The top 5 on the list of eye bag removal in New York City are announced!
Eye bags can be a source of frustration for many people, making them look tired and older than they actually are. In New York City, there are several top - notch surgeons and clinics that specialize in eye bag removal. Here are the top 5 that stand out in 2025:
- Dr. Lara Devgan
- Dr. John E. Sherman
- Dr. Barry Weintraub
- Dr. Maurice Khosh
- Dr. Brett Kotlus
1. Dr. Lara Devgan
About the Surgeon
Dr. Lara Devgan is a well - known figure in the field of plastic surgery in New York City. She holds an MD, MPH, and is a FACS (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons). With her comprehensive training and expertise, she has gained a solid reputation for providing high - quality care to her patients.
Blepharoplasty Expertise
A blepharoplasty, or eye lift, is one of her specialties. This surgical procedure aims to make the eyes look more refreshed, awake, large, and youthful. It can address the upper eyelid (just below the eyebrow), the lower eyelid (the part that looks puffy when you have bags under your eyes), or both. Blepharoplasty is one of the top five most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in America.
She can fix various problems such as tired - looking eyes, drooping eyelids, thin or crepe - y skin of the eyelids, dark circles under the eyes, puffy bags under the eyes, deep tear troughs, hooding of the eyelids, Asian eyelids that lack the upper lid crease, and prominent crow's feet.
Candidacy and Consultation
Determining your candidacy for blepharoplasty requires an in - person consultation with Dr. Devgan. This will include an examination of your eyes and face, as well as a review of your medical history and specific concerns. Generally, healthy patients without major ophthalmologic issues are the best candidates for surgery. If you have recently had Lasik, cataract surgery, or another ophthalmologic procedure, you must wait 6 months before having a blepharoplasty. Patients with dry, itchy eyes may continue to have dry eyes after surgery. Those with a face with a negative vector, loose eyelid skin, or lax tissue may require an adjuvant maneuver such as a lateral canthopexy or canthoplasty. Fat grafting and fat repositioning may also be performed. Depending on your eye history and the type of surgery planned, you may require a pre - operative evaluation by an ophthalmologist.
The Surgery Process
A blepharoplasty (upper or lower, or both) is a short outpatient procedure. Dr. Devgan performs blepharoplasties under sedation administered by a board - certified anesthesiologist and uses protective corneal shields to keep your eyes safe. The procedure is relatively painless. All scars are either hidden inside the pink part of the eyelids or camouflaged along a skin crease. When you wake up, an ice pack will be placed over your eyes for several minutes.
Recovery
After surgery, you will be able to go home the same day once you are feeling well. You can wear your eyeglasses immediately, but contacts should not be used for the first several days while swelling subsides. You can resume normal activities such as shopping, walking, reading, and even working 1 - 2 days after surgery. However, swelling and bruising typically do not go away for at least one week. Many patients like to wear sunglasses for the first few days after surgery to camouflage this. Once your swelling and bruising subsides, you will notice a more refreshed, rested, and youthful appearance around your eyes.
2. Dr. John E. Sherman
Professional Background
Dr. John E. Sherman is a board - certified plastic surgeon with over 40 years of experience in the field. He specializes in facial rejuvenation and has a particular skill in performing blepharoplasty to ensure natural - looking results.
Options for Blepharoplasty
There are several options for blepharoplasty depending on the patient's age, the amount of fat in the upper and lower eyelids, and the general elasticity and tone of the lower eyelid. Dr. Sherman offers both upper - eyelid surgery and lower - eyelid surgery (under - eye bag surgery) for patients in New York City.
- Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty: Ideal for younger patients to those in their early forties who have inherited a family tendency for puffy upper and lower eyelids. In this procedure, the incision is made inside the eyelid, avoiding any type of scar. The periorbital fat is carefully and conservatively teased out of the lower eyelid. Due to the elasticity in younger patients, the skin drapes nicely, often avoiding the need for skin adjustment. If a small amount of skin must be tightened, a laser peel or “skin pinch” may be performed simultaneously. The operation for transconjunctival lower lid blepharoplasty takes roughly 30 minutes. If upper eyelids are added, the procedure may take up to one hour. Most patients are back to work within a week without the need for suturing.
