Is Eyelid Surgery Painful?

Dr. Sato performs eyelid surgery under local anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation so patients remain relaxed and comfortable throughout their procedures. After blepharoplasty, prescription and over-the-counter pain medications can help to reduce soreness and discomfort, as can ice packs applied to the treatment area.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You will need to come into the office for your consultation, followed by your surgery date, and finally by your follow-up visits, during which Dr. Sato will remove your sutures and ensure your incisions are healing properly.

How Long Until I See Results?

While you will begin seeing certain improvements right away after eyelid surgery due to residual swelling, it can take up to six weeks to see the full evolution of your results.

What Will the Scarring Look Like?

Scarring with eyelid surgery is undetectable due to the careful placement of incisions in the upper eyelid creases or lower lashline.

When Can I Exercise Again After My Eyelid Surgery?

While you can take gentle walks right away after surgery to improve circulation and reduce the risk of complications, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be postponed for 4-6 weeks.

Can I Combine Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures?

Yes. Many patients undergo a facelift or facial fat grafting combined with eyelid surgery. Dr. Sato can discuss your options for combining procedures during your private consultation in Houston, TX.

What Are the Risks Associated With Eyelid Surgery?

Dr. Sato takes care to minimize risks through an immaculate workspace, state-of-the-art surgical techniques, and a conservative approach to incisions. However, like most aesthetic procedures, eyelid surgery comes with certain risks, including the following: Dry eyes Scarring Blurred vision Problems with blinking Infection Anesthesia complications Bruising Bleeding Asymmetry Excessive tearing Numbness Nerve injury Muscle injury Ectropion Light sensitivity

What Are the Risks Associated With a Facelift?

Surgical risks are greatly reduced by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Soto in Houston, TX. However, some inherent risks exist with any surgery. For a facelift, these include but are not limited to: Poor scarring Infection Bleeding Hematoma Nerve injury Anesthesia risks Hair loss at the incision sites Swelling Skin discoloration Asymmetry Fluid accumulation

How Do I Find the Best Houston Eyelid Surgery Plastic Surgeon Near Me?

When choosing a plastic surgeon, it is critical to assess their credentials, experience, results, training, testimonials, and demeanor. Fluid communication and a sense of trust are essential when working with an aesthetic professional, as they will need to translate your unique vision for improvement into surgical terms. You are invited to meet with Dr. Sato in Houston, TX, for a detailed consultation, during which you and the doctor can co-create the ideal treatment plan for resolving your concerns. Call today to get started.

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Eyelid Surgery

Introduction to Eyelid Surgery

As a result of the aging process, changes in the skin’s elasticity can lead to drooping upper eyelids, a condition that can negatively impact your facial expression and, in some cases, may even result in vision obstruction. The lower eyelids are also affected by aging and may appear puffy, saggy, and discolored. Utilizing advanced, cutting-edge surgical techniques and a finely honed eye for artistry, Dr. Erika Sato in Houston, TX, performs upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) to restore a bright, inviting countenance.

Before + After

Eyelid Surgery Results

Eyelid Surgery B&A

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What is Eyelid Surgery?

When performed by an aesthetic authority such as Dr. Sato in Houston, TX, who specializes in delicate facial surgeries, blepharoplasty leads to a brighter facial expression, a more youthful appearance, and enhanced self-confidence. It is often paired with fat grafting to fully revitalize the temples and upper face or with injectables to smooth away dynamic lines, wrinkles, and creases in the eye region.

Upper Blepharoplasty – Upper eyelid surgery corrects sagging skin in the upper lids, allowing patients to look more rested and relaxed. If low-hanging upper lids are causing vision impairment, the surgery will improve eyesight and elevate quality of life. Incisions are typically made within the fine folds of the upper lids, where scarring is later unnoticeable.
Lower Blepharoplasty – With lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Sato trims excess fat, skin, and tissue while smoothing under-eye bags. The surgery is ideal for combating the puffiness and sagging that are so common as one matures. Incisions are made in the lower lash line or inside the lower eyelid.
Double eyelid surgery – Sometimes referred to as “Asian blepharoplasty,” this surgery can create a more apparent upper eyelid crease, which translates to a more alert, inviting, and attractive facial expression. As with upper blepharoplasty, incisions are well-hidden within the gentle creases of the upper lids.

Woman wearing a cozy white sweater, resting her head on her hand, with a soft and relaxed expression - Eyelid Surgery in Houston, TX

What Are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Both upper and lower blepharoplasty can provide patients with a wealth of important advantages, including the following:

A more engaging, relaxed facial expression
A brighter, more youthful-looking smile
Correction of sagging skin and puffiness
Elimination of under-eye bags
Improved field of vision
Inconspicuous scarring
A boost in self-confidence

Who Are the Best Candidates for Eyelid Surgery?

If you are in good overall health with no serious eye conditions and dislike the appearance of your eyes, you may be a candidate for blepharoplasty surgery. Ideal candidates have realistic expectations and are non-smokers. Smoking can negatively affect skin health, and because of this, smokers will need to quit several weeks before their procedure.

