The skin loses elasticity as it ages, causing a weary appearance. In some cases, the situation can be corrected, using upper lid blepharoplasty to address the sagging of the skin above the eyes, ending the "hound dog" look. An upper lid blepharoplasty can be performed alone or in combination with a lower lid blepharoplasty. The change in appearance made possible by an upper lid blepharoplasty can be remarkable: patients look younger, rejuvenated and more alert. There are also problems that an upper lid blepharoplasty is not designed to correct. For instance, dark under eye circles, crow's feet wrinkles and drooping eyebrows will not be corrected by an upper lid blepharoplasty, although the skin will appear smoother.

During the pre-operative consultation to discuss upper lid blepharoplasty, the plastic surgeon will indicate the areas where incisions will be made. In most cases, any scars from an upper lid blepharoplasty will be inconspicuous and easily concealed in the natural folds and creases in the eyes. The surgery for an upper lid blepharoplasty can take anywhere between one and three hours. If both a lower and upper lid blepharoplasty is to be performed at the same time, the procedure will take closer to three hours, with the surgeon performing the upper lid blepharoplasty first.

The operating surgeon will separate the skin from the underlying tissues, then remove the excess tissue or re-suspend it. Then the sagging skin is trimmed and the upper lid blepharoplasty finishes with the surgeon using fine sutures to close the incisions. Post-operative recovery from an upper lid blepharoplasty is less arduous than for most other cosmetic procedures; the eyes may be tight, hot, and tender, but any pain should be easily remedied by prescription medications. The sutures will be removed within two to five days of the upper lid blepharoplasty, and full recovery should occur in less than a month, with results readily visible.

There are certain conditions and illnesses that make certain people poor candidates for upper lid blepharoplasty, so be certain to fully discuss your medical history and any health problems.

To find out more about upper lid blepharoplasty procedures and to determine if you could benefit from this procedure, contact a board-certified plastic surgeon by clicking on your state below.