Upper Eyelid Lift in Manhattan

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Upper Eyelid Lift in Manhattan

Open Your Eyes to New Possibilities
An upper eyelid lift, or upper blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that lifts the eyelid by removing or augmenting the skin, orbicularis oculi muscles, and orbital fat. This procedure can rejuvenate the upper eye and create a youthful, lifted appearance for the patient. It can also improve the field of vision for those with sagging eyelids.

Before and After Photos

Blepharoplasty Before & After Patient #20884
Blepharoplasty Before & After Patient #20884
Blepharoplasty Before & After Patient #20887
Blepharoplasty Before & After Patient #20887
Blepharoplasty Before & After Patient #21939
Blepharoplasty Before & After Patient #21939
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At Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology, Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been practicing for over 30 years. To schedule your private consultation at his practice today, fill out this form and we will get back to you shortly. You can also contact us by calling our New York Plastic Surgery office at (646) 846-4544.

About Upper Eyelid Lift

As one of the most commonly performed facial cosmetic surgeries, upper eyelid blepharoplasty can correct both aesthetic and functional issues. One of the first places that shows signs of aging is the face, particularly the eye area. If this sagging is severe, it can construct a patient’s vision as well as create an unpleasant eyelid contour. Upper eyelid lifts can effectively treat this, adding youthfulness back into the face with one simple procedure. (1)

Eyelid Changes Due to Aging

There are many typical signs of skin aging in the eye area:

  • Loss of upper eyelid volume
  • Eyelid creases appear higher
  • Lowering of the eyebrows
  • Loss of skin elasticity
  • Dermatochalasis (redundant skin on the eyelid)

The aim of an upper eyelid lift is to reduce this redundancy and give the upper eye a youthful lift to create more space between the crease of the eye and the lash line. It can also be performed to reduce bulk by removing sections of the nasal or central fat pads. (2)

Types of Upper Blepharoplasty Procedures

This procedure can include skin dissection alone to correct mild upper eyelid ptosis (sagging). If this technique is used, there is no muscle or fat pad removal as it is mostly reserved for younger patients without severe dermatochalasis.

If there is more severe redundancy, or the patient experiences bulkiness in the upper eyelid area, then resection of skin and a portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle that resides just above the natural crease may be necessary. This technique can be combined with resection of either or both of the fat pads located in this area of the face to remove even more redundancy and bulk for the patient. (2)

The degree to which the upper eyelid area is dissected will be carefully determined by your surgeon to create the most optimal outcome.

Benefits of an Upper Eyelid Lift

Patients who receive upper eyelid surgery experience any number of the following benefits:

  • Improved field of vision
  • Aesthetically-pleasing eyelid contour
  • Reduced eye puffiness or bulk
  • More awake and youthful eye area
  • Confidence-boosting appearance 

Brighter and more youthful eyes can bring radiance and energy to the face, giving patients a new chance to show off one of their most beautiful and interesting features.

Ideal Candidates for Upper Eyelid Lift in New York City

Patients with redundant upper eyelid skin, fat, or muscle are ideal candidates for this procedure. Whether you are someone with hooded eyes that have always caused you frustration, or you have noticed drooping in recent years that is obstructing your view, upper eyelid blepharoplasty works to fix many functional and cosmetic imperfections. You must also be in good overall health, a non-smoker, and have reasonable expectations for what the procedure can achieve. 

Personal Consultation

Dr. Greenberg will meet with you for a private consultation to discuss the procedure, your related concerns, and what the process involves. To determine your candidacy, he will ask you about your full medical and eye history. If you have a history of glaucoma, dry eye or wet eye, thyroid issues, detached retina, or other serious conditions that will impact your ability to recover from surgery, the procedure may not be right for you until these conditions are under control. 

Preparation

Although upper eyelid lifts are outpatient procedures, we require you to have someone you trust to drive you to and from your surgery. Your eyes will be swollen and your driving may be impaired. Be sure to schedule time off from work before your appointment date, and prepare a comfortable place in your home for your recovery period.

Refrain from smoking tobacco and using nicotine products for at least two weeks before your surgery, and six weeks after. Please also avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen for two weeks prior as they can cause problems with bleeding.

Upper Eyelid Lift Procedure in Manhattan

The surgeon starts an upper blepharoplasty procedure by marking each eyelid to map out how much skin can be comfortably removed. This step is essential to the success of the surgery, most importantly to make sure the eyelid still has plenty of room to completely close. When the measurements are correct, they then administer local anesthesia to the eyelid.

