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Upper & Lower Eyelid Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Kansas City, MO

An eyelid lift is a procedure that can restore a more refreshed and alert appearance to the eyes. Also called blepharoplasty, this procedure addresses lax skin, weakened muscles, and descending fat on upper and/or lower eyelids.

Dr. Hannah Vargas is a nationally recognized board-certified surgeon who specializes in facial procedures at Vargas Face & Skin Center. Dr. Vargas has earned a reputation across Kansas for her natural-looking results and dedication to upholding the highest standards of patient safety. She also lectures at regional and national meetings on topics within plastic surgery and has received the American Medical Association’s Physician’s Recognition Award.

We invite you to schedule your consultation by either submitting our online contact form or calling our Prairie Village office at (913) 381-4900.

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About Eyelid Lifts

An eyelid lift can restore a brighter, more open appearance to the eyelids by eliminating excess skin, tightening lax muscles, and removing or repositioning fat. ⁽¹⁾

The eyes are one of the most central features of the face, and eye contact is a fundamental part of how we communicate with the world. This area is also particularly susceptible to age-related changes, as the eyelids are in constant motion, ⁽²⁾ and the skin in this area is the thinnest on the body. ⁽³⁾ By undergoing an eyelid lift, you can restore natural definition to your eyelids and achieve a look that channels your inner vitality.

Benefits

Eyelid lifts provide numerous benefits, including:

A Rejuvenated Appearance: Eyelid lifts can effectively refresh the appearance of your lower and/or upper eyelids by correcting age-related changes.
Restored Field of Vision: Eliminating sagging upper eyelid skin can expand sight lines to a fuller visual range.
Long-Lasting Results: The results of an eyelid lift can last for years, making it a worthwhile investment for many patients.
Elevated Confidence: Improving a feature as significant as the eyes can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more positive about your appearance.

Candidates

You may want to consider an eyelid lift if you struggle with any of the following concerns:

Excess and lax skin on the upper and/or lower eyelids
Puffiness or bags beneath the lower eyelids
Eye irritation caused by eyelid ptosis
Obstructed vision caused by sagging eyelid skin
Weakened or lax muscles

To qualify, you should be in good general health and hold realistic expectations regarding what this procedure can accomplish. Our team will assess your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Your personal consultation is an opportunity to learn more about eyelid lifts and determine whether they can help you achieve your goals. During this initial meeting, a patient coordinator will meet with you to discuss the details of the procedure, as well as its benefits and limitations. They will also review your medical history, ask you about your ideal aesthetic, and assess the areas concerning you the most. The patient coordinator will then use the details of your conversation to confirm whether an eyelid lift is right for you.

We encourage you to prepare and ask as many questions as needed, as we want you to leave feeling well-educated and empowered.

If you are ready to take the first step towards refreshing your appearance, please contact us online. You may also call our Prairie Village office directly at (913) 381-4900.

Preparation

Once you have decided to proceed with your eyelid lift, Dr. Vargas will provide you with a full set of pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. These may vary depending on the details of your procedure, but to ensure the safest and most comfortable procedure and recovery, she typically instructs patients to:

Refrain from taking any medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties.
Ask a trusted friend or relative to transport you home after your procedure, and if needed, assist you for the first 24 hours of your recovery.
Make arrangements to step away from your professional and personal responsibilities while recuperating.
Acquire any medications you need for your recovery.
Stop consuming nicotine several weeks in advance and limit your alcohol consumption in the days leading up to your procedure.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, you will meet with Dr. Vargas one last time to reconfirm each of your desired enhancements. Dr. Vargas will cleanse your skin, and you will be placed under twilight sedation. She will then either perform an upper eyelid lift, a lower eyelid lift, or a combination of the two.

Upper Eyelid Lift

Dr. Vargas will place an incision that follows the natural crease of your upper eyelid. Through this incision, she will perform each of your corrections. These may include excising redundant tissue, removing or repositioning any fat deposits, and tightening any loose or weakened muscles. ⁽¹⁾ After achieving your desired corrections, she will close the incisions using fine sutures.

