Blepharoplasty in New Jersey
Artistry and Innovation for a Refreshed, Natural Look.
Age, genetics, and time can all cause eyelid skin to stretch and the muscles supporting them to weaken, resulting in a tired appearance. If you are struggling with heavy, tired-looking eyes or sagging skin around the eyes—especially severely sagging skin around the upper lids — eyelid surgery in New Jersey, clinically known as blepharoplasty and also known as an eye lift, is the definitive solution.
At New Jersey Plastic Surgery, we combine over 30 years of expertise with the latest surgical and non-surgical technologies. Our board-certified plastic surgeons offer unmatched expertise in restoring a bright, rested, and youthful appearance. Our focus is always patient-centric, whether you need a comprehensive solution for excess skin and fat or targeted treatment for bags under the eyes.
Schedule your personalized consultation with Dr. DiBernardo or Dr. Trovato for your eyelid surgery. Contact us online or call (973) 834-6910.
| Cost | Pricing reflects the customization required for your anatomy |
| Downtime | Most patients are restaurant-ready in about 7 to 10 days |
| Pain Level | Managed with local numbing and light sedation; minimal discomfort |
| Duration | Typically 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on complexity |
The signs of aging around the eyes are complex. The combination of wrinkles, sagging, frown lines, and excess fatty tissue around the eyes can hinder your natural range of facial expressions. You may feel energetic and invigorated but only communicate exhaustion and dissatisfaction. With nearly 30 years of experience, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Barry DiBernardo has honed his surgical skill and established a reputation for quality and care.
He applies his years of experience with precision and an artful eye to remove excess skin, fat, and muscle from both the upper and lower eyelids. More than just the look of your eyelids, blepharoplasty can rejuvenate your facial appearance by addressing:
This is the most common issue, often resulting in upper eyelids that droop into your field of vision, which can contribute to a perpetually tired or sad appearance. In some cases, the tissue laxity is significant enough that it requires a brow lift in addition to the eyelid procedure to achieve optimal rejuvenation.
When excess eyelid skin on the upper lid partially blocks peripheral vision, especially the upper and outer parts, it is not just cosmetic — it is a medical concern. Our procedure can reduce this loss of peripheral vision, and the documentation we provide can often support an insurance claim.
Puffy or sagging lower lids can be due to herniated fat, creating prominent bags under the eyes. Addressing this requires either removing or repositioning the fat and tightening the skin to restore a consistently rested look.
In some cases, the problem is not lax skin but the underlying muscle that raises the lid, a condition called ptosis. While our New Jersey eyelid surgery targets skin and fat, true ptosis requires a specialized ptosis surgery to strengthen the muscle.
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When you have excess upper eyelid skin, it can fold down and hide your natural eyelid. This hooding makes your eyes look much smaller and can even make it hard to put on makeup because the skin gets in the way.
Bags are usually caused by excess fat that has shifted out of place over time. This fat creates a shadow on your cheek that looks like a dark circle, making you look worn out regardless of how much rest you get.
If your sagging upper eyelids hang low enough, they can actually get in the way of your patient's vision. This usually affects your side vision and can make everyday tasks like driving more difficult.
The skin around the eyes can become very loose and covered in fine wrinkles. This texture can make you look older than you are and often doesn't respond well to standard creams or simple treatments.
With ethnic blepharoplasty, we take a thoughtful and respectful approach to enhancing the natural anatomy of the eyes, including creating or refining a natural-looking upper eyelid crease. This procedure is commonly requested by patients of East Asian descent, and it's important to note that it's not about westernizing the eyes — it's about enhancing your natural anatomy in a way that feels true to you. Our focus is always on creating balanced, authentic results that celebrate your unique features and goals.
Benefits of Eyelid Surgery
This isn't just about appearances. Yes, your eyes will look more awake and less puffy, but you might also notice you can see better, especially if extra skin is getting in the way of your upper vision. Here's what blepharoplasty can help with:
The best candidates for eyelid surgery are generally in good health and seek to eliminate droopy, baggy eyelids or vision issues caused by loose skin. During your initial consultation, we will assess the balance between your upper lid, lower lid, and brow, and determine if an upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or a combination procedure is right for you.
