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Upper Eyelid Surgery
Upper
blepharoplasty.
The procedure that lifts the hooded, heavy weight off the upper lid — so a face that feels rested finally looks it. Done by an eyelid specialist, the change reads as you, well-slept, not operated on.
Concerned about under-eye bags instead? That's a different operation — see lower blepharoplasty.
- Procedure time
- 45–90 min
- Anesthesia
- Local / awake
- Back to work
- 5–7 days
- Results
- Long-lasting
What upper blepharoplasty actually changes
As the upper eyelid ages, the thin skin stretches and becomes redundant, folding over the natural crease — sometimes far enough to rest on the lashes. The lid reads as heavy and hooded, the eyes look smaller, and the face looks tired no amount of sleep resolves.
Upper blepharoplasty removes that excess skin — and, when needed, a conservative amount of muscle or fat — through an incision hidden in the natural lid crease, where it fades to near-invisibility. But as Dr. Ahn explains below, hooding is rarely just excess skin, which is why the evaluation matters more than the operation.
You may be a good candidate if…
- Upper lids look hooded, heavy, or make the eyes appear smaller
- Skin folds over the crease, or brushes the lashes
- You're told you look tired or stern when you feel neither
- Applying eye makeup has become harder as the crease disappears
- You're in good general health and have realistic, specific goals
During consultation, Dr. Ahn also checks brow position and tear-film health — a heavy brow or dry eye changes the plan, and missing that is how lid surgery goes wrong.
The technique, in plain terms
Most blepharoplasty here is performed awake under local anesthesia, with light oral sedation if you prefer. You'll feel pressure, not pain. Incisions follow the lid crease and lash line, where they fade to near-invisibility. Fine sutures come out at one week.
Because Dr. Ahn trained first as an ophthalmologist, the operation is planned around how your eye closes, blinks, and protects itself — function is never traded for appearance.
The framework
Eight "ingredients"
behind a tired eye.
A droopy upper lid is rarely one thing. Dr. Ahn identifies every factor that's contributing — then you decide together which ones are worth addressing. Not all of them always are.
- 01 · CauseEyelid ptosisA weak lifting muscle → ptosis repair
- 02 · CauseDermatochalasisExcess, redundant skin → upper blepharoplasty
- 03 · CauseLow eyelid creaseCrease sits too low → blepharoplasty with crease reformation
- 04 · CauseSkin quality changesThinning & collagen loss → lasers, peels, skincare
- 05 · CauseBrow & lid volume lossDeflation of brow fat → fat grafting
- 06 · CauseBrow ptosisThe brow has descended → brow lift
- 07 · CauseOrbital shape changesThe socket squares with age → volume & realistic planning
- 08 · CauseMuscular function changesForehead & lid muscles shift → guides the surgical plan
Recovery
What the
week looks like.
Bruising and swelling are expected and temporary. Here's the honest timeline most patients follow.
Head elevated, cold compresses, minimal screen time. Mild tightness, not pain.
Swelling begins its decline. Many feel ready to be seen by close friends.
Upper-lid sutures removed. Most return to work and light routine; makeup can cover residual bruising.
Residual swelling resolves; incision lines soften and fade week over week.
The result has quietly matured. We review together at your follow-up.
Questions
Honest answers.
Will there be a visible scar?
Will I still look like myself?
How long do results last?
Is this cosmetic or a medical procedure?
Next step
See what's possible
for your eyes.
A consultation with Dr. Ahn includes lid and brow measurement, a review of your photographs, and a written plan with pricing.
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