Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Sarasota–Bradenton
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The complete 2026 guide to

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in Sarasota

Overview

What are eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?

Blepharoplasty removes or repositions excess skin and fat around the eyes to address a tired, hooded or puffy look. In this market both facial-plastic surgeons and oculofacial (eye-specialist) surgeons perform it.

Upper eyelid surgery addresses hooding and heaviness; lower eyelid surgery targets bags and puffiness. When upper-lid skin droops enough to block vision, the procedure can be partly functional and sometimes insurance-eligible. The Sarasota-Bradenton area is well served by ASOPRS-trained oculofacial surgeons who focus specifically on the eye area, as well as facial-plastic surgeons who include eyelids in broader facial rejuvenation. Costs depend on whether one or both lids are treated and whether the work is cosmetic or functional. Ranges below are researched local estimates, not quotes.

Options & pricing

Your options.

Upper blepharoplasty

Removes excess upper-lid skin to open up a hooded, heavy look.

May be partly covered by insurance if vision is obstructed. $3,500 - $6,500
Lower blepharoplasty

Addresses under-eye bags and puffiness via skin and/or fat repositioning.

Often a transconjunctival (no external scar) approach for fat. $4,500 - $8,000
Upper + lower combined

Both upper and lower lids treated in one session.

Combined pricing usually below two separate procedures. $7,000 - $12,000
Eyelid surgery with brow lift

Pairs eyelid surgery with a brow lift when heaviness comes from the brow.

Addresses the true source of upper-face heaviness. $8,000 - $15,000
Typical Sarasota pricing
Technique
Typical range
Downtime
Surgeon's fee
$2,500 - $9,000
Varies by single vs. combined lids and surgeon.
Anesthesia
$500 - $1,500
Often local with sedation rather than full general.
Facility fee
$800 - $2,500
Office-based accredited suite or surgical center.
Why consider it

Benefits of eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty).

✓ Can reduce sagging skin on upper eyelids
✓ May lessen puffiness or bags under the eyes
✓ Can improve a tired or aged appearance
✓ May widen the field of vision if skin blocks it
Healing timeline

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) recovery.

First week
Swelling and bruising
Expect swelling, bruising, and tightness; cold compresses and head elevation help.
Around 1 week
Stitch removal
Any sutures are often removed near the end of the first week.
Weeks 2 to 3
Back to routine
Many return to work and social activities as bruising fades.
Weeks to months
Final results
Residual swelling settles and scars continue to mature over several months.
Featured

Top eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) surgeons.

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1 ★ 4.8
Dr. John P. Fezza
Faces By Fezza / Center For Sight · Sarasota
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2 ★ 4.8
Dr. J. David Holcomb
Holcomb - Kreithen Plastic Surgery & MedSpa · Sarasota
218 reviews View profile →
3 ★ 4.9
Dr. Paul A. Brannan
Aesthetic Eye & Surgical Arts · Sarasota
165 reviews View profile →
4 ★ 4.6
Dr. Jody G. Abrams
Coastal Eye Institute · Sarasota
217 reviews View profile →
5 ★ 4.7
Dr. Melinda Lacerna
LA Plastic Surgery & Dermatology · Bradenton
124 reviews View profile →
6 ★ 4.6
Dr. Harry Wright & Dr. Andrea Spellman
Wright Spellman Plastic Surgery · Lakewood Ranch
113 reviews View profile →
7 ★ 4.8
Dr. Renelle Lim
Institute of Dermatology & Oculoplastic Surgery · Sarasota
49 reviews View profile →
8 ★ 4.8
Dr. Sumeet Bhanot
Bhanot Facial Plastic Surgery · Sarasota
32 reviews View profile →
Risks & complications

What can go wrong.

Dry or irritated eyes
Temporary dryness, irritation, or difficulty closing the eyes can occur after surgery.
Scarring and asymmetry
Scars are usually well hidden but healing and symmetry can vary between sides.
Vision-related complications
Rare but serious problems including changes in vision can occur with any eyelid surgery.
Surgical and anesthesia risks
Bleeding, infection, and reactions to anesthesia are possible.
How to choose

Board certification, explained.

Florida lets any licensed physician call themselves a “cosmetic surgeon,” so board certification is the single most useful signal of training and oversight. Certification means a surgeon completed an accredited residency, passed rigorous written and oral examinations, and commits to continuing education and ethics standards — it is not the same as a state medical license.

ABPS — American Board of Plastic Surgery
The ABMS member board for plastic surgery. Requires 6+ years of accredited surgical residency covering the full body (face, breast, body, reconstruction) plus comprehensive exams. The standard for most cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.
ABFPRS — American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Certifies surgeons (typically from an ENT/otolaryngology or plastic-surgery background) who completed an accredited facial plastic surgery fellowship. Strong signal for face, nose and neck procedures specifically.
ABCS — American Board of Cosmetic Surgery
Recognizes cosmetic-surgery fellowship training, but it is NOT an ABMS member board. A surgeon may be skilled and ABCS-certified — just verify their underlying residency and hospital privileges as well.
Questions to ask your surgeon
  1. Are you certified by an ABMS member board (e.g., ABPS), and in what?
  2. Did you complete a residency or fellowship in this specific procedure?
  3. Do you have privileges to perform this surgery at an accredited hospital?
  4. Is the surgical facility AAAASF / Joint-Commission / Medicare accredited?
  5. How many of these procedures do you perform per year, and may I see your own before-and-after cases?
Your questions

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) FAQs.

Will insurance pay for eyelid surgery?+

Cosmetic blepharoplasty is not covered, but upper-lid surgery may be partly covered when documented visual-field testing shows the skin obstructs vision. This is general information, not medical advice.

What is the recovery like?+

Most people return to normal activities within 7-10 days; bruising and swelling around the eyes fade over a couple of weeks.

Should I see an oculofacial surgeon or a facial-plastic surgeon?+

Both can perform eyelid surgery well. Oculofacial (ASOPRS-trained) surgeons specialize in the eye area, while facial-plastic surgeons often address eyelids as part of broader facial rejuvenation — choose based on your overall goals.

Will eyelid surgery get rid of crow's feet or dark circles?+

Not directly — blepharoplasty addresses skin and fat, not fine lines or pigment. Those often need laser, fillers or other treatments.

How long do results last?+

Upper-lid results often last a decade or more; you continue to age, but most people do not need a repeat for many years.

Are these costs guaranteed?+

No. They are researched 2026 local ranges, not quotes. This is general information, not medical advice.

References & sources

Procedure facts on this page draw on authoritative medical sources. Confirm specifics in a consultation.

American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) ↗American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) ↗
Boards & certification

Choose a surgeon certified by a recognized board — and verify it yourself:

American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) ↗ The ABMS member board for plastic surgery. Verify a surgeon’s certification here. American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) ↗ Board certification specific to facial plastic surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) ↗ Member society; only ABPS-certified surgeons qualify. American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) ↗ The largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery. The Aesthetic Society (ASAPS) ↗ Aesthetic plastic surgery society & surgeon finder. ABMS — Certification verification ↗ Confirm any physician’s board status across all ABMS boards.
★★★★★

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