Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in St. Augustine, FL

Specialized eye rejuvenation to restore a more alert, youthful appearance with natural-looking results

From cosmetic enhancement to functional improvement, our specialized eyelid surgery approaches create natural-looking results tailored to your specific concerns.

Are you concerned about drooping upper eyelids that make you look tired or aged? Do persistent under-eye bags create a fatigued appearance regardless of how well-rested you feel? At St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center, Dr. Douglas L. Johnson provides expert eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) that addresses these concerns, creating a more refreshed, alert appearance while maintaining your natural eye shape and expression.

What Is Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)?

Eyelid surgery, technically called blepharoplasty, is a specialized procedure that rejuvenates the appearance of the eyes by removing excess skin, repositioning or removing fat deposits, and tightening supporting muscles and tissues. This transformative surgery addresses one of the earliest and most noticeable signs of facial aging—changes to the delicate eyelid area that can create a permanently tired, sad, or aged appearance regardless of how you actually feel.

The procedure can be performed on upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, depending on your specific concerns and anatomy. Upper eyelid surgery primarily addresses excess skin that creates hooding or drooping, while lower eyelid surgery typically focuses on under-eye bags, puffiness, and fine wrinkles. In many cases, both upper and lower eyelids are treated for comprehensive eye rejuvenation that creates harmony and balance.

Beyond cosmetic concerns, upper eyelid surgery sometimes serves a functional purpose when excess skin significantly impairs peripheral vision—a condition called dermatochalasis. In these cases, the procedure not only improves appearance but also enhances visual function, potentially qualifying for insurance coverage when properly documented.

As a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Johnson has advanced training in the complex anatomy of the face and eyes. His specialized expertise ensures that your eyelid surgery creates natural-looking rejuvenation that enhances your appearance while preserving your unique eye shape and natural expression.

The Eyelid Surgery Process

Initial Consultation and Assessment

Your blepharoplasty journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation where Dr. Johnson will examine your eyelid structures, assess related facial features, and discuss your specific concerns and goals. This detailed assessment includes analysis of factors like skin elasticity, fat distribution, muscle tone, and eye shape—all crucial for developing an effective surgical plan. During this visit, Dr. Johnson will explain what eyelid surgery can realistically accomplish for your particular situation and begin formulating a customized surgical approach aligned with your aesthetic goals.

Personalized Surgical Planning

Based on your evaluation findings, Dr. Johnson develops a tailored surgical plan designed to address your specific eyelid concerns. This customized approach identifies the precise amount of skin removal needed, whether fat should be removed or repositioned, and whether muscle tightening would enhance your results. Dr. Johnson takes time to explain the recommended techniques, expected outcomes, and recovery considerations, ensuring you have realistic expectations about what blepharoplasty can achieve for your individual case.

Pre-Surgical Preparation

Once you decide to proceed with eyelid surgery, our team provides comprehensive preparation guidance to ensure you’re fully prepared for surgery and recovery. This includes detailed pre-operative instructions regarding medications to avoid, lifestyle adjustments that optimize healing, and practical arrangements for your surgery day and recovery period. Proper preparation significantly enhances both your surgical experience and your results, creating the optimal foundation for successful eyelid rejuvenation.

Blepharoplasty Procedure

Your surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation to ensure your comfort while minimizing recovery time. For upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Johnson makes precise incisions within the natural eyelid crease where resulting scars will be virtually invisible once healed. Through these discreet incisions, he removes the appropriate amount of excess skin, adjusts fat deposits as needed, and may tighten the underlying muscle for optimal results. Lower eyelid procedures may use incisions just below the lash line or inside the eyelid, depending on your specific needs. Most eyelid surgeries take 1-2 hours to complete, with patients returning home the same day.

Dr. Douglas L. Johnson, DMD

With over 25 years of specialized experience, Dr. Johnson provides exceptional care using the latest techniques and technology.

Dr. Johnson is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who completed his education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and advanced training through fellowships at prestigious institutions. His extensive training and experience allow him to perform complex procedures with precision and care.

At our state-of-the-art facility, we prioritize your comfort and results. Dr. Johnson and his specially trained staff are committed to providing you with the highest standard of care in a welcoming environment.

What are the Benefits of Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery offers transformative benefits that extend far beyond simple cosmetic enhancement. The primary aesthetic advantage is the creation of a more rested, alert appearance when drooping eyelids or under-eye bags have created a perpetually tired or aged look regardless of how well-rested you actually feel. This refreshed appearance often makes you look years younger without dramatically changing your natural features or expressions.

