Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
in Fort Worth, TX

Patients that Dr. Kunkel sees for eyelid surgery are often concerned that they look tired or sad.  Their eyes look puffy.  Fatty tissue may protrude in the lower eyelids, making it look like they have been crying or have allergies.  Extra skin of the upper eyelids makes the eyelids heavy.  It may be hard to put on make-up.  Cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can help create dramatic yet refined changes around the eyes.

Techniques for eyelid surgery have evolved.  Before the early 2000’s it was common for surgeons to remove all the fat they could find.  Today there is more of an emphasis on preserving fat in strategic areas of the eyelids.  When doing lower eyelid surgery, Dr. Kunkel manipulates fat through an incision inside the lower eyelid.  This technique has become a standard in eyelid surgery.

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Dr. Kunkel offers cosmetic eyelid surgery services to patients from Fort Worth, Southlake, Mansfield, Weatherford, Arlington, and across North Texas. Peer physicians have recognized Dr. Kunkel’s outstanding care of patients and have voted him a TopDoc 22 times!

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is one of the most-commonly performed cosmetic procedures.  During a blepharoplasty operation, Dr. Kunkel removes excess skin and removes and repositions underlying fat.   Cosmetic eyelid procedures often deliver dramatic results that are subtle at the same time. Unless you’ve told them, friends may not even know that you’ve had surgery; they may only notice that you look more alert and refreshed.

These procedures can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or on both.

Candidates For Blepharoplasty

The best candidates for blepharoplasty

  • are in good health
  • do not smoke
  • do not have any serious eye conditions
  • have loose, sagging skin of the upper or lower eyelids
  • have fullness and puffiness in the lower eyelids
Portrait of a smiling senior woman sitting on a chair in her living room at home. She has saggy eyebrows, a prime candidate for blepharoplasty.

How Does Dr. Kunkel Perform Blepharoplasty?

Dr. Kunkel performs blepharoplasty surgery in a surgery center or hospital in Fort Worth.  The patient is put to sleep under the direction of an anesthesiologist (general anesthesia).  The operation may be done on just the upper eyelids, just the lower eyelids, or both the upper and lower eyelids.  Some patients undergo blepharoplasty combined with a brow liftfacelift, or even breast augmentation.  It takes Dr. Kunkel about an hour to do both upper eyelids, and about two hours to do both lower eyelids.  Most patients are able to go home the same day.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery is done through an incision near the natural crease of the eyelid. Excess skin is removed, fat is repositioned or removed, and the underlying muscle tissue is slightly modified.  The final scar is nicely concealed along the crease, extending out toward the side of the eyelid.

When doing lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery, two incisions are usually required.  One of these is made inside the lower eyelid.  The fatty tissue bulges are managed through this incision.  Some fat is removed, and some of the fat may be repositioned.  This allows the lower eyelid and cheek to blend together, minimizing distinct creases and folds.  The second incision is made immediately below the eyelashes.  Excess skin is removed through this incision.  The resulting scar is typically almost imperceptible.

See examples of some of Dr. Kunkel’s blepharoplasty patients here.

What kind of scarring will I have after eyelid surgery?

One of the best things about cosmetic eyelid surgery is that the scars are usually very hard to see.  The incisions are made utilizing techniques to minimize visibility of the scars.  Often incisions are made either in or very near existing creases.  The scars are a little pink for a few months but typically fade to an almost imperceptible line.

What Is Eyelid Surgery Recovery Like?

Most people have very little pain after blepharoplasty surgery.   Vision may be a little blurry for a day or two.  Dr. Kunkel often uses dissolving sutures.  A few sutures may need to be removed after about a week.  Make-up may be worn beginning about a week after surgery.  Some bruising occurs and is noticeable for 3 to 4 weeks, but make-up usually conceals it.  Contact lenses should not be worn for 7-10 days.  Some people return to work in just a few days. Most people, however, take about 10 days off from work. If there is a special occasion coming up, like a wedding or a reunion, it’s probably best to undergo the blepharoplasty about two or three months before the event.

What Our Patients Have To Say

“Dr. Kunkel is a fabulous surgeon as well as a caring man. He is truly concerned about your needs and/or wants. He tells you what you can and cannot expect in reality. I can’t say enough about his staff! They are simply THE BEST!”

-Kim B

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(Selfie of Dr. Kunkel with members of the OR team)

How long after my surgery will I see my results from eyelid surgery?

We live in an Instagram world where immediate results are expected.  Most of our patients notice nice changes after a week or two, but the swelling and some bruising may be noticed by other people for three or four weeks.

How long will my results last?

Eyelid surgery will produce long-lasting changes. Gravity, of course, will always be with us. Over many years the eyebrows may be pulled down more and this may result in having extra upper eyelid skin. Small bulges may occur in the lower eyelids over many years as well. People who undergo blepharoplasty surgery tend to be quite happy with their results for many years. On occasion, someone may want to undergo a second procedure. In Dr. Kunkel's experience, this is rare and tends to happen between 10 and 20 years after the original surgery.

How long after my eyelid surgery can I drive?

Most people wait a week or two before driving.  There's some swelling that may limit your ability to see things beside you initially.  We don't want people to drive until they feel comfortable turning their head side-to-side and until the swelling has gone down quite a bit.  Dr. Kunkel and his staff discuss this with their patients as they see them in the first several days after surgery.

Blonde woman in her 50's smiling at the camera

Blepharoplasty Risks

All surgical procedures have some risks. Risks common to all procedures include infection, bleeding, and visible scars.  Risks that are more unique to blepharoplasty include dry eyes, inability to fully close the eyes, injury to an eye, and a downward pulling of the lower eyelid (ectropion). Dr. Kunkel carefully discusses the procedure, the recovery, and the risks with each patient.

How Much Does Cosmetic Eyelid (Blepharoplasty) Surgery Cost In Fort Worth?

The prices listed below include Dr. Kunkel’s fee, the surgical facility fee, and the anesthesia fee.  Prescription medications cost extra.  Insurance may pay the majority of the costs of the medications but that varies by insurance company. The amounts listed below may vary depending on a number of features, including the surgical facility used and the time involved.

  • Upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery:  approximately $5,200.
  • Lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery:  approximately $6,000.
  • Combined upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery:  approximately $9,500.
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What will happen at my consultation for eyelid surgery?

Dr. Kunkel wants patients to be very involved in their consultations. Throughout your meeting, he encourages any and all questions you may have. He asks you what it is you dislike about your eyelids and the areas surrounding them. What specific issues do you have? What would you like to change?

Dr. Kunkel examines your eyelids. Photographs are taken with the Vectra 3-dimensional imaging device and these images are reviewed. Using these images he shows you what he thinks may be of benefit and diagrams that on the image.

He and his staff then walk you through the surgery. He’ll talk about your incision options and what each entails. He’ll show you some before and after photos of some of his patients. He’ll discuss what to expect during your recovery.

Whether you choose to go ahead and have this surgery or not, at the end of your consultation you will be quite knowledgeable of what’s involved.

Schedule A Consultation

To schedule a consultation or to learn more about our blepharoplasty procedures, contact us today!

Office Information

OFFICE HOURS

M-Th: 9:00am - 5:00pm
F: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Closed Weekends

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