Upper Vs. Lower Eyelid Lift

Blepharoplasty, which can refer to either an upper or lower eyelid lift, is a surgical procedure designed to reverse the visible effects of aging of the upper face. In our culture, we are taught to “look people in the eye” so we become very good at noticing even minor signs of aging. Our eyes are the first thing people see and they are critical for making the best impression. If your eyes make you look older, tired, stressed, or angry, you may be a good fit for blepharoplasty surgery.

Depending on your age, specific concerns, and severity of your condition, you might be better suited for one procedure over the other, or both. During your in-person consultation, we’ll go over your options in-depth and customize a treatment plan to help you meet your anti-aging goals.

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*Individuals Results May Vary

Upper Eyelid Lift

Upper blepharoplasty is the most commonly requested type of eyelid surgery. The outpatient procedure can be done for both aesthetic reasons and medical purposes. During surgery, small easily-concealable incisions are made along the natural creases of the upper lid. If necessary, fat pads are reduced, underlying muscles are tightened, and excess skin is removed. The entire procedure takes less than 1 hour and is done either local or general anesthesia – usually based on the patient’s wishes.

Recovery from an upper eyelid lift is relatively easy, but does require several days off work. Most patients are able to return to their day-to-day within a week, but it may take 1-3 weeks for most or all of the bruising and swelling to disappear. Patients in non-customer facing jobs generally return to work within a week – if you’re job involves a lot of personal interaction with clients, you should plan a minimum of two weeks. Dr. Barnett recommends that if you are having your eyes done for a special occasion like a wedding where may photos will be taken, that you allow six to eight weeks of recovery.

After an upper blepharoplasty, you can expect a more youthful, well-rested appearance. In many cases, the surgery will produce lifelong results.

Lower Eyelid Lift

Lower blepharoplasty can be done solely on its own or paired with an upper eyelid lift. The procedure is slightly more complex but still may be done under either local or general anesthesia. Throughout the one hour procedure, Dr. Barnett addresses fatty bags, excess loose skin, and hollows below the eyelid at the eyelid cheek junction.

As with an upper eyelid lift, you can expect to take several days to weeks to adequately heal and to produce your best appearance. Patients can reduce the appearance of puffy, tired eyes producing a more youthful and vibrant appearance with the help of a lower eyelid lift. The procedure often lasts a lifetime thanks to advanced surgical techniques.

What’s Right for You?

Many patients opt to combine upper and lower eyelid lifts for enhanced results with a single recovery. The best way to determine your best plan, based on your individual needs and expectations, is through a consultation with a board-certified surgeon with expertise and deep experience with facial and eyelid surgery such as Dr. Barnett. Together, you and your surgeon can create an anti-aging plan designed to meet your short and long-term goals.

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