Upper Blepharoplasty
Making aesthetic choices today is wonderfully straightforward. You already know what works for your face, and when you're expecting lasting, high-quality results, the priority becomes finding a surgical team that matches your standards for safety, precise technique, and natural outcomes.
The upper face is a perfect example of where this expertise matters most. The skin above the eyes naturally loses elasticity over time, eventually creating a heavy or hooded appearance. An upper blepharoplasty cleanly removes that excess skin and fat to restore a smooth, open expression. At The MODERN in New Orleans, our approach to upper eyelid surgery centers on exact, tailored care, giving you a refreshed look that feels entirely authentic.
Upper blepharoplasty, frequently called an eyelid lift or upper eyelid blepharoplasty, is a targeted facial plastic surgery designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. By cleanly excising redundant upper eyelid skin, this blepharoplasty procedure restores a naturally awake, youthful appearance and can safely improve vision obstructed by heavy tissue.
This highly customized surgery precisely addresses sagging upper eyelids. It serves as an incredibly effective surgical procedure for patients wanting to refresh their aesthetic, as well as those needing a functional improvement for their line of sight.
At a Glance | Upper Blepharoplasty |
|---|---|
| Best For | Heavy upper eyelids, drooping skin, and obscured eyelid creases |
| Treatment Type | Facial plastic surgery (eyelid surgery) |
| Downtime | 10 to 14+ days of visible recovery |
| Pain Level | Mild (easily managed with pain medication) |
| Treatment Length | 1 to 2 hours |
| When Results Appear | 1 to 2+ weeks as initial swelling resolves |
| How Long Do Results Last | 10 to 15+ years |
| Cost | Provided during your initial consultation |
An upper eyelid blepharoplasty directly targets the structural changes that weigh down the eye area. We use this specific eyelid blepharoplasty to treat:
Choosing a blepharoplasty for your upper lids offers functional and aesthetic improvements that beautifully rejuvenate the upper face.
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An ideal candidate for blepharoplasty surgery is a healthy adult looking to resolve heavy, hooded skin above the eyes.
Healthy individuals experiencing drooping eyelids or sagging upper eyelids make excellent candidates. Patients seeking a refreshed appearance and those noticing physical heaviness or vision blockage due to loose skin will appreciate the functional and aesthetic upgrades.
Patients dealing with an active eye disease, such as unmanaged glaucoma or severe bulging eyes, require medical clearance before pursuing cosmetic procedures. Individuals experiencing a drooping levator muscle require a ptosis correction, and those with sagging eyebrows are better suited for a brow lift.
You will experience mild swelling and bruising around the eyes immediately following the surgery. This is a perfectly normal and expected part of the healing process.
Expect a recovery period of 10 to 14+ days. By the end of the first few weeks, most bruising fades, allowing patients to comfortably return to social settings.
Avoid bending over, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise for about two weeks to prevent pressure in the head and reduce swelling.
Your eyelids will feel tight initially. Sutures are typically removed within 5 to 7 days. Avoid wearing contact lenses until cleared by your surgeon.
Keep your head elevated on a few pillows while sleeping. Use cold compresses diligently during the first 48 hours to manage swelling. Apply your prescribed eye drops to prevent dry, irritated eyes as the tissue heals.
You will notice a dramatic difference in the physical weight of your upper eyelids immediately, and the refined cosmetic results will emerge over the following weeks.
Recovery Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Swelling and bruising peak. |
| 1 Week | Sutures are removed; the eyes look significantly more open. |
| 2–4 Weeks | Swelling subsides, revealing the smooth, defined eyelid crease. |
| Up to six weeks | Final settling occurs, and the youthful appearance is fully visible. |
The results of an upper blepharoplasty are incredibly long-lasting. The loose skin surgically removed from the upper eyelids cannot return. Most patients enjoy their bright, rested appearance for 10 to 15 years, managing future skin changes with excellent skincare and non-surgical maintenance.
Eyelid skin is exceptionally thin, allowing it to heal beautifully after facial plastic surgery. The incisions are strategically placed directly within the natural fold of the upper lids. Once the healing process is complete, the fine scar becomes virtually undetectable.
Identifying the exact cause of your heavy eyelids ensures we select the correct surgical procedure.
Procedure | Target Area & Cosmetic Goal |
|---|---|
| Upper Blepharoplasty | Removes excess skin and fat strictly from the upper eyelids. |
| Lower Blepharoplasty | Targets under-eye bags and loose skin along the lower lash line and lower eyelids. |
| Brow Lift | Elevates sagging eyebrows, pushing down on the eye area. |
| Ptosis Correction | Tightens the levator muscle to lift the margin of the eyelid itself. |
Yes. For comprehensive facial rejuvenation, we frequently combine an upper lift with a lower blepharoplasty to treat the upper and lower eyelids simultaneously. We also regularly pair blepharoplasty surgery with a brow lift, dermal fillers, or chemical peels to maximize your cosmetic procedures and overall facial harmony.
The eyelids demand absolute surgical precision. As a highly trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Jules Walters brings an oculoplastic surgeon's level of detail to every blepharoplasty surgery. We prioritize conservative excess skin and fat removal to avoid a hollowed, unnatural look, ensuring your eyes appear naturally bright and rested. Our entire team at The MODERN is dedicated to delivering the finest facial plastic results.
Ready to restore a bright, energetic appearance to your eyes? The MODERN Plastic Surgery & Medspa provides exact, tailored surgical care designed to elevate your natural features.
The cost of your eyelid surgery varies depending on the specific surgical plan, including combining the procedure with the lower lids or other enhancements. We provide a fully transparent, itemized quote during your initial consultation.
The blepharoplasty procedure is performed under anesthesia, ensuring complete comfort. Post-operative pain is typically mild, feeling more like tightness or soreness, and is easily managed with prescribed pain medication and cold compresses.
Absolutely. Performing an upper eyelid blepharoplasty and a lower eyelid blepharoplasty together is standard practice. It addresses hooding on top and bags on the bottom, requiring only one recovery period for the upper and lower eyelids.
Most patients wait about two weeks after blepharoplasty surgery before resuming the use of contact lenses. Pulling on the tissue too soon can disrupt the healing process and irritate the incisions.
