Upper Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)
Consultations offered at our four convenient locations in Boston, Wellesley, Westborough, MA and Beverly Hills, CA
Upper eyelid plastic surgery, such as an eyelid lift (Blepharoplasty), removes the skin and fat from the eyelids. This surgical procedure removes puffiness and can correct sagging eyelid skin. Sometimes, the eyebrows are also part of the problem because they have fallen, causing more hooding over the outer eyes. In this situation, the brows can be corrected at the same time through a minimally invasive temporal brow lift.
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Avoid a “surprised” look
Dr. Ahn takes great care to ensure that his patients who undergo upper eyelid surgery do NOT end up with a “surprised” look. The surprised look occurs when too much skin has been removed, and the upper eyelid incision is made in an unnaturally high location. To prevent this, Dr. Ahn has developed a precise and reliable technique.
Before and After Photos
Technique
Dr. Ahn has developed an advanced, effective technique for his upper blepharoplasty procedure:
- Marking the patient in a seated, upright position before surgery instead of lying down. When the patient lies down, the anatomy is distorted, and accurate markings cannot be made.
- Marking the incision to be within the existing natural eyelid crease. The natural crease location is measured by Dr. Ahn using calipers on a millimeter scale and is usually 8-12 mm above the eyelashes. An incision in the crease typically means it heals to the point that it is nearly impossible to see.
- Measuring with calipers the EXACT amount of extra eyelid skin. This is marked to be removed and is done separately, between the two eyelids, because they will be different. There is often more extra skin on one eye compared to the other
Dr. Ahn developed these simple guidelines over the past two decades to ensure that the right amount of skin will be removed, the crease and incision will be in a natural, low position, and the patient will not look “surprised.”
Should I get an Eyelid Lift?
For Dr. Ahn, the ideal candidate for upper eyelid surgery has realistic expectations, does not want to look like a different person, and simply wants to look fresher in a natural way. Generally, that person is someone in good general health between the ages of 30 and 70.
Recovery timeline
Immediately after the surgery, a certain degree of swelling and bruising is normal. Cold compresses, as well as head elevation when lying down, will speed healing and relieve discomfort.
Following surgery, you will clean the eye area and apply healing ointment. The upper eyelid sutures are removed at 5-7 days. Most people, at that point, are able to appear in public with a little cover-up makeup.
Depending on how quickly you recover, you may expect to resume light activity within a week to 10 days and start enjoying your new look within approximately 10-14 days. If you have a special event planned, Dr. Ahn advises that you allow at least 3-4 weeks of recovery before the event.
Why choose Dr. Ahn and Ahn point center for upper Blepharoplasty in Boston?
Dr. Ahn is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon serving the Boston area for more than 20 years. He performs all of his surgeries at the Aesthetic Surgery Center in Westborough, Massachusetts. The Aesthetic Surgery Center is a Joint Commission, accredited, office-based surgical suite. All procedures at the Aesthetic Surgery Center are performed under intravenous sedation, also known as “twilight anesthesia,” which is safer than general anesthesia and can lead to a quicker and easier recovery.
FAQ
What are the dangers of upper eyelid surgery?
Eyelid surgery is very safe. That said, complications can occur if too much skin of the upper eyelids or lower eyelids is removed. When this happens, the eyes do not close properly. If there is bleeding after the surgery, this needs to be addressed by the surgeon.
What is the blepharoplasty procedure?
The upper blepharoplasty procedure involves removing the extra skin, possibly muscle, and possibly fat. This is done through an incision hidden in the eyelid crease. The lower eyelid blepharoplasty also involves removing the extra skin and fat. This is done either through a single incision under the eyelashes or combined with one on the back of the eyelid (transconjunctival).
What is the recovery time associated with upper eyelid surgery?
After eyelid surgery, one can expect approximately 8-10 days of social downtime. You also may need makeup on the incision lines for a couple of weeks after surgery.