Your eyes play a central role in how you express yourself. When sagging skin, puffiness, or hooding appear, they can make you look tired or older than you feel. At Aesthetix Plastic Surgery in Huntington Beach, Dr. Steve Vu offers blepharoplasty to restore a brighter, more refreshed appearance while preserving the natural character of your eyes.
With more than 25 years of board-certified surgical experience, Dr. Vu tailors each eyelid surgery to achieve subtle, balanced results that help you look more awake and energized.
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, rejuvenates the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both by removing excess skin, repositioning fat, and refining the delicate structures around the eyes. This procedure can:
- Smooth sagging or drooping eyelid skin
- Reduce puffiness or โbagsโ beneath the eyes
- Improve hooding that interferes with peripheral vision
- Create a more open, alert appearance
- Restore youthful volume through careful fat repositioning
Blepharoplasty is often combined with complementary procedures, such as a brow lift, fat grafting, or laser resurfacing, to achieve more comprehensive eye rejuvenation.
Why Choose Dr. Vu for Eyelid Surgery?
The area around the eyes requires meticulous surgical technique and a deep understanding of delicate anatomy. Patients in Huntington Beach and the surrounding areas choose Dr. Vu because he focuses on natural enhancement rather than dramatic alteration.
What Sets Dr. Vu Apart
- More than 25 years of experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon
- Microsurgical skill and precision that support subtle, balanced results
- A natural approach that preserves your expressions
- Specialized experience with complex periorbital anatomy
- AAAASF-accredited private surgery center
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to your eyelid structure and goals
Dr. Vuโs blepharoplasty results are designed to refresh your appearance while preserving your natural eye shape.
Blepharoplasty Before & After Photos
Eyelid Concerns Treated With Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery is often chosen when creams, injections, and other non-surgical options canโt fully correct changes around the eyes.
Upper Eyelid Concerns
- Heavy or drooping lids
- Redundant skin that ages the eyes
- Hooding that limits vision
- Asymmetry between the eyelids
Lower Eyelid Concerns
- Puffy bags
- Fine lines and creasing
- Hollowness or deep tear troughs
- Bulging fat pads
Dr. Vu often relocates excess fat from the lower lids into hollow areas to simultaneously smooth bags and restore youthful volume.
Types of Eyelid Surgery
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Upper eyelid surgery removes redundant skin and refines the natural eyelid fold.
This procedure:
- Brightens the eyes
- Reduces heaviness or hooding
- Can improve vision if excess skin obscures the upper field
- Helps makeup apply more smoothly
Upper eyelid surgery is typically performed with local anesthesia and requires minimal downtime.
Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery focuses on reducing puffiness and improving smoothness under the eyes.
The procedure may include:
- Removing or repositioning herniated fat
- Tightening or removing excess skin
- Softening the transition between the eyelid and cheek
- Optional laser skin resurfacing to refine fine lines
Dr. Vuโs technique prioritizes volume preservation to avoid the hollow look that can occur with aggressive fat removal.
Special Consideration: Asian Blepharoplasty
Dr. Vu also specializes in surgical techniques for patients of Asian descent. Eyelid structure varies significantly, and Dr. Vu prioritizes maintaining each patient’s natural eye shape while achieving a refreshed result.
For detailed information, please visit our dedicated page on Asian Eyelid Surgery.
Comparing Blepharoplasty to Non-Surgical Options
During your consultation, Dr. Vu will help you determine whether surgery or non-surgical treatment is best suited to your goals.
Common non-surgical alternatives include:
- Botox to soften crowโs feet
- Dermal fillers for tear troughs
- Laser resurfacing for skin texture
- Chemical peels for fine lines
While these options can offer improvement, they cannot remove excess skin or correct significant puffiness. Blepharoplasty provides longer-lasting, more definitive results.
Your Blepharoplasty Experience
Dr. Vuโs goal is to make your eyelid surgery experience clear, comfortable, and fully supported.
Step 1: Your Consultation
Dr. Vu evaluates your eyelid structure, discusses your concerns, and explains the approach that will best achieve your goals. If upper eyelid skin is obstructing vision, he may recommend a visual field test with an ophthalmologist.
Step 2: Your Surgery Day
Your procedure takes place at Mosaic Surgery Center, Dr. Vuโs AAAASF-accredited private operating facility.
- Upper eyelids are typically performed with local anesthesia.
