Newport Beach, California

Blepharoplasty in Newport Beach

Refresh drooping upper eyelids, under-eye bags, puffiness, and a persistently tired appearance with personalized upper, lower, or combined eyelid surgery by Dr. Stephen Fink.

Natural, Refreshed Eyes
Upper Eyelid Rejuvenation
Lower Eyelid & Bag Refinement
Incisions Hidden in Natural Creases
Detailed Recovery Support
Procedure Overview

A Naturally Rested, Alert Appearance

If drooping upper lids, puffy under-eye bags, or a perpetually tired appearance make you look older than you feel, blepharoplasty—also called eyelid surgery or an eye lift—can restore a more refreshed appearance.

Upper blepharoplasty addresses sagging or hooded upper-eyelid skin that can make the eyes appear smaller and may interfere with peripheral vision in selected patients.

Lower blepharoplasty treats under-eye puffiness, bags, selected fine wrinkles, and an uneven eyelid-to-cheek transition by carefully removing or repositioning fat and refining excess skin when needed.

Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty rejuvenates the entire eye area and may be performed with a facelift when aging extends into the cheeks and midface.

Dr. Stephen Fink places incisions within the natural upper-eyelid crease, just beneath the lower lashes, or inside the lower eyelid according to the procedure. The goal is to preserve your eye shape, expression, and identity—not create an artificial or overdone look.

  • Hooded or heavy upper eyelids
  • Under-eye bags, puffiness, or prominent fat bulges
  • A tired or aged appearance around the eyes
  • Uneven transition between the lower eyelid and cheek
Real Patient Gallery

Our Patients Before & After Results

All four photographs from the original Eyelid Surgery page are preserved below without cropping. Tap any image to open a larger view.

Eyelid surgery before and after result at Newport Faces View Result
Upper and lower eyelid surgery before and after result View Result
Upper and lower blepharoplasty before and after result for patient in her 50s View Result
Blepharoplasty patient before and after result in Newport Beach View Result

Individual outcomes vary. Before-and-after photographs are provided for educational purposes and do not guarantee a specific result.

Treatment Options

Upper, Lower & Combined Blepharoplasty

The correct approach depends on where aging is occurring, the condition of the skin and fat, your eye shape, brow position, midface anatomy, and desired result.

01

Upper Blepharoplasty

Removes carefully measured excess upper-eyelid skin and selected fat while preserving eye closure, natural crease position, and your individual expression.

02

Lower Blepharoplasty

Addresses under-eye bags and puffiness through an external incision below the lashes or an internal approach, with fat removal, repositioning, or grafting when appropriate.

03

Combined Surgery

Treats both upper and lower eyelids during one operation to create a coordinated rejuvenation of the complete eye area.

Your Consultation

What to Expect During Your Blepharoplasty Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Fink evaluates the upper and lower eyelids separately and as part of the entire face.

For the upper eyelids, you’ll discuss hooding, heaviness, reduced visible eyelid space, vision concerns, asymmetry, brow position, and the amount of skin and fat contributing to the appearance.

For the lower eyelids, the evaluation focuses on under-eye bags, puffiness, skin laxity, shadows, fat bulges, cheek volume, and the transition from the eyelid into the midface.

Dr. Fink’s Anatomy of Aging discussion explains how skin, fat compartments, muscles, and bone all influence the aging eye area. This helps determine whether eyelid surgery alone—or a combination with a brow lift, fat transfer, chemical peel, or facelift—best addresses your concerns.

You’ll review incision placement, relevant before-and-after cases, procedure length, and anesthesia options. Upper surgery generally takes 30–45 minutes, lower surgery 45–60 minutes, and combined surgery approximately 1.5–2 hours.

The purpose of the consultation is to educate you, understand your goals, and create a plan that preserves your eye shape and natural expression.

Preoperative Preparation

Preparing for Eyelid Surgery

Your preoperative appointment generally lasts about one hour and takes place approximately two weeks before blepharoplasty.

