Dark circles and puffiness under your eyes and sagging eyelid skin can make you look fatigued and frazzled. Men and women visit Dr. Louis Cutolo for eyelid surgery in Staten Island from Brooklyn, Queens, throughout New York City, and Holmdel, NJ, to achieve a more rested, youthful, and open-eye appearance.
If you’re looking for one of the best eyelid surgeons in New York, request a consultation to meet with Dr. Cutolo using the online form, or call us today at
(718) 720-9400 to schedule a visit.
This 43 year old female was unhappy because she thought that the extra skin in her upper eyelids made her look tired. After a thorough examination it was shown to her that the excess skin was only part of the problem. She also had "lateral hooding" of her brow. This refers to the excess fullness on the outer portio... Read More
This 53 year old female did not like the excess skin in her upper eyelids and thought that she looked tired. She wanted to undergo a procedure that would remove some of the skin and give her a refreshed and natural look. After a thorough consultation, we decided upon an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. The procedure involves rem... Read More
This is a 48 year old female who disliked her lower eyes. She thought that they made her look tired and did not coincide with her youthful demeanor. She wanted to reduce the puffiness as well as the fine wrinkles that were present - those detracted from her otherwise youthful appearance. During the consultation,... Read More
This is a 58-year-old female who disliked her upper eyelid appearance...she wanted to reduce the excess skin to obtain a more youthful appearance. She also sought to improve the outer fullness on her brow. What was most important to her was that she did not want to change the shape of her eyelid and wanted a natural and refreshed... Read More
This is a 42 year old female disliked the excess skin in her upper eyelids and complained that she was told that she constantly looked tired. She came to the office looking for a solution with a minimal amount of downtime.After a thorough consultation, it was decided that she should undergo an endotine brow lift and an upper eyel... Read More
This is a 64 year old female who did not like the tired look that she developed over the years. The excess skin in her upper eyelids and the drooping of her brow bothered her and she wanted to have a "refreshed" look. After discussing her options, it was decided that an upper blepharoplasty and endotine brow... Read More
This 69 year old female disliked the excess skin that was present in her upper eyelids as well as the "bags" in her lower eyelids. She also wanted to undergo other facial rejuvenation procedures in order to obtained a fully refreshed look.After a consultation discussing all of her options, she decided to proceed with ey... Read More
This is a 51 year old female who thought that she appeared tired. She also disliked the excess skin that was developing in her neck and contributing to the development of jowls. She wanted to refresh her look and address a few issues at the same time - in order to regain her more youthful appearance. During the discuss... Read More
Eyelid surgery can be customized to address concerns affecting the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. The right approach depends on where signs of aging or structural changes are most noticeable.
Upper eyelid surgery, sometimes called droopy eyelid surgery, is often recommended to address a heavy, tired appearance. Common concerns include:
Lax, drooping skin (ptosis) that folds over the natural crease
A “hooded” look that can make the eyes appear smaller
Fat pockets in the corners of the eyes
Obstruction of vision in more advanced cases
By removing excess skin and repositioning tissue, upper eyelid surgery restores a more open, refreshed appearance.
Lower eyelid surgery focuses on the area beneath the eyes, where volume changes and fat displacement can create a fatigued look. It is typically used to address:
Under eye bags caused by fat protrusion
Puffiness or swelling beneath the eyes
Loose or crepey skin in the lower eyelid area
Shadows or hollows that contribute to a tired appearance
Lower eyelid surgery smooths and refines the under eye area, creating a more rested and youthful look.
In many cases, combining upper and lower eyelid surgery provides the most balanced result, addressing both sagging eyelids and under eye concerns in a single, comprehensive approach.
Your Eyelid Surgery Procedure
If you are having upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Cutolo typically performs the procedure in his office, using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout. Lower eyelid procedures are usually performed in a hospital using either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
For the upper eyelids, Dr. Cutolo makes tiny incisions in the natural creases of your eyelids, hiding them so scars are practically invisible. After removing excess fatty tissue, he tightens loose skin and may make adjustments to the muscles.
For the lower eyelids, the incision is completely hidden and fat is removed as well. If needed, Dr. Cutolo uses laser technology to smooth your lower eyelid wrinkles and reduce excess skin. Excess skin can also be reduced with a procedure called a “skin pinch.”
A board-certified plastic surgeon in Staten Island, Dr. Louis Cutolo, Jr. is an active member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the... read on
Most patients can expect initial recovery from eyelid surgery to take about 7 to 10 days, with swelling and bruising gradually improving during this time. Discomfort is typically minimal and managed with oral medication. Resting and limiting your movements can help support healing.
Blepharoplasty Recovery Day by Day
Days 1 to 3
Swelling and bruising are most noticeable during the first few days
Apply cold compresses as directed to control swelling and bruising
Keep your head elevated, including while sleeping
Limit activities and focus on rest, but take short walks around your home to promote circulation
Days 4 to 7
Swelling and bruising may begin to improve, though still visible
Any discomfort is typically mild and manageable
Continue using cold compresses as needed
Stitches are usually removed around day 7 during your follow-up visit
Days 7 to 10
Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and light daily activities
Bruising can often be concealed with makeup once approved by your surgeon
Swelling continues to subside
Weeks 2 to 3
Residual swelling and bruising continue to fade
Gradually resume more normal activities, as directed
Eyes begin to look more refreshed and natural
Weeks 4 and Beyond
Most visible signs of surgery have resolved
Incisions continue to heal and fade over time
Final results become more apparent as remaining swelling diminishes
Can Eyelid Surgery Be Performed With Other Procedures?
Yes, eyelid surgery is often combined with other treatments to create more comprehensive, balanced facial rejuvenation. While blepharoplasty focuses on the upper and/or lower eyelids, pairing it with complementary procedures can help address surrounding areas for a more cohesive result.
Common procedures combined with eyelid surgery include:
Brow lift surgery elevates the brows and smooths the upper face.
BOTOX® Cosmetic softens dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet and forehead lines.
Facelift surgery addresses sagging in the lower face and neck.
Dermal fillers restore volume to tear troughs, cheeks, temples, and other areas.
During your consultation, Dr. Cutolo will evaluate your facial structure and goals to determine whether combining treatments can enhance your results while maintaining a natural, refreshed appearance.
Eyelid Surgery Results and Benefits
Just a few weeks after eyelid surgery, swelling and bruising are usually gone, revealing naturally beautiful results. Patients typically look more alert and rested. In place of sagging, puffy upper eyelids and bags under the eyes, they now have youthfully firm skin around the eyes and smoothly contoured eyelids.
Eyelid Surgery FAQ
How painful is eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is not especially painful. Patients are generally sore for the first few days and can take oral medication to enhance their comfort.
What’s the best age to have eyelid surgery?
The “best” age for eyelid surgery is when lax skin has descended onto the upper eyelids or puffy bags have formed under the eyes, making you look tired. These concerns are usually related to aging but can be due to genetics in younger people.
Most patients consider eyelid surgery “worth it” because recovery is relatively easy and the results are rewarding and natural looking.
Will the surgery make me look younger?
Eyelid surgery opens up the eye area, which helps patients look refreshed and more youthful.
Will I have noticeable scars?
Dr. Cutolo places the incisions in the crease of the upper eyelids, within the lower eyelids, or along the lower lash line, where the resulting fine scars are not noticeable.
Is the procedure safe?
When performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Cutolo who performs the surgery in a fully accredited hospital or surgery center on a carefully screened patient, eyelid surgery is considered safe.
