New York City's Certified Hospitals for Lower Eyelid Suspension

The appearance of our eyes can significantly impact how we look and feel. When the lower eyelids show signs of aging, such as sagging, puffiness, or dark circles, it can make us appear tired and older than we are. Lower eyelid suspension or lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that can effectively address these issues, restoring a more youthful and refreshed appearance to the eyes. In New York City, there are several certified hospitals and highly - skilled surgeons offering this service. Let's explore some of them in detail.

1. LM Medical NYC

Surgeon: Dr. Lesley Rabach

Dr. Lesley Rabach is a double - board certified facial plastic surgeon at LM Medical NYC. She completed her internship and residency in head and neck surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital followed by an ABFPRS accredited fellowship in facial plastic surgery. With her advanced surgical technique and artistically trained eye, she sculpts the lower eyelid to achieve a natural, youthful look.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: Two common approaches for lower blepharoplasty are available. The transconjunctival approach involves making an incision inside the eyelid. This method is preferred as it is scarless on the external part of the lower eyelid, does not require stitches, and has a shorter recovery time. However, it cannot correct excess skin. Sometimes, it is combined with laser resurfacing to improve skin texture and remove fine lines and wrinkles. The subciliary approach makes an incision just beneath the lashes along the lower eyelid and is used when skin removal is necessary.
• Anesthesia: Local anesthesia and an oral medication for relaxation are used, which cuts down on recovery time, allowing patients to resume normal activities faster.
• Recovery: There is a variable amount of bruising and swelling. The optimized pre - and post - operative approach allows for minimized bruising and swelling and a faster recovery. Many people can go back to work in about a week with makeup on. Light exercise and walking can be done right away, but heavy exercise should be postponed for two weeks. Patients can shower or take a bath the same night as the surgery.

Cost

The fee for lower blepharoplasty starts at $11,000. The final fee will be determined based on individual circumstances and the procedures needed to achieve the best cosmetic result, which will be discussed and agreed upon during the consultation.

Patient Considerations

Ideal candidates for lower blepharoplasty are those with bulging fat and/or loose skin on the lower eyelid. Loose skin is more common in older patients and those with significant sun damage, while bulging fat can be genetic and may become noticeable in the early forties or even in the late 20s to early 30s. However, the procedure does not reduce the look or texture of sun - damaged or crepey skin. If these are additional concerns, patients might consider adding a TCA peel to achieve lighter, smoother under - eye skin.

2. Antell MD

Surgeon: Dr. Darrick Antell

Dr. Darrick Antell is a board - certified plastic surgeon emphasizing aesthetic cosmetic surgery. He has years of experience and a flawless track record in performing eyelid surgeries.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: Similar to other practices, both transconjunctival and subciliary approaches may be used depending on the patient's needs. Incisions are carefully made along the natural folds of the eyelids to ensure minimal scarring.
• Anesthesia: Eyelid surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia and light intravenous sedation. The procedure is most often done on an outpatient basis in his accredited state - of - the - art surgical facility in New York.
• Recovery: After treatment, the eyelids will be swollen. Patients are advised to avoid all physical activities for the day, sleep in an inclined position for the first few days, and avoid watching TV for the first 24 hours. The post - treatment swelling and redness will gradually dissipate in a few days, and the discoloration around the eyes will resolve in 7 to 10 days. Patients can resume mild physical activities after about 10 days, be comfortable in public in about two weeks, and resume all physical activities after 4 weeks.

Cost

The cost of eyelid surgery depends on several factors, including whether it is an upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or double blepharoplasty, operational costs of the surgical facility, surgeon's fees, anesthesia costs, additional tests before the procedure, prescription medications after the treatment, and surgical garment costs.

Patient Considerations

The best patients for blepharoplasty are those who are healthy, psychologically stable, and well - motivated. Some medical conditions such as thyroid disease, high blood pressure, and insufficient tear production may increase the risk of the surgery.

3. Dr. Barry Weintraub

Surgeon: Dr. Barry Weintraub

Dr. Barry Weintraub is a board - certified and Ivy League - educated plastic surgeon at the Weill - Cornell Medical Center. He has over two decades of experience and is a national spokesperson for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Festoon Removal (Related to Lower Eyelid)

Festoons, or eye bags, are bags of the lower eyelid skin that can make patients look tired and older. Dr. Weintraub can remove festoons in various ways.

