How Do I Know If My Droopy Eyelids Need Surgery or Just Filler?
If your upper eyelids feel heavy, look hooded, or actually block part of your vision, surgery is usually the better call. Filler works for hollowness under the brow, but it can't remove skin that's already stretched out. I tell my Irvine patients this all the time: if you're using your forehead muscles to hold your eyes open, that's a sign you need blepharoplasty, not Botox or filler. The test is simple. Look in a mirror, relax your forehead completely, and see where your eyelid skin falls. If it touches your lashes or folds over them, we're talking about a surgical fix. I am Dr. Mirrafati and I've done thousands of these over 30 years, and the difference between the right fix and the wrong one is the difference between looking refreshed and looking surprised. However, you can achieve temporary look by injecting Botox int the upper eyelid area. This can also show what you can look like when you do the upper eyelid surgery.
What I Actually Do During Upper Eyelid Surgery
I mark your eyelids while you're sitting up. This matters because skin shifts when you lie down, and a lot of surgeons skip this step. I remove the exact amount of skin and fat that's causing the problem. No more, no less. I also sometimes remove some of the muscles that causes heaviness. Take too much and your eyes won't close properly. Take too little and you're back where you started. The incision goes into the natural crease of your eyelid. Once it heals, you can't see it. The whole thing takes about an hour under local anesthesia. You're awake, comfortable, and you go home the same day.
Why Irvine Patients Drive to Costa Mesa for This
Our office at 3140 Red Hill Ave is about 15 minutes from most Irvine neighborhoods. Straight shot down the 405 or Jamboree. Patients from Woodbridge, Northwood, Turtle Rock, and University Park come to us because this isn't a procedure you want done by someone who does it occasionally. I've performed over 50,000 cosmetic procedures as a Diplomate of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. That volume matters with eyelids. The margin for error is tiny. One millimeter too much and you have a problem.
Recovery Is Easier Than Most People Expect
Most of my Irvine patients take about 3 days off work. The bruising looks worse than it feels. Days two and three are the most swollen, then it starts improving fast. I tell people to skip the frozen peas and use proper cold compresses. Keep your head elevated when you sleep. No bending over to pick things up off the floor for a few days. By week two, most people can wear makeup and go back to normal life. By month three, you'll forget you ever had the surgery. The only reminder is that you look more awake in every photo.
What This Costs?
Upper eyelid surgery at our practice runs between $3,500 and $5,500 depending on how much work is needed. We also offer financing options because looking in the mirror and actually recognizing yourself shouldn't be something you have to save up three years for.
Schedule Your Consultation
Call us at (714) 544-8678. I'll look at your eyelids, show you before and after photos of patients with similar anatomy, and give you a straight answer about what will actually work. No pressure, no upselling. If filler would solve your problem, I'll tell you that instead. Our Costa Mesa office is easy to reach from Irvine. We're open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
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