Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Drooping eyelids tend to make patients look older than they are. Usually done in the office, an upper eyelid blepharoplasty is very common with both women and men. Often times, patients find that this relatively simple surgery is all they need to take years off the look of their face.

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is the surgical removal of excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper and lower eyelids. Underlying fatty tissue that produces bagginess can be selectively removed or repositioned. Blepharoplasty can improve drooping skin and bagginess. It can also help improve vision in older patients who have hooding of their upper eyelids. Blepharoplasty will not remove “crow’s feet” or other wrinkles, eliminate dark circles under the eyes, or lift sagging eyebrows. For this reason, a blepharoplasty often accompanies procedures such as facelift or brow lift to combat the effects of time and gravity.

Eyelid Surgery

Typical Timing/Age

Generally, patients are 50 years of age or older

Problem

Excess upper eyelid skin, atrophy of tissue around the eye and deflation of the upper eyelid sulcus.

Procedure

The procedure generally involves the removal of excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper and lower eyelids. Cosmetic eyelid surgery repositions facial skin and underlying tissue for men and women desiring firmer skin around the eye area. If your goal is to eliminate dark circles, remove wrinkles, or lift eyebrows, your doctor may suggest incorporating additional facial procedures to achieve your desired results. Surgery isn’t always the answer. Talk to your doctor about non-surgical injectables like JUVÉDERM®, or BOTOX® may help in the early signs of aging. Excess upper eyelid skin is removed from the upper eyelid leaving a scar hidden in the upper eyelid crease. The scar is generally not visible when the eyes are open. Moreover, thin skin under minimal tension creates the finest scars. Since eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and will be under minimal tension – scars after blepharoplasty are usually inconspicuous. Some patients may benefit from fat grafting, the addition of fat to the orbital rim region to treat an atrophic or “hollowed out” appearance.

Goal

To improve the function and appearance of the eyes by removing excess upper eyelid skin.

Facility

Office/Clinic, Surgery Center or Hospital

Preparation

Planning your blepharoplasty with your doctor begins with a comprehensive consultation and examination. During this consultation, your doctor may recommend eyelid surgery; however, in some situations, a non-surgical approach is favored. After your initial consultation, you will have a second visit with us two weeks prior to your scheduled procedure. This visit will cover any pre and postop instructions as well as any medication that will need to be administered after. Patients should wait at least 6 months after LASIK vision surgery. Patients should also have any dry eye symptoms treated prior to undergoing elective cosmetic eyelid surgery.

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia in the office/clinic. Or if you prefer we can also perform the procedure under IV sedation at a Surgery Center or Hospital; or general anesthesia at a surgery center or hospital.

Hospital stay

Most patients go home after surgery and do not require a night in the hospital.

Positioning

After blepharoplasty, you should sleep with your head elevated above your heart for a few days to help reduce the swelling.

Assistance

You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others.

Walking After Surgery

You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.

Showering

You may shower immediately following surgery.

Exercise

Avoidance of vigorous activity will help to minimize postoperative swelling and discomfort. Only light cardio exercise for approximately two weeks following eyelid surgery. Three weeks from surgery forward, unrestricted exercise and activity can resume.

Sex

Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.

Work

You may be bruised for 1-2 weeks. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Most people take 1-2 weeks off work.

Swelling

Usually greatest around 3 days after surgery from which time it starts to subside. Some patients remain a little swollen for 2 months.

Bruising

Usually subsides by 1 week.

Risks & Complications

Dry eyes, Lagophthalmos (inability to fully close your eye), asymmetry, bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, need for revision, complications related to anesthesia.
Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed By Dr. Leveque

Before

Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed By Dr. Leveque

After

Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed By Dr. Butler

Before

After

Upper Eyelid Surgery Performed By Dr. Patterson (Coming Soon!)

Frequently Asked Questions

A blepharoplasty, often called eyelid surgery, can improve the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids. In upper blepharoplasty, the goal is to correct sagging over the upper lids. With lower blepharoplasty, the goal is to correct the under-eye bags. Whether you’re interested in upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both, the following questions can help you understand more about the procedure and how it works.

Will there be visible scars?

No, in most cases the scars aren’t perceptible. your doctor places the scars very carefully and precisely so that they’re concealed inside the eyelid or in the natural eyelash line.
What’s the recovery like?

Recovery following blepharoplasty is usually smooth and easy. You can expect some swelling and irritation for a few days after surgery, but severe pain is uncommon. You can take prescription medication recommended by your doctor or an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol for post-surgical pain if needed. Most patients return to work within about a week. You’ll return to see your doctor 7 days after your surgery, to make sure you’re healing well. The majority of swelling resolves after around two weeks, and the remainder of swelling gradually resolves until you see your final results at around two months post-surgery.
Will a blepharoplasty get rid of my eye wrinkles?

No, a blepharoplasty isn’t designed to get rid of eye wrinkles. However, you can add other procedures — including non-invasive options like BOTOX® — to your blepharoplasty to get the wrinkle reduction you’re looking for.
Should I have upper and lower lids done?

It depends on what your concerns and issues are. If you’re just dealing with drooping upper eyelids — especially if they’re to the point that they interfere with your vision — an upper blepharoplasty may be a good choice. If your problem is only with bags under the eyes, a lower blepharoplasty can be the best option. Many patients today are unhappy with the overall tired and droopy look that their eyes may take on with age. In these cases, it may make sense to have both upper and lower blepharoplasty for an overall rejuvenated look in the eye area.