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Blepharoplasty
Charlotte's Most Trusted Plastic Surgeon
— delivering confidence through precision and care.
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Brighten Up Your Appearance
Small changes around the eyes can affect how rested and alert you appear. At May Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian May helps patients rediscover a bright, refreshed look with blepharoplasty, a refined procedure that addresses the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. His thoughtful approach restores the youthful contours around your eyes, helping you feel like the most beautiful and confident version of yourself.
Local or general (depending on complexity)
1-2 hours
1-2 weeks
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery, is a facial rejuvenation procedure that removes excess skin, muscle and fat from the eyelids. Dr. May performs both upper and lower blepharoplasty, tailoring each procedure to address your specific concerns and anatomy. Upper blepharoplasty trims drooping skin that weighs down the upper eyelids, while lower blepharoplasty targets under-eye bags and puffiness. Blepharoplasty can restore a youthful, rested and natural look that beautifully refreshes your overall appearance.
- Dr. Brian May
Am I a Good Candidate?
Blepharoplasty is one of the most universally flattering procedures that Dr. May performs, in part because the right candidates can come from so many different backgrounds. Most patients are between 40 and 60. However, Dr. May looks more at your aesthetic needs and your health than he does at your age. The best candidates are those with notable changes around their eyes.
Additionally, Dr. May looks for non-smokers who are healthy overall. Other factors like healthy thyroid function and well-managed blood pressure are also important, as is the condition of your eyes. If you have dry eyes or wear contacts, you may still be a good candidate, but these are things worth bringing up at your consultation.
What Can Blepharoplasty Address?
For many people, the eyes are one of the first places to show the visible signs of aging. Dr. May's expert approach to blepharoplasty can address:
- Heavy, drooping skin on the upper or lower eyelids
- Sagging eyelids that interfere with vision and makeup application
- Dark circles, under-eye bags and puffiness
- Fine lines and crepey skin texture
- A tired appearance that doesn't match how you feel
While many patients who opt for blepharoplasty are over 40 and wish to address age-related drooping in the eyelids, this procedure can also be done to improve the appearance of naturally hooded eyes and dark circles or eye bags that develop at an earlier age due to genetics.
Procedure Preparation
Certain preparation steps are standard for every surgery that Dr. May performs. In the weeks leading up to your procedure, you should pause anything you are taking that may thin your blood. This includes medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and prescription blood thinners (if approved by your doctor), as well as certain supplements like Vitamin E, ginseng, St. John’s wort, ginkgo biloba and fish oil.
Limit alcohol use for a day or two leading up to your appointment, and stop smoking six weeks before and after your blepharoplasty to promote healing. You may also need to schedule an eye exam, depending on your situation.
As your surgery gets closer, you can focus on some of the more practical details. Pick up your prescriptions and stock up your freezer with easy meals that you can warm up. Make sure you have a comfortable place to relax with comfortable pillows to help you keep your head elevated, and some clean washcloths and gel packs ready to go.
The Art & Science of Facial Rejuvenation With Dr. May
There's something uniquely satisfying about solving a complex problem with precision and creativity, a mindset Dr. May developed long before he ever held a scalpel. His undergraduate engineering degree taught him to approach challenges methodically, while his artistic sensibility ensures every solution is as beautiful as it is functional. This blend of analytical thinking and creative vision shapes how Dr. May approaches every facial rejuvenation procedure, seeing the signs of aging not as separate “issues” but as an interconnected system that needs to be rebalanced as a whole.
Technical skill gets you halfway there, but Dr. May’s artistic eye is what separates good results from truly transformative ones, influencing everything from incision placement to tissue repositioning. He also considers factors like natural facial asymmetries, expression patterns and even how someone’s face moves when they smile or laugh to craft each surgical plan.
- Dr. Brian May
Procedure Details
At May Plastic Surgery, blepharoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure. Upper eyelid surgery can often be done under local anesthesia, while more complex cases involving fat removal or lower eyelid work typically require general anesthesia for optimal precision.
Dr. May places incisions within the natural creases of your upper eyelids for virtually invisible scarring. Lower eyelid approaches vary based on your needs and involve a small incision either below the lash line or from inside the eyelid to avoid external scarring entirely.
Upper and lower blepharoplasty can be performed separately to address specific needs, but many patients benefit from a combined approach. Treating both lids doesn’t add significant time or risk to the procedure and allows patients to achieve all of their goals with just one surgery.
