Blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, is a popular facial plastic surgery procedure in Denver that addresses issues like sagging upper eyelids, puffiness, and under-eye bags—common signs of aging that can make you look tired or older than you feel. By removing or repositioning excess skin and fat around the eyes, the procedure helps restore a more youthful, rested appearance.
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Cory P. Bovenzi is uniquely qualified to perform blepharoplasty with precision and artistry. His advanced training and specialization in facial anatomy make him especially well-equipped to deliver natural-looking results tailored to each patient’s individual features and goals.
Schedule a consultation at our office, located near Coors Field, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the Denver Zoo. Contact Smith Cosmetic Surgery today to begin your journey toward a rejuvenated appearance.
Blepharoplasty is a form of facial cosmetic surgery designed to treat the upper eyelid, lower eyelid, or both parts of the eye. An eyelid lift is helpful for lower-eye issues such as hollowing, or troughs created by fat loss under the eye, as well as the opposite problem of eye bags, which are created when older fat deposits expand and bulge.
Sometimes drooping skin above the eye can interfere with vision, which blepharoplasty can also address by removing and tightening this drooping skin.
Additionally, during an eyelid lift in Denver, CO, a supplementary brow lift can treat sagging skin, hooding of the brow tissue causing upper eyelid excess skin, and even forehead lines that add age to the eyes.
Typical candidates for eyelid lift procedures are over age 40. However, many patients in their 30s can also show signs of eyelid aging that can be improved with blepharoplasty surgery. No matter their age, people with sagging or puffy eyelids that make them look older or constantly fatigued are the best candidates.
People who have drooping upper eyelids that affect their vision are also excellent candidates for blepharoplasty in Denver. This functional issue most frequently affects older patients.
Eyelid lift patients must be in good overall health and must have realistic expectations. Non-smokers are preferred, and smokers must quit several weeks before their procedure. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding may need to postpone their procedure.
Patients with pre-existing eye conditions like a detached retina, glaucoma, or dry eyes must discuss these with Dr. Bovenzi. Thyroid disorders like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or Graves’ disease must also be discussed, as should health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
When you trust Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center for your eyelid surgery, you’re in capable hands. Our caring and knowledgeable staff is here to help Denver patients get the high-quality results they deserve.
Dr. Cory D. Bovenzi is one of the best blepharoplasty surgeons in Denver. He has years of experience performing upper-eyelid and lower-eyelid surgery, along with a host of other intricate facial plastic surgery procedures.
Dr. Bovenzi is an expert facial plastic surgeon who has subspecialized in this field. He is board-certified and has a wealth of knowledge regarding facial anatomy. His high degree of surgical skill is sought out worldwide. Patients commonly come from long distances for their procedures. If you are traveling for your procedure, our welcoming staff can help you with finding the best accommodations and caregiver needs.
Dr. Bovenzi specializes in creating naturally youthful-looking results. By treating the underlying anatomy, he helps the eyes look revitalized and ensures long-lasting results.
Dr. Bovenzi’s approach to eyelid surgery is custom-tailored. The blepharoplasty techniques he selects are based on each patient’s unique facial anatomy and are designed to meet their specific needs and goals.
He avoids changing the shape of the eye, and because of this, his blepharoplasty results do not cause patients to look like they’ve had work done. Instead, they still look like themselves, only naturally rested and revitalized in a way that is hard to pinpoint. Any post-surgical incision marks after blepharoplasty are incredibly hard to see due to his precise incision placement and meticulous suturing technique.
Dr. Bovenzi is at the cutting edge of his field and utilizes the latest medical techniques to create the best results possible. He uses tranexamic acid (TXA) in his eyelid surgeries to minimize post-surgical swelling and bruising, helping patients experience a more comfortable recovery.
When people consider undergoing eyelid surgery, cost is often at the top of their mind. Blepharoplasty cost in Denver can be impacted by several factors.
The type of eyelid surgery being performed (upper, lower, or both) can affect the overall cost, as can the specific techniques utilized, anesthesia fees, and total procedure time.
At Smith Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetic Center, plastic surgery procedures like eyelid surgery can be financed through CareCredit. This helps more patients be able to afford the youthful rejuvenation they desire.
When patients come in for a consultation for blepharoplasty, they will meet with Dr. Bovenzi. The patient will have time to go over their signs of eyelid aging and discuss their cosmetic goals in detail.
Dr. Bovenzi will ask patients questions regarding their medical history. He will then carefully examine the patient’s eyelids and facial anatomy. The doctor may also conduct or order tests such as a complete eye exam and visual field testing.
Dr. Bovenzi is an expert at both surgical and nonsurgical facial rejuvenation and will only advise blepharoplasty surgery when it is needed. If it is, he will create a surgical plan and go over the details of this plan from start to finish. He will also tell the patient what to expect in terms of results.
