Blepharoplasty
Addressing Upper and Lower Eyelid Changes with Precision
Blepharoplasty in Ottawa
You know that moment when someone asks if you’re tired, and you’re not? It’s frustrating. You slept fine. You feel fine. But your eyes tell a different story.
Some changes around the eyes don’t improve with better sleep or eye cream. Heavy upper lids, persistent bags, and a hooded appearance can quietly change how you look and feel day to day. If you’re ready to address these concerns, we’re glad you found us.
At HY Cosmetics & Minor Surgery, we perform Blepharoplasty in Ottawa using only local anesthesia with optional light sedation. You’re awake the whole time (comfortably numb), and most people are back to their regular routine in 7-14 days.
Whether you’re dealing with sagging upper lids, under-eye bags, or you’re looking for East Asian blepharoplasty (double eyelid surgery) that actually respects your natural features, we’ve got you covered.
Why Your Eyes Age First (And What You Can Do About It)
The skin in your eyelids is the thinnest on your entire body. It’s the first place to show your age, and unfortunately, no amount of eye cream will fix truly sagging skin.
Upper blepharoplasty removes the excess skin and fat that creates that heavy, hooded look. The incision hides right in your natural eyelid crease—once it heals, you can’t even see it.
Laser blepharoplasty addresses the crepey, wrinkled thin texture of the skin surrounding the eye without surgical scars for those who are looking for a subtle look.
The results? Most patients tell us they look 5-10 years younger. But more importantly, they finally look like how they feel: rested, alert, like themselves again.
Benefits of Our Local-Anesthesia-Only Approach
Many clinics do eyelid surgery in the hospital under general anesthesia, but here at HY Cosmetics & Minor Surgery, we only do this under local anesthesia. Key benefits include:
- Same-day procedure, with most patients able to return home within an hour after surgery
- Lower overall cost compared to hospital-based eyelid lift procedures
- Reduced likelihood of common general anesthesia side effects, such as nausea or vomiting
- Relatively quick recovery, with most stitches typically removed within 7–10 days
- Comfortable, awake experience, allowing patients to remain relaxed throughout the procedure
Upper Blepharoplasty: Lift and Brighten Your Upper Eyelids
If your upper eyelids are drooping over your lashes, making you look tired (or blocking your vision), upper blepharoplasty is likely the right option.
You might be a good candidate if:
- Excess skin hangs over your lash line
- You look tired even when you’re well-rested
- Putting on eyeshadow or eyeliner has become very difficult
- Your upper vision feels slightly blocked
The procedure removes that extra skin and repositions or removes fat as needed. The scar hides in your natural crease and is virtually invisible once healed.
Results last 10-15 years or even longer for some patients.
East Asian Blepharoplasty (Double Eyelid Surgery)
East Asian blepharoplasty creates or refines an upper eyelid crease for patients who were born without one (or with a very faint one). When done well, it enhances your eyes while preserving your natural features. Done poorly, you end up with that overly “Westernized” look that doesn’t match Asian beauty standards at all.
At HY Cosmetics & Minor Surgery, our surgeons have extensive experience creating soft, natural-looking creases that suit your face. The goal is to look like you, just with more defined eyes.
Technique Options May Include
- Non-incisional (suture) method – Creates a defined crease without an external incision, typically associated with a faster recovery period.
- Incisional method – Allows for more precise control and the creation of a permanent eyelid crease.
- Combination with ptosis correction (when appropriate) – May be considered for patients who also have drooping of the upper eyelid that affects appearance or function.
What to Expect During Your Eyelid Lift Surgery
Before Surgery
You’ll come in for a consultation, where we’ll examine your eyes, discuss what’s bothering you, and review before-and-after photos together.
Procedure Day
On the day of your procedure, numbing medication is used to keep you comfortable. Light sedation may be offered if appropriate. Most eyelid lift procedures are completed within 1–2 hours, depending on whether the upper lids, lower lids, or both are treated.
Immediate Aftercare
After surgery, you’ll receive detailed aftercare instructions along with supportive measures such as cold compresses, medicated ointment, lubricating eye drops, and prescribed pain medication as needed.
Recovery Timeline
Days 1-2:
Rest at home with your head elevated. Apply ice packs to your eyes as often as possible. Some bruising and swelling are normal. Mild discomfort, managed easily with pain medication.
Days 7-10:
Sutures are removed. Bruising begins to fade, and most patients can return to light daily activities.
Week 2:
Normal activities are usually resumed. Approximately 80% of swelling has resolved, and makeup can often conceal any remaining bruising.
Weeks 4-6:
There’s minimal swelling, but it now looks normal. Scars continue to fade.
Month 6:
Final results. Swelling has completely resolved, and scars have faded into your natural crease.
Quick Self-Check: Are You a Good Candidate?
How many of these apply to you?
