Upper Blepharoplasty

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beachwood and Cleveland, Ohio

An upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) is a procedure that eliminates excess droopy skin above the eyes. As you age, the collagen in your skin that keeps it firm and provides structure starts to decline, leading to droopy skin and wrinkles. Other factors such as diet, smoking, sun exposure, and skincare routine can also affect how prone your skin is to fine lines and wrinkles. UV exposure contributes to 80% of skin aging which can lead to droopy skin and wrinkles. ⁽¹⁾

Dr. Gregory Fedele is well known for his ability to transform patients’ skin with innovative, customizable procedures that reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. An upper blepharoplasty is not just cosmetic– improving your field of vision can change your quality of life. You do not have to live with wrinkles and droopy skin that affects your self-esteem and daily routine.

Contact our office in Cleveland or call (216) 464-1616 to learn how this quick, well-tolerated procedure can help you find relief.

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About Upper Blepharoplasty

Many patients find that as they age, their upper eyelids begin to droop, resulting in a tired appearance that does not reflect how they truly feel. An upper blepharoplasty is a procedure that can help patients achieve smoother, tighter skin. We can remove the droopy pockets of excess tissue above the eyes that restrict your field of vision and impact the way you feel about your appearance. An upper blepharoplasty is one of the most effective ways to refresh your complexion, and in 2023, surgeons performed more than 120,000 blepharoplasty procedures. ⁽²⁾ The procedure is a common solution to aging eyes because it provides long-lasting results and is customizable. We can strategically shape the upper lids in a way that compliments your other features and helps you maintain a proportional balance.

Lower Blepharoplasty

If you are experiencing droopy, puffy pockets of fat beneath your eyes, we can combine your upper blepharoplasty with a lower blepharoplasty to rejuvenate them, also known as a quad blepharoplasty. As you age, it is common to see the fat pads beneath your eyes shift and create the appearance of under-eye bags. During the procedure, we can modify the fat pads beneath your eyes with a delicate incision inside the lower lid that will not be visible. During your consultation, Dr. Fedele will discuss the best procedure for your needs and the look you would like to achieve.

Upper Blepharoplasty Benefits

An upper blepharoplasty is an ideal choice if you would like to:

Improve your field of vision: If droopy skin is affecting your field of vision, we can improve it by removing the flap of skin that makes it difficult to see.
Achieve smoother skin: You can enjoy smoother skin above your eyes and a more youthful look without wrinkles affecting your skin texture.
Balance your facial features: Sometimes droopy skin can change your facial balance, drawing attention away from features you would like to emphasize. We can improve the balance of your features with an eyelid lift.
Look younger: Removing excess skin can help you achieve a brighter complexion and look younger without wrinkly sagging skin that emphasizes shadows and creates a tired appearance.
Enhance your quality of life: By improving the appearance of your eyes, you can increase your self-esteem which can also improve your daily performance and relationships.
Look more awake: Removing droopy, excess skin can help you look more alert and refreshed throughout the day.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for an upper blepharoplasty take good care of their skin and have realistic expectations about their goals and what we can accomplish with the procedure. If you have droopy skin above the eyes that impacts your day-to-day function and you are starting to lose the appearance of your double eyelid, the procedure is likely a good fit for you. The best candidates for an upper blepharoplasty have moderate to severely sagging skin or signs of facial aging that will not respond to nonsurgical skin tightening procedures. We can examine your skin to determine the best procedure for your needs.

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Fedele will ask about your aesthetic goals and perform a physical to examine your skin. Please come prepared to discuss your medical history in depth before your procedure as well as your current medications and lifestyle. If you have additional aesthetic concerns, such as tightening the facial skin, Dr. Fedele can discuss a facelift and other procedures for enhancing your appearance.

To learn more about our additional procedures, see our blog.

How to Prepare for an Upper Blepharoplasty

To prepare for an upper blepharoplasty, you will need to:

Refrain from smoking for 6 weeks before and after your procedure
Stop drinking alcohol for 24 hours before and after your procedure
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds
Stop taking any supplements or medications that thin your blood
Delay any harsh chemical peel appointments or fillers

You will also need to schedule time off work, run errands ahead of time, and ask someone to drive you home so you can focus on your recovery. Creating a comfortable place in your home to recover will be crucial for helping you achieve the best outcome.

