Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery) Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Glendale CA
Eyes are a prominent facial feature.
Dr. Martin Stepanyan and Dr. Johnson C. Lee bring more than two decades of facial and reconstructive surgery experience to patients throughout Beverly Hills, Glendale, and greater Los Angeles. With thousands of procedures performed, his approach prioritizes restoring eyelid function, preserving natural contours, and tailoring every surgery to the individual’s facial anatomy and aesthetic preferences.
Surgeon’s Perspective:
“A successful blepharoplasty isn’t just about making the eyes appear younger – it’s about improving comfort, reducing heaviness, and enhancing expression. I commonly work with patients whose eyelid heaviness impairs their sight or confidence. Every case requires careful analysis of skin, muscle, and fat so that we address both medical concerns and aesthetic hopes.”
What Is Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a surgical technique designed to rejuvenate the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin, redistributing or removing fat, and refining underlying muscle. The result is smoother contours, less puffiness, and, in many cases, a clearer field of vision with reduced eyelid heaviness.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Ideal blepharoplasty candidates typically have:
- Noticeable skin laxity or “bags” that affect appearance or sight
- Puffiness or fat deposits resistant to other treatments
- Good overall health and realistic expectations
- No serious eye conditions or uncontrolled systemic illness
Dr. Stepanyan or Dr. Johnson will evaluate your eyelid anatomy, skin type, and visual function during your personalized consultation, ensuring that every surgery plan is fit for the individual.
Tip: “Blepharoplasty can be life-changing for women and men experiencing discomfort or obstructed vision – especially those whose work or hobbies require focus. I always encourage patients to share their priorities and any eye symptoms, so we create a plan that matches their personal goals.”
Blepharoplasty Techniques: Tailored to Your Needs
Traditional Approach
Incisions are placed in upper eyelid creases and along the lower lash lines, hidden by natural folds. Skin and fat are adjusted for a refreshed look.
Transconjunctival Technique
A small incision inside the lower eyelid allows fat removal for younger patients or those with good skin elasticity, avoiding visible scars.
Non-Surgical Options
Laser resurfacing tightens skin and improves fine wrinkles but does not remove fat – sometimes combined for optimal results.
View our gallery to see the outstanding results achieved by Dr. Stepanyan and Dr. Lee.
What to Expect: The Procedure Step-by-Step
Consultation & Surgical Planning:
A thorough assessment of eyelid structure, vision, and health. Dr. Stepanyan or Dr. Johnson will explain risks, anesthesia options, and expected outcomes using photographs and imaging.
Day of Surgery
Performed outpatient at our AAAHC-accredited center, using local anesthesia with mild sedation for safety and comfort. Incisions are precisely placed and adjusted for minimal scarring.
Recovery Timeline
Persistent pain, rising swelling after 48 hours, or changes in sight require prompt follow-up. Our team will provide detailed guidance for post-op care and red flag monitoring.
- Day 1: Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort; vision may be blurry. Cold compresses and prescription ointments are provided.
- Days 2-5: Edema gradually decreases; sutures removed within 4–5 days.
- Week 1: Most swelling and bruising resolve. Makeup may be used to conceal minor discoloration.
- Week 2: Return to normal daily activities; enjoy a renewed appearance.
- Month 1: Surgical scars begin fading progressively and typically become undetectable.
- Month 3+: Results settle; deeper eye wrinkles outside the surgical area may be addressed with non-surgical treatments.
Recovery Best Practices
- Most return to social activities within 1–2 weeks.
- Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 2–3 weeks.
- Use sun protection and gentle skincare to speed scar fading.
Advanced Specialization in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery: Why Choose Dr. Stepanyan for Ethnic Rhinoplasty in Glendale
Dr. Martin Stepanyan is a board-certified surgeon with over 16 years of academic excellence, extensive training, and over 23 years of successful private practice in Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Choosing the right surgeon is key to achieving the best results from ethnic rhinoplasty. Dr. Martin Stepanyan stands out as a top choice for individuals seeking a surgeon who understands the delicate balance of ethnic features and can deliver beautiful, natural results.
With over 28 years of experience in facial surgery, Dr. Stepanyan combines advanced surgical skills with a compassionate, patient-centered approach.
His extensive training in both cosmetic and reconstructive facial surgery enables him to address aesthetic and functional concerns, delivering results that enhance each patient’s natural beauty. Furthermore, Dr. Stepanyan uses advanced three-dimensional imaging technology to provide patients with a clear visual representation of their expected outcomes before the procedure, helping to manage expectations and ensure satisfaction.
As a board-certified surgeon and a Fellow of prestigious professional organizations, Dr. Stepanyan operates in a state-of-the-art, AAAHC-accredited surgery center, prioritizing patient safety and comfort at all times.
His approach is supported by decades of additional training, experience, and professional achievement, including:
- More than 2,000 nasal surgeries have been performed throughout Los Angeles County, including complex revision cases for patients who travel from out of state seeking his expertise
- Board-certified since 2003, with recertification extending through 2033
- Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (FAACS)
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
His professional experience extends well beyond private practice. Dr. Stepanyan graduated first in his class with a 4.0 GPA from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and then completed a cosmetic and reconstructive surgery fellowship under T. William Evans, MD, FACS, at The Ohio State University. He has also:
- Co-authored research published in The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery
- Served as Division Chief at Huntington Memorial Hospital (2005 to 2007) and Methodist Hospital of Southern California (2007 to 2009)
- Participated in craniofacial reconstructive missions in Ecuador, Armenia, and Russia
Patients consistently point to the consultation experience as one of the reasons they choose Dr. Stepanyan. Lianna M. called him “the only doctor who captured my attention with all the knowledge he had,” and Vicki D. contrasted him with other surgeons who “made me feel they were only out for the money and a quick job.”
