San Francisco Eyelid Surgery

Have you ever wondered why the phrase "old and tired" gets such widespread use? Is it universally true that as we age we simply get tired?

Here in the Bay Area we take care of ourselves, cultivate a variety of interests and live pretty active lives. No matter what our age may be, not too many of us would be likely to characterize ourselves as "tired." Perhaps a better explanation for that annoying phrase is that as we get older, the skin around our eyes makes us look tired.

Considering Eyelid Surgery?

Although some people are born with heavy upper eyelids or puffy lower lids, for most of us, dull, droopy eyes are a sign of aging. As the years pass, our skin stretches, muscles weaken and fat can accumulate and cause bags. In addition to making you look "old and tired," this process can make you appear depressed, angry or sad.

Heavy Upper Eyelids

		When the eyelid crease is obscured, the eyes and face may appear tired or less 'alert'.

Lower Lid Bags

		Lower lid bags are caused by protusion of fat beneath the eyes.
		Patient treated with lower lid blepharoplasty to remove lower lid bags.

Why Choose Dr. David Mabrie for my Blepharoplasty?

Excellent Training, Double-Board Certification, Specialization in the Face and Neck

Dr. Mabrie specializes in facial cosmetic surgery for his San Francisco area patients. Completing medical school at the University of California at San Francisco with honors, his residency at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and a fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery at Stanford University, Dr. Mabrie has focused all his time and talents on plastic surgery for the face, head and neck. He has a thorough understanding of the anatomy of this complex area and has helped thousands of people feel much better about their appearance through facial cosmetic surgery and anti-aging treatments.

Dr. Mabrie follows in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Herman J. Mabrie III, a well-respected head and neck surgeon in Houston, Texas. After a distinguishing himself during his years of medical school and residency at Johns Hopkins, UCSF and Stanford, Dr. Mabrie received double-board certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, (ear, nose, and throat).

Click to read Dr. Mabrie's full curriculum vitae.

It's no wonder so many people in San Francisco turn to eyelid surgery, also called "blepharoplasty," to address the look of their eyes. Explore the possibilities for yourself. Request a consultation with Dr. David Mabrie today.

How Is Eyelid Surgery Performed?

Blepharoplasty removes excess skin and fat around the eyes, giving your eyes greater definition and getting rid of that "old and tired" appearance. In severe cases, when the excess skin actually causes 'hooding' of the skin , blepharoplasty may even improve your field of vision.

Before surgery, Dr. Mabrie marks the areas where incisions will be made. To minimize scarring, these marks follow the natural lines and creases of the upper and lower eyelids. Fat, excess skin, and muscle may be removed during the procedure and fine sutures make the incision almost invisible.

Upper Lid Blepharoplasty

Excess skin around the eyes, giving heaviness to the eyes.	The excess skin to be removed is outlined with a surgical marker.	Excess skin is removed giving the eyes and face a refreshed appearance.

Lower Lid Blepharoplasty

Cross section showing how fat underneath the eyes can bulge forward and cause bags.	The blue arrow demonstrates the approach to remove the excess fat underneath the eyes. The fat is removed by going through the conjunctiva, not the skin, so there is no scar under the eye.

Upper eyelid surgery can be performed in an office-based facility, out-patient surgical center, or hospital, usually in one to two hours (for upper and lower blepharoplasty), depending on the areas being treated.

How Much Pain Is Involved?

Blepharoplasty is safe, straightforward procedure that can take years off your appearance. It is a nearly painless surgery performed under general anesthesia in an accredited hospital or surgery center. A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer medication to ensure you feel no pain during surgery and minimal discomfort or nausea afterward.

Depending on the complexity, your surgery may take 45 minutes to an hour. After surgery mild discomfort is normal, but most patients require only over-the-counter pain medication.

How do I Prepare for Surgery?

To get ready for blepharoplasty, think about the needs you'll have after surgery. You'll need to have someone pick you up and stay with you for a night, just until the effects of the anesthesia are completely gone. Dr. Mabrie's staff can help you make arrangements for assistance if you need extra help.

It's a good idea to have plenty of food in the house so you can stay home and relax for a few days. You'll also want to have a good pair of sunglasses on hand when you do go out, to both hide any residual bruising and protect your eyes from sun and wind.

You may not be able to watch television for the first few days, so you may want to have plenty of music, books on tape and radio programs lined up to listen to.

Eyelid Surgery Recovery

What Is the Recovery Like?

When your surgery is complete, you can go home to rest. You'll need to keep your head elevated while you sleep for a few days. You'll return to Dr. Mabrie's office to have your sutures removed within a week. Depending on the type of work you do, you may return to your job in as little as two days. Slight bruising may be evident, and you may therefore want to plan to be away from work for several days. Almost all bruising and swelling should be gone within ten days. You can resume your exercise routine within three weeks.

Scars will be either on the inside of your eyelids or hidden in the creases and typically fade very quickly.

Blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure with maximum impact on your appearance. Dr. Mabrie specializes in eyelid surgery for San Francisco and Bay Area patients. He can help you attain the natural, refreshed appearance you've been wishing for.

Am I a Good Candidate?

If you are generally content with your face, but you're frustrated with increasingly droopy, puffy upper and lower lids, you're probably a good candidate for eyelid surgery. It can also create an upper eyelid crease for Asians, opening up the eyes for a brighter look.

It's important to know the procedure doesn't remove "crow's feet" wrinkles and won't eliminate dark circles under the eyes. And you should tell Dr. Mabrie about any medical conditions you may have that might affect your eyes, or eye problems such as glaucoma. But be assured that most patients who are tired of looking so tired find eyelid surgery is the answer they've been hoping for.

Dr. Mabrie has extensive experience and a deep interest in treating the eyes and face. He knows what a difference facial cosmetic surgery can have on a person's outlook on life, and he enjoys helping his patients look and feel better.

How Will I Look?

If you're like most patients, you'll be thrilled with your rejuvenated look. You'll still look like you, just more rested and more alert than you have in years. Your upper eyelids will no longer droop and the puffiness under your eyes will be gone. Most patients have no visible scars.

Best of all, you can expect the refreshed appearance of your eyes to last a long time. For many people, their bright new look is permanent.

Dr. Mabrie can also repair ptosis of the eyelid (droopy eyelid) caused by thinning or tearing of the eyelid levator muscle.

Though blepharoplasty is a routine procedure, there are certain risks as there are with any surgery. Dr. Mabrie will discuss these with you during your consultation.

What Are the Next Steps?

You can view results with real patients on our Before and After Photos page. You may want to learn more about droopy upper eyelids on our ptosis page. We also have a Common Blepharoplasty Questions page which may answer some of your additional questions, and you can contact our patient coordinator, Susan Cole, for help at any time.

If financing your surgery appeals to you, click to visit our Fees & Financing page.

Dr. Mabrie achieves wonderful results for his San Francisco blepharoplasty patients, and he works with patients throughout the Bay Area including Oakland and Pinole as well. Call us at 415-445-9513, click to schedule a consultation or email us today to meet with him.