Excess skin on the upper eyelids can alter facial expression, giving a tired or even sad appearance. Many patients notice that eye fatigue worsens as the day progresses, while discomforts such as tearing (epiphora) or dry eyes may also occur.
Upper blepharoplasty aims to reduce excess skin and, where necessary, fatty tissue, restoring harmony to the eye area. The goal of the procedure is both to improve eyelid function and to achieve a natural, refreshed aesthetic result, relieving the patient from any functional or aesthetic discomfort.
Consultation Session
During your initial consultation visit, the primary goal is to clearly define your personal desires and expectations from the procedure. The surgeon will evaluate whether you are a suitable candidate for the surgery through a detailed medical history and a comprehensive clinical examination. During the discussion, all available options will be presented, along with the most appropriate recommendation, as well as full disclosure regarding potential risks and complications that may arise.
Anesthesia & Length of Stay
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia (with or without sedation), and the patient returns home on the same day (outpatient procedure).
Associated Risks in Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty is a safe procedure with limited risks. The most common complication is the onset of dry eyes (either subjective or objective). This usually occurs in patients with long-term contact lens use. Postoperative bleeding and infection occur very rarely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bruising and swelling are common immediately after the procedure and are completely normal. Returning to work depends on the nature of your job and typically occurs one week after the surgery, once the sutures are removed. Makeup can be applied 10 days post-surgery. Avoid using contact lenses for 2 weeks.
The skin incision is made within the natural crease of the eyelid, ensuring that the scar is minimally visible as it follows the natural contour of the eye. At the outer corner of the eye (lateral orbital rim), the scar will be visible for a few millimeters and may appear slightly red during the first few months until the color fades and blends in. The final appearance of the scars is typically achieved about one year after the procedure.
Most patients return to light daily activities within the first few days after the surgery, while some can return to work after about one week, depending on the demands of their job. Physical/sports activities can be resumed, on average, after 4 to 6 weeks.
It is important to listen to your body: pain serves as a protective signal, so if certain movements cause discomfort, it is best to avoid them. Over the following weeks, swelling will gradually subside, but it may still persist for some time; therefore, we advise postponing any major social events for at least two months post-surgery. Complete recovery is typically achieved within about one year.
Blepharoplasty does not address the appearance of excess skin on the upper eyelid that is caused by the progressive dropping of the eyebrows (pseudodermatochalasis). In these cases, the recommended procedure is a brow lift, either on its own or in combination with blepharoplasty. Conversely, if a patient undergoes blepharoplasty first, the surgical correction of the dropped eyebrows becomes impossible. It is highly important to have the condition evaluated by an experienced plastic surgeon prior to selecting the appropriate procedure, in order to achieve the desired outcome.