Every consultation is centered on understanding your anatomy, concerns, and goals before recommending a personalized treatment plan. Supported by trilingual staff fluent in English, Armenian, and Russian, the practice provides culturally informed care for Glendale’s diverse communities while creating results that look refined rather than obviously surgical.
As patient Naeva O. shared, people “couldn’t even tell” she had work done, reflecting the natural-looking outcomes Dr. Stepanyan strives to achieve. That same personalized approach guides Dr. Stepanyan’s philosophy of enhancing rather than westernizing the nose.
Patients also benefit from an integrated surgical setting. Dr. Stepanyan performs procedures at his AAAHC-accredited Glendale surgical center, which includes three fully equipped operating rooms and an on-site 23-hour ambulatory recovery center.
This allows patients to undergo surgery and recover under the same experienced team, providing continuity of care from the operating room through the early stages of recovery.
Dr. Stepanyan’s Glendale practice welcomes patients from throughout Burbank, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Studio City, and the greater Los Angeles area, with extensive experience treating diverse minority and immigrant communities in the region.
Unique Outcomes: Real Case Studies
- Case 1: Patient A, Glendale, 60s — Concern: Drooping upper eyelids blocking vision.
Approach: Traditional blepharoplasty with incisions in upper creases, preservation of central fat for youthful fullness.
Outcome: Restored peripheral vision and natural eye contour; patient reports relief in daily reading and driving. - Case 2: Patient B, Los Angeles, 40s — Concern: Under-eye puffiness, minimal skin excess.
Approach: Transconjunctival fat removal, no skin excision.
Outcome: Smoother under-eye appearance, invisible scar, rapid recovery.
Revision Rhinoplasty for Ethnic Patients: Correcting Results That Missed the Mark
Revision rhinoplasty for ethnic patients is among the most demanding work in facial surgery because two layers of difficulty stack on each other.
Scar tissue and altered anatomy from the first surgery sit over the original cultural and structural complexity that made the primary rhinoplasty challenging to begin with.
Previous surgery can also limit the amount of septal cartilage available for reconstruction. When additional support is needed, cartilage is often harvested from the ear or rib, adding another level of technical complexity that fewer rhinoplasty surgeons routinely manage.
These are the cases that many surgeons refer elsewhere, and patients frequently travel from out of state to seek Dr. Martin Stepanyan’s expertise.
The Healthgrades reviewer from December 2025 described a prior surgeon who insisted on closed rhinoplasty despite a complex nasal break, delivered an inadequate result, and left the patient unable to breathe properly for more than a year before Dr. Stepanyan corrected both the aesthetics and the breathing through open surgery. The reviewer wrote that they would never consider another surgeon.
Every revision begins with a detailed evaluation of the previous surgery, remaining structural support, scar tissue, healing, and nasal function before a personalized treatment plan is developed. Because previously altered anatomy is less predictable, the goal is to achieve meaningful improvement and better facial balance rather than perfection.
For that reason, candidacy can only be determined through an in-person consultation. Patients who travel from outside California often do so because Dr. Stepanyan combines extensive experience in ethnic rhinoplasty with the reconstructive expertise required for complex revision cases.
Procedure Benefits: What Sets Blepharoplasty Apart
Key benefits patients can expect from blepharoplasty.
- Clearer sight: Reduction of drooping skin, less heaviness
- Youthful contours: Refined orbital shape and natural eyelid crease
- Renewed confidence: Less puffiness, tired look, and improved expression
Eyelid Surgery Risks & Safety
Although complications are rare with experienced and board-certified plastic surgeons like Dr. Stepanyan or Dr. Johnson, possible risks include infection, bleeding, temporary double vision, dry eyes, and minor asymmetry. Our team monitors every step closely and operates at a fully accredited, state-of-the-art surgical center.
FAQs: Blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills & Los Angeles
Upper lid incisions are hidden in creases; lower lid incisions blend into the lash line or inside the eyelid. Most scars fade to near invisibility.
Most procedures range from $3,500–$7,000, depending on complexity, anesthesia, and facility charges. Detailed pricing and financing are discussed at your consultation.
Results last many years; fat removal is generally permanent. Natural aging continues but repeat or revision surgery is rarely necessary.
Gentle walking is allowed after the first week; strenuous activity or heavy lifting should wait 2–3 weeks or until cleared at your follow-up.
The goal is to improve, not impair sight. Most patients attune to brighter, unobstructed vision and less eye fatigue post-operatively.
Blepharoplasty focuses on eyelids. Laser resurfacing and complementary treatments can address wrinkles on the outer eye and temple.
Why Patients Trust Choose Stepanyan Surgical Arts Center?
- Board Certified by ABPS; active member of leading surgical associations
- Over 3,000 eyelid procedures completed for Los Angeles-area patients
- Real testimonials and outcome photos for each procedure type
- Accredited surgical center and transparent, patient-first care
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are ready to restore comfort, confidence, and youthful expression with expert-guided eyelid surgery, connect with our team at Stepanyan Surgical Arts Center. Complete our secure online form or call (818) 551-0088. One of our community’s most trusted facial surgeons looks forward to helping you achieve your goals and refresh your appearance.
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“Best decision I have ever made in my life was having Dr. Stepanyan be the surgeon for my rhinoplasty. I am SO happy with the outcome. I always get the best compliments on my nose. He is a true artist and professional.”
— Nicole M.