48, female, medium skin tone - Upper blepharoplasty or brow lift? (Photos)

Thanks for your question. The answer is probably both. I think most patients who need blepharoplasty would probably benefit from at least a temporal browlift. That said, I do think you would have an nice result from blepharoplasty alone. I probably wouldn't recommend just a browlift, however.

Dr. B

It is nice to hear that you recognize that a browlift may be indicated and achieve the desired aesthetic change you seek.

Do you like the way you look when you elevate your brow? Do a quick check with your fingers or a Q-tip or two. If you like the position of your eyebrows and feel that the heaviness in your upper eyes is satisfactorily relieved by this, then you could consider a browlift alone. If there's still some residual heaviness to your eyelids with your brow elevated, then both procedures are likely indicated.

Keep in mind that if you are thinking of both, you should do the browlift, at least. If you start with an upper bleph, you may be prohibited from doing a browlift for years as the slack taken out from the upper bleph followed by a browlift could leave you with an open eye (i.e., lagophathalmos). Furthermore, if your brow is ptotic, an upper bleph alone could pull it down further.

The one lesson I've learned in 20 years of Realself is that photos and brief patient narrative cannot replace the two-way communication and physical examination with patient participation before a mirror. As a result, answers on Realself, based on limited information and understanding, may be at variance with truth. Upper bleph, levator advancement, and temporal browlift results can all be simulated in the office for you yourself to answer the question (and get your questions answered) better than any doctor can.