Eyelid Surgery

Intro to Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure to reshape tissues around the eyes for a more youthful, rested look. Excess skin, fat deposits, and even muscles may be adjusted to craft results that address common signs of aging associated with the eyelids.

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Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty) tightens and repositions the upper eyelids. Also called an eyelid lift, this cosmetic procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids to sculpt a more alert appearance.

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Lower eyelid surgery (lower blepharoplasty) targets the under-eye area. This area is highly vulnerable to early signs of aging, with signs appearing even in one’s late 20s or early 30s. Lower eyelid surgery adjusts the under-eye tissues by removing or repositioning fat and tightening the skin.

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“Had a wonderful experience with Dr. Williams. I was very nervous for my procedure and she made it go so smoothly and set me at ease. I barely felt her numbing and did not have any pain throughout the procedure. She was thoughtful about my care plan and she was responsive to messages as well. I really appreciate the care she provided.”

-Kalli S.

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Which Eyelid Surgery Is Right for Me?

Upper Blepharoplasty: Best for excess tissue in the upper eyelids.

Choose upper eyelid surgery if you want to:

  • Reduce “hooding” of the upper eyelids
  • Reduce upper eyelid puffiness from fatty deposits
  • Improve upper eyelid symmetry
  • Smooth out upper eyelid wrinkles caused by excess skin
  • Reposition a severely drooping eyelid to improve vision

Lower Blepharoplasty: Best for under-eye corrections.

Choose lower eyelid surgery if you want to:

  • Smooth away puffiness under the eyes
  • Remove under-eye bags
  • Remove dark circles
  • Eliminate lines and wrinkles under the eyes
  • Create a more rested appearance

The Combination Procedure: Comprehensive Rejuvenation

Facial aging is not limited to one area. While the severity of these signs can vary, many patients may need an individualized approach to meet their goals. As a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon in Chicago, Dr. Williams carefully weighs each patient’s situation, providing recommendations for when to combine procedures for an optimized, multidimensional outcome. By combining procedures into a single visit, you see better results without the need for multiple recovery periods.

Top choices include:

  • Quad Blepharoplasty: The most popular combination combines upper and lower eyelid surgery into a single procedure.
  • Brow Lift: Remove excess skin to smooth out forehead wrinkles and droopiness.
  • Injectables: Touch-up surgical results or add further definition to your facial features with nonsurgical fillers.
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Benefits of Eyelid Surgery with Dr. Williams

  • Complete Specialization: Many surgeons offer eyelid surgery, but few have dedicated their entire career to the procedure. Dr. Williams exclusively performs oculofacial procedures, developing her skills toward the pinnacle of quality and safety.
  • Support at Every Step: From consultation to follow-up, Dr. Williams and her team are with you. Using her years of experience, she provides specialized tips to help each patient have a positive experience with a swift eyelid surgery recovery.
  • See Results, Not Scars: Dr. Williams places each incision with care, minimizing size.
    Any scarring will be hidden in your eyelid’s natural creases so that people only see your results.
  • Fully Personalized Procedures: No two plans are alike. Dr. Williams takes into account every unique aspect of your facial anatomy when building a procedure plan. This bespoke approach leads to natural-looking results that leave you feeling at your best.

It's not the having, it's the getting.

Elizabeth Taylor

The Blepharoplasty Procedure: a Step-by-Step Overview

Consultation & Preparation

Start out with a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Williams to explore your options. Express your goals, learn about treatments, and begin building a plan. With the plan set, you can schedule your day for surgery.

