Goals of upper and lower lid surgery differ

Richard P. Rand, MD answers: What does a blepharoplasty do?

What does a blepharoplasty do?


Richard P. Rand, MD
13 months ago

Upper lid blepharoplasty is the single most rejuvinating surgery for the face that there is. It removes extra skin and sometimes extra fat and produces a rested refreshed look. It does not lift the eyebrows however.

Lower lid surgery is more complex and carries more risk. It is primarily good for the removal or redistribution of buldgy fat bags. It is not for significant skin excision. Often the main problem is tear trough formation which can be effectively treated with Restylane without surgery.

Loose lower lids are particularly risky with surgery as are lids in patients whose cheek bones are underdeveloped. Sometimes in these cases a canthopexy is recommended to tighten the lower lid to minimize the risk of it pulling down during healing. But the canthopexy can make the lids look asian and decrease the width of the eye. Patients often complain, "I wanted to look better, not different."

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More answers to What does a blepharoplasty do?

A: Blepharoplasty helps improve the shape of aging eyelids...

Sam Naficy, MD
24 months ago

Blepharoplasty helps improve the shape of aging eyelids by trimming of excess skin and by sculpting of the deeper layers (fat and muscle).

It is important to realize that blepharoplasty does not help with the following:

  • Droopy eyebrows
  • Wrinkles caused by smiling or squinting
  • Thin and sun-damaged skin
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Volume loss in the tear trough area
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A: Blepharoplasty makes a patient's eyes look well...

William Portuese, MD
16 months ago

Blepharoplasty makes a patient’s eyes look well rested and open without looking like a “deer caught in the headlights.”

During an upper blepharoplasty, extra skin from the upper eyelids is excised and fat in the area of the upper eyelid closest to the nose is removed to decrease puffiness. The goal for the lower eyelids is to remove the puffiness and bags on the lower lids.

Blepharoplasty is a common operation that creates a restorative and youthful look to the eyes.

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