Upper Blepharoplasty Procedure

During an upper blepharoplasty procedure, you will need to arrive in comfortable clothing with clean skin – do not wear makeup or skincare products to your appointment. We will place you under anesthesia and make a thin incision along the crease of your upper eyelid that is concealed into the folds of skin above your eye. Depending on the severity of your skin sagging, we can remove excess skin as well as muscle from the upper eyelid ⁽³⁾ and place sutures to help your skin heal for a natural look and smoother appearance.

Upper Blepharoplasty Recovery

During your recovery from an upper blepharoplasty, you will need to rest your eyes while your incisions heal. After 1-2 weeks, most patients can return to their normal routines. You may notice some slight, temporary puffiness or swelling around the incision sites. You can use a cold compress to alleviate any discomfort. We can also provide instructions for your specific recovery depending on your needs. You must take medications as prescribed, including antibiotics if needed. Keeping your head elevated is also important during the first 1-2 weeks– you will need to avoid bending over with your head below your knees and attend follow-up appointments to help us monitor your progress.

Results

After an upper blepharoplasty, you can enjoy smoother, tighter skin almost immediately. Eliminating the uncomfortably droopy flaps of skin and wrinkles that affect your ability to see clearly can improve your self-confidence. You can enjoy results for several years if you take good care of your skin, avoid sun exposure, and follow the instructions for your recovery to ensure your incisions heal correctly. We can also recommend skin care products and treatments to help you maintain the quality of your skin and feel your best.

Corresponding Procedures

Facelift

A facelift is a procedure that tightens your skin for a more youthful appearance and fewer wrinkles. With aging, it’s common to experience droopy jowls, wrinkles, and fine lines that affect your perceived age and self-esteem. Your muscles can also begin to atrophy which affects the structural support of your skin, leading to hollow cheeks and a jawline that does not look as sharp as it used to. With a facelift, Dr. Fedele can adjust the layer of connective tissue beneath your cheekbones (SMAS layer) to help you look younger and eliminate droopy pockets of skin for a lifted, more youthful look.

Brow Lift/Forehead Lift

Glabellar lines are common with age and appear above the brows from repetitively lifting your eyebrows. If you are struggling to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles above your brows, we can improve their appearance with a brow lift. During a brow lift procedure, Dr. Fedele makes a thin, discrete incision along your hairline to reposition your skin. He can also remove the excess tissue that emphasizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles on your face for a smoother look.

Cost of an Upper Blepharoplasty in Cleveland

The cost of an upper blepharoplasty will depend on the severity of your droopy skin and whether or not you need additional procedures to transform your appearance such as a lower blepharoplasty. During your consultation, we can provide an all-inclusive quote to help you meet your needs.

Contact our office in Cleveland or call (216) 464-1616 to learn more about how we can brighten your eyes with an upper blepharoplasty and help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

FAQ

Can I combine an upper blepharoplasty with other procedures?

Yes, we can combine an upper blepharoplasty with other procedures such as a lower blepharoplasty, neck lift, or facelift depending on your aesthetic goals.

How long will an upper blepharoplasty take?

An upper blepharoplasty can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on the severity of your droopy skin.

Will I need more than one upper blepharoplasty?

Unless you experience changes to your skin over time from aging or sun exposure, you should only need one blepharoplasty to meet your aesthetic goals.

Will I have visible scars from an upper blepharoplasty?

We take care to make a discrete incision along the fold of your eyelid that is hidden in the natural creases of your skin. Although you will have thin scars, they will fade into your skin over time.

Will an upper blepharoplasty affect my vision?

The procedure can improve your field of vision by removing excess skin that affects your ability to see clearly.

References

Amaro-Ortiz A, Yan B, D’Orazio J. Ultraviolet Radiation, Aging, and the Skin: Prevention of Damage by Topical cAMP Manipulation. Molecules. 2014;19(5):6202-6219. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19056202
American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
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