- Lower eyelids often involve sedation for comfort.
Dr. Vu places incisions in natural creases to keep them discreet. He removes or repositions excess skin and fat, restores smooth contours, and maintains a natural eyelid shape.
Step 3: Pain Management and Early Recovery
Most patients need minimal pain medication. For those who prefer to limit opioid use, Dr. Vu offers Exparelยฎ, a long-acting, non-opioid anesthetic that eases discomfort for the first days after surgery. You will also receive clear aftercare instructions and follow-up appointments.
Blepharoplasty Recovery Timeline
Recovery is typically quick, and many people are pleasantly surprised by how manageable it feels.
Day 1 to Day 2
- Mild swelling and puffiness are normal
- Ice compresses help reduce swelling
- Avoid washing your face for the first 24 hours
Day 3
- Swelling and bruising usually peak
- Discomfort continues to lessen
Day 4 to Day 7
- Bruising begins to fade
- Many patients resume light activities
- Makeup around the lower face is allowed
One Week
- Sutures are removed
- Most swelling is gone
- Results become more visible
Two to Four Weeks
- Eyes look brighter and smoother
- Residual swelling continues to improve
- Patients feel comfortable returning to social settings
One Month and Beyond
- The eye area looks refreshed and well rested
- Final refinement appears
- Incisions continue to fade
Blepharoplasty Cost in Huntington Beach
Eyelid surgery cost depends on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the surgeonโs experience, and additional medical considerations.
Factors That Influence Cost:
- Surgeonโs Experience โ A board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial procedures can achieve precise, natural-looking results.ย
- Extent of Treatment โ Costs vary depending on whether you need upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both. Combining blepharoplasty with other facial treatments may also impact pricing.
- Anesthesia & Medical Fees โ The type of anesthesia used and the length of the procedure can affect costs. Dr. Vuโs private surgical center eliminates unnecessary facility fees.
- Post-Surgical Care โ Medications, cold compresses, and aftercare supplies contribute to the overall cost.
- Geographic Location โ Pricing reflects medical costs in Huntington Beach and Orange County.
During your consultation, Dr. Vu will provide a personalized cost estimate and walk you through your treatment options, ensuring you feel informed and confident in your decision.
Blepharoplasty FAQs
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Will I Look Like A Different Person After Eyelid Surgery?
The goal of eyelid surgery is not to change who you are or alter your natural eye shape. The focus is on helping your eyes look brighter, more rested, and less heavy. Most patients find that they still look like themselves, just refreshed, and others often notice they look well-rested without knowing why.
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How Long Will My Blepharoplasty Results Last?
Eyelid surgery results are long-lasting, and most patients enjoy their refreshed appearance for many years. While the natural aging process continues, excess skin and fat typically do not return to their previous state. Taking good care of your skin and protecting the eye area from sun exposure can help you maintain your results even longer.
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Is Eyelid Surgery Painful?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the recovery feels. Rather than sharp pain, eyelid surgery is usually described as mild tightness or pressure. Ice, rest, and over-the-counter medication are often all that is needed. Dr. Vu will provide clear comfort instructions and is always available if you have concerns during recovery.
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When Can I Return to Work After Blepharoplasty?
Most patients feel comfortable returning to light work within about one week. If your job is not physically demanding and bruising is minimal, you may be able to return sooner. Swelling and discoloration continue to improve each day, and many patients find that makeup helps them feel work-ready faster. Dr. Vu will guide you on timing based on your healing progress and the nature of your work.
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Can Blepharoplasty Fix Crowโs Feet?
Blepharoplasty improves the eyelids but does not treat crowโs feet at the outer corners of the eyes. Crowโs feet are caused by muscle movement, so Botox is usually the most effective treatment for that area. During your consultation, Dr. Vu can help determine whether eyelid surgery, injectables, or a combination approach is best for your goals.
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Will People Notice I Had Eyelid Surgery?
Most people will not realize you had eyelid surgery. Instead, they often comment that you look more well-rested, refreshed, or alert. Unless you choose to share that you had a procedure, it is unlikely others will be able to tell that surgery was performed.
Explore Your Blepharoplasty Options in Huntington Beach
Blepharoplasty can make a meaningful difference in how rested and expressive you look. When you meet with Dr. Vu, he will guide you through your options, review what results are possible, and create a plan that feels right for you.
Request your consultation when youโre ready to take the next step.