Recovery & Results
Recovery is generally comfortable, with swelling and mild bruising resolving within the first week. Most patients return to desk work within a few days, while strenuous activities should wait until cleared by Dr. May.
Sutures are removed within five to seven days, and makeup can be worn after one week. Results continue refining over several weeks as swelling subsides, revealing eyes that look brighter and more alert. With proper care, your refreshed appearance can last for many years.
Long-Term Expectations
Blepharoplasty is a surgery that ages well. Because Dr. May places the incisions in the natural creases of the eyelids or inside the lower lid, scarring is so well-hidden that even those who are close to you won’t be able to spot it after it heals. Over the first few months, any pinkness in the incisions fades, and the color blends in with the surrounding skin.
In the years after your surgery, your eyes will continue to age naturally. However, blepharoplasty results can last for many years, and the eyes will likely always look better than they would without the surgery. Lower eyelid surgery results can be indefinite, especially for those who have had the surgery to address puffiness.
Sun exposure, smoking, weight fluctuations and untreated allergies are often the biggest factors when it comes to supporting your results. Each of these can affect the skin and fat in the face and cause subtle changes. Dr. May will recommend caring for your skin after your treatment. Wear sunscreen every day and invest in a pair of sunglasses that have UV protection. A gentle eye-area skincare routine can go a long way, as will avoiding habits like rubbing or pulling at your eyelids. Certain nonsurgical treatments, like neuromodulators or laser resurfacing, can also help you maintain the youthfulness of the skin around the eyes.
Inside the Consultation Room With
Dr. Brian May
Adjunct Procedures:
To take your
Blepharoplasty
results to the next level, consider these options for a more complete transformation:
Why Choose May Plastic Surgery?
Choosing a surgeon for your blepharoplasty is a personal process that involves many different considerations, and this should not be taken lightly. With Dr. May, you’ll always receive the time and attention you need to develop a good relationship and to feel comfortable with your choice. At May Plastic Surgery, you receive:
- Board-certified expertise: Every surgery is backed by Dr. May’s board certification and training, as well as his passion for excellence.
- A comprehensive suite of services: Dr. May can meet each person’s needs because he takes the time to understand them and offers a wide range of services.
- A personalized, concierge-style approach: Every patient gets undivided attention and complete support throughout every stage of the process.
- An upscale, luxury setting: Dr. May cares about the quality of his services and the strength of the relationships he builds. This starts from the moment you step into the luxury environment.
Blepharoplasty FAQs
You will not feel any pain or discomfort during the surgery itself. However, all surgeries come with some soreness and swelling during the recovery process. You may also experience tightness and numbness, and some burning or itching. Pain should always be manageable with your prescribed and OTC medications, along with cold compresses. If you are experiencing anything that is beyond what these methods can handle, be sure to reach out to Dr. May.
Blepharoplasty is used to remove excess skin and fat, not to change the shape of the eye. Dr. May always seeks to preserve natural eye shape and to provide results that look balanced with the rest of your features. The goal is for you to still look like yourself, but to appear more well-rested and youthful.
Blepharoplasty is often paired with other facial surgeries, such as a brow lift, face lift or facial fat grafting. Addressing more than one area at the same time can extend the healing process, but it condenses the recovery time into one rather than having to take multiple leaves of absence from work. It can also consolidate surgical costs. Dr. May will help you determine if a combined approach makes sense based on your situation.
You will not be able to drive yourself home from surgery as your vision may be affected, and you may still be under the effects of general anesthesia. It is normal to have some short-term blurriness or haziness, along with dry eyes and light sensitivity for the first week or two. Once you have healed and Dr. May gives you the all-clear, you can begin driving again.
Sleeping with your head elevated on an extra pillow or two helps fluid drain away from the eyes overnight and wearing dark sunglasses anytime you're outdoors protects the healing tissue from wind, sun and unintentional rubbing. Many patients also find that staying well-hydrated and eating lighter, lower-sodium meals helps reduce puffiness during the first week. Above all, give yourself permission to rest.
Request Your Consultation
At May Plastic Surgery, we're passionate about helping patients look as vibrant as they feel. Eyelid surgery with Dr. May can help you reclaim a youthful, rested appearance, with results that are beautifully and authentically yours. Call us at 704-200-2493 to schedule your consultation and discover what blepharoplasty can do for you.
Let's Connect
We are here to help. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to schedule, our team is here to answer your questions about procedures, recovery, and next steps — and to personally guide you every step of the way.