What’s that space called btwn the upper eyelid and below the eyebrow? What surgery could get excess fat removed for there?

Question

I’ve been tasking my brain trying to figure out which surgery I should be looking into! I’ve looked into blepharoplasty, eyelid lift, and brow lift, but none of them quite seem to address that fat pad that rests right above my upper eyelid and below my brow. The surgeries I’ve seen are for people with looser skin around the eyelid well in their 40s to 60s but none with extra fat. Does anyone know the specific name of what I should be looking into? (FYI, I’m 24 and of African decent)

Nikesh K. Patel, MD · Answer

Many people mistake blepharoplasty as a surgery for old women/men to remove loose hanging skin from the eyelids yet the surgery is actually designed to fix a multitude of eyelid and undereye problems, such as:• Loose or sagging skin that creates folds or disturbs the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision
• Excess fatty deposits that appear as puffiness in the upper eyelids
• Bags under the eyes
• Droopiness of the lower eyelids, showing white below the iris (colored portion of the eye)
• Excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelidNo matter what your age, blepharoplasty can help you smooth out the area around your eye to create a more youthful, alert appearance.  Seek out a skilled, board certified plastic surgeon with blepharoplasty experience to help you achieve the look you want.

Jacqueline T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question and photo. Excess fat can be removed from the upper eyelid area beneath your brow through a blepharoplasty.  Depletion of upper eyelid fat can give your faced an aged look, however, so if you wish to reduce the fat in this area, it is best to be very conservative to avoid unwanted results. Discuss this issue with your board-certified facial plastic surgeon during an in-person consultation, have a full examination and get their opinion on whether or not a fat reduction will be necessary in your case. Good luck!  
- Jacqueline T. Cheng

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Although the fullness you refer to is often a characteristic of the youthful face, if it bothers you, that fat can be removed conservatively through an upper eyelid blepharoplasty incision.  I have occasionally removed fat from that area to open up the area above the upper eyelid in such patients.  This fat is separate from the deeper fat of the eyelid that often causes lid fullness within excess skin folds.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Fullness of the upper eyelids and bellow brow is a sign of youth and generally is considered attractive. However, in same cases there may be too much fat on top and bellow the orbicularis muscle. Very conservative reduction may be done through upper eyelid crease incision. In person evaluation and discussion about possible options is recommended. Good luck.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

That is the orbital fat of the upper lid which is behind the skin and muscle.  Some of that can be removed with an upper eyelid surgery.  You just don't want to take out too much or you can appear hollow afterward.

What’s that space called btwn the upper eyelid and below the eyebrow? What surgery could get excess fat removed for there?

Answers (7)

Answer: Bulging of upper eyelids

Answer: Bulging of upper eyelids

Answer: Upper lid blepharoplasty

Answer: Upper lid blepharoplasty

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What’s that space called btwn the upper eyelid and below the eyebrow? What surgery could get excess fat removed for there?

Answers (7)

Answer: Bulging of upper eyelids

Answer: Bulging of upper eyelids

Answer: Upper lid blepharoplasty

Answer: Upper lid blepharoplasty

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Eyelid Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.