19F, 5'3, 137lbs, does this look like ptosis or like upper eyelid surgery is needed? (Photos)

Your photographs are somewhat limited. You may benefit from a brow lift since your eyebrows are below the orbital rim.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

You don't appear to have ptosis based on the submitted pictures. You appear to have a slightly heavy brow. Unfortunately, this will worsen with aging, as it does to all of us. Weight loss of about 15lbs or so can have an effect on facial appearance, but this can be difficult to achieve and even more difficult to maintain. You may wish to consult with a local plastic surgeon regarding a browlift. If the change in appearance with brow elevation is what you seek, this surgery may be right for you.

It sounds like you’re dealing with a combination of functional and cosmetic concerns related to your eyelids. The pressure you’re feeling, the need to raise your eyebrows, and the forehead lines could indeed be related to several potential causes, including: ptosis (drooping eyelid), brow ptosis (drooping of the brow), or excess skin*on the upper eyelids (dermatochalasis). Consider seeing an **oculoplastic surgeon** or a **facial plastic surgeon** for a more specialized consultation. They can assess whether you have ptosis, excess skin, or brow ptosis and provide you with more details about potential procedures.

You have low set eyebrows with putting of your upper eyelids.
I’m guessing at this point you don’t have true blocked peripheral vision, but you could always get a visual field test to see if your upper eyelids are blocking your vision.
Options could include a browlift, upper eyelid surgery or a combination of both.
Consult with plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, or oculoplastic surgeons in your community.
Different providers may have different opinions.
A brow lift is often and underutilized procedure for individual so I have concerns about heavy upper eyelids.
A brow lift can in my opinion sometimes give a much better aesthetic outcome.
Different providers will have a different opinions.
Bring pictures of yourself to use as reference during each consultation.
Plan on scheduling multiple consultations and make sure you meet in person avoiding virtual consultations.
During each consultation, ask each provider to open up your portfolio and show you their entire collection of before, and after pictures of previous patients who had similar facial characteristics.
Use pictures of yourself as a reference when reviewing the before and after pictures.
If you want to have surgery, then plan on scheduling a few more consultations then you may think it’s necessary.
The biggest mistake I see patients make is scheduling only one consultation and then scheduling surgery.
Scheduling only one consultation, more or less eliminates the possibility of choosing a better provider.
I don’t think patients can properly vet providers without meeting them in person.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD