Upper Eyelid Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego, CA
An upper eyelid lift, or upper blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that removes droopy or loose skin from the eyelid to lift and restore its shape. Upper blepharoplasty targets excess skin to reduce sagging, leading to brighter eyes that look younger and refreshed. Most often, this is a cosmetic procedure, but it can also assist patients with loss of peripheral vision from a heavy upper eyelid.
Alexander Cosmetic Surgery has been serving patients in the San Diego area for over 50 years. Dr. John Alexander and Dr. Jordan Kaplan are two talented surgeons who perform every type of aesthetic surgery. With artistic eyes for symmetry and extensive skill sets, Drs. Alexander and Kaplan are well-equipped to provide comprehensive and natural results, tailoring each upper eyelid lift to the individual. If you seek to restore your upper eyelid contour, schedule a complimentary consultation in San Diego today by calling (858) 455-7557. You may also fill out our short contact form to get started.
Contents
All About Upper Eyelid Lift
Facial aging has many stages including the loss of skin elasticity, muscle laxity and sagging, and volume loss. All three affect the eye area, sometimes much earlier than other areas of the face. When the upper eyelid starts to droop (known as ptosis TOE-sis), this can make you look tired and change your natural expressions. Excess upper eye skin can cause shadows or unintended countenance that can make you look tired or angry, even when you aren’t. It also adds age to the face.
What is Dermatochalasis?
The muscle that surrounds the eye area is the orbicularis muscle. As a patient ages, this muscle thins and weakens, often pulling the skin down with it. Dermatochalasis is a condition where the upper eyelid has redundant skin. When the upper eyelid skin starts to sag, patients often over-exert their foreheads muscles, leading to forehead wrinkles and tired eyes. This combination of actions leads to upper eyelid sagging that can only be reduced with an upper eyelid lift. (1)
Though this type of redundant skin is commonly age-related, some patients have naturally heavy eyelids because of their genetics, and this worsens with age. An upper eyelid lift repairs this and its symptoms by carefully removing appropriate amounts of skin, just from the upper eyelid. Drs. Alexander and Kaplan use a preservation technique for upper eyelid lifts that allows them to remove only skin. Occasionally, protruding fat can be removed in addition to excess skin to improve contour. Not every patient requires fat removal so it is key to work with an experienced plastic surgeon to ensure optimal results and avoid hollowing of the lids, which can make you look older.
Benefits of an Upper Eyelid Lift
An upper eyelid lift has both functional and aesthetic benefits including:
- Brighter, more youthful expression
- Reduced wrinkles
- Improved contour
- Reduced sagging
- Decreased headaches
- Less eye strain
- Increased peripheral vision
- Improved visual field
This procedure gives many patients a confidence boost. Resolving ptosis and restoring the upper eyelid often improves social interactions, allowing for more open eyes, and happier expressions. Patients have more cosmetic freedom and better makeup application with a smoother eyelid. It leaves an easily concealable scar that sits right along the natural crease. For those experiencing facial aging, it can help them achieve a more rested and alert complexion.
Ideal Candidates for Upper Eyelid Lift
Women and men with excess or loose upper eyelid skin are ideal candidates for this procedure. It is performed to improve eyelid aesthetics and function for healthy individuals with no underlying conditions. This procedure may be the right fit for you if you have reasonable and positive expectations and do not smoke. If you do, you must quit at least 4 weeks before the surgery date. An upper eyelid lift is unfavorable if you have serious eye conditions like glaucoma or chronic dry eyes. To find out if you are a good candidate, please schedule a private consultation with Dr. Alexander or Dr. Kaplan here.
Personal Consultation at Alexander Cosmetic Surgery
During your complimentary consultation, your surgeon will examine your upper eyelids to determine if this procedure is right for you. He will ask you about your medical history and you will have time to express your concerns and learn about the procedure from beginning to end. Dr. Alexander or Dr. Kaplan will create a customized treatment plan for you before scheduling your upper eyelid lift. A member of the Alexander Cosmetic Surgery staff will assist you in scheduling follow-up appointments with your surgeon. They will also provide you with detailed preparation and postoperative instructions.