We’ll review the procedure again, discuss specific risks, complete consent forms, conduct a physical examination, and review medical conditions and medications such as diabetes or blood-pressure treatment. Lab work may be ordered when necessary.

Photographs are taken, medications are prescribed, payment is finalized, and written postoperative instructions are provided so you are prepared before surgery day.

On the day of surgery, you’ll bring your prescribed medications for administration during check-in. As they take effect, Dr. Fink reviews the plan, marks the treatment areas, and may supplement oral sedation with an intramuscular medication for comfort during numbing.

When local anesthesia is used, you remain awake and can generally go home promptly after surgery with the appropriate adult escort.

Surgical Walkthrough

How Blepharoplasty Is Performed

Every eyelid procedure is customized to the patient’s anatomy, eye shape, skin, fat distribution, facial proportions, and desired level of correction.

1
Marking

Natural creases, skin excess, and treatment areas are carefully measured.

2
Incision

Access is placed in the upper crease, below the lashes, or inside the lower eyelid.

3
Refinement

Skin and fat are conservatively removed, repositioned, or supplemented.

4
Closure

Precise suturing supports fine scars and preserves eyelid shape.

Upper blepharoplasty: Dr. Fink marks the natural eyelid crease with the eyes closed to determine the amount of skin that can be safely removed while preserving proper eye closure. Through the crease incision, selected skin and fat are refined and the incision is carefully closed.

Lower blepharoplasty: An incision may be placed just below the lash line when skin removal is needed or inside the eyelid for selected patients. Fat is removed or repositioned to soften bags and improve the eyelid-to-cheek transition. Fat grafting may be added when volume support is beneficial.

Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty: The techniques are coordinated during an approximately 1.5–2-hour operation to rejuvenate the complete eye area while maintaining balance between the upper lids, lower lids, brows, and cheeks.

Dr. Fink avoids excessive skin or fat removal that could create difficulty closing the eyes, a hollowed appearance, or an altered expression.

Upper-Eyelid Crease

The upper incision is positioned within the natural crease, helping the healed line blend with normal eyelid anatomy.

Lower-Lid Access

The lower eyelid may be approached beneath the lashes or from inside the eyelid according to skin excess and fat management needs.

Fat Preservation

Fat may be removed, repositioned, or supplemented to improve bags while avoiding an overly hollow or sunken appearance.

Recovery Process

Recovery After Blepharoplasty

Recovery focuses on reducing swelling, protecting the eyes, and allowing the delicate incisions to heal without unnecessary tension.

External sutures are generally removed after approximately five to seven days. Internal lower-eyelid incisions dissolve naturally when that approach is used.

Bruising and swelling typically improve substantially within one to two weeks. Lower-eyelid surgery and fat grafting may create more swelling than upper-eyelid surgery alone.

Patients are generally instructed to avoid rubbing the eyes, heavy lifting, and strenuous activity for approximately two weeks. Combined upper and lower surgery may require restrictions for two to three weeks.

Many patients feel socially presentable within one to two weeks. Approximately 80% of the result may be visible within one to two months, with continued refinement over approximately three to six months.

Day 1

Wound-Care Visit

We review incision care, ointment, icing, comfort, vision-related precautions, and early healing.

Day 3

Early Check-In

Swelling, bruising, eye comfort, and recovery progress are evaluated when needed.

Days 5–7

Suture Removal

External upper- and lower-eyelid sutures are generally removed according to healing.

1–2 Weeks

Increasingly Presentable

Bruising and swelling are usually much improved, though activity restrictions continue.

1 Month

Photography and Results Review

Progress photographs may be taken and healing is reviewed.

3–6 Months

Continued Refinement

Residual swelling resolves and the scars and contours continue maturing.

Natural Results

Achieving Natural Blepharoplasty Results

For upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Fink removes only the amount of skin and fat needed to open the eyes while preserving the natural crease, eye shape, and expression.

