Face Procedures · Norwalk
Blepharoplasty (Eye Lift)
Refreshing the eyes — the first thing people see.
AI-generated editorial illustration. Not a patient result.
Overview
About the procedure.
Blepharoplasty, or eyelift surgery, removes or repositions excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. It can soften hooding, eyelid bags, and a tired appearance while preserving the character of your eyes.
For men, the position of the upper-eyelid scar and the amount of skin removed are planned differently to maintain a natural masculine result. Lower-lid skin excess may be treated with direct skin excision, while lower-lid fat can often be addressed from inside the lid.
An eyelift does not raise the eyebrows or correct true eyelid ptosis. Those concerns require a different evaluation and, when appropriate, a different procedure. Dr. Kirwan will assess the eyelids, brows, and surrounding tissues together.
- Anesthesia
- Local with conscious sedation
- Areas
- Upper lid, lower lid, or both
- Common combinations
- Browlift, facelift, FaceTite, Botox
- Scars
- Thin and positioned in natural creases
General estimates only. Technique, health, and healing affect timing; your surgical plan will be specific to you.
The technique
Considered, not templated.
Upper eyelid.
The incision follows the natural upper-lid crease. Excess skin is removed conservatively and fat is trimmed when needed, keeping the final scar close to the lash line for a natural result.
Lower eyelid.
Lower-lid fat may be trimmed or repositioned through the inside of the eyelid, or through an incision beneath the lashes when extra skin also needs to be removed.
Look beyond the lid.
Brow position, cheek support, skin quality, and true ptosis are evaluated before surgery. Dark circles caused by pigmentation may improve with treatment but may not disappear completely.
Recovery & aftercare
Room to recover.
Healing is a process, not a deadline. This is a general outline to discuss with your surgical team.
- The first days
Expect swelling and bruising.
Cold compresses, head elevation, and careful aftercare help the early recovery. Dr. Kirwan will provide specific instructions for protecting the eyes and incisions.
- The first weeks
Let the lids settle.
Most patients gradually resume normal activities as swelling improves. The thin eyelid scars continue to soften and fade as healing progresses.
- The months ahead
See the refreshed result.
The eyes become more open and rested-looking while retaining their natural expression. Final scar and contour maturation takes time.
Results
Blepharoplasty (Eye Lift) patient results.
Patient EYELID-001 · Upper and lower blepharoplasty with fat pad transposition, upward gaze. Postoperative interval not documented
Dr. Kirwan patient result
Comparison 76CC3F747562 · Upper and lower blepharoplasty, forward-gaze comparison at six months
Dr. Kirwan patient result
Comparison 5328792F06CA · Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty with rhinoplasty. Combined-treatment comparison; postoperative interval not documented
Dr. Kirwan patient result
19 more in the full gallery. Practice patient results. Any external examples in the full gallery are separately headed and credited. Individual results vary.
Eyelid Surgery Deep-Dive Q&A
Selected questions and answers supplied by Dr. Kirwan, including excerpts. These explain procedure options, not an individual treatment recommendation or a guarantee. Suitability, alternatives, risks and recovery must be discussed at consultation.
What are the benefits of the internal approach to lower eyelid surgery?
The internal approach, also known as the transconjunctival approach, has many benefits as compared to an external skin approach. There is no external incision and no external sutures to be removed.
Are there benefits of repositioning lower eyelid fat versus just removing it?
Lower eyelid fat protrudes, causing shadows under the eyes. This is usually associated with a depression in the tear trough beneath the eyelid and along the side of the nose. Removing fat can create a hollow look which is more aging and may make a prominent eyeball more obvious. Also, removing the fat does nothing to help the depression in the tear trough. In contrast, releasing the attachment of the skin and the deep tissues in the tear trough and repositioning the fat into the space created helps to fill the tear trough, creating a youthful appearance and avoiding a hollow look to the orbit.
Is the transconjunctival approach the only option?
No, patients with excess skin and muscle folds in the lower eyelid will have a better aesthetic result with an external skin approach in which excess skin and muscle can be removed and resuspended. However, the tear-trough ligament is still released and the fat is still repositioned in an identical fashion to the transconjunctival approach.
A little clarity
Good questions.
Honest answers.
There is no question too small to bring to your consultation.
Ask us a questionDoes an eyelift raise my eyebrows?
No. Blepharoplasty treats the eyelids. Brow drooping requires a separate evaluation and may call for a browlift or another treatment.
Can eyelid surgery correct dark circles?
It can improve shadows caused by protruding lower-lid fat. Dark circles caused by pigmentation or thin skin may need additional treatments and may not completely disappear.
Will I meet Dr. Kirwan personally at my consultation?
Yes. Every patient is a VIP. From your first consultation through your last follow-up visit, you see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. He is available to you before, during, and after your procedure.
Where is surgery performed?
Most procedures are performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation in Dr. Kirwan’s AAAASF-accredited surgical suite in Norwalk, Connecticut. Patients unsuitable for conscious sedation for medical or other reasons are treated at Greenwich Hospital / the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Ambulatory Surgical Center, or Sasco Hill Surgery Center in Southport. The practice confirms the facility and anesthesia plan for each patient.
How do I know whether I am a candidate?
Candidacy depends on your health, anatomy, and goals, not a specific age. The only way to know for certain is a one-on-one consultation, where your medical history and aesthetic goals are reviewed and the appropriate options are explained.
How do I schedule a consultation?
Use the form on this page or call the practice at (203) 838-8844. Every consultation is a one-on-one evaluation with Dr. Kirwan.
Related procedures
More in face.
Facelift and Neck Lift
Rejuvenation of the lower face and neck — structure repositioned, not skin pulled.
FaceTite / AccuTite
Radiofrequency skin tightening of the face through tiny incisions.
Browlift
Raises a heavy or sagging brow and softens frown lines.
Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)
Reshapes the nose for balance with the rest of the face.
Lip Lift
Shortens the space between nose and lip to reveal a fuller lip.
Fat Injections
Restores facial volume using your own purified fat.
The next step is a conversation
No need to have
all the answers.
Bring your questions, your hopes, and your hesitations. Start with a private consultation with Dr. Kirwan.