Upper Blepharoplasty

How Does an Upper Blepharoplasty Work?

To perform the upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Connor will first utilize a local anesthetic to numb the area, minimizing the potential for any discomfort during treatment. Next, he will make small incisions that are concealed in the natural eyelid creases or on the backside of the upper eyelids, helping to greatly limit the visibility of scars. Excess skin and fat tissue is then removed, and if necessary, stretched or elongated eyelid musculature is corrected and restored to an ideal position. Lastly, the remaining skin is carefully smoothed out and sutured to create a rejuvenated upper eyelid appearance.

What Does an Upper Blepharoplasty Treat?

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can naturally restore your youthful appearance without any signs of plastic surgery. The entire procedure is done through a thin incision in your upper eyelid crease that is hidden from view and heals remarkably well. This procedure will not leave you with a surprised or artificial look. When done correctly, you should receive compliments about how great you look without anyone knowing you underwent surgery. 

What to Expect During Treatment

Upper eyelid surgery is generally performed as a minor outpatient procedure, usually taking about 1-2 hours to complete. Numbing medicine is slowly and gently administered to the upper eyelid skin using a very small needle. Medicine is then added to the numb area and slowly spread throughout the eyelid. Some patients prefer intravenous sedation, which is done at an outpatient surgery center with an anesthesiologist. Intravenous sedation is also safe and does not require a breathing tube. The patient sleeps through the procedure and wakes up in the recovery room. Following surgery, patients are typically able to return home with the aid of a friend or family member.

What Is Recovery Like After Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Once an upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed, swelling and bruising may worsen for 2-3 days, but there is little to no pain. Tylenol can be taken and cool compresses can be used at 20-minute intervals every hour to help with discomfort. The latter is recommended for the first 48 hours following surgery. Keeping your head elevated and sleeping in an elevated position will also help reduce the amount of swelling. Swelling may occur in the lower lids as well. A prescribed eye ointment is applied to the sutures. The sutures are removed in the office 7-10 days following the procedure. Most patients can return to work in 5-7 days. Dr. Connor does not recommend eyelid surgery within one month of any social commitments such as a family photoshoots or weddings. In one month, 95% of healing is complete. The incision may take up to six months to fade. You can resume eyelid makeup 10-14 days after surgery. Some scarring may persist after surgery, but Dr. Connor will utilize the latest surgical techniques to minimize its appearance.

How Much Does Upper Eyelid Surgery Cost?

The cost of upper blepharoplasty will depend on a variety of different factors, including how much skin and/or fat removal is needed and whether or not other treatments are performed in conjunction. To receive a personalized price quote for upper eyelid surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Connor. At this time, he can assess your unique needs and goals, ultimately providing you with a cost estimate based on a customized treatment plan.

It is important to keep in mind that cost should never be the sole reason for choosing a particular eyelid surgeon, as a doctor’s fees are often reflective of their credentials, surgical skill, and the overall quality of care you can expect.

Does Insurance Cover Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty can be covered by your insurance when you have 30% of your peripheral vision impaired by the eyelid skin and the eyelid skin is hanging within two millimeters of the center of your visual axis. These strict guidelines are set by Medicare and followed by all insurance companies. Dr. Connor is an eyelid expert and by using those criteria will inform you at your visit whether your procedure is considered cosmetic. Any attempt by the patient or physician to have insurance pay for a cosmetic surgery is considered fraudulent and can result in termination of your policy or loss of the insurance contract for the physician, potentially resulting in civil and criminal penalties. It is important to see a doctor who understands the criteria to avoid any potential problems with your insurance company.