The eyes are often the first area to reflect fatigue, aging, or inherited fullness. Loose upper eyelid skin, under-eye puffiness, and shadowing can create an appearance that does not reflect how you feel. At Washingtonian Plastic Surgery in McLean, Dr. Navin Singh performs personalized eyelid lift procedures designed to restore a more rested, natural appearance while preserving your unique expression.
Blepharoplasty is not about changing the shape of your eyes. It is about removing excess skin or fullness in a way that refines contour and maintains facial balance. Patients from McLean and Washington DC seek Dr. Singh’s thoughtful approach for outcomes that appear refreshed rather than altered.
What Is an Eyelid Lift
An eyelid lift, or blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and, when appropriate, adjusts fat deposits of the upper and/or lower eyelids.
There are two primary types of eyelid surgery:
Upper Blepharoplasty
Addresses loose or drooping upper eyelid skin that may create a heavy or tired appearance. In some cases, excess skin can also interfere with vision.
Lower Blepharoplasty
Improves under-eye puffiness, fat prominence, and skin laxity that contribute to shadowing or a fatigued look.
Some patients benefit from upper or lower eyelid surgery alone, while others may combine both for comprehensive refinement.
Benefits of Blepharoplasty
When carefully performed, eyelid surgery can provide:
The goal is refinement — not a dramatic or tightened look.
Good Candidates for Eyelid Surgery
You may be a candidate for blepharoplasty if you:
During consultation in McLean, Dr. Singh evaluates skin elasticity, fat distribution, muscle tone, and brow position to determine the most appropriate surgical approach. In some cases, brow position or midface structure may influence surgical planning.
Your Personalized Surgical Plan
Eyelid anatomy varies significantly between individuals. Dr. Singh carefully considers the relationship between the eyelids, brows, and cheeks before recommending treatment.
For upper eyelid surgery, he designs incisions within the natural eyelid crease to maintain discreet healing. For lower eyelid surgery, approaches vary depending on whether excess skin, fat prominence, or both are present.
The objective is to restore smooth transitions around the eyes while maintaining facial harmony. Overcorrection is avoided to preserve natural expression.
How Eyelid Surgery Is Performed
Blepharoplasty is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of correction.
For upper eyelid surgery, a small incision is placed within the natural eyelid crease. Excess skin and, when appropriate, small amounts of fat are adjusted before closure.
For lower eyelid surgery, incisions are placed either just below the lash line or inside the lower eyelid, depending on the anatomy and surgical goals.
The procedure generally takes one to three hours depending on whether upper, lower, or combined surgery is performed.
Recovery & Results
Most patients return home the same day.
Swelling and bruising are common in the first one to two weeks. Cold compresses and head elevation help reduce swelling. Light activity is encouraged early, while strenuous activity is limited for several weeks.
As swelling resolves, the eyes appear smoother and more refreshed. Results are long lasting, particularly when excess skin and fat have been appropriately addressed.
The outcome is a more rested appearance that maintains your natural features.
Other Procedures That Pair Well With Eyelid Surgery
Some patients choose to combine their facelift or neck lift with additional procedures for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. Dr. Singh may recommend:
- Brow lift
- Facelift
- Facial fat transfer
- Laser resurfacing
These treatments can enhance balance and harmony across the face and produce a more complete transformation.
These combinations are planned carefully to ensure cohesive and proportionate results.
Why Choose Washingtonian Plastic Surgery
Patients from McLean and Washington DC seek Dr. Navin Singh for his precise and measured approach to facial rejuvenation. As a dual board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Singh emphasizes subtle refinement and preservation of natural expression.
At Washingtonian Plastic Surgery, care is delivered in a private, boutique setting where individualized planning and long-term outcomes remain central to every procedure.
Schedule Your Consultation
To learn more about eyelid lift surgery, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Navin Singh at our McLean office.
Washingtonian Plastic Surgery serves patients from McLean and Washington DC.
Call 703 345 4377 or request your appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will eyelid surgery change the shape of my eyes?
No. Blepharoplasty is designed to remove excess skin or fullness while maintaining your natural eye shape and expression.
How long is recovery after blepharoplasty?
Most visible swelling and bruising improve within one to two weeks, though subtle refinement continues over several weeks.
Are scars visible after eyelid surgery?
Incisions are placed in natural eyelid creases or along the lash line, where they typically heal discreetly.
Can eyelid surgery improve vision?
In cases where excess upper eyelid skin interferes with peripheral vision, surgery may improve visual obstruction.
How long do results last?
Results are long lasting, though natural aging continues over time.
Dr. Navin Singh is a dual board-certified plastic and facial plastic surgeon and founder of Washingtonian Plastic Surgery. He previously served as Director of Cosmetic Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and currently serves as a board examiner for both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been recognized as a Top Doctor by Washingtonian Magazine.
