To prolong a youthful appearance and display a more energetic look, Renu Artful Medicine offers patients an array of surgical and non-surgical eye rejuvenation procedures. One of the most transformative surgeries is blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid lift surgery, performed by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld of the Washington, D.C. suburb, Chevy Chase, MD.
To prolong a youthful appearance and display a more energetic look, Renu Artful Medicine offers patients an array of surgical and non-surgical eye rejuvenation procedures. One of the most transformative surgeries is blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid lift surgery, performed by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld of the Washington, D.C. suburb, Chevy Chase, MD.
The eyes are among the most telling facial features, providing others with a focal point during communication. Often referred to as the window to the soul, a person’s eyes move subconsciously in expression and offer vivid insight as to what someone is feeling or thinking, sometimes without obvious verbal expression. It is, in part, because of this movement that the signs of aging begin to appear around the eyes. Crow’s feet, under-eye bags, and extra skin on the eyelids are present in most individuals with maturing skin.
Prospective candidates for blepharoplasty at Renu Artful Medicine may display loose, sagging skin of the upper or lower eyelid, unattractive fullness around the eye area, and lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet that could be corrected through surgery. Dr. Schoenfeld typically accepts blepharoplasty patients who meet the following conditions:
In cases of hereditary fullness beneath the eye, or bags, younger people may opt to undergo a corrective blepharoplasty procedure. The same is true for a hooded eye area, as this feature may be present before other signs of aging occur. Blepharoplasty is not necessarily an age-specific procedure and can benefit both men and women.
Cosmetic surgery of the eyelids may be performed to address the upper lids (Upper Lid Blepharoplasty), the lower lids (Lower Lid Blepharoplasty), or both for a total eye makeover. In many cases, patients also request that the crinkles at the outer corners of the eyes be smoothed. Prior to the procedure, the doctor may use a medical marker to draw a blueprint that he can refer to during the surgery. This will ensure that all of the patient’s concerns are addressed, and the doctor can employ the best method for each case on an individual basis.
Under local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation, the doctor creates skillfully hidden incisions to access extra eye tissue, such as muscle, skin, and fat, to permanently excise them from the eye area. If blepharoplasty is performed along with other cosmetic procedures, the doctor may opt to use general anesthesia for optimal patient comfort. Patients can expect some postoperative bruising of the areas, but they are able to use cosmetics to conceal any discoloration one week after the surgery. Though termed an “eyelid lift,” this is a misnomer as there is no actual lifting performed during this procedure.
During upper lid blepharoplasty, the doctor will create an incision in the eyelid crease, approximately 1 cm above the lash line. Working through this incision, the doctor removes excess skin that distorts the natural eyelid contour, displaced fat, and sometimes muscle fullness. These changes can correct the hooded appearance or deep-set look of the eyes, as well as puffy upper eyelids. If there is extreme sagging of the upper eyelid, the surgery can also improve obstructed vision and eye comfort. In many aging individuals, the upper eyelid skin can hinder eyesight, and surgical correction offers undistorted sight and more comfortable blinking.
There are more variations possible through lower lid blepharoplasty than with the upper eyelid version of the surgery. Patients undergo lower lid blepharoplasty because of under-eye bags, which can be comprised of fat pads, muscle, and skin laxity. The appearance of tired, unhappy eyes can be caused by genetics, age, or years of unprotected environmental exposure. In some cases, the fat pad below the eyes may be removed, but Dr. Schoenfeld has developed a technique that repositions this tissue to prevent the hollow appearance that can sometimes result from total excision. This ensures a natural-looking lower eyelid-cheek complex.
Eyelid surgery cost in Washington, D.C., can depend on several factors. Firstly, the pricing is different depending on whether you’re having upper or lower eyelid surgery. For upper eyelid surgery, the cost starts at $4,000 and ranges to about $4,500. Individual factors and the amount of work needed may alter the price.
For lower eyelid surgery, the price starts at $4,500, not including facility fees, anesthesia, any additional surgical requirements, or other factors. If you’re considering upper or lower eyelid surgery, then contact us at Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld and schedule a consultation today to find out more about the procedure and to get a more accurate estimate of the costs of your procedure.