Lower Eyelid Lift

Dr. Vargas will place the incision on the inside of the eyelid, a technique called the transconjunctival incision. She will then remove the excess eyelid skin, fat, and tissue to restore a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. ⁽⁴⁾ Dr. Vargas will then dress the area and let you rest. Outside of special circumstances, a suture is not needed.

Recovery

After an eyelid lift, you can expect to develop some swelling and bruising around the treated areas. These temporary effects will continue to subside as you heal, but Dr. Vargas also recommends using cold compresses and elevating your head as you rest. She will also prescribe medications to help you manage any discomfort.

You will be able to return to most of your routine shortly after approximately one to two weeks of rest. However, you must refrain from any strenuous or arduous activities for several weeks, or until Dr. Vargas gives you clearance.

Dr. Vargas and her team will give you a detailed set of post-operative instructions to help you care for yourself as you heal. Following these directions ensures a safe return to your routine as well as the best possible results.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the full effects of your eyelid lift once any residual swelling fully dissipates. You can expect to enjoy smoother and tighter skin, a more defined eye shape, and a brighter, more youthful-looking appearance.

The results of eyelid lifts are long-lasting, which means you can enjoy your refreshed appearance for several years to come. However, it is important to understand that no procedure can fully stop the effects of aging from changing your appearance over time.

Corresponding Procedures

Dr. Vargas can perform several procedures alongside your eyelid lift, such as brow lifts and facelifts. If you are interested in integrating other procedures into your treatment plan, Dr. Vargas can provide you with more personal recommendations during your consultation.

Brow Lifts

A brow lift, or forehead lift, is a procedure that can enhance the appearance of your forehead and eyebrow region. This procedure elevates the position of the eyebrows and smooths the skin by correcting sagging, wrinkles, creases, asymmetry, and more.

Facelifts

A facelift restores a more youthful-looking appearance to the face and neck. It consists of elevating and tightening your facial skin, soft tissues, and muscles to address visible signs of aging, such as deep creases, jowling, and sagging skin. Dr. Vargas can pair it with an eyelid lift to help you achieve a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Dr. Vargas offers several variations of facelift, including:

For more information about Dr. Vargas’s various techniques and procedures, we invite you to read her blog!

Cost of Eyelid Lifts in Kansas City, MO

Dr. Vargas will discuss pricing with you after establishing your treatment plan. This is because the cost of your eyelid lift will vary depending on factors such as the extent of your procedure, whether Dr. Vargas addresses your upper and/or lower eyelids, and the complexity of your corrections.

To learn more about our pricing, please contact us online or call (913) 381-4900.

FAQ

Can Dr. Vargas perform an eyelid lift on both my upper and lower eyelids?

Yes, Dr. Vargas can correct concerns across the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both within one surgery.

How do I know if I am a candidate for an eyelid lift?

Attending a personal consultation is the best way to finalize your candidacy. Here, our patient coordinator will be able to assess your facial anatomy and converse with you about your goals.

Can an eyelid lift lighten the appearance of dark circles?

An eyelid lift cannot address any darkness that develops beneath the skin. However, this procedure can reduce any under-eye bags or puffiness that may contribute to shadowing.

How long will it take Dr. Vargas to perform my eyelid lift?

The exact duration of your procedure will vary depending on the details of your treatment, but Dr. Vargas will let you know what to expect when she meets with you in person.

Will an eyelid lift change the shape of my eyes?

An eyelid lift will not change the natural shape of your eyes, but enhances it by eliminating sagging skin and fat deposits that may be obscuring your natural beauty.

References

Patel BC, Malhotra R. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. Nih.gov. Published July 24, 2023. Accessed June 15, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537078/#article-18383.s5
Gu KN, Leem S, Kim H, et al. Periorbital skin index as a biomarker for biological aging and health status. Frontiers in Aging. 2026;7. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2026.1715245
Cochran ML, Lopez MJ, Czyz CN. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Eyelid. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482304/
Rostami S, Jorge, Czyz CN. Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty. Nih.gov. Published April 24, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448181/#article-38190.s6