Upper blepharoplasty is a plastic surgery of the upper eyelid also called an eyelid lift. During the procedure, excess skin is removed from the eyelids. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure, so consulting with a plastic surgeon beforehand is essential.
Cosmetic eyelid surgery is designed to solve droopy eyelids, loose eyelid skin, sagging skin, and upper eyelid creases. Once your upper eyelid loses its firmness, consider upper blepharoplasty. If you have loose, sagging skin, puffy eyelids, or impaired vision due to sagging eyelids, an upper blepharoplasty or brow lift surgery could be a great option to correct these upper eyelid issues.
Treating Excess Skin and Sagging Upper Eyelids with Surgery
As you age, excess skin and other tissue around the upper eyelid cause a sagging, drooping, or tired appearance. In rarer cases, it can even affect your vision. Upper blepharoplasty, or upper eyelid blepharoplasty, is an effective way to remove the excess eyelid skin around the eye.
Upper eyelid surgery targets the upper eyelid skin and reshapes the area by removing the excess skin around the upper and lower eyelids. An oculoplastic surgeon completes this surgical procedure, and it is one of the most popular facial procedures. Upper blepharoplasty is often completed alongside lower eyelid surgery and a brow lift for a greater overall effect.
In addition to cosmetic benefits, upper blepharoplasty can improve comfort and day-to-day function. Sagging upper eyelids create a heavy sensation which leads to fatigue and a narrower visual field. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty improves both your appearance and your quality of life. Patients with advanced sagging should consider a brow lift as well. Excess skin removal from the upper eyelid creates a more youthful appearance.
About the Cosmetic Blepharoplasty Eyelid Surgery
Upper eyelid blepharoplasty, or upper blepharoplasty for short, is a surgical procedure that addresses sagging upper eyelids, droopy eyelids, and excess skin that interferes with overall appearance and eyelid function. This type of cosmetic eyelid surgery is completed by an experienced oculoplastic surgeon or plastic surgeon. The procedure can be combined with a brow lift, lower eyelid surgery, and other cosmetic procedures.
This procedure begins with an incision along the upper eyelid crease. The upper blepharoplasty incision area reduces the appearance of visible scars. From here, excess skin and fat removal takes place. In some cases, the surgeon may adjust the orbicularis muscle which will help refine the contour around the upper eyelid. The procedure removes excess skin and adjust the connective tissue to bring about a youthful appearance.
During more complex cases, especially in those where vision is affected, your eyelid lift surgery may also involve ptosis surgery, which corrects a weakened levator muscle. Sagging eyebrows can also contribute to the problem. In this case, a lift of the brow may be recommended to improve the brow position. Upper blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure in most cases.
What to Expect At Your Oculoplastic Surgeon Consultation
Before undergoing upper blepharoplasty or any other eyelid surgery, you’ll need to consult with your oculoplastic surgeon. This is generally an in-person consultation to ensure you’re a good candidate for upper eyelid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid surgery, or other cosmetic procedures. Additionally, visual field testing may be required.
During your consultation, you’ll also review your medical history, and the surgeon will closely examine your eyelid skin. The doctor looks at your skin to evaluate the current condition of your upper eyelid and lower eyelid skin. Additionally, your eyelid margin and lacrimal gland will also be checked. These are all factors in excess skin on your upper eyelid. If it’s found that excess droopy eyelids or levator function is weakened, the surgeon may recommend ptosis surgery.
Eyelid Lift Surgery Recovery
Recovery after eyelid surgery, or upper eyelid blepharoplasty, varies from patient to patient. However, in most cases, the healing process is smooth when managed by a skilled plastic surgeon. Knowing what to expect can ease the recovery process, whether you’re having upper blepharoplasty, lower eyelid surgery, or a combination of the two.
In the days after your eyelid surgery, the most common side effects include swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the upper eyelid and lower eyelid. A cold compress and prescribed eye drops to promote healing and reduce inflammation are recommended. As healing continues, you may feel tightness around the upper eyelid. There should be minimal scarring along the natural eyelid crease.
During the earliest phases of recovery, you should stop wearing eye makeup around the surgical site. Regardless of what your cosmetic eyelid surgery includes, your surgeon will give you clear after-care instructions.
Eyelid Surgery FAQS
What Causes Upper and Lower Eyelid Issues?
General aging and various genetic factors are the leading causes of drooping skin, excess fat, and sagging of the upper and lower eyelid. Eyelid surgery restores the function and appearance of your eyes.
Upper Blepharoplasty vs Lower Blepharoplasty?
Upper blepharoplasty targets the upper eyelid skin. Lower blepharoplasty improves bags and adds skin under the eye. It’s possible to combine both lower and upper blepharoplasty, and you should cover the possibility of combining surgeries with your surgeon.
Does Eyelid Surgery Correct Lower Eyelid Skin?
Eyelid surgery can correct both upper and lower eyelid skin. The procedure to correct skin around the lower eyelids is called lower blepharoplasty.
Does Eyelid Surgery Require General Anesthesia?
Most upper blepharoplasty and other eyelid lift procedures are completed with local anesthesia alone. However, in more complex cases, general anesthesia may be called for. Every case is different, and your provider will tell you what type of anesthesia is required.
Schedule Your Upper Blepharoplasty Consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg
The first step in a successful upper blepharoplasty is a consultation with our team. Contact us today to book an eyelid surgery consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg.