Ideal candidates typically:
Before your surgical procedure, we will go over your medical history and tell you which supplements or medications to avoid. We want your body to be in the best shape possible so you heal fast and have less swelling and bruising.
The actual surgery is usually done right here in our New Jersey office using local anesthesia and light sedation. This means you are awake but totally numb and relaxed, so you don't feel a thing. The doctor carefully removes excess skin and fat through tiny incisions that follow the natural lines of your eyes.
Immediately after surgery, your eyes might feel a bit tight or sore, and your vision might be a little blurred from the protective ointment we use. We will have you apply cold compresses right away to help reduce swelling and keep you comfortable.
The recovery process is a lot faster than most people think. For the first few days, you should plan to take it easy at home. You will use prescribed eye drops to keep your eyes from getting dry and continue to apply cold compresses to help the swelling and bruising fade away.
Most people in New Jersey find they can go back to work in about a week. By day seven or eight, the majority of the swelling and bruising has subsided enough to be covered with light concealer or sunglasses.
During the early stages of healing, you'll need to skip your contact lenses and wear glasses instead. You should also wear dark sunglasses when you go outside to protect the incision sites from the sun. Most of the redness will be gone in about ten days, and you can usually start wearing makeup again around the two-week mark.
While you can walk and move around right away, you should avoid heavy lifting or intense gym sessions for about two to three weeks. This prevents your blood pressure from rising, which helps keep the surgical site calm and prevents extra swelling.
You will see a difference in your look almost as soon as the swelling goes down, but the final refreshed appearance usually takes a little time to fully settle.
Most patients see a noticeable change within the first 10 to 14 days. However, the tissues deep under the skin continue to heal for several months. By the three-month mark, your scars will have faded significantly and the skin will look its smoothest.
The results of an upper blepharoplasty can last for 10 to 15 years, as it effectively resets the clock on sagging skin. Lower blepharoplasty results often last even longer, as the fat we remove or reposition does not typically return.
To keep your results looking great, we recommend taking good care of your skin and protecting it from the sun. Some patients also choose to have laser resurfacing or a chemical peel once a year to keep the skin around the eyes firm. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying hydrated will help you enjoy your youthful appearance for a very long time.
What Our Patients Say
"I just recently visited Dr. DiBernardo this month for an upper blepharoplasty and a brow lift. I am only 1 week post-op as of today, and I am absolutely thrilled with my results so far! Dr. DiBernardo and his staff are amazing. This is my first cosmetic procedure, and after tons of research, I could not be happier with my decision in choosing Dr. DiBernardo. He was meticulous and took his time explaining everything to me from day 1. Highly recommend!!!"
- E.
"Dr. DiBernardo is great! I cannot express how grateful I am for the incredible job he did in fixing the mess left by a previous doctor's Botox injections. From the moment we interacted, I felt at ease and confident in his expertise."
"Dr. DiBernardo took the time to thoroughly assess my situation and explain the best course of action to correct the issues caused by the previous injections. His professionalism and attention to detail were truly impressive. He made sure to address all my concerns and answered all my questions, which put me at ease. He even looked at some discoloration and offered corrective treatment options, which the previous doctor did not."
"I highly recommend Dr. DiBernardo to anyone seeking skilled and compassionate care in the field of plastic surgery."
- J.
"Dr. DiBernardo is the best at what he does. Not only is he up to date with using the best techniques/technology, but he also truly cares about you being happy with the results. You can really tell that he loves what he does and takes pride in his work. His staff is also wonderful. Everyone is super nice and really made me feel so comfortable every step of the way."
- S.
Your Eyelid Surgery Consultation
During your initial consultation for eyelid surgery New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. DiBernardo, will take the time to discuss your concerns and goals. He will examine your eyelids, review your medical history, and determine if blepharoplasty is right for you. Be prepared to discuss the following topics:
Choosing a surgeon for your eyes requires a deep understanding of both anatomy and artistry. At our practice, you benefit from the combined expertise of two board-certified specialists. Dr. Barry DiBernardo is globally recognized as an innovator in facial plastic surgery and light-based energy. He doesn’t just use the latest tools; he helps invent them and teaches other surgeons how to achieve natural results. Dr. Matthew Trovato brings a high level of precision to every surgical procedure, focusing on how the body functions and looks to ensure your results last for years.
