What Is Blepharoplasty And How Much Do Blepharoplasty Cost?

Blepharoplasty cost in the US is usually covered by insurance companies, especially if the condition causes visual impairment that affects the quality of life. However, this does not mean that all insurance packages cover eyelid surgery since specific guidelines and criteria depend on the company.

In the past, blepharoplasty was a common cosmetic surgery among young people. But in recent years, blepharoplasty among the aging population has also increased due to concerns with vision.

This post about blepharoplasty cost is everything you need to know about this cosmetic procedure and what to expect about the recovery process.

What is blepharoplasty? 

Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery in layman’s terms, is a procedure that removes excess skin on the lower and upper eyelids. According to the Mayo Clinic, excess skin on the eyelids is a condition that is common with age. Old age and aging can stretch the skin on the eyelids, which can cause the eyelids to look puffy.

In addition, the accumulation of fat on the eyebrows can also cause them to sag. The eyebags on the lower lids can compound this issue. In most cases, the severe sagging skin and fat deposits can affect peripheral vision.

This cosmetic surgery can greatly improve your vision and give you the appearance of more youthful eyes. This cosmetic procedure is also used to correct functional issues, including ptosis, entropion, and ectropion.

What is the cost of blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty cost in the US is an average of about $4,120, as published on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website, which is based on a statistical survey in 2020. However, the figure mentioned earlier does not include the cost of operating rooms, anesthesia, or prescription of medications.

Other factors that determine the overall blepharoplasty cost include the location, consultation fees, and level of the surgeon’s skill, recovery, and follow-up.

However, the type of blepharoplasty is the primary determinant that will decide the blepharoplasty cost overall.

Here’s a breakdown of blepharoplasty cost by its type:

Upper blepharoplasty cost 

Upper blepharoplasty costs in the US can be anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Eyelid surgery on the upper eyelids can be either for aesthetic/cosmetic reasons or functional reasons that can affect the overall cost of the procedure.

 

In addition, Asian blepharoplasty costs for upper eyelids can range from $2,200 to $7,000, depending on whether it is a partial or open incisional suture technique. Another type of upper eyelid surgery called awake blepharoplasty cost fall in the range of $1,500 to $5,000 and is usually done exclusively for cosmetic purposes.

However, the final blepharoplasty cost can easily total up to $15,000, depending on factors such as your state and the surgeon’s skill.

Lower blepharoplasty cost 

Between the upper and lower blepharoplasty cost, there are not a lot of differences. However, the overall cost of lower eyelid surgery also depends on its type.

Lower blepharoplasty cost in the US performed using the transcutaneous approach is usually between $2,000 and $4,000, while the surgery done using the transconjunctival approach can be between $2,000 and $6,500.

Depending on other factors, lower eyelid surgery can also go up to $10,000, which is a pricey affair if you don’t have insurance coverage. This is also why we insist on The Importance of Having a Life Insurance Policy from one of the top financial providers in your state.

In both upper and lower blepharoplasty, other factors also affect the overall cost of eyelid surgery. These factors include:

• Which state are you in
• Surgeon’s fee
• Facility and hospital fee
• Anesthesia
• Recovery time

If the excess fat in the eyelid significantly affects your vision to the point of affecting your daily activities, you might secure an insurance policy to cover your blepharoplasty cost.  In other words, functional blepharoplasty costs are usually covered by insurance policies but may not be the same if the surgery was purely for cosmetic reasons.

In this regard, this in-depth article on Insurance Plans and Companies in Different Cities of Mississippi, USA, can give you a lot of helpful information. If you need to fork out the blepharoplasty cost from your pocket, fully or partially, Calidad Insurance: Your One-Stop Solution for Insuring Every Part of Your Life can also help you decide your options.

Recovery time for blepharoplasty

Recovery time for blepharoplasty usually varies from one person to the other and the surgeon’s skill. That aside, the recovery time for blepharoplasty usually ranges from 10 to 14 days for most people, but it can vary greatly.

If you undergo blepharoplasty, there are three stages in the recovery time.

• Bruising: Bruising from the surgical procedure on your eyelid can take about two weeks to settle. It is usually the first sign of blepharoplasty recovery.
• Swelling: Swelling as a result of eyelid surgery is a slow recovery process and can take anywhere from 8 days to weeks.
• Maturation/healing of the scar: The healing of scars from eyelid surgery is also variable, depending on how quickly your body responds. For the scars to heal completely, it can take up to a year.

However, most blepharoplasty surgeons deem it safe for you to get back to your normal routine in about a week or so.

To aid your blepharoplasty recovery process, it is paramount that you follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions. The aftercare for blepharoplasty usually involves:

• Getting enough rest will help your body speed up the recovery process. Reducing the amount of eyestrain, completing bed rest, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress can help your recovery.
• Protect your eyelids and eyes by wearing sunglasses while going out in the sun. In addition, sunblock and sun hat can also limit your exposure to UV rays that can damage the result of the blepharoplasty surgery.
• Be diligent with self-care by not rubbing your eyes, smoking, and regularly using the prescribed medications.

Conclusion

Although the concern for blepharoplasty cost may be high on your list of priorities, finding a board-certified surgeon and the right insurance policies can make all the difference in the overall results of eyelid surgery.

Finally, before you proceed with blepharoplasty, don’t hesitate to ask the surgeon any type of questions you might have.