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Contact UsOur eyes express our most profound emotions, from joy and excitement to sorrow and anguish. However, they can also reveal signs of aging as sagging skin, wrinkles, and under-eye bags begin to diminish a once youthful look. Thankfully, these concerns can be effectively addressed with blepharoplasty, commonly known as eyelid surgery in New York. This highly sought-after procedure tightens loose skin, reduces fat deposits and puffiness around the eyes, and can even help restore impaired vision.
In the skilled hands of a cosmetic surgeon, clients seeking eyelid surgery in Manhattan can anticipate a remarkable transformation of their entire face, resulting in renewed vitality and enhanced natural beauty. Additionally, those who choose to undergo a brow lift, facelift, or skin resurfacing will discover that blepharoplasty perfectly complements these age-defying treatments.
As a double board-certified plastic surgeon with a focus on the head and neck, Dr. Kwak has elevated blepharoplasty in NYC to the level of a true art form.
During your consultation, Dr. Kwak conducts a thorough and detailed analysis of your eyes and face, crafting a personalized plan for achieving a successful, age-reversing outcome. This consultation is the ideal opportunity to discuss your concerns and desires for the procedure, allowing Dr. Kwak to tailor the approach to your needs. As part of the comprehensive consultation process, your medical history will also be carefully reviewed. If you have any significant eye conditions, Dr. Kwak may recommend a visit to an eye specialist before proceeding with cosmetic surgery. He is committed to providing the highest level of care for clients seeking eyelid surgery in NYC.
Get StartedEyelid surgery and Asian eyelid surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia with sedation, or under general anesthesia. The entire procedure takes no more than 2 hours.
During upper eyelid surgery, a small, discreet incision is made within the natural crease of the eyelid, allowing for the removal of excess fat and skin folds. The eyelid muscles can also be tightened to address droopiness. This technique is commonly used to correct vision impairment caused by sagging lids that droop over the lashes. Beyond improving vision, upper eyelid surgery offers patients a more refreshed and alert appearance, significantly boosting self-confidence.
The lower lids are a common area for unwanted fat deposits, which can be removed through nearly invisible incisions made inside the lower lid. These incisions heal naturally after the sutures are removed. In cases of significant bagginess or sagging in the lower lids, incisions may be placed just beneath the lower lashes, but these remain largely undetectable. The outcome is a smoother, tighter, and more aesthetically pleasing appearance around the eyes, reflecting a youthful, relaxed, and well-rested look.
Any of the following can be resolved with eyelid surgery:
View before & after images performed by NYC board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Edward Kwak.
View MoreTo prepare for the procedure, you will need to meet with our plastic surgeon and discuss your expectations. The night before your surgery, you should eat only a light meal. If you have any essential medications that you usually take in the morning, this will be discussed prior to your surgery.
You will need to make sure you have someone available to transport you from your surgery, as you will be unable to drive yourself. This person may also need to help you on the first day you are home, so you are able to rest after your procedure.
During the procedure, you will be administered either a general or a local anesthesia, depending on your needs and the extent of the procedure to be performed. Your doctor will make small incisions in the eyelid region to lift and resculpt your eyelids to create a more youthful look. Once the eyelids have been lifted and the excess skin removed, the incisions are carefully closed with tiny stitches.
The procedure can take from one to three hours, depending on the extent of the surgical work that needs to be done on in your case.
Candidates for eyelid surgery in NYC should be in good general health. Many people want the procedure to look younger, but this is not the only purpose patients undergo eyelid surgery – some patients are experiencing vision problems because of excess drooping eyelid skin. In these cases, health insurance may cover some or all the cost of the procedure, depending upon your provider and plan.
Any time you have a surgical procedure that involves incisions, there is potential for scarring. To help reduce the risk of visible scars, our plastic surgeon performs the surgery with extreme care. Upper eyelid incisions are placed in the natural crease of the eyelid, so the incision is hidden and virtually invisible once healed. Lower eyelid incisions are made just below the lower lash line or from the inside of the lower lid structure.
Our goal is always to minimize your scarring and help you have the smoothest recovery possible. Having the procedure performed by our skilled plastic surgeon can help ensure that your procedure is performed correctly and creates natural-looking result.
Patients usually take seven to ten days to heal prior to returning to their usual activities. Plan to take some time off work to rest and recover.
After the procedure, it is not uncommon to experience some bruising and swelling. A cold compress helps to reduce these problems. The tiny stitches will be removed in a follow-up appointment. The recovery time after an eyelid surgery is generally brief and does not involve significant pain or discomfort.