During your consultation, Dr. Sato will evaluate your medical history and examine your eyes to determine if upper eyelid surgery and/or lower eyelid surgery is right for you. Depending on your expectations, she may suggest a combination of procedures to achieve the desired results.

Let’s Get Started

What’s the first step?

During your eyelid lift consultation with Dr. Erika Sato, she will discuss your options for creating a more well-rested and rejuvenated facial aesthetic while still preserving your natural beauty and individuality. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have with precision and care. Dr. Sato will look over your medical history, including allergies, pre-existing conditions, past surgeries, and current medications and supplements. This will help her minimize the chance of complications and ensure that the blepharoplasty procedure is completely safe for you.

Surgeons often perform eyelid rejuvenation surgery in conjunction with other facial procedures such as a facelift, facial fat grafting, and/or laser skin resurfacing. Dr. Sato will create a surgical plan to achieve your desired results using her years of experience performing this procedure. Finally, a date will be set for your eyelid surgery. To look over our past results, view our before and after photos of blepharoplasty in our gallery.

What to Expect on the Day of Eyelid Surgery

This outpatient procedure can be performed under local anesthesia in our in-office procedure room or under IV sedation and a local anesthetic in our in-office operating room. The time required for the surgery will depend on the complexity of each individual case. Typically, upper blepharoplasty is performed first, followed by lower blepharoplasty. During the procedure, very small incisions are created in key regions of the eyelids. Next, drooping muscles are tightened, excess skin is removed, and excess fat is excised and/or repositioned. Finally, dissolvable sutures are used to seal the incisions.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

Most patients return to work one week after blepharoplasty. Strenuous activity should be avoided until your incisions have fully healed, which typically occurs within several weeks. Follow Dr. Sato’s recovery instructions as closely as possible for best results.

There will be intermittent tearing and/or dryness of the eyes, along with some mild tenderness, bruising, and swelling. An ice pack can be applied for the first 24 hours to help decrease soreness and discomfort. You can help reduce swelling by ensuring your head remains elevated while resting or sleeping. Any permanent sutures will be removed at your first postoperative visit a few days after your surgery.

How Much Does Eyelid Surgery Cost in Houston, TX?

The price of eyelid surgery in Houston depends on the details of each procedure. It is based on total procedure time, techniques, and anesthesia. To make the procedure more affordable for our patients, we accept financing through PatientFi and CareCredit. These reputable healthcare lenders offer comprehensive financing plans to fit any budget.

Why Choose Dr. Sato?

Dr. Erika Sato, an internationally renowned board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston, TX, performs transformative cosmetic procedures for the face, breasts, and body utilizing today’s most advanced techniques. Her goal is always to provide patients with personalized care and elegant, natural-looking outcomes.

Dr. Sato is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the Texas Medical Association (TMA), and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Her facility is equipped with two AAAASF-certified operating rooms and is conveniently located next door to the Memorial Houston Surgery Center to provide a seamless and stress-free patient journey.

Throughout her prestigious career, countless organizations and publications have cited Dr. Sato for excellence. She was the recipient of the Texas Super Doctors award in Texas Monthly from 2022 to 2024. In 2021 and 2023, Newsweek selected Dr. Sato as one of America’s “Best Plastic Surgeons.” She was also lauded as a Top Doctor by TX Top Doc and was the Houston Chronicle’s choice for Best Plastic Surgeons in Houston. In addition, Dr. Sato also appeared as a cast member on Bravo’s Married to Medicine Houston.

Eyelid Surgery FAQ’S

Dr. Sato takes care to minimize risks through an immaculate workspace, state-of-the-art surgical techniques, and a conservative approach to incisions. However, like most aesthetic procedures, eyelid surgery comes with certain risks, including the following:
- Dry eyes
- Scarring
- Blurred vision
- Problems with blinking
- Infection
- Anesthesia complications
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Asymmetry
- Excessive tearing
- Numbness
- Nerve injury
- Muscle injury
- Ectropion
- Light sensitivity
Surgical risks are greatly reduced by choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Soto in Houston, TX. However, some inherent risks exist with any surgery. For a facelift, these include but are not limited to:
- Poor scarring
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Hematoma
- Nerve injury
- Anesthesia risks
- Hair loss at the incision sites
- Swelling
- Skin discoloration
- Asymmetry
- Fluid accumulation
When choosing a plastic surgeon, it is critical to assess their credentials, experience, results, training, testimonials, and demeanor. Fluid communication and a sense of trust are essential when working with an aesthetic professional, as they will need to translate your unique vision for improvement into surgical terms. You are invited to meet with Dr. Sato in Houston, TX, for a detailed consultation, during which you and the doctor can co-create the ideal treatment plan for resolving your concerns. Call today to get started.

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We invite you to take the first step towards achieving a rejuvenated and rested appearance by contacting Dr. Sato in Houston to set up your informative blepharoplasty consultation today.

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