Combining Eyelid Surgery with a Facelift: Benefits and Considerations

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon.

When you look in the mirror, you may see more than one area that has changed with age. The lower face and jawline may sag, while your eyelids look heavy, puffy, or tired. It is natural to ask if you can address everything at once by combining a facelift with eyelid surgery.

At Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery, double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ali Sadeghi helps patients in the Greater New Orleans area decide if a combined facial procedure is right for them. 

Suppose you are already thinking about facial rejuvenation. In that case, you can schedule a consultation to discuss facelift, eyelid surgery, or other facial procedures and receive a personal plan for your goals.

What a Facelift and Eyelid Surgery Each Do for Your Appearance

Before you decide whether to combine these procedures, it helps to understand what each one targets.

Facelift Basics in Clear Language

A facelift, or rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the lower two-thirds of the face and often the neck.

A facelift can:

• Lift and tighten sagging cheeks and jowls
• Smooth deep folds around the mouth and lower face
• Refine the jawline and, in some cases, the neck

A facelift does not directly treat droopy upper eyelids, puffy lower eyelids, or fine wrinkles around the eyes. Those changes come from aging around the eye area itself, which is where eyelid surgery plays a role.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) Basics

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, focuses on the upper and/or lower eyelids. At Sadeghi Center, eyelid surgery addresses loose skin, fat pockets, and laxity that make the eyes look tired or older.

Eyelid surgery can:

• Remove excess upper eyelid skin that hangs or “hoods” the eyes
• Reduce puffy bags beneath the eyes
• Smooth wrinkled skin around the lids
• Help the eyes look more open, rested, and alert

Blepharoplasty can be performed on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both, depending on your anatomy and goals.

How These Procedures Complement Each Other

Facelift and eyelid surgery work on different zones of the face:

• Facelift → Cheeks, jowls, jawline, and often neck
• Eyelid surgery → Upper and/or lower eyelids and surrounding skin

If you only treat the lower face, the eyes may still show fatigue and aging. If you only treat the eyelids, the jawline and midface may still sag. When both areas show age, combining a facelift and eyelid surgery can create a more balanced, harmonious result that matches how you feel on the inside.

Benefits of Combining Eyelid Surgery with a Facelift

Not everyone needs or should combine procedures, but there are clear advantages for the right patient.

More Balanced, Harmonious Facial Rejuvenation

A combined approach lets your surgeon address both the lower face and the eye area in a single surgical plan. This can:

• Reduce the chance that one part of the face looks much younger than another
• Create a smoother transition from your eyelids down to your jawline
• Support a “refreshed” look instead of a change that calls attention to one area

Many patients say they want to look less tired and more like themselves again. Treating both the eyelids and lower face at once can support that goal in a natural way.

One Anesthesia Event and One Main Recovery Period

When you combine a facelift with eyelid surgery, both procedures usually take place in the same operating session. For appropriate candidates, this can mean:

• One period of anesthesia instead of two separate surgeries
• One main block of downtime rather than two separate recovery windows
• Fewer disruptions to work, caregiving, and social schedules

This does not mean recovery is “easy” or “minimal.” It means that, for some patients, combining procedures can cluster the healing process into one main phase instead of stretching it over two separate operations.

More Efficient Use of Time and Visits

Combined surgery can also streamline your schedule:

• One set of pre-operative visits
• One set of early post-operative appointments
• One main stretch of time when you ask for help at home

This can be especially helpful if you travel to Metairie or New Orleans for care or if you have a busy work and family life.

A Custom, Whole-Face Plan

At Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery, the face is evaluated as a whole.

During consultation, Dr. Ali studies the way your eyelids, cheeks, nose, mouth, and jawline relate to one another. Combining eyelid surgery with a facelift can support a cohesive facial rejuvenation strategy rather than isolated changes. The plan is always tailored to your features, goals, and health profile.

Important Considerations Before You Combine Procedures

The choice to combine a facelift and eyelid surgery is never automatic. It depends on your health, anatomy, and comfort level.