Blepharoplasty may be one of a series of procedures performed to rejuvenate the face. This surgery can be enhanced with procedures performed on the skin, such as laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels, to address minimal amounts of skin laxity and lower eyelid texture. Addressing additional signs of aging with dermal fillers can prevent the contrast created when youth is restored to the eyes. Cosmetic injections can restore or create attractive curvature in the cheeks and lips, and fill lines of the face that contribute to an aging appearance.
The Brow Lift (also called a forehead lift) is another cosmetic surgery that complements blepharoplasty. During the surgery, Dr. Schoenfeld repositions the eyebrows and lifts the skin of the forehead, removing extra tissues to smooth the look of the brow area. Many people associate the eyes and lips with emotive expression, but the forehead and eyebrows are affected, too, and often display the signs of aging.
Dr. Schoenfeld knows his patients are eager to return to their regular schedules after surgery, and he can recommend different things to promote faster healing. The doctor recommends that prior to surgery patients temporarily discontinue the use of vitamins and natural remedies as they can lead to increased bleeding and bruising of the face following blepharoplasty. Before the doctor begins the surgery, he administers epinephrine to prevent blood flow during surgical injections of the eyelid and face, which decreases intraoperative bleeding. Directly following blepharoplasty, Dr. Schoenfeld applies Arnica gel topically to reduce pain and inflammation, and he encourages patients to ice the affected area immediately. Even with these precautions, bruising will likely occur. Photorejuvenation (light laser) treatment can expedite the resolution of bruising postoperatively. Additionally, patients can use makeup to cover the bruising one week after blepharoplasty. Click here to learn more details about recovery and side effects of Eyelid surgery.
If you live near Chevy Chase, MD, RENU by Dr. Schoenfeld offers blepharoplasty among its services and is conveniently located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave #1625, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
Lower eyelid surgery can treat hollowness in the lower eyelids through various methods. The doctor can administer in-office injections of fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm to restore volume to the lower eyelids. Lower blepharoplasty with fat removal and repositioning is another way to treat this aesthetic concern. Lower eyelid surgery results last longer than filler injections to the lower lids, and the results are often more aesthetically pleasing. While fat injections to the lower eyelids can be performed, this method may lead to an uneven texture and irregularities of the area as the under eye skin is very thin.
Excess skin or eyebrow ptosis (lowered brows) may result in the hidden appearance of the upper eyelids. Blepharoplasty can treat extra eyelid skin, while brow lift can adjust the position of the forehead and lift the eyebrows. A thorough physical examination of the eyelids will allow the doctor to determine which surgery is most appropriate for a patient. During the surgical consult, each option can be explored in depth.
Philip S. Schoenfeld, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Schoenfeld, the founder and Medical Director of Renu facial plastics of Chevy Chase, MD, is double board certified in Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The doctor has been practicing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery for nearly two decades. An Army veteran, Dr. Schoenfeld completed his residency training at the internationally known Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Aside from his duties as a cosmetic surgeon, the doctor works with trauma patients, has involvement in philanthropic work, and teaches upcoming practitioners about the art of facial plastics. Schedule a personalized visit with him today by calling 301-652-RENU (7368), or filling out his Patient Contact Form.
As a highly experienced double board certified plastic surgeon, I have dedicated my career to providing my patients with the best possible outcomes. I’ve specialized in facial plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery in Washington DC and Maryland since 1998. My training and experience have given me a deep understanding of the anatomy of the face and body, and I use this knowledge to develop customized treatment plans for each of my patients.
I am committed to staying up to date with the latest advances in plastic surgery, and I use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to deliver the best results. I take a personalized approach to care, taking the time to understand each patient’s individual needs and goals.
When you choose me as your plastic surgeon, you can trust that you will receive the highest quality care and attention. I am dedicated to helping my patients achieve their desired results, and I will work with you every step of the way to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Here is what separates Dr. Schoenfeld from other surgeons in the DMV area:
