Eyelid Surgery Richmond, Northern Virginia

Eyelid surgery gives you the opportunity to correct both cosmetic and functional issues that may be impacting your upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both.

Glamorous woman with her hair pulled back and glowing skin

What is Eyelid Surgery?

The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul, but we all know that the effects of age, sun damage, and genetic predisposition can cause the eyelids to droop and sag. In addition to creating a tired appearance, drooping eyelids can sometimes also obscure vision, causing a functional impediment that is important to resolve. Blepharoplasty (also known as eyelid surgery) revitalizes drooping eyelids, restoring the beauty and function of your eyes. To learn more about eyelid surgery in the Richmond, Virginia, Charlottesville, & Washington DC areas, reach out to our offices and set up your consultation with a helpful member of our team today.

The Ideal Eyelid Surgery Candidate

Brothers Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin come with a combined 30 years of surgical experience, and pride themselves on their ability to help patients land on the procedure that is right for them. After getting to know you, your physical characteristics, and your personal cosmetic goals, Dr. Sundin will work with you to develop a surgical plan that unites all three and leaves you feeling confident and empowered.

Eyelid surgery is an excellent option if your goals include:

Reducing loose or sagging skin of the upper eyelid
Eliminating visual impairments caused by skin folds
Smoothing away lines and wrinkles under the eyes
Reducing the appearance of under-eye bags
Repairing sagging lower eyelids
Eliminating fatty deposits or puffiness of the upper eyelids

Beautiful woman with her hair in an updo smiling while touching the side of her face

Customizing Your Blepharoplasty Procedure

There are many options for eyelid surgery, and it is often performed in conjunction with other surgical rejuvenation techniques, such as nose surgery or a facelift. Drs. Burton and Reps Sundin and their team of fully-licensed, highly experienced aestheticians at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery are committed to recommending the surgical procedures that will most readily bring you in line with your facial features and desired aesthetic outcomes.

What Are My Eyelid Surgery Options?

Given that no two patients are the same, it goes without saying that your eyelid surgery will be customized to your needs and goals. There are two basic types of eyelid surgery, each of which can be performed independently, or in conjunction with the others. In addition, other surgical rejuvenation techniques are often combined with blepharoplasty, such as a brow lift or facelift.

Upper Eyelid Lift

The skin of the upper eyelid can often become droopy and lackluster as a result of aging, sun damage, or injury. In some cases, the skin may droop to such an extent that it impedes the field of vision. During an upper eyelid lift, the skin and muscle tissue around the upper eyelid will be tightened, shaped, and proportioned to offer optimal functionality while also achieving an elegant, gracefully arched eyelid that displays the true beauty of your eye. Typically, an incision will be made within the crease of the upper lid, concealing it from view. The skin and muscle tissue will then be tightened and aligned to reflect your aesthetic goals.

Lower Eyelid Lift

For a lower eyelid lift, an incision will be made along the lower lash line, where it is difficult to detect when healed. The skin and tissue under the eye are then tightened, contoured, and shaped to achieve a smooth, youthful appearance. In cases where the eyelid sags significantly away from the eye, a transconjunctival eyelid lift is often recommended. In this case, the incision is made on the inside of the lower lid, concealing it completely from view. Excess fat and tissue are removed, causing the lower eyelid to tighten and maintain contact with the eye, removing the presence of any unsightly bags and wrinkles, as well.

More About Upper Eyelid Surgery

Sagging or drooping skin above the eyes can give away your age and create a tired or sad appearance. Since the skin around the eyes is so delicate, it’s one of the first places where you’ll notice signs of aging. For some people, sagging skin around the eyes can cause impaired vision and can make them feel self-conscious about their appearance. Read below to learn more about what this procedure can do for you.

Our Eyelid Lift Results

The Ideal Upper Eyelid Lift Candidate

During your consultation at the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery, your surgeon will speak to you about your goals and determine if you are a good candidate for an upper eyelid lift procedure. An upper eyelid lift can be especially effective for:

Restoring the youthful contours of the eyes
Improving vision
Tightening loose skin above the eyes
Creating a refreshed, youthful appearance

Your Upper Eyelid Lift Experience

Dr. Reps or Dr. Burton will create an individualized treatment plan for your upper eyelid lift procedure, which can be performed under local anesthesia. Your surgeon will make very small incisions around the upper crease of the eye, before removing excess tissue and pulling the tissues upward to smooth out the area. At this point, the incisions will be closed.

Rest and Recovery After Your Upper Eyelid Lift

Patients often find that the incisions made for an upper eyelid lift are easy to camouflage and also heal relatively quickly. After surgery, you will need to keep your head elevated and get plenty of rest. You can expect somewhat significant swelling for several days after your surgery, but this will begin to fade up to two weeks after surgery.

You may return to work as quickly as a few days after your procedure. We’ll ensure that you have detailed aftercare instructions and a complete timeline that explains your recovery process. Our team will remain available to you throughout your recovery period, and we’ll schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that you’re healing nicely.

How Much Does Blepharoplasty Cost?

The Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery offers blepharoplasty pricing, including the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, facility fees, and follow-up appointments. However, the final price can vary based on whether upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both are being performed and the complexity of the procedure.

Pricing is as follows:

Upper Blepharoplasty: $6,000-$8,000
Lower Blepharoplasty: $8,000-$10,000
Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty: $10,000-$14,000

Dedicated to Naturalistic Results

At the Virginia Institute of Plastic Surgery—with offices providing eyelid surgery to the Richmond, Northern Virginia, Tyson's Corner, Washington DC, and Charlottesville areas—our ultimate goal is to create naturalistic results that truly reflect your inner beauty and vitality while ensuring that your experience takes place in a warm and inviting environment. Our commitment to the latest technology and most advanced surgical techniques makes all of this possible. Founders and brothers Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin are board-certified plastic surgeons with over 30 years of combined experience, alongside specialized training that enables them to stay abreast of the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery and non-surgical rejuvenation procedures. Are you ready to learn more about what an eyelid lift can do for you? Reach out and speak with a helpful member of our team to set up your consultation today.

Working with Local Anesthesia

Performing upper eyelid lift surgery with local anesthesia means that you will remain awake during the procedure, but that you won’t feel anything during your treatment. The entire upper face can be numbed with a topical and local anesthetic, ensuring your comfort throughout the treatment, and speeding up your recovery time to an impressive degree.

The numbing effects won’t wear off for several hours post-procedure; Local anesthesia is easy to administer and starts working relatively quickly. If you have questions about local anesthesia and how we numb patients before surgery, please contact our office. We would be happy to address any concerns and provide more information about this procedure.

Discover the Results You’ll Love

In addition to offering patients a number of exciting cosmetic benefits, surgery to enhance either the upper or lower eyelids can come with a number of life-affirming functional benefits, as well. Enjoy a restored field of vision, say goodbye to the early indications of facial aging, and generally enjoy an appearance that communicates all the youthful vitality you feel on the inside. When you’re ready to start your cosmetic journey, reach out to the location nearest you and set up your consultation with a member of our team.