203-335-3223

Voted Best & Top Plastic Surgeon in Fairfield County & Connecticut

“Thank you so much for the artistic work that you so carefully applied to my face. It’s natural, beautiful, and I do love it.” — JG

Jeffrey Rosenthal MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon l Former, Chief Plastic Surgery at Bridgeport Hospital

140 Sherman Street, Fairfield, CT 06824
Rosenthal Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Care Center

"Where Art Meets Science"

FAQs About Eyelid Surgery


When is the optimal time for my surgery?


Being in the best shape, mentally and  physically with your skin in optimal shape, is desirable. As the rest of our body ages, so does the skin. The elasticity and thickness diminish over time, therefore, having a procedure when there is something relatively small to correct is better than waiting for everything to fall. An earlier lift lasts longer and gives you added years to look and feel your best. Back to questions



Why have a Browlift & Blepharoplasty?


Often the outer eyebrows droop, causing a stern or harsh appearance. The brows fall below the bone causing a hooding over the outer eyelids. You will only notice the hooding when your eyebrows are relaxed.
When the brows are low they must be gently repositioned immediately prior to correcting the extra lid skin and fat. Otherwise, the appearance will not be natural and the lid scar will extend onto the thicker temple skin. Only by addressing both the brow position and the lids can you be afforded an optimal look. In order to give a natural appearance after surgery, the lids and brows must all be balanced. Back to questions



Are there any other treatments that will improve my appearance and results?


Definitely! Good skin care with our hands-on expert aesthetician to evaluate and treat your skin along with our amazing skin care line products and will get your skin in optimal condition before surgery and maintain it afterwards. Our superb skin care products are chosen for your particular needs by our experienced aesthetician.  She will  first evaluate your skin and then recommend the proper care for you.



Where is the surgery performed?


A private Surgical Center with Board Certified Anesthesiologist or Bridgeport Hospital.

What will I need before surgery?


You may be asked to obtain a medical evaluation by your family physician and/or an eye exam by either your optometrist or ophthalmologist to ensure that you are healthy.



Type of Anesthesia:


You are gently put to sleep using general anesthesia so that you will be comfortable throughout the operation. Once asleep, I will place local anesthetic under the skin so that you will feel no discomfort. This will also minimize the amount of medicine you receive during the operation. By putting you to sleep your heart rate, blood pressure and levels of oxygen will be optimized. Rest assured that being asleep for hours is generally very safe, and the 5-5 ½ hours you sleep will be just fine.



Will smoking effect my healing?


Yes- Each cigarette’s effect lasts 12 hours on the blood vessels of the body. Smoking causes the skin to heal poorly and the complications associated with smoking are tremendous. Even second hand smoke during the weeks before and after surgery will adversely affect your results. Stopping is a must before and after any operation. Back to questions 



How long will the surgery take?

I take my time and like to be meticulous. This means not rushing through your surgery. In addition, there are many things that must be done before the operation can even start, including washing and preparing the area, making sure that your body is well cushioned, and placing your legs into special boots in order to compress them during the surgery. Likewise, at the end of surgery I need to clean your face and apply a special dressing. I will also wait in recovery after the surgery to be certain that all is going well before I leave. The surgery itself lasts between 5- 5 ½ hours.

What can I expect?


The folds of skin and creases of the upper and lower lids will be smoothed out. Bulging pockets of fat will be softened and re-contoured to yield a refreshed and alert appearance. Your eyes will look much brighter than before. Likewise, the low lying eyebrows will be positioned to give you a wide awake and natural appearance. Usually, only the outer 1/2 – 2/3 of the brow is altered so that you will not have a frightened or abnormal appearance. The forehead may also be smoothed out so that you will no longer have the need to raise the brows up off your eyelids by wrinkling the forehead. The combined procedure will open up your eyes and give you a lovely separation between the brow and lids. Men, too, are benefited by the combined lift; however, the brow position is contoured and tailored specifically for males to leave a masculine and rested look.



Where are the scars?


The scars are well hidden in the upper lid crease and just below the lower eyelashes. Often an invisible scar is placed inside the lower lid to remove unwanted fat. The browlift scars are in the hair-bearing temple regions of the face. The scars are a few inches long and have a curve to match the contour of your head.

Do you shave my head?


There is no need to shave the area. A fine strip of hair will be trimmed, but this is usually the area to be removed; so you will lose very little hair.



Will I have a noticeable bald area?

Although the cutting is between the hair follicles to allow growth over the scar, there are occasions where the hair does not grow sufficiently. However, the surrounding hair is usually sufficient to cover the scar.

How long will I wear a bandage?


At the end of surgery I will place paper strips along the upper lid and across the outer lower lids. These will support the lids and keep the sutures clean. When you awaken in recovery you will have a cotton pad over the lids for 30 minutes to keep the swelling to a minimum. I will then remove the pads while you have something to eat and drink. Your head will be wrapped with a soft comfortable dressing for 24 hours. You will be instructed to remove it the next day.

Do I clean anything?

The paper strips on the lids are best left alone. You will have clips in the scalp to support the skin and afford a better scar. These clips are washed in the shower with shampoo, cleaned with a q-tip and peroxide and then covered with a very thin layer of antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin). At times you may need to place a gauze pad or sanitary napkin over the clips if there is any oozing. This takes place during the first few days after surgery, if necessary.



When can I shower?


You can usually shower the day after surgery; however, it is best to not let the water hit your face. Baths, hot tubs, and steam rooms are not a good idea for 3 weeks after surgery to keep your swelling down. Washing your hair the day after surgery is perfectly fine, but you must either towel dry the area gently or use a hair dryer on the cool setting. Use no heat to the area for 2 weeks.



When can I get my hair colored?
Coloring your hair a week prior to the surgery and 3-4 weeks afterwards is fine. If there are any small open areas in the scalp you may have to wait a bit longer after surgery to recolor.



Will my lids or forehead hurt?


Generally, there is minimal discomfort. You may note snugness where the extra skin was, but there should be very mild or no discomfort. A prescription to help alleviate pain, should it arise, will be given before surgery. Occasionally there is mild discomfort over the temple area for the first two nights. This is easily relieved with the pain medicines supplied.

When can I resume activities?


It is best to relax for the first 7-10 days. Bruising is variable and usually located around the lids. Seeing your best friends after 10 days is fine, but I would wait at least 2 weeks before meeting new acquaintances. After 2 weeks you will look presentable. After 3 weeks you will look much better than before surgery, but you still have another 3-4 weeks for 50% of the swelling to subside. It is not a good idea to exercise or increase your heart rate for 3 weeks from the time of surgery. This will help to diminish your swelling and improve the rate at which you heal.



What can I do to expedite my healing?


We will give you a set of guidelines that explains what medicines to stay away from and which vitamins to take. Do not allow anyone to smoke in your presence for weeks. Using ice often, resting, maintaining a low salt diet and having a positive attitude all go a long way in assisting in your recovery.

When will I see you again?


Depending upon the combination of surgeries, you will re-visit the office within 4-8 days. There will be multiple visits (which are included in your care) to evaluate your progress and support your healing needs.



Are there any additional fees to what was quoted?

Occasionally the surgery takes a bit longer (as there is never a rush), but you may owe an additional fee for the operating room and anesthesia. However, if future surgery or procedures are necessary, there will be additional fees for anesthesia, the operating room and the surgeon.

Art of Plastic Surgery Fairfield CT