. For many people, these results are permanent.

Dr. Weiss has been delivering exceptional service and results to people in the Orange County area since 1986. A pioneer in many ways, he has developed a number of new medical procedures and devices to improve results and patient comfort. In addition, he is constantly seeking new ways to better serve his patients— here in Orange County and in developing countries (See One World Sight Project).

Dr. Weiss believes that every patient is special and deserves exceptional care. He calls every patient on the evening of surgery and is available to see every patient on his or her first post-operative day if needed. He is also readily available to those who have questions or need a consultation.  We are conveniently located in Newport Beach, CA across from the Fashion Island shopping center.

Weiss Cosmetic & Laser Procedures has been around since 1987. Although patients come from all over the world, the bulk of our “family” lives here in Newport Beach and surrounding cities, such as Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point and Irvine, Tustin and Riverside to name a few. We greatly appreciate the fact that our local patients repeatedly refer friends and family members to our offices. It’s through their trust and kindness that our business has thrived.