The procedure creates some of the most natural-looking facial rejuvenation results, as the subtle improvements integrate seamlessly with your facial appearance while avoiding the obvious signs of surgery associated with more extensive procedures. Friends and colleagues typically notice that you look more refreshed and vibrant without specifically identifying that you’ve had surgery, creating natural enhancement that doesn’t announce itself as an operated appearance.

For patients with significant upper eyelid hooding, functional benefits often accompany the aesthetic improvements. When excess skin has begun to interfere with peripheral vision, its removal can expand your visual field, potentially improving activities like driving, reading, or computer work. This functional enhancement represents a significant quality-of-life improvement beyond the cosmetic benefits.

Perhaps most importantly, patients consistently report enhanced self-confidence and improved social comfort following successful eyelid surgery. When concerns about a tired or aged eye appearance have caused self-consciousness, addressing these issues can significantly improve how you feel about your appearance in both personal and professional interactions. Many patients describe feeling more confident in face-to-face communications when no longer worried about appearing tired, sad, or older than they feel.

Our Reviews

Why Patients Choose Us

Care and Commitment

From the front office to the exam room, our practice is made up of professionals who take your oral health very seriously. Using state-of-the-art equipment designed with safety and efficiency in mind, we are able to offer top-notch care. As you walk through our office, you will notice that everything is clean, comfortable and thoroughly sterilized. Your safety and comfort are our priority.

Honesty and Affordability

We know that the cost of care can be confusing. In addition to offering a number of in-office payment options to fit your budget, we also give you up-front cost information on your treatment ahead of time. We are in network with a variety of insurance plans, and we offer dental financing with credit available in time frames that fit your needs. We are happy to help you navigate your dental insurance and alternative payment options.

Comprehensive Oral Surgery Care in One Location

At our practice, we are qualified to handle all aspects of your oral and maxillofacial care, so you are always surrounded by people that you trust. If we must refer out, we promise to send you to carefully vetted colleagues who apply the same professional principles in their office that we do in ours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a Good Candidate for Eyelid Surgery?

Ideal candidates for blepharoplasty include individuals who: have excess upper eyelid skin that creates hooding or drooping; experience under-eye bags or puffiness that persists regardless of sleep or skincare; have realistic expectations about what eyelid surgery can achieve; are in good general health without eye conditions that could affect healing; do not smoke or are willing to quit before and after surgery; and are typically 35+ years old, though candidacy depends more on your specific eyelid anatomy than age. Certain medical conditions that affect the eyes or healing may influence your candidacy or surgical approach. During your consultation, Dr. Johnson will evaluate whether blepharoplasty is appropriate for your concerns or if alternative approaches might better address your specific situation.

Will Eyelid Surgery Affect My Vision or Eye Function?

When performed by a qualified specialist like Dr. Johnson, blepharoplasty should not adversely affect your vision or eye function. In fact, for patients with significant upper eyelid hooding that impairs peripheral vision, functional upper blepharoplasty often improves visual fields. During surgery, careful attention is paid to removing the appropriate amount of tissue—not too much or too little—to ensure proper eyelid function and adequate eye closure after healing. Temporary dryness or irritation sometimes occurs during the initial healing period but typically resolves completely as swelling subsides. To ensure optimal outcomes, Dr. Johnson evaluates your pre-existing eye function and coordinates with your eye doctor when needed, particularly for patients with conditions like dry eye syndrome that require special consideration during surgical planning.

How Long Do Eyelid Surgery Results Last?

Blepharoplasty provides long-lasting improvement, with results that typically endure for 10-15 years or longer for upper eyelids and 5-10 years for lower eyelids. Several factors influence longevity, including: your skin quality and elasticity; lifestyle factors like sun exposure, smoking, and skincare habits; your individual aging process and genetics; and the specific techniques used during your procedure. While natural aging continues after surgery, the improvements from excess skin and fat removal remain, and you continue to look better than you would have without the procedure. Additional factors like significant weight fluctuations or certain medical conditions may affect how your results age over time. Many patients maintain their results longer with proper skincare, sun protection, and occasionally non-surgical treatments that complement their surgical improvement.

Visit Us in St. Augustine

St. Augustine Oral & Facial Surgical Center is ideally situated at 1301 Plantation Island Dr. Suite #101, St. Augustine, FL 32080, making us easily accessible for patients throughout St. Augustine and surrounding communities.