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The upper eyelid incision is made in the natural skin fold. Excess skin
and fatty tissue is removed, the muscles and orbital septum (a thin
connective tissue membrane) may be tightened, and the incisions are
carefully closed. The external incisions are hidden within the natural
fold of the upper eyelids. Much of the operation is done with a very fine
electrocautery, which controls any bleeding. The skin is then closed with
very fine sutures.
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| Upper Eyelid Surgery |
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One of the most frequently performed surgical procedures, upper eyelid blepharoplasty is used to remove the fat deposits, loose skin and drooping on that may form around the upper eyelids with age. Heredity and sun damage can accelerate these changes. Younger people also elect to have this procedure done to eliminate puffiness of the eyes from congenital excess fatty tissue.
Upper lid blepharoplasty can improve two common problem areas: 1.) excess skin on the upper eyelid itself, often called
hooding of the upper lid, and 2.) puffiness in the inner corner and middle of the upper eyelid caused by herniation (pushing forward) of fat.
This procedure is frequently done at the same time as other procedures, such as a lower eyelid blepharoplasty, facelift or forehead lift, and can be combined with laser or chemical resurfacing to smooth skin wrinkles. When drooping of the upper lids interferes with vision (a condition known as ptosis), the procedure may be partially or fully covered by insurance.
If you're considering upper eyelid blepharoplasty, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
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| Duration
of Operation |
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One
hour |
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| Risks
and
Complications |
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When
eyelid
surgery
is
performed
by a
qualified
plastic
surgeon,
complications
are
infrequent
and
usually
minor.
Nevertheless,
there is
always a
possibility
of
complications,
including
,
bleeding,
infection
or a
reaction
to the
anesthesia.
You can
reduce
your
risks by
closely
following
your
surgeon's
instructions
both
before
and
after
surgery. |
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The
minor
complications
that
occasionally
follow
blepharoplasty
include
double
or
blurred
vision
for a
few
days;
temporary
swelling
at the
corner
of the
eyelids;
and a
slight
asymmetry
in
healing
or
scarring.
Tiny
whiteheads
may
appear
after
your
stitches
are
taken
out;
your
surgeon
can
remove
them
easily
with a
very
fine
needle. |
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Following
surgery,
some
patients
may have
difficulty
closing
their
eyes
when
they
sleep;
in rare
cases
this
condition
may be
permanent.
Another
very
rare
complication
is
ectropion,
a
pulling
down of
the
lower
lids. In
this
case,
further
surgery
may be
required. |
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| After
Care |
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After
surgery,
the
surgeon
will
probably
lubricate
your
eyes
with
ointment
and may
apply a
bandage.
Your
eyelids
may feel
tight
and sore
as the
anesthesia
wears
off, but
you can
control
any
discomfort
with the
pain
medication
prescribed
by your
surgeon.
If you
feel any
severe
pain,
call
your
surgeon
immediately. |
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Your
surgeon
will
instruct
you to
keep
your
head
elevated
for
several
days,
and to
use cold
compresses
to
reduce
swelling
and
bruising.
(Bruising
varies
forn
person
to
person:
it
reaches
its peak
during
the
first
week,
and
generally
lasts
anywhere
from two
weeks to
a
month.)
You'll
be shown
how to
clean
your
eyes,
which
may be
gummy
for a
week or
so. Many
doctors
recommend
eyedrops,
since
your
eyelids
may feel
dry at
first
and your
eyes may
burn or
itch.
For the
first
few
weeks
you may
also
experience
excessive
tearing,
sensitivity
to
light,
and
temporary
changes
in your
eyesight,
such as
blurring
or
double
vision. |
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Your
surgeon
will
follow
your
progress
very
closely
for the
first
week or
two. The
stitches
will be
removed
two days
to a
week
after
surgery.
Once
they're
out, the
swelling
and
discoloration
around
your
eyes
will
gradually
subside,
and
you'll
start to
look and
feel
much
better. |
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| Recovery |
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At
first
the
incisions
will
probably
be red
and
somewhat
bumpy.
Eventually,
the
resulting
scar
should
become
flat and
inconspicuous.
Your
sutures
(stitches)
will be
removed
sometime
within
the
first
week. |
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The
swelling
and
discoloration
around
your
eyes
will
gradually
subside,
and
you'll
start to
look and
feel
better
each
day.
Swelling
and
bruising
varies
considerably
from
person
to
person.
Bruising
typically
disappears
within
seven to
ten
days.
Within
the
first
week you
will be
permitted
to use
makeup,
if
desired,
to
conceal
any
discoloration. |
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Your
vision
may
continue
to be
somewhat
blurry
for a
few days
or
longer.
Your
eyes may
be
temporarily
sensitive
to
light,
and you
may
experience
excess
tearing
or
dryness.
