Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty, the surgical rejuvenation of the upper and lower eyelids, is the procedure Dr. Boxrud’s career has been built on. As a board-certified, fellowship-trained female oculofacial plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, she has performed thousands of blepharoplasty procedures over more than thirty years, with a conservative approach that returns the eyelid to a rested, natural version of itself.
Blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid surgery, is the surgical rejuvenation of the upper and lower eyelids. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States. Done well, it returns the eyelid to a rested, more youthful version of itself; done poorly, it produces the operated, hollowed, or pulled appearance that has given the procedure a complicated reputation.
The difference is anatomy. Blepharoplasty is not a one-size operation, it is a family of techniques matched to the specific issue: heavy upper lids, under-eye bags, dark shadows, loose skin, fat pseudoherniation, or hollowing where filler has been over-treated. The right plan begins with a careful exam of the patient’s actual anatomy, not a default package.
An oculofacial plastic surgeon is a specialist who completes formal subspecialty fellowship training in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery of the eyelids and orbit. This is the surgeon whose entire training is built around the eyelid. The margin between an excellent blepharoplasty and an operated-looking one is measured in millimeters, and that level of anatomic precision is the core of oculofacial training.
Dr. Boxrud completed fellowship training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at UCLA in 1993, after a separate fellowship in ophthalmic oncology and orbital surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, faculty at UCLA’s Stein Eye Institute, and Chief of Ophthalmology at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Patients across Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills come to her for blepharoplasty specifically because the eyelid is what she does.
The classic dated blepharoplasty result, hollow upper lids, pulled lower lids, a changed eye shape, almost always comes from removing too much tissue. Dr. Boxrud’s philosophy is the opposite: remove only what truly needs removing, preserve volume and support, and return the eyelid to its earlier, rested anatomy. Patients should look like themselves, not different.
Dr. Boxrud is one of a small group of female oculofacial plastic surgeons in Los Angeles, a quiet but real consideration for many patients who prefer a woman surgeon for procedures on the eyes and face. The bench of female specialists in this subspecialty is small; the bench with thirty-plus years of focused experience is smaller still.
What is blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is the surgical rejuvenation of the eyelid. It can address the upper eyelid (removing excess skin and fat that cause hooded eyes and a heavy upper-lid appearance), the lower eyelid (treating bags, puffiness, dark shadows, and loose skin), or both at the same time. It is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States.
What is the difference between upper and lower blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty addresses the upper eyelid, removing excess skin and fat that cause hooding and heaviness. Lower blepharoplasty addresses the under-eye area, treating bags, puffiness, dark shadows, and excess lower-lid skin. They are different operations and can be performed together or separately depending on what the face actually needs.
Is blepharoplasty covered by insurance?
Upper blepharoplasty may be covered when there is documented visual obstruction from upper-lid skin, demonstrated by a visual field test. Lower blepharoplasty is almost always cosmetic and is not covered. The office can guide you through the documentation process when applicable.
Why see an oculofacial plastic surgeon for blepharoplasty?
An oculofacial plastic surgeon completes formal subspecialty training in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery of the eyelids and orbit. This is the surgeon whose entire training is built around the eyelid. The margin between an excellent blepharoplasty and an operated-looking one is measured in millimeters, and that level of anatomic precision is the core of the specialty.
Are there female oculoplastic surgeons in Los Angeles?
Yes, though the group is small. Dr. Boxrud is one of a few female oculofacial plastic surgeons in Los Angeles with more than thirty years of focused experience in the subspecialty.
How long is recovery from blepharoplasty?
Most patients return to non-strenuous activity within 5 to 7 days for upper blepharoplasty and 7 to 10 days for lower blepharoplasty. Visible bruising fades over two weeks; final settling of the result takes about three months.
How long do blepharoplasty results last?
Upper blepharoplasty typically lasts 10 to 15 years. Lower blepharoplasty results are generally permanent, since the fat that causes under-eye bags does not return once it has been removed or repositioned.
Will blepharoplasty look natural?
When done conservatively, yes. The classic operated look comes from removing too much tissue. Dr. Boxrud’s approach is anatomic and restrained, returning the eyelid to a more rested, younger version of itself without changing the shape of the eye.
Will there be visible scars?
Upper blepharoplasty incisions are placed in the natural upper-lid crease and become virtually invisible once healed. Lower blepharoplasty can often be done entirely through the inside of the lid (transconjunctival) with no external incision at all; when an external incision is needed, it is placed just under the lash line.
Can blepharoplasty be combined with other procedures?
Yes, very often. Common combinations include brow lift, midface lift, facelift, and laser resurfacing. Combining procedures in one anesthetic is often more efficient and produces a more harmonious result.