What is blepharoplasty? How can an upper blepharoplasty help you?

Upper blepharoplasty surgery, sometimes called an upper eyelid lift or simply an eye lift, can be a great option for those with heavy, drooping upper eyelids seeking a more vibrant and awake appearance. By removing excess skin (and sometimes muscle and fat), an upper blepharoplasty can open up the eyes and reduce signs of aging. Many of my patients begin to consider having an upper eyelid lift 5-10 years before they contemplate a facelift operation.

What happens during an upper eyelid surgery consultation?

Before surgery, I personally meet with all of my patients to discuss their concerns and establish a treatment plan. During an upper eyelid surgery consultation at one of my Pittsburgh area offices, I will determine if you are a good candidate, describe the procedure in detail, discuss possible complications, and show you a large number of before and after upper blepharoplasty photos.

My goal during the consultation is to ensure that you are well informed and understand all of your cosmetic options. There are very important elements of your medical history that must be explored prior to performing an upper blepharoplasty, including whether you’ve had prior surgery around the eyes, LASIK surgery, or suffer from dry eye.

Furthermore, I perform a physical exam that determines the tone and strength of your eyelids, and the possibility of excessive fat or muscle behind the upper eyelid. The most important element of the consultation is clear and honest communication between myself and the patient about goals and expectations for the eyelid lift.

Paul Leong MD FACS

The Facial Specialist

Dr. Leong completed his medical degree at the Yale University School of Medicine. He then dedicated the next seven years honing his skills specifically in head, face, and neck surgery at the University of Pittsburgh—a university consistently ranked among the top five otolaryngology programs in the country. Dr. Leong continued to develop his surgical skills through a fellowship in Advanced Oncologic Surgery of the Head and Neck at the Pittsburgh Medical Center. This was followed by yet another fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University.

Dr. Leong’s thoughtful consultation guided me in making the best decision for my desire to have a more youthful appearance. He performed my Upper Bleph in late September 2013 and just this short time later, I am absolutely 110% satisfied with his abilities. My results are beyond my expectations and I will continue to improve over the next 4 months.

Review from RateMds.com

What does an upper blepharoplasty involve?

Whether an upper blepharoplasty is performed in the office or in the operating room, it is exactly the same procedure. After careful marking of the appropriate amount of skin to be removed, local anesthetic is injected into the upper eyelid. The excision of skin is designed to ensure that the scar will fall in the natural eyelid crease, hiding the scar very effectively.

After the skin is removed, the underlying muscle and fat is inspected. If appropriate, a conservative amount of muscle and fat can be removed at this time. In the past, the standard upper blepharoplasty procedure performed in the United States involved the removal of a fair amount of skin and fat. The facial plastic surgery community has come to appreciate that this excessive removal of skin, fat, or muscle can lead to a hollowed or unnatural appearance later in life. Given this improved understanding, the modern standard is to remove a more modest amount of skin, muscle, and fat and keep the result looking natural. As I am fond of telling my patients: if it doesn’t look natural, it doesn’t look good!

Where is the upper blepharoplasty surgery performed?

Upper eyelid surgery is a common procedure that I perform in our Pittsburgh office, conveniently located minutes from downtown. I also perform the upper eyelid (blepharoplasty) procedure in my Wexford office. One of the benefits of having this surgery in the office is that it eliminates any hospital fees (O.R. and anesthesia fees). Local anesthetic and (if needed) an oral sedative will be administered to eliminate pain and make you feel at ease. The procedure takes approximately 45 minutes.

Many patients consider having a lower eyelid blepharoplasty at the same time as an upper blepharoplasty (eyelid lift). Lower blepharoplasty surgery can be performed at the same time as an upper blepharoplasty, but lower blepharoplasties are performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia to ensure maximum comfort for you. Upper blepharoplasty can also be performed at the same time as a facelift procedure – this would also be performed at one of the Pittsburgh area hospitals at which I have privileges.

Post-op appointments and blepharoplasty recovery

Resolution of swelling and bruising can require up to two weeks of downtime. Some patients recover much faster, depending on their natural degree of bruising and swelling. Approximately five days after your surgery, you will need to come back to the office to get your sutures removed. All or some of the sutures may be removed at this time, or a few may be left in place for several more days (depending on how the incisions are healing). Upper blepharoplasty photos are taken at each appointment to document your progress. I may ask you to come back in a few days for another post-op appointment to remove the remaining stitches.

Upper Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty Pittsburgh PA

Who is a good candidate for upper blepharoplasty surgery?

A healthy man or woman with excessive upper eyelid skin or droopy eyelids, realistic goals, and no difficulties with dry eye or other medical issues can be a good candidate for upper blepharoplasty surgery. Quite frequently, patients travel from well outside the Pittsburgh area for an upper eyelid lift. Feel free to contact our office for help with travel arrangements.

Contact Leong Facial Plastic Surgery

For more information on Upper Eyelid Surgery, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Leong to talk more about your options, please contact Leong Facial Plastic Surgery today.

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Upper Eyelid Surgery