Dr. Bovenzi will discuss blepharoplasty preparation steps and recovery directions with the patient. Questions are highly encouraged. Patients will also meet with the team members involved with surgical scheduling and financing to make sure all bases are covered logistically.
Dr. Bovenzi can pair blepharoplasty with another facial procedure during a single surgical session. This helps avoid multiple trips to the OR and requires only one recovery period.
Popular options include:
During a consultation, Dr. Bovenzi will determine which combination procedures can help you achieve your cosmetic goals.
Once a date has been set for your eye bag surgery in Denver, you will need to prepare appropriately. Please follow all preparation instructions included in the surgery booklet that you are given by Dr. Bovenzi.
Before the date of your blepharoplasty in Denver, you may be directed to change the dosages of certain medications. For two weeks before and after the surgery, you will need to avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners, along with any supplements. This will help prevent surgical and post-surgical bleeding.
For four weeks before your eyelid lift, you may be instructed to avoid taking diet pills, since they can result in medical issues when paired with anesthesia. For two weeks, avoid tanning and prolonged sun exposure.
Once eyelid surgery is complete, you will be unable to drive during the very beginning part of recovery. Because of this, you will need to arrange in advance for a ride home from a friend or a family member after the operation. They must also bring you to and from your one-day post-operative appointment. While taking pain medication or if your vision is blurry from temporary swelling you should have someone else drive for you. This is usually only for the first day or so.
Please arrange in advance for assistance from a responsible adult during the first 24 hours after the surgery (some patients opt to have help for 48 or 72 hours). It will be vital that they understand all aspects of post-surgical blepharoplasty care, which our nursing staff will go over thoroughly.
Before your eyelid lift surgery, make sure that your bedroom is optimized for recovery and that you have pillows, washcloths, and towels on hand. You will need to purchase frozen peas or ice packs to bring down swelling, hydrogen peroxide and Q-tips to clean the incisions, Tylenol, and a stool softener to prevent digestive issues while on pain medication.
On the day of your blepharoplasty, wear a top that you will not have to pull over your head to remove. Most patients choose a comfortable shirt with buttons. Additionally, please remove false eyelashes prior to coming in since they can block the surgical field and they have the potential to fall inside the incision and cause an infection.
Surgeries are performed in our fully AAAHC-accredited state-of-the-art ambulatory suite by Dr. Bovenzi. When patients are getting both upper and lower eyelid surgery, upper blepharoplasty is typically performed first. In these combined cases, the procedure can take up to two hours.
Blepharoplasty surgery can be performed under twilight anesthesia or local numbing injection. For upper blepharoplasty, a small incision is made in the natural crease at the top of the eyelid.
Lower blepharoplasty offers two potential incision options: directly below the lash line (transcutaneous) and within the lower eyelid (transconjunctival). The transconjunctival incision conceals post-surgical marks within the lid, but it cannot remove excess skin, only excess fat.
Next, skin tissue is removed from the eyelids, along with excess drooping muscle or bulging fat. Dr. Bovenzi carefully measures excess skin in advance and ensures you get the most optimal outcome while retaining the full function of your eyelids.
Finally, Dr. Bovenzi closes the incisions with stitches. This involves magnifying loupes, allowing Dr. Bovenzi a zoomed-in view in order to place sutures as meticulously as possible. The surgeon uses an incredibly thin suture to ensure optimal healing.
Denver patients must avoid physically taxing activities and heavy sun exposure during blepharoplasty recovery. Keeping one’s head elevated at all times can help reduce swelling and bruising, as can application of cold compresses.
Patients who wear contacts must avoid wearing them for two weeks after the surgery, while patients who wear glasses can gently put them on soon after the procedure. Slight blurry vision, light sensitivity, double vision, discomfort, numbness, and teary eyes may occur, but these will be temporary and will fade shortly.
Patients must use ointment and eye drops to address any dryness. They must protect their eyes with sunglasses, preventing damage from wind, pollution, and sun exposure. Patients must avoid rubbing their eyes and must clean their sutures as directed.
During follow-up appointments, Dr. Bovenzi examines the lower eyelids to ensure that healing is going as expected. Any post-surgical side-effects will be addressed. Sutures will be taken out; dissolvable sutures will disappear on their own during recovery.
Complications rarely occur following blepharoplasty surgery. Usually, patients only experience minor bruising and swelling, which resolve shortly.
In occasional instances, more serious side effects may occur. These can include trouble fully closing one’s eyes, noticeable surgical scars, eye muscle trauma, eye irritation, reactions to anesthesia, infections, bleeding, loss of vision, discoloration of the eyelid skin, and blood clots. Follow-up surgeries are rarely necessary.
Patients who experience chest pain, major vision problems, severe eye pain, shortness of breath, or a change in heart rate are encouraged to seek emergency medical attention.
