Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Dr. Angela Sturm performs upper and lower blepharoplasty at her Houston Bellaire practice. Upper blepharoplasty — removing excess drooping skin that creates a tired or hooded appearance — starts at $3,000. Lower blepharoplasty addressing under-eye bags, dark circles, and fine wrinkles starts at $4,500. Surgery is performed in one to two hours under local anesthesia with IV sedation or general anesthesia, with most patients returning to work within one to two weeks. Upper lid results typically last five to seven years; lower lid results are often permanent.

Blepharoplasty at Dr. Angela Sturm Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX addresses the two most common age-related changes affecting the eye area: upper eyelid hooding caused by excess skin accumulation above the lash line, and lower eyelid puffiness caused by fat compartment prolapse beneath the eye. Upper blepharoplasty involves removing a precise crescent of redundant skin and, where needed, a small amount of herniated orbital fat and redundant orbicularis oculi muscle. The incision is placed within the natural upper lid crease, making the resulting scar invisible when the eye is open. Functional upper blepharoplasty — where the drooping skin physically obstructs the superior visual field — may qualify for insurance coverage depending on the degree of ptosis documented in formal visual field testing. Surgeon fee starts at $3,000. Results last approximately five to seven years before the lid gradually accumulates new skin. Lower blepharoplasty addresses the under-eye compartment where three discrete fat pads (medial, central, and lateral) can prolapse forward through a weakened orbital septum, creating the appearance of persistent bags that concealer cannot fully mask. Dr. Sturm approaches lower lid correction via either the transconjunctival route (incision hidden inside the lower lid, leaving no visible scar) for fat redistribution or removal without skin excess, or the subciliary route (incision just below the lash line) when skin removal is also required. Surgeon fee starts at $4,500. Lower lid results are often permanent as the operated fat compartments do not readily re-herniate. Combined upper and lower blepharoplasty — addressing all four lids in a single session — is commonly performed together and bundled pricing is discussed at consultation. Procedure duration is one to two hours. Most patients resume work and social activity within one to two weeks, with full bruising resolution at two to four weeks. Houston TX patients seeking eyelid rejuvenation should note that blepharoplasty is among the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedures in the United States. Choosing a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon significantly reduces the risk of complications such as ectropion or asymmetry compared to a general cosmetic surgeon or ophthalmologist.