Our New Jersey office is a center for evolution in aesthetic medicine. With over 42 different state-of-the-art devices at our fingertips, we don't have to rely on a "one-size-fits-all" approach. We can combine traditional eyelid surgery with advanced laser resurfacing to tighten skin and smooth fine wrinkles in a way that most clinics cannot. We have spent over 30 years helping our patients look as energized as they feel, prioritizing safety and subtle, balanced outcomes.
Schedule your consultation at (973) 834-6910 or book online.
You can wear glasses right away. However, you should wait at least 10 to 14 days before you wear contact lenses again. Putting in contacts involves pulling on the eyelid skin, which can hurt your healing incisions.
Not necessarily. Blepharoplasty removes excess skin, but ptosis is a problem with the eye muscles. If your actual eyelid is sagging, you may need a different kind of repair.
No, this surgery only fixes the eyelids. If your eyebrows are sitting too low on your face, you might need a brow lift instead. Many people choose to do both at the same time for a full refresh.
Yes, but we have to be extra careful. We will check your tear production during your physical examination and might adjust the surgery to make sure your eyes stay hydrated while they heal.
Most patients can start wearing makeup again about two weeks after their surgical procedure. You want to make sure the incision sites are completely closed first.
If your upper eyelid skin is so heavy that your vision is impaired, insurance may cover it. We can do a test to check your visual field and help you provide the right info to your insurance company.
Yes! This is very common. Doing both at once means you only have to go through the recovery process one time, and it ensures your whole face looks balanced.
Most people take about a week off. By day seven or eight, most of the swelling and bruising can be covered with a little bit of concealer or sunglasses.
It’s best to sleep on your back with your head propped up on a few pillows for the first two weeks. This helps reduce swelling and keeps you from accidentally rubbing your eyes in your sleep.
Our goal is to give you a refreshed appearance, not an operated look. Because the incisions are hidden in natural creases or along the lash line, the scars are usually invisible to other people once you heal.
Yes, we often perform eyelid surgery using a local anesthetic and light sedation. This is safer for many people and makes the recovery process a little easier since you aren't as groggy afterward.
Most of the noticeable swelling goes away in the first two weeks. However, very subtle swelling can last for a few months. Most people won't notice it, but you'll see your final results getting better and better over time.
The rejuvenating effects of blepharoplasty are very long-lasting. For most patients, the results of upper eyelid surgery and lower eyelid surgery last between 10 to 20 years, often making it a one-time procedure. Good sun protection and skincare help preserve your results.
The procedure itself is not painful, as you will be under local or general anesthesia. Post-surgery, patients usually report a feeling of tightness or mild discomfort, rather than pain, which is easily managed with cold compresses and prescribed medication.
Yes, absolutely. Eyelid surgery is often combined with other procedures to achieve a comprehensive result. Common combinations include a Facelift or non-surgical treatments like laser resurfacing, injectables, or a TempSure lid lift. We will discuss the optimal combination for your unique goals during your consultation.
Not really. While lifestyle changes can help with overall puffiness, fat deposits in the eyelids usually don't go away without surgery.
There's no set age. Most people consider it in their 40s or 50s, but if sagging skin is affecting your vision or confidence earlier, it's okay to explore your options sooner.
If the sagging skin is getting in the way of your vision, insurance might help cover the upper eyelid surgery portion (functional blepharoplasty). If it's solely for appearance, it is considered cosmetic. We can provide documentation to help you determine your coverage during your consultation.
You'll want to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first week or two. This helps reduce swelling and keeps pressure off your eyes.
New Jersey Plastic Surgery 29 Park St, Montclair, NJ 07042
Our New Jersey Plastic Surgery cosmetic specialists are ready to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with the most advanced treatments the cosmetic industry has to offer. Contact us today to take your first step toward a more beautiful you.
