Your eyes crease when you laugh, narrow when you focus, and widen in wonder.
They say your eyes are a reflection of your spirit, but sometimes they reveal things you’d rather keep to yourself–like traces of fatigue or signs of age.
The thin skin around your eyes is especially vulnerable to time and genetics, leaving you with drooping upper lids or stubborn under-eye bags that no cream and serums seem to fix.
The good news is that modern blepharoplasty has redefined eyelid surgery, shifting from basic skin removal to a sophisticated interplay of tissue repositioning, fat preservation and removal that will enhance your natural features.
If you are considering eyelid surgery, understanding the key differences between upper vs lower blepharoplasty is the first step.
In this guide, we will break down the different eyelid surgery types, so you would have an idea which one suits your needs before your consultation at our Philadelphia plastic surgery office.
What is Upper Blepharoplasty?
Think of upper blepharoplasty as a carefully crafted solution for refreshing tired-looking eyes.
This gentle yet effective procedure works wonders by removing just the right amount of excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue that naturally builds up around the upper eyelid area as we age.
An upper eyelid blepharoplasty is like turning back time on those heavy lids that not only affect your appearance but can also get in the way of clear vision.
Common Issues Addressed by Upper Blepharoplasty
In determining whether to consider an upper vs lower blepharoplasty, it is important to first identify which specific issues you are experiencing to determine the most effective treatment. You also may find that, similar to many patients, you may not be happy with the way both your upper and lower eyelid areas look.
Loose or Excess Upper Eyelid Skin Folds
When extra skin builds up around your eyes, it can change how your whole face looks and feels.
These natural skin folds can make you look more tired and older than you feel inside, taking away your natural spark.
Upper blepharoplasty is a procedure that carefully removes excess skin and adjusts the underlying tissues, giving you back your natural, refreshed appearance.
Upper Eyelid Hooding
Upper eyelid hooding can make everyday activities more challenging while affecting how others may perceive you. When your upper eyelids sag, you might look tired or disinterested, even though you feel perfectly alert and engaged.
Upper eyelid hooding may be corrected by removing the loose skin with the upper blepharoplasty procedure. However, upper eyelid hooding may be due to a saggy brow and may require a brow lift surgery to correct this with your upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery.
Drooping Eyelids
Drooping, or ptosis, the medical term for drooping eyelids, constitutes a medical condition requiring professional evaluation. This is when your levator muscle that elevates your upper lid is weak. This may need to be corrected with your upper lid blepharoplasty.
Impaired Vision
When excess skin hangs over your eyes, it may block parts of your vision and make everyday tasks more challenging.
If medical tests show that the excess skin on your upper eyelids is causing visual impairment, some insurance plans may cover the costs of this procedure as it may be considered a medical necessity, rather than a cosmetic choice.
After upper eyelid surgery, patients typically notice better peripheral vision and less strain on their eyes throughout the day.
Procedure Details
Typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation, the procedure for upper blepharoplasty involves precise incisions within the natural eyelid crease. This careful approach means the surgical incision blends naturally into your eyelid crease resulting in minimal visible scarring.
The plastic surgeon carefully removes excess skin and fat, and defines your natural eyelid crease.
The entire procedure generally takes between 45 and 90 minutes with patients returning home the same day.
Related: Worth It Or Not?: Upper Lid Blepharoplasty Cost
Understanding Lower Blepharoplasty
Just as upper blepharoplasty takes care of loose skin above your eyes, lower blepharoplasty addresses the area beneath the eyes.
This specialized procedure targets those specific concerns that can make your under-eye area look tired and older than you feel, focusing on removing the loose skin and wrinkles and puffy fat.
Common Issues Addressed by Lower Blepharoplasty
Under-Eye Bags
Lower eyelid bags are a common concern that can be effectively addressed through lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgical techniques.
Under-eye bags result from a combination of factors: your natural aging process and genetics resulting in fat protrusion causing a puffy swollen look.
Lower blepharoplasty is a procedure that corrects the under-eye bags by removing or repositioning the excess fat to create a smoother under-eye area.
The result is a more refreshed and less tired look, like you have finally gotten that good night’s sleep!
Related: Lower Blepharoplasty: Before and After
Dark Circles
Understanding dark circles under the eyes, or periorbital discoloration, means recognizing they are caused by several different factors.
Lower blepharoplasty can make a real difference by correcting the fat protrusion that creates shadows, but it is important to be clear about what the surgery can and cannot do.
While you will see noticeable improvements in how your under-eye area looks and less shadowing overall, addressing the actual skin color changes such as hyperpigmentation may require additional treatments for the best results.
Tear Trough Deformities
Those hollow areas beneath your eyes, known as tear troughs, can create depressions that make you look more tired.
Lower blepharoplasty can correct the tear trough deformities through fat transposition. Dermal fillers can also be helpful to improve the tear trough.
Named one of America’s Top Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek for 2021, 2023 and 2024, Dr. Adrian Lo combines expert skills with innovative techniques. Be one of his many happy and satisfied patients! Schedule a consultation today.
When to Combine Blepharoplasty Procedures
Comprehensive Rejuvenation
Aging around the eyelids often does not affect the upper eyelids alone or the lower eyelids alone. By having surgery on both the upper and lower eyelids at the same time, you will see a more comprehensive correction improving your facial harmony.
Cost-Effectiveness
After exploring the differences between upper vs lower blepharoplasty, you may discover that you may benefit from having both procedures at the same time.
By having both upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery at the same time, overall surgical expenses are lower as combining treatments decreases anesthesia time & costs, and recovery time is consolidated into a single period.
Single Recovery Period
It is important to understand blepharoplasty recovery time when planning for your surgical journey.
A combined surgical approach offers the advantage of a single recovery period, replacing what would otherwise be multiple separate healing phases.
This streamlined recovery process:
- Reduces total downtime
- Simplifies aftercare management
- Minimizes recovery-related complications
- Allows for more efficient healing monitoring
Choosing the Right Procedure
Your journey to the right blepharoplasty procedure begins with a personal consultation designed just for you.
During your consultation, the differences between upper vs lower blepharoplasty will be discussed as well as whether the option of performing an upper and lower eyelid surgery is recommended for maximum rejuvenation of your eyelid area.
By understanding your upper facial and eyelid features and aesthetic goals a customized surgical treatment plan can be designed for you.
Cost Considerations
Eye lift surgery costs vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and individual patient needs.
Patients should anticipate overall total expenses (plastic surgeon fee, facility and anesthesia fees) to be around $6200 – $8000 for upper eyelid blepharoplasty or lower eyelid blepharoplasty surgery. If both upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty is performed at the same time, the estimated total costs range from $10,000 to $12,000. Some insurance plans may cover procedures demonstrating medical necessity, while financing options can make the treatment more accessible.
For a more accurate quote, make an appointment for a consultation today, or visit our offices in Philadelphia and New Jersey!
Look Refreshed with Eyelid Surgery with Dr. Adrian Lo
Start your journey towards more refreshed and youthful eyes with a personalized consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Adrian Lo.
Dr. Adrian Lo will discuss the differences between upper vs lower blepharoplasty to help you meet your aesthetic goals and answer any questions you may have during your personalized consultation.
Rediscover your youthful refreshed look!. Schedule a consultation today!