- Lower Eyelid Resuspension or Canthopexy: For older patients whose eyelids have lost their elasticity. The lower eyelid may need to be repositioned or tightened, usually performed in conjunction with lower and upper eyelid blepharoplasty if needed.
- Laser Resurfacing of the Eyelids: This procedure resurfaces the eyelids to provide a younger, fresher look and minimize finer wrinkling often present with aging and/or sun damage. It can be performed as an outpatient and may be done with blepharoplasty.
Patient Preparation
Before the surgery, patients need to follow several preparation steps. They should discontinue any blood thinners, supplements, and medications that may interfere with the surgery or recovery process as instructed by Dr. Sherman. Smokers should stop using nicotine products in the weeks leading up to surgery and remain nicotine - free throughout the recovery period. Patients should also fill any prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics provided by the team in advance. Transportation arrangements should be made as they may require assistance getting home safely after the procedure. Additionally, they should arrange time off from work and social commitments to allow for a speedy recovery.
Surgery and Recovery
Upper or lower blepharoplasty is almost always performed under intravenous sedation anesthesia, supplemented with local anesthesia. The patient is continuously monitored by a board - certified anesthesiologist. The operation may take 30 minutes to one hour depending on the scope of the surgery. After the surgery, the patient is transferred to the recovery room and discharged from the clinic approximately one hour later. After discharge, the patient can return home under the care of a nurse, friend, or family member. The main requirement is to maintain an ice compress on the eyelids for several hours after surgery to reduce bruising. Patients usually have minimal discomfort in the postoperative period, and Dr. Sherman prescribes pain medication. Bruising is typically gone within 10 days, and sutures, if present, are removed by the fourth or fifth day. Swelling usually lasts up to three weeks, and the final eyelid result is obtained in two months.
3. Dr. Barry Weintraub
Credentials and Reputation
Dr. Barry Weintraub is a top NYC plastic surgeon who is board - certified and ivy league educated 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. He has a keen eye for natural - looking results and beauty.
Festoon Removal (Eye Bag Treatment)
Festoons, also known as eye bags, are bags of the lower eyelid skin. This condition is often the result of aging, genetics, smoking, and/or sun exposure. Dr. Weintraub can remove festoons in a variety of ways, including the transconjunctival surgical approach and 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.
Consultation and Patient Selection
When considering festoon removal, there is no specific chronological age. The decision should be based on how you feel about your appearance. During the consultation, Dr. Weintraub will listen to your concerns and help you understand your own issues. To choose the best plastic surgeon, you should check for board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, ensure that the physician attends a major hospital in your community and is in good standing, confirm their reputation among other medical professionals, and speak to their patients who have undergone similar procedures. The best candidates for festoon excision are well - balanced, in good general and mental health, 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.
Surgery Process
Dr. Weintraub prefers his festoon removal patients to be in a comfortable state of twilight sleep. With advancements in anesthesia and new medications, patients no longer have to contend with nausea, vomiting, or grogginess. He insists on the most sterile conditions in the New York City operating room with board - certified anesthesiologists and state - of - the - art monitoring equipment. The surgery is performed by Dr. Weintraub himself, and every intraoperative maneuver is executed with precision and care, and all wounds are sewn in multiple layers by his own hand.
Post - Surgery Care
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. He is a firm believer 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.
4. Dr. Maurice Khosh
Surgeon's Expertise
Dr. Maurice Khosh is a dual - board certified facial plastic surgeon, specializing in delicate procedures like blepharoplasty that require extreme precision and expertise. His office in Manhattan offers effective eye & brow treatments for under - eye bags.
