Where the incision is made
In the upper eyelid's natural crease, which helps conceal the scar.
Dr. Gustavo Suárez · Facial surgery
Upper blepharoplastyin Barcelona.
Upper blepharoplasty is upper eyelid surgery. It removes excess skin and, where appropriate, fat and muscle, through an incision in the eyelid's natural crease.
Request a consultation What is upper blepharoplasty?The problem it addresses
The drooping eyelid
and excess skin.
The usual reason for seeking a consultation is a drooping or sagging eyelid, which can give a tired or older appearance. The procedure removes excess skin from the upper eyelid and, if the examination indicates it, fat and muscle too. The incision is made in the eyelid's natural crease, helping to conceal the scar.
Blepharoplasty does not remove facial wrinkles or correct drooping eyebrows. Eyebrow position is treated with a different procedure, a brow lift.
Not every drooping eyelid is caused by excess skin: ptosis of the eyelid itself and a lowered brow require a different assessment. Upper blepharoplasty alone does not correct all these causes.
When it affects sight
When excess eyelid skin obstructs vision, the procedure can improve the visual field.
The Spanish Society of Facial Plastic Surgery recognises this medical indication in cases of severe dermatochalasis that obstructs vision.
The examination must confirm that excess skin obstructs vision before this improvement can be considered. Eyelid assessment takes both appearance and function into account.
What is assessed during the consultation
What is assessed
What is assessed
before surgery.
Eyelid assessment is not limited to the skin. It includes vision and tear production, ophthalmic history, medication, allergies and smoking habits. Attention is paid to risk factors such as thyroid disorders, dry eyes, high blood pressure, diabetes or glaucoma, and a history of dry eye or retinal detachment.
Each person's expectations are also considered. A good candidate seeks an improvement, rather than absolute perfection, is in good general health and has realistic expectations. It is also useful to distinguish two things that are often confused: excess eyelid skin and a drooping eyebrow.
Learn about a brow liftHow it is performed
How it is
performed.
The incision is placed in the upper eyelid's natural crease. Excess skin and, where appropriate, fat are removed through it. Exactly what is removed depends on the examination findings, rather than a single standard approach.
What is removed
Excess skin and, when indicated by the assessment, fat and muscle from the eyelid as well.
So-called non-surgical blepharoplasty
This name covers non-surgical treatments for eyelid skin. These are different procedures from this surgery and do not replace it.
After surgery
Care and
follow-up.
Recovery
Eyelid discomfort eases with medication. Swelling and bruising gradually subside, and relative rest is recommended for the first few days. The return to reading, contact lenses, work and exercise is gradual. The appearance in the first few days is not final: while swelling remains, what you see will still change.
Risks and limitations
Swelling and bruising gradually subside during recovery. Temporary blurred vision and dry eyes are also considered. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, prolonged swelling, difficulty closing the eyelids completely, asymmetrical scarring and, exceptionally, changes to or loss of vision.
The result may not meet expectations and may require another procedure. It is also advisable to check the surgeon's qualifications and the centre's registration before deciding: you can consult Dr. Suárez's training and the clinic where he sees patients.
These complications are very rare. During the consultation, after the medical assessment, the risks are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
Before deciding
Frequently asked
questions.
The most frequently asked questions about postoperative recovery, risks and what to expect.
How long does recovery from upper blepharoplasty take?
The duration varies between people. Discomfort eases with medication, swelling and bruising gradually subside, and the return to reading, contact lenses, work and exercise is gradual, depending on progress.
What are the risks of upper blepharoplasty?
Swelling and bruising gradually subside during recovery. Temporary blurred vision and dry eye are also considered. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, prolonged swelling, difficulty closing the eyelids completely, asymmetric scarring and, exceptionally, changes in or loss of vision. These complications are very rare. The result may also fail to meet expectations and another procedure may be needed. During the consultation, following the medical assessment, the risks are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
What do the eyes look like after blepharoplasty?
First of all, the appearance in the first few days is not the final result, because swelling is still present. The procedure removes excess skin from the eyelid. It does not remove facial wrinkles or correct a drooping eyebrow, and the result may not meet expectations.
What happens 4 months after blepharoplasty?
Swelling gradually subsides, and the scar continues to change afterwards. Follow-up appointments at the clinic allow this process to be checked in each person.
Is blepharoplasty worthwhile?
The decision depends on the improvement sought and whether expectations are realistic. Risks and limitations are reviewed during the consultation to assess whether the procedure meets those expectations.
Related procedures
Other procedures
in the same area.
Lower blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid surgery to address under-eye bags and excess skin.
Brow lift
Surgery that lifts a drooping eyebrow and reshapes its position and contour in the upper third of the face.