Your Overall Health and Medical History

Combined surgery is best for patients who are healthy enough to undergo a procedure of longer duration under anesthesia. Your surgeon and anesthesia team will evaluate:

• Heart and lung health
• History of bleeding or clotting problems
• Any chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• Current medications, supplements, and smoking or vaping history

If your health makes longer surgery less advisable, your surgeon may recommend staging procedures or suggest more limited options.

The Extent of Aging in Different Areas

Not everyone needs both procedures at the same time. For example:

• You may have significant jowling and neck laxity but only mild eyelid changes.
• You may have heavy upper lids and deep under-eye bags but a fairly smooth jawline.

In these cases, your surgeon may suggest:

• A facelift alone, with eyelid surgery later if needed
• Eyelid surgery alone, with a facelift later
• Non-surgical treatments for mild issues

The decision comes from a physical exam, your goals, and your tolerance for multiple surgeries over time.

Your Recovery Capacity and Support at Home

Combining procedures brings recovery into one main block, but you still need time and support:

• Someone to stay with you at least the first night and help with basic tasks in the early days
• Time off work and social events while bruising and swelling peak and then fade
• A safe home setup that allows you to rest with your head elevated and move around carefully

If your life makes a single longer recovery period easier than two shorter ones, combined surgery may fit your situation. If you have limited support at home, staged procedures might be more practical.

Your Tolerance for Risk and Complexity

All surgery carries risk. Combining procedures can make the operation more complex and longer in duration. Some patients feel comfortable with that trade-off; others prefer to limit any single surgery to a shorter time.

Your surgeon should talk with you openly about:

• Estimated length of surgery
• The surgical plan and safety measures
• Your personal risk profile

If you feel uneasy about a longer operation, you and your surgeon can explore alternatives.

How Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery Plans Combined Facial Surgery

Personalized Consultation and Facial Analysis

Your journey starts with a detailed consultation. During this visit, Dr. Ali:

• Listens to what bothers you most about your face and eyes
• Reviews your medical history and medications
• Examines your facial structure, skin quality, eyelids, and neck
• May review photos or use imaging to explain possible changes

Together, you discuss whether your concerns suggest a facelift, eyelid surgery, both, or a different path such as non-surgical treatments.

Safety-Focused Surgical Planning

Safety is central to any combined facial procedure. Planning often includes:

• Pre-operative testing and medical clearance when needed
• Coordination with an experienced anesthesia team in an accredited setting
• Discussion of surgery length and which procedures make sense to combine
• A clear review of how risks apply in your specific case

If a combined facelift and eyelid surgery would make surgery too long or complex for your situation, your plan can be adjusted.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Dr. Ali and the team explain:

• Where incisions are likely to be placed
• What typical bruising and swelling can look like
• How your appearance may change over weeks and months

The goal is to help you aim for natural, age-appropriate improvement rather than a “pulled” or extreme look. You should leave consultation with a realistic sense of what combined surgery can and cannot achieve for your face.

What to Expect from Recovery When You Combine a Facelift and Eyelid Surgery

Recovery varies by patient, but there are general patterns you can expect.

The First Week

In the first week, you can expect:

• Swelling and bruising around the cheeks, jawline, and possibly neck
• Swelling and bruising around the eyelids
• A feeling of tightness or heaviness in the face and neck
• Mild discomfort controlled with prescribed medication

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions about:

• Keeping your head elevated
• Caring for incisions
• Using cold compresses near (but not directly on) the eyes
• Follow-up visits for checks and dressing changes

Some patients notice temporary eye-related symptoms such as dryness, mild irritation, or sensitivity to light. Your surgeon will explain how to manage these and what to watch for.

Weeks Two to Four

During this phase:

• Bruising usually fades
• Swelling continues to go down
• Many patients feel more comfortable returning to light work or activities, depending on job type and healing progress

Makeup, glasses, and hairstyle changes can help camouflage residual signs of surgery once your surgeon says it is safe to apply products. Social re-entry timing is very personal; some people feel ready sooner, while others prefer a longer buffer.

Long-Term Healing and Final Results

Even after the first month, your tissues continue to settle:

• Swelling can subtly shift for several months
• Incision lines soften and fade over time
• The face and eyelids gradually look more natural as healing progresses

Your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and answer new questions.