For lower blepharoplasty, fat removal and repositioning are balanced carefully to improve bags without creating a hollow or sunken appearance. Skin and muscle refinement are selected according to the eyelid and midface anatomy.

For combined surgery, the upper and lower eyelids are planned together so the complete eye area appears harmonious rather than surgically altered.

Sun protection and postoperative care help support fine scars. As aging continues, maintenance may include Botox and neurotoxins, dermal fillers, or skin treatments such as chemical peels when appropriate.

Candidacy

Who May Be a Candidate for Blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty may be appropriate for adults with hooded or sagging upper-eyelid skin, reduced visible eyelid space, a heavy appearance, or selected vision concerns.

Lower blepharoplasty may be appropriate for adults with persistent under-eye bags, puffiness, prominent fat bulges, excess skin, or an uneven eyelid-to-cheek transition.

Combined surgery may be recommended when both the upper and lower eyelids contribute to an aged or tired appearance.

Dr. Fink reviews your health, medications, nicotine use, eye history, dryness, previous eye procedures, brow position, skin quality, fat distribution, facial aging, and expectations before recommending surgery.

Common Questions

Blepharoplasty FAQs

Will my eyes look unnatural or overdone after blepharoplasty?
Dr. Fink carefully measures upper-eyelid skin removal to preserve eye closure and natural shape. Lower-eyelid fat is removed or repositioned conservatively to avoid a hollow appearance. Combined surgery is planned to maintain harmony between both eyelids and the surrounding face.
How long will blepharoplasty results last?
Results are long lasting, but eyelid surgery does not stop aging. Longevity varies with age, genetics, sun exposure, weight stability, health habits, skin quality, and the natural changes of the brows, eyelids, and face over time.
When can I return to a somewhat normal routine?
Bruising and swelling generally improve within one to two weeks, and many patients feel presentable by approximately two weeks. Strenuous activity is usually restricted for about two weeks, with fuller activity often resuming after approximately three weeks when approved.
What will I look like during recovery?
Swelling and bruising are expected around the eyes. Icing, medications, incision care, and activity restrictions help manage recovery. Many patients feel confident in public within one to two weeks, although residual swelling continues improving.
Who is not a good candidate for blepharoplasty?
Patients with uncontrolled medical conditions, active smoking or nicotine use, significant untreated eye disease, severe dry eye, poor healing history, or unrealistic expectations may not be suitable. Significant brow or midface aging may require another procedure.
Will Newport Faces keep in contact with me after surgery?
Yes. Follow-up generally includes a day-one wound-care visit, a day-three check-in, suture removal around days five to seven, and a one-month photography visit. Optional visits may be scheduled at three, six, or twelve months.
What anesthesia options are available?
Options generally include local anesthesia with sedation or IV sedation. The plan is discussed during consultation and preoperative preparation and is selected according to your health, comfort, and the extent of surgery.
Who is an ideal candidate for upper blepharoplasty?
Adults with hooded upper lids, excess skin, a heavy appearance, reduced eyelid visibility, or selected visual-field concerns may be candidates when they are healthy and have realistic expectations.
Who is an ideal candidate for lower blepharoplasty?
Adults with under-eye bags, puffiness, fat bulges, selected excess skin, or an uneven eyelid-to-cheek transition may be candidates. The correct approach depends on skin, fat, muscle, cheek volume, and eye support.
Can blepharoplasty be combined with other procedures?
Yes. Selected patients may combine eyelid surgery with a facelift, brow lift, facial fat transfer, chemical peel, or another facial procedure when the combination improves balance and can be performed safely.
Does Newport Faces offer financing?
Yes. Available financing and payment options can be discussed during your consultation.
Summary

Blepharoplasty Newport Beach: Key Takeaways

Upper, lower, or combined blepharoplasty can address hooded eyelids, under-eye bags, puffiness, selected excess skin, and an aged or tired appearance. Dr. Stephen Fink personalizes skin removal, fat management, incision placement, anesthesia, recovery, and follow-up care at Newport Faces Cosmetic Surgery in Newport Beach.