Dr. Williams supports patients throughout the preparation period. She gives you clear instructions for how to get ready and steps to take for a safe procedure. These may vary based on your procedure plan, but can include:

  • Arranging for someone to drive you to and from surgery
  • Scheduling time off for recovery
  • Obtaining any needed blood work or tests

The Big Day: Your Procedure

  • Checking In: When you arrive, we start by going over your procedure. There’s never any pressure or rush involved. Your comfort and confidence matter most before moving forward.
  • Anesthesia: Most eyelid surgery procedures involve local anesthesia. In some cases, you may have full sedation or general anesthesia. These procedures are performed in a surgery center with a board-certified anesthesiologist.
  • Incisions: Dr. Williams creates tiny incisions in strategic locations. Upper eyelid incisions are placed within the natural folds of the eyelid, hiding them. Lower eyelid incisions can often be made within the eyelid, completely obscuring any scarring.
  • Adjustments: Using the incisions, she will adjust the target tissues. This can involve removing fat, repositioning fat, or removing excess skin.
  • Wrapping Up: Dr. Williams goes over her work, and then she goes over it again. Only when 100% satisfied with the procedure does she close the incisions.

After the Surgery: Recovery and Aftercare

The Timeline

  • Initial Recovery: Expect about 1–2 weeks of downtime to begin. Swelling, discomfort, and bruising are all normal but will gradually fade. Keep your head elevated and rest!
  • The Middle Period: After 2 weeks, you can return to light activity. Most swelling and pain will already be a memory.
  • The Full Return: Based on your follow-up visits, Dr. Williams can advise you on when to return to your full routine. Until then, continue to avoid strenuous activity.

Recovery Overview and Tips

Post-surgery, your biggest priority will be taking care of yourself. Carefully following Dr. Williams’s aftercare instructions will help reduce risks, speed up healing, and lead to better results. Some key tips include:

  • Resting (You’ve Earned It): The best thing you can do to promote healing is “nothing.” Let your body rest, and avoid any physical activity. We recommend having a friend or family member help you out through the first week.
  • Going to Follow-Up Visits: Dr. Williams sees every patient to support their recovery and track healing. These visits help her spot any potential issues before they lead to complications.
  • Minimizing Pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are the go-to option. For more in-depth surgery, we may prescribe medication to manage any pain.
  • Applying Compresses: For the first 48 hours, applying cold compresses can help reduce swelling. You don’t need anything fancy; even a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel can work! After swelling fades, you can switch to warm (but not hot) compresses. Whenever applying compresses, a gentle touch is the way to go.
  • Keeping Eyes Lubricated: The swelling can prevent your eyelids from closing properly and lubricating your eyes. So artificial tears can help keep your corneas hydrated and free of irritation.

Before & Afters

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Schedule Your Consultation

Eyelid Surgery FAQs

Eyelid surgery, like any procedure, carries some risks. That is why Dr. Williams puts such care into ensuring you are a good candidate for the procedure. Nothing comes before your safety. If you have any risk factors, you will need to resolve them before having surgery. Additionally, working with a board-certified specialist like Dr. Williams ensures you are in experienced hands, which minimizes risks such as:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Eyelid retractions
  • Scarring
  • Swelling
  • Under- or overcorrection

Dr. Williams has an extensive background and career working exclusively in eyelid and eye-area procedures.

  • Medical degree from Chicago Medical School
  • Fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital
  • Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center
  • Director of the Oculofacial Service at Rush University Medical Center
  • Member of The American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • And more (click here to learn more about Dr. Williams)

Initial results begin to take center stage once most of your swelling goes down after week 1. By week 2, your results should be even more visible. From there, it is a matter of waiting for residual swelling to go down. While this can take a few months, it is not noticeable in itself. Rather, it needs to fade before the tissues settle into their final position.

Eyelid surgery yields long-lasting results, with our patients seeing peak benefits for years after surgery. Keep in mind that results can vary, and each patient’s age and health play a notable role in result duration. Upper eyelid surgery lasts for 5–10 years, while lower eyelid surgery can often last 10+ years. Tips to prolong your results include:

  • Living a healthy lifestyle
  • Maintaining a good skin care regimen
  • Having nonsurgical touch-up treatments

The cost of eyelid surgery in Chicago tends to range between $4,000 and $10,000. However, each procedure is built from scratch, so final costs will reflect individual procedure elements. Dr. Williams always provides a no-commitment quote following the consultation, with clear itemization. No surprises, ever. Cost elements can reflect:

  • Type of anesthesia
  • Surgical techniques used
  • Unilateral vs bilateral surgery
  • Combined procedures