After this, the surgeon performs the resections necessary to achieve a younger-looking upper eye. This can include skin, muscle, and fat removal depending on what the patient requires. After the resection is performed, the surgeon may make internal sutures if it is needed for structural integrity. 

The eyelid will be sutured with a continuous stitch that runs along your natural crease. This method of suturing allows for smooth healing and a clear, concealable scar. (3)

Recovery

After the procedure, your eyelids may feel heavy and tight from the swelling. Most patients who undergo blepharoplasty do not require strong pain medication as their discomfort tends to be minimal. Dr. Greenberg may recommend using cold compresses on your eyes to control the swelling and provide relief. 

For the first couple of days, you may experience some redness or bruising. You will be given ointment to apply to your incisions every day, and these symptoms should subside quickly. After 7 to 10 days, your sutures will be removed, and usually patients go back to work around this time.

Results

Your results from an upper eyelid lift will be long-lasting and noticeable soon after your swelling goes down. Patients often enjoy their results for up to 15 years and do not often require another upper blepharoplasty or revisions. It is important to remember, however, that surgery cannot prevent future aging from occurring. To keep your results for longer, implement a recommended skin and eye care routine to help preserve your new, more youthful appearance. 

Corresponding Procedure – Facelift New York

Patients undergoing an eyelid lift often receive them in combination with a facelift procedure. An upper blepharoplasty cannot be used to address other areas of the face, so it is recommended that patients with aging facial skin accumulating near the cheeks and neck receive a facelift.

During this procedure, Dr. Greenberg makes incisions near your ears and occasionally underneath the chin. Once healed, these scars are easily hidden within the natural contours of the face. Depending on the procedure type, Dr. Greenberg may address the SMAS layer beneath the facial skin to achieve better shaping and more youthful results that last longer. After the deep layers are sutured into their new positions, the skin is redraped toward the ears, and the excess is trimmed. He makes internal sutures to ensure your outermost stitches are not holding too much tension, and then he carefully sutures the external incisions.

This procedure is traditionally invasive and comes with moderate downtime, but Dr. Greenberg also performs many mini facelifts for patients with minimal to moderate sagging around the face. The procedure steps are similar, but this version requires much less downtime, shorter incisions, and only takes around 1 hour to complete. 

If overall facial rejuvenation is something you are interested in, ask Dr. Greenberg about facelift options during your private consultation.

How Much is an Upper Eyelid Lift in Manhattan?

Your price breakdown will be discussed during your first appointment with us. There are certain costs such as operating room fees as well as sedation and anesthesia prices that could affect your overall cost. If you have any questions, you can contact our NYC Plastic Surgery office at (646) 846-4544 and we will be happy to answer all of your questions.

To schedule your first upper eyelid lift consultation, fill out this contact form to take the first step toward brighter and more youthful-looking eyes.

FAQ

What is a laser eyelid lift?

For a laser eyelid lift, the surgeon uses a CO2 laser machine to make their incisions instead of a scalpel or cautery. The laser is also used to resect the redundant fat pads and muscle if necessary.

If I wear contacts, should I avoid them after my upper eyelid lift?

Yes, you should wait at least a week after your procedure to wear contact lenses. 

Are the results of an upper eyelid lift permanent?

Once the skin and muscle are removed during a blepharoplasty, they are gone forever. However, as you continue to age, your eyes can still be affected by this process. To mitigate severe redundancies in the future, please be diligent with daily sunscreen application.

Is double eyelid surgery a type of blepharoplasty?

Yes, double eyelid surgery, also known as Asian eyelid surgery, is a type of blepharoplasty. This procedure aims to create or enhance the presence of a supratarsal crease in individuals who have a single eyelid or minimal crease.

Can blepharoplasty remove eye bags?

Yes, lower blepharoplasty can effectively remove eye bags. By eliminating or redistributing the excess fat, lower blepharoplasty can significantly reduce the appearance of eye bags and restore a more rested and rejuvenated look to the eyes.

References

  1. Bhattacharjee K, Misra D, Deori N. Updates on upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2017;65(7):551. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.ijo_540_17
  2. Rodrigues C, Carvalho F, Marques M. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Surgical Techniques and Results—Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2023;47(5):1870-1883. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03436-6
  3. Patel BC, Malhotra R. Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty. PubMed. Published 2023. Accessed December 19, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537078/#:~:text=Upper%20blepharoplasty%20constitutes%20the%20surgical