Our patients undergoing Blepharoplasty in Manhattan, NYC patients can expect a speedy and pleasant recovery, thanks to Dr. Kwak’s precise, superior surgical methods. Minor bruising and swelling may persist for up to two weeks, but these are generally short-lived. Dr. Kwak may prescribe ointments or drops to assist with the healing process, and a cold compress may periodically be placed across the eye area. Patients should avoid wearing contact lenses for up to two weeks, and eye makeup can be resumed within the same time frame. Sutures may be removed within one week after surgery, and clients can expect a return to exercise and normal activity within around 10 days. As always, Dr. Kwak and his caring, expertly trained staff will be on hand throughout the recovery process to address any concerns you may have and to assist you should you encounter any discomfort.
Q: Im 18 , and Vietnamese , I want a really high eyecrease , my biggest complaint is when ever I do winged eyeliner it doesn't look right on me, the first 3 are my eyes, I really really want eyes like the 4th or 5th picture the last two are ok are any if these results close to what I should expect from surgery?
A: Asian eyelid crease height. Creating a more defined crease or a higher eyelid crease are very common concerns I see in my practice.
Your exact changes are best assessed with a face to face consultation with a surgeon so that they could determine your skin type and your particular aesthetic goal.
During my consultations, I use a crease probe to simulate different crease shapes and heights. Based on what you like best, I can give you an idea of the type of surgery recommended and the recovery process.
Q: Hi i have a long face with really small eyes that practically disappear when taking pictures. I was wondering if eyelid surgery would make my eyes bigger? Also how do i go about finding the right doctor??
A: Ptosis vs Pseudoptosis. You concerns are common for patients seeking eyelid surgery. Surgery can address two major anatomic structures which can contribute to an appearance of a "small eye". Pseudoptosis, is typically due to redundant upper eyelid skin and in some individuals the redundancy can so much that is interferes with their vision. Treatment for this can include a traditional upper eyelid blepharoplasty, in which this redundant skin is appropriately removed. Ptosis, occurs when muscles responsible for opening the eyelid do not work properly. As a result, the upper eyelid may not open high enough, and could interfere with an individual's vision. This can be caused from multiple medical issues. Surgery can be performed to address this problem. Either case, it is best for you to see an ophthalmologist or plastic surgery to determine what is best for you.
One of the most important aspects of eyelid surgery in New York is the hands of the plastic surgeon. For a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance that appears natural, it is imperative that eyelid surgery is performed with great precision. Dr. Edward S. Kwak is recognized for his excellence in facial surgery and can be trusted to produce a natural-looking result.
The cost of your blepharoplasty with Dr. Kwak will depend on the complexity of the blepharoplasty procedure that’s required for your needs, and whether you are doing both the upper and lower eyelids. The cost will also vary on whether you choose to have more procedures done in conjunction with your eyelid surgery.
After your consultation with Dr. Kwak, he will design a procedure plan for you, and we will be able to give you an exact price for your eyelid surgery. In general, eyelid surgery costs range between $5000-$9500.
pOnce this surgery is completed, the results last many years. The only consideration being that as the body and facial skin ages, minor sagging could appear, but less extreme than it would have been.
Once this surgery is completed, the results last many years. The only consideration being that as the body and facial skin ages, minor sagging could appear, but less extreme than it would have been.
It is best to wear glasses during the recovery period, as there will be less direct interference with the eyelid area. Your eyes may feel irritated during this time and you may have to wait up to two weeks before it is advisable to wear contact lenses. Our plastic surgeon will best advise you on the do’s and don’ts during your recovery period.
Depending on the eyelid or eyelids that require correction, the incision sites will vary. Upper lids have an incision made along the eyelid crease, from which excess fat and tissue can be removed and muscles tightened. Lower lids can have the incision either on the inside or just below the lower lashes depending on the patient’s needs.
Basic recovery will typically take up to two weeks, at that time Dr. Kwak may tell allow you to resume wearing contacts and returning to a normal level of activity. The majority of any swelling and bruising should subside in that time frame.
You will have to avoid vigorous motion or exercise for about ten days to two weeks following your eyelid surgery. This ensures that no unnecessary stress or harm is inflicted on the surgery site.
Once the bandages have been removed and the swelling has reduced then you will see the results of your procedure. This typically occurs within the first week, and the results only enhance over time as the tissues heal and residual swelling subsides.
Wearing eye makeup and contact lenses should wait until after the recovery period. Also, you may experience dryness or irritation in the eyes as well that can be managed with eye drops. Making sure to keep your head elevated will help reduce swelling.
Crow’s feet are not addressed during an eyelid surgery, as the surgery aims to change the contour of the eyelid and does not alter the skin at the corners of the eyes. You can talk to your surgeon about options for resolving crow’s feet and other additional treatments for your surgical appointment.
Scarring is virtually invisible, as the incisions are made along the eyelid crease or for the lower eyelid, within the eyelid structure. The incisions are very fine and small, so they heal beautifully.
Yes, you should plan on having someone drive you home after your procedure, and if possible, provide assistance over the next day or two, to help you keep your activity level low and ensure a quick and easy recovery.
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