You may
receive
eyedrops
to help
relieve
any
burning
or
itching. |
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| Results |
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Upper
eyelid
blepharoplasty
can make
a
remarkable
difference
in the
appearance
of the
face,
alleviating
the
appearance
of
tiredness
and old
age. The
eyes
appear
fresher
and more
youthful,
and
these
results
may last
for many
years.
The
degree
of
improvement
varies
from
patient
to
patient. |
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| Hospital
Admission |
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This
depends
on your
preferences
as well
as your
surgeon's.
Upper
eyelid
blepharoplasty
can be
performed
on an
out
patient
basis,
in the
hospital,
or in an
ambulatory
surgical
suite
under
either
general
or local
anesthesia. |
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| Anesthetic |
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General
or Local
Anesthesia. |
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| Pre
Operative Care |
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Inform
us about
any
allergies,
any
serious
medical
condition(s),
and all
medications
you are
taking
(both
prescription
and
non-prescription). |
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Avoid
aspirin
and
aspirin-containing
medicines
for two
weeks
prior to
surgery. |
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| Post
Operative Care |
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For
the
first
week,
you'll
need to
avoid
activities
that dry
the
eyes,
including
reading,
watching
television,
wearing
contacts,
and
using a
computer.
Also
avoid
excessive
blinking,
which
leads to
increased
swelling.
You
should
also
wear
dark
sunglasses
for a
couple
of weeks
to
protect
your
eyes
from
wind and
sun
irritation.
The eyes
may tire
easily
for
several
weeks;
frequent
naps are
helpful. |
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For
the
first
three or
four
weeks,
you
should
avoid
any
activity
that
increases
blood
flow to
the
eyes,
including
bending,
lifting,
crying
and
sports.
Your
surgeon
will let
you know
when you
are
ready
for
exercise.
Also
avoid
drinking
alcohol,
which
can lead
to fluid
retention
and
delay
recovery. |
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| FAQ
: Surgical
Procedure |
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How
much
pain is
there? |
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Initially,
you may
feel a
tight
sensation
around
the
eyes,
with
minor
discomfort
that
lasts
for a
day or
two. A
mild
pain
reliever
can be
taken as
needed.
People
who have
had the
procedure
are
often
surprised
at how
painless
eyelid
surgery
can be.
Many
times,
isolated
eyelid
surgery
can be
performed
under
local
anesthesia
with a
total
recovery
time as
short as
7 to 10
days.
(Recovery
time
varies
from
person
to
person.) |
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Are
there
scars
from the
blepharoplasty
procedure? |
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Scars
are a
result
of any
surgical
procedure.
The
incisions
made to
accomplish
the
goals of
the
procedure
are
barely
visible
after
several
months
as they
are
placed
within
the
normal
creases
and
folds of
the
upper
and
lower
eyelids.
In
patients
who only
need
removal
of fat
from the
lower
eyelids,
the
incision
can be
made on
the
inside
of the
eyelid,
and will
therefore
result
in an
invisible
scar. |
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| FAQ
: Result |
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What
are the
goals of
blepharoplasty? |
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A
properly
performed
blepharoplasty
procedure
will
brighten
the face
and
restore
a more
youthful
appearance.
In some
patients
the
procedure
will
improve
vision
by
removing
the
excessive
skin of
the
upper
eyelids
which
can hang
down and
interfere
with
peripheral
vision. |
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What
are some
of the
most
common
benefits
of this
surgery? |
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Upper
eyelid
blepharoplasty
can make
a
remarkable
difference
in the
appearance
of the
face,
alleviating
the
appearance
of
tiredness
and old
age. The
eyes
appear
fresher
and more
youthful,
and
these
results
may last
for many
years.
The
degree
of
improvement
varies
from
patient
to
patient. |
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What
is the
long-term
outcome
like for
most
people? |
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The
more
alert,
youthful
look
that
this
surgery
provides
is
usually
long
lasting.
Thin
scars
may
remain
slightly
pink for
six
months
or so,
but can
easily
be
concealed
with
makeup.
They
eventually
fade to
a thin,
nearly
invisible
white
line.
The
removal
of fat
is
permanent,
but the
looseness
of the
skin and
fine
wrinkling
of the
eyelid
area may
return
in the
future.
Even
though
the
aging
process
continues,
patients
are
usually
happy
with
their
appearance
for many
years
following
eyelid
surgery.
Some
patients
find
that
they
want to
make
additional
improvements
at a
later
time. If
continued
loss of
skin
tone in
the
forehead
later
causes
sagging
of the
eyebrows,
a
forehead
lift or
second
eyelid
procedure
may be
performed. |
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Upper Eyelid Surgery |
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