To set up your complimentary consultation with expert Denver facial plastic surgeon Dr. Cory Bovenzi, please call, email, or use the contact form. We look forward to meeting with you!
The best choice for your eyelid surgery is an experienced and skilled facial plastic surgeon. This type of doctor is deeply knowledgeable about eyelid anatomy, along with the ways in which the appearance of the eyelids can affect a person’s overall facial appearance.
Facial plastic surgeons like Dr. Bovenzi and Dr. Smith have the extensive training needed to safely and effectively address signs of eyelid aging. For example, while some surgeons may remove too much eyelid fat and accidentally create an uneven appearance, facial plastic surgeons know to be sparing and reposition the remaining fat for smooth lower eyelids.
Puffy eyelid bags form as a result of a number of factors. The aging process is a prime factor, specifically the gradual weakening of the skin and muscle tissues. When the skin and muscles in the undereye area lose their firmness and support, the fat deposits in the region shift forward. This fat creates a pronounced and bulging appearance, causing the lower eyelids to appear puffy.
Another major contributor to undereye bags is fluid retention. When fluid gathers in the lower eyelids, swelling occurs, adding to the look of puffiness. Eating salty foods can increase fluid retention, as can dehydration and lack of sleep.
Patients’ lower eyelids may also look swollen and puffy due to factors like allergies, genetics, and smoking.
Before your blepharoplasty in Denver, avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and blood thinners, along with any supplements. Avoid diet pills, tanning, and prolonged sun exposure.
Arrange in advance for a ride home from a friend or a family member after the operation. They must also bring you to and from your one-day post-operative appointment. Arrange for assistance from a responsible adult during the first 24 hours after surgery (some patients opt to have help for 48 or 72 hours).
Before your eyelid lift surgery, make sure that you have pillows, washcloths, and towels on hand. You will need to purchase frozen peas or ice packs, hydrogen peroxide, Q-tips, Tylenol, and a stool softener.
On the day of your blepharoplasty, wear a top that you will not have to pull over your head to remove. Additionally, please remove false eyelashes prior to coming in.
An eyelid lift in Denver creates a long-lasting revitalized appearance. Blepharoplasty provides permanent cosmetic benefits, correcting tired eyes and helping patients’ faces reflect the youthful vitality they feel on the inside.
It is important to remember that an eyelid lift will not prevent the development of new signs of the aging process. The tissues of the eyelids will continue to age and lose strength, causing new signs of aging to appear. However, this will be much less dramatic than it would have been if the procedure had not been performed. Because of this, an eyelid lift is still recommended and provides a very high satisfaction rate.
Generally, lower blepharoplasty surgery does not need to be repeated. After around seven years, certain patients may be interested in undergoing a second upper blepharoplasty procedure in order to account for new signs of aging.
Aging signs tend to affect the eyelids more quickly than other areas of the face and body. This is because the skin of the eyelids is very thin. Because the majority of patients start to notice signs of aging in the eyelids around age 40, typical blepharoplasty patients are age 40 or older.
Younger patients are also good candidates in many cases. Patients ages 18 and up are eligible for an eyelid lift in Denver. When genetics is the cause of sagging lids and lower-eyelid puffiness, these issues will persist unless addressed surgically with blepharoplasty. Because of this, eyelid anatomy is the key factor to consider, not age.
Additionally, younger patients recover more quickly after the surgery. They also have fewer risk factors and healthier skin. Much older patients may have increased risk factors when it comes to undergoing any surgery, so it is vital that the candidate be in good overall health.
Complications rarely occur following blepharoplasty surgery. Usually, patients only experience minor bruising and swelling. In occasional instances, infections, reactions to anesthesia, bleeding, discoloration of the eyelid skin, and blood clots may occur. Follow-up surgeries are rarely necessary.
Patients who experience chest pain, major vision problems, severe eye pain, shortness of breath, or a change in heart rate are encouraged to seek emergency medical attention.
After lower eyelid surgery in Denver, patients do not require a lot of recovery time or downtime. They can typically resume their daily lives in around one week. The recovery process is comfortable and stress free, and prescription pain medication is not usually necessary. Tylenol is often enough to reduce any discomfort.
Typically, around a week and a half to two weeks of social downtime are required after blepharoplasty in Denver. Depending on the patient’s job, time off from work can vary. Patients with remote jobs can return sooner, and those with jobs that require heavy lifting may need extra time before a full return.
A degree of bruising and swelling will be present after lower blepharoplasty surgery. The majority of swelling and bruising will resolve in a week and a half to two weeks. This is partially because Dr. Bovenzi utilizes tranexamic acid (TXA) during eyelid lifts. TXA reduces the degree of post-surgical bruising, resulting in a shorter and more comfortable recovery period.
