Preparation and Marking
Dr. Sean Freeman has performed eyelid surgery in Charlotte since 1988, and the lower-lid technique he uses is one he developed and published himself: the SOOF lift blepharoplasty (Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2000), which repositions the fat under the eye instead of removing it, so the eye looks rested rather than hollow. Upper blepharoplasty removes the hooded skin that makes eyes look tired or narrows your field of vision. Both can be done together in under two hours, and he presented the SOOF lift to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as recently as 2024.
Dr. Sean Freeman has performed eyelid surgery in Charlotte since 1988, and the lower-lid technique he uses is one he developed and published himself: the SOOF lift blepharoplasty (Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 2000), which repositions the fat under the eye instead of removing it, so the eye looks rested rather than hollow. Upper blepharoplasty removes the hooded skin that makes eyes look tired or narrows your field of vision. Both can be done together in under two hours, and he presented the SOOF lift to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as recently as 2024.
Blepharoplasty restores the shape of the eyelids. On the upper lid that means removing the excess skin and, when needed, a small amount of fat so the lid crease shows again. On the lower lid Dr. Freeman does not simply cut out the fat bags, which is what produces the hollow, operated look you may have seen elsewhere. His SOOF (sub-orbicularis oculi fat) lift goes through the inside of the lid, lifts the cheek fat pad back up over the bone, and tightens the lower-lid skin with the CO2 laser rather than a skin incision. He authored the blepharoplasty chapter in Paparella’s Otolaryngology textbook, and this page covers the upper, lower and combined (quad) procedures he performs in Charlotte.
This procedure focuses on removing excess skin and fat from the upper lids. It can also improve the upper eyelid crease. Upper lid blepharoplasty can open up your eyes, making you look more alert and refreshed. In some cases, it can even improve peripheral vision that may have been obstructed by loose skin.
For lower eyelid rejuvenation, Dr. Freeman offers an advanced technique called the SOOF Lift Blepharoplasty. This innovative procedure addresses both the hollowness and puffiness of the eyes. Unlike traditional lower blepharoplasty, which often removes fat, the SOOF Lift repositions orbital and mid-face fat to their youthful position. This approach maintains volume in the lower eyelid area, preventing a hollow look and ensuring a more natural, long-lasting result. Dr. Freeman’s expertise in this technique allows for significant improvement in lower eyelid appearance with no visible scarring compared to traditional methods.
This comprehensive eyelid rejuvenation procedure addresses both the upper and lower eyelids simultaneously, treating issues such as excess skin, fatty deposits, and drooping in a single surgery.
Dr. Freeman at Only Faces is highly skilled in both upper and lower blepharoplasty techniques, ensuring comprehensive eyelid rejuvenation for his patients in Charlotte. His expertise in facial plastic surgery allows him to tailor each procedure to the unique needs of every patient, creating natural-looking results that enhance your overall facial harmony.
Depending on the procedure general anesthesia or local anesthesia perhaps with sedation is administered for your comfort.
Most patients experience some swelling and bruising in the first few days after surgery. Keeping your head elevated and using cold compresses can help minimize these effects.
Many patients feel comfortable resuming normal activities within 7-10 days after their eyelid surgery.
While you'll notice improvements soon after surgery, the final results of your upper or lower blepharoplasty may take several weeks to fully develop as swelling subsides.
Dr. Freeman will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your healing process and ensure optimal results.
During your recovery, you may need to temporarily avoid wearing contact lenses and protect your eyes from sun exposure. Dr. Freeman will provide detailed instructions on when you can resume wearing contact lenses and other activities.
Blepharoplasty can give you a more refreshed, alert, and youthful look.
In cases where excess upper eyelid skin obstructs vision, upper blepharoplasty can improve peripheral vision.
Many patients report feeling more confident after their eyelid surgery.
While the natural aging process continues, the results of blepharoplasty can last for many years.
Both videos are Dr. Freeman and his Charlotte patients. The first compares his SOOF lift lower blepharoplasty with the older procedures; the second explains the upper lid blepharoplasty. Eyelid cases, including those combined with brow lifts and facelifts, are in the gallery with post-op dates.
SOOF lift blepharoplasty vs. the old procedures
Upper lid blepharoplasty explained
Eyelid surgery with Dr. Freeman in Charlotte costs $9,000 to $12,000, including anesthesia, the operating room and follow-up visits. Where you fall in the range depends on:
An upper blepharoplasty alone is at the lower end; the SOOF lift lower blepharoplasty with laser skin tightening, or upper and lower together, is at the upper end. Patients who combine eyelid surgery with a brow lift or facelift receive one combined quote at the consultation.
At Only Faces an upper blepharoplasty is at the lower end of the $9,000 to $12,000 eyelid surgery range, which includes anesthesia, facility and follow-up visits.
The SOOF lift repositions the fat pad under the eye back up over the cheekbone instead of removing it. Dr. Freeman published it in 2000 because removing fat leaves eyes hollow over time; lifting it keeps the eye full and youthful.
Eyelid surgery is one of the longest-lasting facial procedures: upper lids rarely need repeating, and the SOOF lift is designed to age with you. It is also the procedure most often combined with others because it changes how rested the whole face looks.
Most of Dr. Freeman’s eyelid patients are 40 to 70, but inherited lower-lid bags are often treated in the 30s. The decision is made on your anatomy at the consultation.
Bruising settles over 10 to 14 days; most patients are back to work in about a week for upper lids and two weeks for the SOOF lift with laser. Contact lenses wait until Dr. Freeman clears them.
Occasionally, when hooding is documented to block vision. Our office can tell you what your plan requires; cosmetic blepharoplasty is self-pay and financing is available.
Only Faces is at 11220 Elm Lane in south Charlotte, between Ballantyne and Pineville, a short drive from SouthPark, Matthews, Fort Mill and Rock Hill. Patients also travel from Huntersville, Lake Norman, Concord, Gastonia, Hickory and Winston-Salem; Dr. Freeman explains how out-of-town patients are managed in his video on the subject, and the office coordinates pre-op testing and follow-up around the drive. Call (704) 543-1110 or book online.
Dr. Sean Freeman, MD, FACS, is double board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (1987) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (1991). He completed his facial plastic surgery fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis under J. Regan Thomas, MD, and has operated in Charlotte since 1988, with hospital appointments at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health Mercy and Novant Health Presbyterian. He has served on the editorial boards of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, and Only Faces holds a 4.8-star rating across 140 Google reviews.
For eyelids specifically, Dr. Freeman wrote the blepharoplasty chapters in two otolaryngology textbooks, published the SOOF lift technique in 2000, and still lectures on it (American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New Orleans, 2024). The videos above show the difference between his lower-lid approach and the older fat-removal operation.
Dr. Freeman pioneered the SOOF lift blepharoplasty technique, which has become the “Gold Standard” for lower lid rejuvenation. This innovative procedure addresses both the hollowness and puffiness of the lower eyelids. Dr. Freeman’s exclusive technique combines the benefits of a traditional facelift with his innovative SOOF lift blepharoplasty. This unique approach addresses multiple areas of the face simultaneously, creating a harmonious and natural-looking rejuvenation. The Freeman SOOF Lift Blepharoplasty can restore youthful contours to the lower eyelids and cheeks. It reduces the appearance of tear troughs and under-eye hollows.
With years of experience and countless publications, Dr. Freeman has established himself as Charlotte’s go-to surgeon for blepharoplasty.
