Upper Blepharoplasty

The eyelids are particularly vulnerable to aging, with many people noticing changes even in their 30s. Even minor signs of aging here can influence how the eyes appear. Genetics also plays a role with some people having heavy eyelids even in their youth. Excess skin and heavy eyelids can lead to a tired, aged, unhappy, or disinterested look that shapes how people perceive the face overall. Eyelid surgery allows patients to reverse the effects and restore a dynamic expression to their eyes at any age.

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What Is Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Also called upper blepharoplasty, this procedure involves precise surgical adjustments to the upper eyelid tissues. Upper eyelid surgery aims to enhance the appearance of the eyes while still preserving a natural look to the face. The procedure involves some combination of:

Removing excess skin
Removing or repositioning pockets of fat
Adjusting underlying tissues as needed (such as repositioning a drooping lacrimal gland)
Tightening the remaining tissues

Benefits of Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Create a rested and alert appearance
Enhance overall eye shape

Match your expression to how you feel
Evoke a more youthful expression to the eyes

Upper Blepharoplasty Before & After

Is Upper Eyelid Surgery Right for Me?

Upper eyelid surgery is best for patients with specific cosmetic concerns about the eyelids. If you have sagging eyelids, excess eyelid skin, or puffiness of the upper eyelids, this procedure is the best way to address those issues. However, it does not target wrinkles near the eyelids, such as crow’s feet. We do provide nonsurgical options for smoothing out these wrinkles. Eyelid surgery is open to patients of nearly any age who want to reduce the effect of heavy or drooping eyelids on their appearance.

Patients can schedule a consultation with Dr. Langelier to learn more about the procedure and see if it is right for them. To determine if you are a good candidate, Dr. Langelier will look at:

The patient’s overall health (being in good health is vital for improving procedure safety)
The cause of eyelid concerns (drooping caused by a loose muscle may require ptosis repair instead and heavy eyebrows can contribute to eyelid sagging in some cases)
The patient’s cosmetic goals
The patient’s eye health to ensure the procedure can be performed safely with the health of the delicate eyes at top of mind.

What Is the Procedure Like?

Upper eyelid surgery treats a small area but requires precision and care at every point. Dr. Langelier never rushes a procedure, taking about 1 hour from start to finish. If you are combining procedures, the total time will be longer. The details of a procedure plan may vary, but the overall outline will generally remain the same. The steps include:

Anesthesia: Patients receive local anesthesia and sedation if desired. You will feel minimal pain during surgery and we take great care to make sure you are as comfortable as possible throughout the entire process.
Incisions: Dr. Langelier always makes the smallest incisions possible to remove skin and adjust tissues. Incision placement is done strategically to avoid any visible scarring.
Laser Assisted Surgery: Dr. Langelier performs the majority of her eyelid surgeries with a CO2 laser. In her hands, this improves comfort, reduces bleeding, bruising and swelling after surgery.
Closing Incisions: All incisions are carefully closed to maintain results and heal quickly.

Combining Procedures

Upper eyelid surgery is readily combined with procedures such as a brow lift or lower blepharoplasty to further enhance your results. Having multiple procedures at once also means you only need one recovery period. Ask Dr. Langelier about your combination options during your consultation to explore additional ways to rejuvenate your appearance.

What Is the Recovery Like for Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery involves as little damage to tissues as possible, and patients tend to recover quickly. Still, expect about 7 to 14 days of downtime, depending on your healing speed. Swelling and bruising are normal, and they mostly resolve within a couple of weeks. Most patients report minimal pain after surgery, and Tylenol is typically sufficient to manage it.

The focus of recovery is resting and following your post-procedure instructions. Caring for the surgical sites promotes better results and minimizes scarring. Dr. Langelier will provide comprehensive instructions ahead of time and will clarify any steps you need to take. The main steps involve avoiding straining or irritating the surgical sites. So avoid bending over, lifting more than 10 lbs, power-walking and engaging in any significant physical activity until you heal.

Seeing Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty Results: Timeline & Duration

Patients can expect to see their initial results within about 2 weeks. Around this time, most visible side effects should have resolved (i.e., bruising and swelling). Your eyes should look lighter and more youthful.

Final results take some additional time to settle. Even minor residual swelling affects how the eyelid tissue sits. So your full results will be apparent once these tissues settle in a few months. The delicate eyelid skin continues to thin and stretch with age. Results typically last 5 to 7 years or more with a healthy skin care routine.

Nonsurgical Options for Upper Eyelid Rejuvenation

If you have wrinkles around the eyelids, you can still have upper eyelid surgery but may need additional options to address these wrinkles. Dr. Langelier provides advanced laser treatments that can reduce wrinkling around the eyes. These devices use settings precisely adjusted for the more vulnerable skin in these areas while still producing visible improvements.

Schedule
Your Consultation

Start your process with a personal consultation with board-certified surgeon Dr. Langelier. Book your visit by calling her office or using our website form to discover if upper eyelid surgery in Richmond is ideal for you.