Portland Plastic Surgery Group
1200 Northwest Naito Parkway #310
Portland, OR 97209
Phone: (503) 292-9200
Fax: (503) 292-9205
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Eyelid Surgery
Having heavy or droopy eyelids, or even excess eyelid skin, can both give the appearance of aging and also may impair your vision. In addition, you may look tired or sad, even when you are not. Blepharoplasty, often called eyelid surgery, in Portland, Oregon, may be an option to rejuvenate the eye area by reducing excess fat and skin around the eyes to provide a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
If you are considering eyelid surgery at Portland Plastic Surgery Group, request a consultation online with one of our plastic surgeons or call our office at
(503) 292-9200.
Your Eyelid Surgery
Our board-certified and board-eligible plastic surgeons perform eyelid surgery for women and men who are typically from age 30 to 60. This procedure can provide one or a combination of the following improvements:
- Opening the upper eye area
- Reducing puffy under-eye bags
- Removing loose skin and fat deposits on the upper or lower eyelids
- Improving peripheral vision obstructed by upper eyelid hooding
Some of our patients choose to combine their eyelid surgery with a facelift for optimal facial rejuvenation.
Five Providers, One Goal
Combining artistry with the science of medicine, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Shannon O'Brien, Dr. H. Daniel Zegzula and Dr. Austin Hayes, board-eligible plastic surgeon Dr. Kyle Baltrusch, and Colleen Phillips, PA-C serve women and men in Portland.
*Dr. Zegzula and Dr. O'Brien are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons
Your Procedure
The specific nature of your eyelid surgery depends on whether you’re having upper or lower blepharoplasty, or both. In either case, your surgeon administers an anesthetic at the beginning of the procedure. Generally, you may opt for a local anesthetic combined with intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
During this procedure, the surgeon places incisions in the creases of the upper eyelids, concealed in the natural folds of the skin, which generally extend into the fine, outer edge of the eyes. The skin is then separated from the underlying fatty tissue and muscles, excess fat is reduced, and lax skin is tightened.
Lower Eyelid Surgery
In most cases, this procedure involves an incision along the inner lining of the lower lid to remove fatty deposits under the eyes and reshape the area, while creating no external scar. For more extensive rejuvenation of the lower eye area, an external incision in the skin just below the eyelashes may be required.
Your Recovery
In general, many patients report that they are able to return to normal day‐to‐day activity after about 10 days following their eyelid surgery. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least 3 weeks, though, to give the body ample time to fully heal. After recovery, the scars generally fade considerably and are difficult to notice.
Current Specials
Our monthly specials will help keep your skin looking healthy throughout the year.
Learn MoreQuestions About Eyelid Surgery
How much does eyelid surgery cost?
Eyelid surgery pricing depends on several factors such as whether you are having your upper, lower, or both sets of eyelids done. At Portland Plastic Surgery Group, the cost for upper eyelid surgery starts at $6,140, the cost for lower eyelid surgery starts at $6,910, and the cost for upper and lower eyelid surgery starts at $10,740. This price includes our plastic surgeon’s fee, the surgical assistant’s fee, the surgery facility’s fee, the anesthesiologist’s fee, and CosmetAssure insurance. A personalized quote will be provided at your consultation once you and your surgeon have decided on your surgical plan.
To optimize your safety and the quality of your results, we recommend choosing a surgeon based on credentials and experience over cost.
Will my medical insurance pay for eyelid surgery?
In most cases, eyelid surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore is not covered by medical insurance. However, if your upper eyelids are obstructing your peripheral vision, you may be able to have an optometrist recommend functional eyelid surgery, which is usually a covered procedure. The good news is that functional eyelid surgery is likely to improve your appearance, as well as your vision.
If I’m not ready for surgery, are there any treatments that can improve my tired look?
Yes. BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments are a simple non-surgical option that can provide a subtle lift to the corners of the eyebrows, smooth out crow’s feet, and soften vertical lines between the eyebrows. Injectable fillers can also be used to fill in sunken under-eye hollows. These popular treatments can help you look refreshed if you have mild to moderate signs of aging around the eyes and can also enhance and maintain the results of cosmetic surgery.
What can I do to speed up my recovery?
There is not a lot you can do to make your body heal faster; however, you do have control over the amount of swelling and bruising you experience. Placing ice packs or bags of frozen vegetables such as peas or corn, covered with a thin cloth, over your eyes as directed by your surgeon can minimize swelling and bruising. Also, keeping your head upright at all times for the first few days, including while sleeping, can help. We suggest you do this by propping yourself up with pillows or resting in a recliner. Above all, follow your surgeon’s recovery instructions diligently for the quickest recovery and most satisfying results.