Risks, Limitations, and When Staging May Be Better

Honest discussion of risk is part of responsible care, especially when you combine procedures.

General Surgical Risks

All surgeries carry some risk. These can include:

• Bleeding or infection
• Unfavorable scarring
• Problems related to anesthesia
• Poor wound healing

Your individual risk depends on your health, lifestyle, and how closely you follow pre- and post-operative instructions.

Risks Specific to Facelift and Eyelid Surgery

A facelift can carry specific risks, such as:

• Temporary or, rarely, longer-lasting numbness
• Temporary facial weakness or asymmetry as swelling resolves
• Irregular contours that may need time to settle or, rarely, revision

Eyelid surgery can carry risks like:

• Dry eyes or irritation
• Difficulty closing the eyes fully during early healing
• Rare changes in eyelid position

Your surgeon will review these risks in more depth and explain how they are managed and monitored.

When Your Surgeon Might Recommend Separate Procedures

Combined surgery is not the best path for everyone. Staged procedures may make more sense if:

• Your medical history makes shorter surgeries safer
• Your eyelid anatomy is complex and requires a more focused, staged approach
• You prefer to see how you feel after one procedure before deciding on another
• You have limited support at home, making two shorter recoveries easier to manage

A good surgeon will tell you when less is better and will not push you toward a combined operation if it does not fit your health or comfort level.

How to Decide if Combining Procedures Is Right for You

The final decision is personal. A clear framework can help you reflect before and after your consultation.

Questions to Ask Yourself

You can start by asking:

• Do both my eyelids and my lower face bother me enough to change at the same time?
• Am I willing and able to take one longer block of time for recovery?
• How do I feel about a longer single surgery versus two shorter ones?
• What matters more to me: addressing everything at once or moving step by step?

Your answers will shape the direction of your consultation.

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

During your visit with Dr. Ali, consider asking:

• “Am I a safe candidate for a combined facelift and eyelid surgery?”
• “How long would my surgery likely last if we combine procedures?”
• “What would you recommend if I only chose one procedure now?”
• “How often do you perform facelifts and eyelid surgeries together?”
• “What could my recovery look like in the first week, first month, and beyond?”

Dr. Ali welcomes these questions and answers them in clear, specific language.

Why an In-Person Consultation Matters

Online information can give you a strong starting point, but it cannot replace:

• A hands-on exam of your skin, muscles, and eyelid structure
• A review of your medical history and medications
• A live discussion of your goals, fears, and lifestyle

A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ali Sadeghi allows you to receive advice that is specific to your face and health, not to an average patient.

Schedule Your Facial Rejuvenation Consultation 

Combining a facelift and eyelid surgery can be a powerful way to refresh your appearance when both your lower face and eye area show signs of aging. It can offer more balanced results, one main recovery period, and a cohesive plan for your facial features. At the same time, it is a complex decision that depends on your health, anatomy, and comfort level with surgery.

To learn whether a combined facelift and eyelid surgery is right for you, schedule a facial rejuvenation consultation at Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to combine a facelift and eyelid surgery?

For healthy candidates, combining a facelift and eyelid surgery can be safe when planned by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon and anesthesia team in an accredited facility. However, it is not right for everyone, and safety decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis.

Will combining procedures make my recovery harder?

Recovery after combined surgery can feel more intense at first because more than one area is healing at the same time. Many patients prefer this to having two separate recoveries. Your surgeon will help you understand what your personal recovery might look like.

Will I look “overdone” if I treat my face and eyelids together?

A natural result depends more on surgical technique, judgment, and your goals than on whether the procedures are combined. When performed conservatively and with a focus on balance, combined surgery can look refreshed rather than “overdone.”

Does combining procedures change how long results last?

Each procedure has its own typical longevity. A facelift and eyelid surgery do not usually “wear off” faster just because they are performed together. The natural aging process continues, but most patients enjoy long-term improvement compared with their pre-surgery appearance.

Can I combine a facelift and eyelid surgery with non-surgical treatments?

Yes. Many patients pair surgery with non-surgical treatments such as injectables, skin resurfacing, or medical-grade skincare. These may be done before, during, or after surgery, depending on the type of treatment and your healing timeline. Your surgeon will recommend safe timing.