Causes of Eye Bags and Treatment Options
Eye bags can appear for various reasons. Age is a factor, but even people in their twenties can have eye bags or circles due to genetics or lifestyle. Aging can change the composition of the fat under the skin, creating a sunken spot under the eye or a bulge of fat that creates a “bag” above the cheekbone. For younger people, genetics often play a role. There are surgical and non - surgical treatments available. One non - surgical option is injectable fillers or other non - invasive treatments, which can plump the area below the eye to get rid of dark circles. If there are other aging issues, a liquid face lift could be recommended. A surgical option is blepharoplasty for the lower eyelid, which is a permanent solution that can reposition or remove fat pockets under the skin that create eye bags. The incision is usually placed inside the eyelid so there is no visible scar.
5. Dr. Brett Kotlus
Specialization in Eye Bag Surgery
Dr. Brett Kotlus is a cosmetic oculoplastic surgeon in NYC. He specializes in eye bag surgery and has a wealth of experience in this area.
Eye Bag Treatment Options
There are two effective eye bag treatments as of 2025. One is eye bag surgery that removes the fat pouches, which is a long - lasting solution. The other is filler injections that disguise the bags by inflating the surrounding areas, which is a temporary fix and may not be as effective as surgery if the bags are severe, but can be more effective if the primary issue is hollowing and not bulging fat. There are also some topical treatments (creams) under investigation, but they are not currently available in the U.S.
Scarless Eye Bag Surgery
In some cases, as determined by the surgeon in a consultation, the fatty pouches can be removed from behind the eyelid using the trans - conjunctival approach. This means the incision is hidden on the inside of the eyelid (on the mucous membrane called the conjunctiva). The majority of the eye bag removal surgeries Dr. Kotlus performs in NY are from behind the eyelid. On occasion, he will recommend an in - front - of - the - eyelid incision if skin removal or eyelid muscle tightening is required.
Personalized Approach
Dr. Kotlus emphasizes that for some people, successful eye bag removal may consist of fat removal only. But if there is under - eye and cheek hollowing, additional measures are taken. Fat from the lower eyelids can be shifted down to fill the under - eye hollows or fat injections are performed with cells taken from another part of the body, creating a more level, smooth shape along the eyelid and cheek.
Comparing the Top 5 Surgeons
Surgeon | Specialty | Patient Focus | Surgery Approach | Recovery Period |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. Lara Devgan | Blepharoplasty for overall eye rejuvenation | Comprehensive examination and personalized care | Under sedation, hidden or camouflaged scars | Same - day discharge, 1 - 2 days for light activities, 1 week for swelling and bruising to reduce |
Dr. John E. Sherman | Multiple blepharoplasty options (transconjunctival, resuspension, laser resurfacing) | Customized approach based on age and eyelid condition | Intravenous sedation, various incision methods | One - hour discharge after surgery, 10 days for bruising to go, 3 weeks for swelling, 2 months for final result |
Dr. Barry Weintraub | Festoon removal (eye bag treatment) | Patient - centered consultation, natural - looking results | Twilight sleep anesthesia, precise surgical execution | Minimal swelling and bruising, following specific post - op instructions |
Dr. Maurice Khosh | Non - surgical and surgical options for eye bags | Precision in delicate facial procedures | Injectable fillers or blepharoplasty with hidden incisions | Results vary depending on the treatment option |
Dr. Brett Kotlus | Eye bag surgery with a personalized approach | Customized solutions for individual eye bag and facial conditions | Trans - conjunctival (scarless) or front - of - eyelid incision as needed | Depends on the complexity of the surgery |
Conclusion
Eye bag removal is a popular cosmetic procedure in New York City, and these top 5 surgeons offer a range of solutions to address different needs. Whether you are looking for a surgical option like blepharoplasty or non - surgical treatments, each of these experts has the skills and experience to provide high - quality care. They all emphasize personalized approaches, patient safety, and natural - looking results. When considering eye bag removal, it's important to consult with one of these top surgeons to determine the best course of action for you.
Take the first step towards achieving a more refreshed and youthful appearance by reaching out to one of these top eye bag removal specialists in New York City. You can schedule a consultation to discuss your concerns and learn more about the available treatment options.