• Approach: He may use the transconjunctival surgical approach or direct removal performed with microscopic magnification and sewn with the finest suture material to create nearly invisible incisions. Sometimes, lasers are used to remove fine, crepey wrinkles in the skin overlying the festoons.
• Anesthesia: Dr. Weintraub prefers his festoon removal patients to be in a comfortable state of twilight sleep. Due to advancements in anesthesia and new medications, patients do not have to deal with nausea, vomiting, or grogginess, and the emergence from anesthesia is crisp and clear.
• Recovery: There may be a short period of very minimal swelling and minimal bruising after the surgery. Patients must carefully follow all instructions provided by Dr. Weintraub to achieve the best results. He believes in early showering, stating that "clean wounds make for narrower incisions." He will advise patients on when they can return to their normal lifestyle and exercise routine.

Patient Considerations

The best candidates for festoon excision are well - balanced, in good general and mental health, and have realistic expectations. They should be highly motivated to make the change, able to pause their daily responsibilities for the procedure, and have the financial means to afford the elective cosmetic surgery.

4. Zuckerman Plastic Surgery

Surgeon: Dr. David Zuckerman

Dr. David Zuckerman is highly experienced in eyelid surgery and trained at some of the most respected medical institutions in the world, including Brown University and New York University. He strives to achieve a natural - looking, subtle result.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: Dr. Zuckerman typically makes an incision on the back side of the lower eyelid and removes fat from one of the three fat compartments to address under - eye bags or puffiness. He may also remove a small, conservative strip of skin from the lower eyelid. The procedure can involve a canthopexy, a stitch in the deep tissues in the lateral corner of the eye to pull the eyelid tighter and address lower eyelid laxity. For safety and comfort, the procedure is performed in the operating room under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia.
• Lower Eyelid Fat Grafting: To address under - eye hollows or atrophy of fat, he can perform small volume liposuction to harvest fat from donor sites in the abdomen, flanks, or thighs and then graft this donor fat to fill in the tear trough, smoothing the junction between the cheek and lower eyelid.
• Recovery: Lower eyelid surgery requires a slightly longer recovery and often involves more swelling. Patients should expect to be swollen for up to two weeks and should limit heavy lifting or other intensive activities for a few weeks after surgery. Dr. Zuckerman will prescribe pain medication if needed to manage postoperative discomfort and may recommend a special post - procedure ointment to lubricate the eyes in the days after surgery.

Patient Considerations

Candidates for lower eyelid surgery are those who are dissatisfied with the appearance of the lower eyelids, such as having ptosis, drooping, crows' feet, lines and wrinkles, a hollowed or tired appearance, dark under - eye circles, or fat deposits. They must be able to obtain medical clearance, be in good overall and eye health, and have good skin elasticity. Before surgery, Dr. Zuckerman refers prospective patients to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of dry eye, as blepharoplasty can in some cases make this condition worse.

5. Mount Sinai - New York

Surgeons

Mount Sinai has a team of expert plastic surgeons who can perform cosmetic eyelid surgery with precision.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: During lower eyelid surgery, the plastic surgeon can make the incision along the lower eyelid's lash line or completely hide it inside the lower eyelid to camouflage it.
• Benefits: The surgery can lift the loose, sagging lower eyelids, correct under - eye bags, restore better peripheral vision affected by loose eyelid skin, and remove fatty deposits from the lower eyelids.
• Recovery: Specific recovery details may vary depending on the individual patient and the extent of the surgery. However, patients can expect to follow the surgeon's instructions regarding post - operative care, which may include measures to reduce swelling and bruising.

Patient Considerations

Patients who want to enhance the appearance of their lower eyelids, especially those with puffiness, drooping, or fine lines, may be good candidates for the surgery. Additionally, if the loose skin on the eyelids is affecting vision, the surgery may also be beneficial. The hospital can collaborate with vision specialists to determine if the procedure can improve visual impairment and may assist patients in getting insurance coverage if the surgery is deemed medically necessary.