- My upper lids hang over my lashes or cover part of my pupil
- I have puffy under-eye bags that don’t go away with sleep
- People ask if I’m tired or upset when I’m perfectly fine
- I’m generally healthy and don’t smoke
- I’m okay being awake during a 1-2 hour procedure (with numbing)
If you checked three or more: You’re very likely a strong candidate for local-anasthesia blepharoplasty in Ottawa.
Not sure? That’s what consultations are for. We’ll tell you honestly if this is right for you, or if something else would work better.
Procedure Options We Offer in Ottawa
Upper Blepharoplasty
Removes heavy, hooded upper lids. The most common procedure we do.
East Asian Blepharoplasty (Double Eyelid Surgery)
Creates or refines a natural upper eyelid crease. Incisional or non-incisional options are available.
Ptosis Repair
Fixes a droopy upper eyelid muscle (the lid itself, not just the skin). Often combined with upper blepharoplasty.
Limited Lower Blepharoplasty
Addresses mild lower eyelid sagging under local anesthesia. Full lower blepharoplasty requires sedation in an operating room. We’ll discuss what’s right for you at your consultation.
All procedures are performed under local anesthesia in our accredited Ottawa surgical suite.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Blepharoplasty?
| Category | Yes – Excellent Candidate | Maybe – Needs Consultation | Not Ideal Right Now |
| Age | Age 18+ and able to make informed decisions | 18-34 with significant genetic concerns | Under 18 (rare exceptions) |
| Health Status | Healthy, non-smoker, no serious eye conditions | Controlled diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disease | Active eye infection, severe dry eye, uncontrolled autoimmune disease, active cancer |
| Eyelid Concerns | Excess upper eyelid skin (hooding); tired appearance despite good sleep | Mild sagging, but unsure if surgery is needed | Only fine wrinkles or dark circles (better treated with lasers) |
| East Asian Eyelids | Desire a natural double-eyelid crease while preserving Asian facial balance | – | Desire for a dramatic “Western” high crease |
| Expectations | Understands surgery refreshes the eyes but does not dramatically change eye shape or size | Believes it will fully remove crow’s feet or brow droop | Expects a total facial transformation |
| Recovery Availability | Able to take 7-10 days off work or social activities | Very public-facing job with little downtime tolerance | Unable to stop blood-thinning medications (ASA, ibuprofen, fish oil, etc.) |
| Anesthesia Preference | Comfortable with local anesthesia or prefers to avoid general anesthesia | Mild anxiety but open to oral sedation | Strong fear of needles or being awake |
| Previous Eye Surgery | None, or fully healed LASIK/PRK (over 6-12 months ago) | Recent cataract surgery (waiting period of 3-6 months) | Recent retinal surgery or active glaucoma requiring frequent pressure checks |
| Motivation | Wants to look more rested or younger, with clear and realistic goals | Feels pressure from partner or social media trends | Seeking surgery to resolve relationship or deep psychological concerns |
Real Questions We Get Every Day
I'm scared of general anesthesia. Is local-only blepharoplasty really safe?
Yes, for most healthy adults, it’s actually safer. You’re awake, breathing on your own, and you recover much faster. No anesthesia hangover, no nausea, no breathing tube. You’re in control the whole time.
I'm Asian and worried about looking 'Westernised' after double eyelid surgery.
We hear this a lot, and it’s a valid concern. The goal of East Asian blepharoplasty isn’t to make you look Western. It’s to create a soft, natural crease that enhances your features. We take great care to preserve Asian facial balance. Our before-and-after photos show exactly what we mean.
Can I drive myself home after?
We don’t advise it, so please bring someone with you. You’ll be fine to walk and talk, but your vision may be slightly blurry from the ointment, and you’ll want to rest. Have someone drive you, or take an Uber.
Does OHIP cover this?
Only if excess upper eyelid skin is blocking your vision (called “functional blepharoplasty”) do you need a visual field test to confirm it. OHIP then decides whether it meets its criteria.
How much does blepharoplasty cost in Ottawa with local anesthesia?
Because we avoid hospital and anesthesiologist fees, our prices are typically 40–60% lower than hospital-based surgeons. An exact quote will be given at your consultation.
How long until recovery allows me to feel like I look like myself?
Most people start to look like themselves (with makeup) by day 10-14. Fully healed with final results? About 6 months, though you’ll look great well before that.
How long is the recovery for Upper Blepharoplasty in Ottawa?
Will I have visible scars?
Upper blepharoplasty scars hide in your natural eyelid crease. Once healed, they’re virtually invisible, even without makeup. Lower blepharoplasty incisions are either inside the eyelid or just below the lash line, and are also very discreet.
Schedule Blepharoplasty in Ottawa Today!
A consultation is just a conversation. No pressure, no obligation. We’ll assess your eyes, discuss your goals, show you what’s possible, and provide a clear price.
Call: (613) 702-5333
Email: info@hycosmeticsminorsurgery.ca
Location: 150 Blanca Street, Unit 3-4, Ottawa, Ontario