Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

Eyelid surgery corrects the heaviness, hooding, and puffiness that make the eyes look tired regardless of how much sleep you’ve had. It is among the highest-satisfaction procedures in plastic surgery and among the least disruptive to recover from.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin — and, where present, fat — from the upper eyelid. Where hooding is significant, it can restore peripheral vision as well as appearance.

Lower blepharoplasty addresses under-eye bags and, in selected patients, excess lower lid skin. Modern technique typically repositions the fat that causes bags into the hollow beneath, rather than simply removing it. Removing fat outright can produce a hollowed, skeletal look with age; repositioning avoids it.

Asian blepharoplasty — for patients seeking to create or refine an upper lid crease while preserving the natural character of the eye. This requires a different technique from Western upper blepharoplasty and a clear understanding of what the patient actually wants, which varies enormously between individuals. Dr. Low discusses this at length before operating.

Benefits

• Removes upper lid hooding and heaviness
• Improves peripheral vision where obstructed
• Reduces under-eye bags and puffiness
• Creates a more rested, alert appearance
• Long-lasting results
• Modest downtime relative to the impact

Who Is a Candidate?

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Have excess or hooded upper eyelid skin
• Have persistent under-eye bags
• Look tired or heavy-lidded regardless of rest
• Find upper lid skin interferes with vision or makeup
• Are in good health with healthy eyes

A dry eye assessment is part of the pre-operative evaluation, and patients with significant brow descent may benefit more from a brow lift than from upper lid surgery alone.

Recovery & Expectations

Bruising and swelling peak at two to three days and settle substantially by 10–14 days. Most patients return to work within a week to ten days, with makeup covering residual bruising.

Upper lid incisions sit within the natural crease and are effectively invisible once healed. Lower lid work is often performed from inside the lid (transconjunctival), leaving no external scar at all.