Refresh Tired, Aging Eyes
If you are searching for eyelid surgery in New York City, Dr. Darrick Antell performs blepharoplasty at his NYC clinic to remove excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. A board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic cosmetic surgery, Dr. Antell treats patients who are healthy, psychologically stable, and motivated to improve sagging or tired-looking eyelids and who have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve.
Blepharoplasty can brighten the face, restore a more youthful appearance, and in some cases improve peripheral vision when drooping upper-lid skin gets in the way. If you are considering Blepharoplasty, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure, including its benefits, candidacy, Dr. Antell’s qualifications, what surgery and recovery involve, costs, risks, combining eyelid surgery with other procedures, and how to choose the best surgeon in New York City.
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Blepharoplasty refers to eyelid surgery and is designed to remove the excess fat, skin, and muscle from the upper and lower eyelids. It is the second most common aesthetic procedure performed by plastic surgeons in the United States.2
If you are interested in addressing more than just eyelid concerns, you may have the option to combine additional procedures. This is very common among our New York City patients because it allows many patients to achieve comprehensive benefits and recover in a single period. Depending on your goals, you may also discuss non-surgical alternatives alongside surgery.
For selected concerns, non-surgical options can include Botox or dermal fillers, though they do not replace surgery when excess skin or fat is the main issue.
A facelift (rhytidectomy) achieves widespread facial harmony by rejuvenating the lower two-thirds of the face. This surgery removes excess skin and fat and tightens underlying muscles, resulting in firmer, smoother skin, a more sculpted jawline, and a more defined neck.
While blepharoplasty improves the appearance of the eyelids and your vision and can be combined with a brow lift for more complete upper-face rejuvenation, a brow lift can enhance these results by lifting the eyebrows into a higher, more youthful position. A brow lift can help individuals achieve smoother forehead lines and reduce the appearance of an angry expression, giving you a natural-looking, refreshed, and livelier appearance. Depending on your concerns, crow’s feet may still require separate treatment.
Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a nose job, reshapes and resizes the nose to cater to your desired aesthetic nose appearance. The procedure helps you achieve overall facial harmony and a more balanced, proportionate profile.
1-2 hours, depending on whether one or both eyelids are treated
~$5,000 to $15,000 (For an accurate cost, please ask during your consultation).
10-14 days
Initial improvement is visible as swelling resolves, with final results continuing to refine over the next 3–6 months.
The best blepharoplasty candidates at Dr. Antell’s New York City practice are those who are healthy, psychologically stable, well-motivated, and have realistic expectations. Candidates can range in age from late adolescence to their 60s, depending on their anatomy and goals. Some medical conditions may increase the risk of Blepharoplasty surgery, such as thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and insufficient tear production to keep the eyes well lubricated.
Younger patients may seek treatment for inherited fat pockets under the eyes, and transconjunctival blepharoplasty may be ideal in those cases.
Specific characteristics these candidates have include:
A properly performed blepharoplasty procedure can:
Start your eyelid surgery journey with an informative consultation with Dr. Antell at his practice in New York City. When you meet with Dr. Antell, you’ll find out whether you qualify for the procedure and whether you want to undergo this surgery or another. You can expect the consultation to include:
5 Steps to Prepare for
Dr. Antell will provide you with a detailed list of instructions for preparing for your eyelid surgery at the end of your consultation. Following these instructions will ensure that your surgery is safe and your recovery is smooth. Some of the instructions to expect include:
If Dr. Antell advises it, plan to minimize sun exposure during recovery preparation as well.
Eyelid surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia and light intravenous sedation. The procedure is commonly done in a doctor’s office, outpatient surgical center, or in some cases, a hospital. The procedure is most often performed on an outpatient basis. Dr. Antell performs blepharoplasties in his accredited state-of-the-art surgical facility in New York City.
The length of the eyelid procedure will depend on your cosmetic expectations and goals. If you’re getting surgery on both the upper and lower eyelids (double blepharoplasty), the procedure may take 2 hours. However, the procedure will conclude faster if you’re getting an upper or lower blepharoplasty.
Your Guide to Post-Eyelid Surgery Care
Your eyelids will be swollen immediately after the treatment, and you’ll be advised to avoid all physical activities for the day. You must sleep in an inclined position for the first few days and limit reading, screen time, and other activities that may contribute to eye strain during the first 24 hours. The post-treatment swelling and redness will start improving within a few days, though swelling usually lasts up to three weeks after surgery, and the discoloration around your eyes will resolve within 7 to 10 days.
Most patients can wear glasses soon after eyelid surgery.
You can resume mild physical activities after about 10 days. You’ll be fairly comfortable in public in about 10-14 days. And you can resume all physical activities, sex, workouts, and other strenuous activities after 4 weeks. Sutures are usually removed by the fourth or fifth day. The exact duration of your recovery depends on your body’s healing rate, but you can ensure a smooth recovery by following your surgeon’s recommendations accurately.
6 Tips for Recovery From a
Dr. Antell will give you a detailed list of recovery steps to ensure your recovery is as smooth, comfortable, and efficient as possible. Some tips that may be included in your recovery plan include:
Limit screen time to avoid straining your eyes
Lightly apply cold compresses to your eyelids to minimize swelling
Do not engage in strenuous exercise for several weeks
Keep your incisions clean, and avoid contact lenses until Dr. Antell clears you to resume wearing them
Keep your head elevated
Don’t rub your eyes
Upper blepharoplasty may be covered by insurance when excess upper eyelid tissue obstructs vision.
Eyelid surgery is an extremely delicate procedure—it should be performed by a board-certified surgeon with years of experience and a flawless track record. Avoid the temptation of a discount eyelid surgery from a non-certified surgeon because it might lead to undesirable results or increase your risk of complications.
Eyelid surgery costs in New York City, like most surgical procedures, may cost thousands of dollars. Insurance may cover eyelid surgery when it addresses functional vision issues rather than cosmetic concerns. However, the specific cost of the procedure depends on several factors:
Dr. Antell is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in the cosmetic rejuvenation of the face, breasts, and body, with an approach that addresses concerns related to facial aging around the eyes. While many celebrities and newsworthy men and women seek his assistance with aesthetic enhancements, Dr. Antell welcomes patients from all walks of life at his private, exclusive New York clinic. When a procedure is performed under his care, you can be confident that the results will appear fresh and natural. Dr. Antell and his staff provide all services with total discretion.
Dr. Antell performs plastic surgery with advanced techniques that produce refined, natural-looking results that complement each patient’s individual features. He approaches each procedure with his philosophy that: “Plastic surgery should whisper, not scream.”
His affiliations include board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, service as an official spokesperson for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and memberships in many regional and national medical societies, including the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Antell is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and will be recognized among Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2026.
NYC Plastic Surgeon
MD, FACS
In-Office & Virtual Consultations with Dr. Antell are Available