6. Dr. Adam Kolker

Surgeon: Dr. Adam Kolker

Dr. Adam Kolker is a New York City plastic surgeon skilled in all nuances and techniques in the rejuvenation of the eye area. He brings vast experience, technical finesse, meticulous attention to detail, and artistry to achieve beautiful results.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: Various techniques can be used alone or in combination, including non - surgical lower eyelid rejuvenation with injectable facial fillers to restore volume to the tear trough and soften the lid - cheek junction, laser resurfacing to improve color, texture, and tone of the eyelid area, skin - pinch blepharoplasty to remove a small amount of excess skin of the lower eyelid with an inconspicuous incision beneath the lash line, transconjunctival blepharoplasty to remove excess lower eyelid fat without external incisions, fat grafts for tear trough and volume loss, and lower eyelid fat repositioning to tighten the lower lid support mechanisms and reduce puffiness.
• Anesthesia: For lower lid blepharoplasty with more involved muscle, septum, and fat maneuvers (repositioning or removal), sedation is required. Anesthesia is administered by a board - certified anesthesiologist.
• Recovery: After the surgery, patients will recover in the recovery room and be cared for by a registered nurse. They will go home with a friend or relative when fully awake and comfortable. Cold compresses are used to minimize bruising and swelling around the eyes. The primary swelling and bruising resolve in about one week, and most patients can go back to work or resume social activities around this time. Recovery after more limited blepharoplasty maneuvers may be only several days. Dr. Kolker suggests light cardio exercises for approximately two weeks after blepharoplasty, after which unrestricted exercise and activity may be resumed.

Patient Considerations

Patients should have a comprehensive discussion and examination with Dr. Kolker in his office on Park Avenue in New York. In some cases, he may recommend a non - surgical eyelid rejuvenation approach. When plastic surgery is required, the most minimal approach is selected to minimize downtime and achieve the patient's goals. If appropriate, plastic surgery of the eyelids can be combined with other modalities, such as laser, fat grafting, and fillers, to promote natural results.

7. Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh

Surgeon: Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh

Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh is a board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City and Long Island. He has developed a trademarked blepharoplasty technique called Natura Look® eyelid surgery, which gives a more youthful result than typical blepharoplasties.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: There are two main approaches for lower eyelid surgery: the transconjunctival approach (making an incision on the inside of the lower eyelid, used mainly for removing excess fat with no visible external scar) and the subciliary approach (making an incision just below the lower eyelashes, which allows removal of excess skin, muscle, and fat and can reposition or tighten the lower eyelid if it sags or droops). In both approaches, the incision is carefully made to minimize visible scarring and preserve the eyelid's natural contour.
• Anesthesia: The procedure is usually done under local or monitored anesthesia in a boutique operating room certified by either the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). General anesthesia can be used if the patient requests it or if the surgery is combined with other procedures.
• Recovery: After the surgery, most patients need to take about one week off from work for the bruising and swelling in the eye area to subside. They need to sleep on their back for one to two weeks and avoid exercise and sun exposure for three to four weeks. Dr. Alizadeh and his staff will provide specific pre - and post - operative instructions and be available throughout the recovery period to ensure proper healing and answer questions.

Patient Considerations

Candidates for lower eyelid surgery with Dr. Alizadeh generally include those who are generally healthy, nonsmokers, have no serious eye conditions, have realistic expectations about the surgery, have droopy or sagging lower eyelids, have bags or dark circles under their eyes, or are experiencing obscured vision from drooping eyelids.

8. Dr. Douglas Steinbrech

Surgeon: Dr. Douglas Steinbrech

Dr. Douglas Steinbrech is an award - winning plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York City. He has been selected among America’s top plastic surgeons by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.

Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

• Approach: The doctor will employ advanced surgical techniques to ensure minimal visible scar formation. Incision sites are strategically placed to avoid overt scarring. After making the incisions, the surgeon will remove or reposition fat deposits to achieve the aesthetic goal of rejuvenating the eyes.
• Anesthesia: The procedure is typically an outpatient one using local anesthesia.
• Recovery: Recovery involves a downtime of about 1 - 2 weeks. Patients are advised to refrain from strenuous activities and avoid excessive sun exposure. They may experience some swelling and bruising in the eye area, which usually subsides within a few days. Full results appear within 3 months post - operatively. The doctor often recommends cold compresses to help reduce swelling post - surgery.

Patient Considerations

Good candidates for lower eyelid surgery are those with loose or sagging skin around the eyes, puffiness, and wrinkles that make them appear older than they actually are. They should be in good overall health and have realistic expectations of the results. It is important to consult with Dr. Steinbrech to ensure they