Preparation
Be sure to acquire a ride to and from your upper eyelid lift. Also, we encourage you to:
- Refrain from alcohol
- Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs like Advil
- Stop smoking
- Stop taking herbal supplements
- Adjust your current medications
- Prepare your home for recovery
- Leave jewelry and contact lenses at home on surgery day
- Pick up prescriptions beforehand
- Make easy-to-prepare meals
- Schedule time off of work
Upper Eyelid Lift Procedure
There are roughly four steps to an upper eyelid lift:
- Surgical Marking: Your surgeon uses a surgical pen to plan his incisions. This typically looks crescent-shaped.
- Anesthesia: We give you the chosen anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Often this procedure is done with local anesthesia to numb the areas.
- Incision: After the surgical area is numb, your surgeon carefully makes his incisions on the upper eyelid. He removes the skin and cauterizes small blood vessels to minimize bruising.
- Closure: He then uses very tiny sutures to close the incision along the natural crease of the upper eye. The incision heals quickly and is hidden by eye movement. Your surgeon then cleans your incision sites before placing bandages.
This procedure usually takes less than an hour. If you require a lower eyelid lift, your surgery will take about double the time.
Recovery
The upper eyelid region will swell and possibly bruise in the following days. Your surgeon will recommend cold compresses and pain pills to help any discomfort. He will remove your stitches 5 to 7 days after surgery. Make sure to take any prescriptions exactly as instructed. You may go back to work within your first postoperative week. Try not to rush the healing process and take plenty of time to rest. Take short and gentle walks periodically to keep active and increase blood flow. Every patient is different, but the final healing stages may not be reached for three to four months.
Lasting Results
After surgery, your eyelids will have a youthful contour and your eyes should look brighter and wider. Swelling and bruising may impair these results for a few weeks as you heal, but your new contour will be immediately visible. An upper eyelid lift provides some permanent results, but cannot stop aging altogether. The eyes are a very delicate part of the body prone to skin laxity and sagging. Protect your skin when in direct sunlight to preserve your results to avoid excessive scarring or UV damage.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Lower Eyelid Lift
A lower eyelid lift corrects under-eye puffiness, bags, or dark circles. It is commonly performed at the same time as an upper eyelid lift when a patient has both under-eye and upper eyelid contouring issues. Dr. Alexander or Dr. Kaplan start this procedure by making an incision along the lower lash line. It can be located on either the inside or outside of the eyelid. In both approaches the scar is either hidden or invisible. Next, they go down to the fat pads underneath. When necessary, they remove small sections to reduce the volume that collects there. Finally, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures. (2)
Facial Peels & Resurfacing
For less-invasive treatment options, your surgeon may suggest facial peels and skin resurfacing treatments to improve the quality of your skin. Depending on the chosen method, you may receive a chemical peel or laser resurfacing to tighten and brighten the under-eye skin after an eyelid lift. They vary in treatment and depth, so please feel free to ask about facial skin rejuvenation during your consultation with us.
Cost of an Upper Eyelid Lift in San Diego
The total cost of an upper eyelid lift is determined by the specific components of your treatment plan.
If you are ready to rejuvenate your eyes, schedule your private consultation with us today by calling (858) 455-7557. You may also visit our beautiful San Diego office or contact us online. We look forward to speaking with you.
FAQ
Can an upper eyelid lift be performed under local anesthesia?
Yes. Talk to your surgeon during your consultation to discuss the type of anesthetic right for you and your needs. If you do not wish to receive general anesthesia, you have other avenues that all lead to a successful surgery.
Will my upper eyelid lift remove my crow’s feet?
No. Crow’s feet are notoriously hard to reduce. You may look into laser resurfacing, Botox, and fillers that are safe to use around the eye to help reduce these lines.
When can I return to my normal schedule after an upper eyelid lift?
We recommend waiting at least one week after your surgery before reimplementing an exercise routine or other vigorous activities.
References
- Rodrigues C, Carvalho F, Marques M. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Surgical Techniques and Results—Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2023;47(5):1870-1883. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03436-6
- Klinger M, Vinci V, Maria Angela Romeo, et al. Surgical Tips for Aesthetic Lower Lid Blepharoplasty: Prevention of Round Eye. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2023;11(7):e5092-e5092. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000005092