Cosmetic Face Surgery
Upper Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
Upper Eyelid Wrinkles - Upper Eyelid Drooping
Cosmetic upper eyelid surgery, also called an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed by Dr. Chang.
As people age, gravity and loss of skin elasticity can cause the upper eyelid to droop. Sometimes this droop is so significant that it falls down over the eyelashes and interferes with vision. The skin can rub against the eyelashes causing infections and discomfort. The upper eyelid skin will weaken and thin causing the fat that cushions the eyeball to bulge forwards.
Upper eyelid surgery will tighten skin, reduce drooping and fatty bulges leaving a brighter, fresher look that can take years off you.
Blepharoplasty is the technical name for surgical eyelid surgery. Cosmetic upper eyelid surgery is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed by Dr. Chang. The surgery lifts the upper eyelid by removing excess skin and fatty tissue that can cause vision issues and infections.
Surgical Goals:
- Reduce the visibility of wrinkles
- Remove any skin excess
- Reduce the appearance of fat bags
The upper eyelid blepharoplasty is performed by making an inconspicuous incision into your natural upper eyelid crease. This placement effectively camouflages the incision. The excess skin is then removed as a crescent to provide a nice almond shape to the appearance of your eyes. Any fat bags should then be easily visible and can be conservatively removed. The skin is then closed with internal and external sutures.
General information
Patients are given the choice to have the procedure in the office with local anesthesia/valium or at the surgery center for general anesthesia. The procedure will take about 1-1.5 hours. Patients will recover at home and return for a follow-up in a few days.
- Genetics
- Age
- Gravity
- Sun exposure
You are an ideal candidate if you:
- Have realistic expectations about how you will look after surgery
- Are having vision issues
- Are in discomfort due to the skin rubbing on eyelashes
After surgery you should rest at home and let yourself heal. Dr. Chang will send you home with a detailed recovery plan. There are a number of different things to expect:
- There will be bruising for 2-3 weeks
- Final results should not be expected for 3-6 months
- Most patients will return to work in 1-2 weeks with make-up use if desired
- Sutures are removed in 7-10 days if they have not absorbed
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 2-4 weeks
- Apply the prescribed opthalmic ointment 3x per day until gone
- Pain is negligible
- Scarring will be minimal and hidden in the natural skin folds
As with any surgery, there are associated risks. Only you can decide whether an upper eyelid surgery can achieve your goals and if the recovery and risks are acceptable to you. Complications are rare but can include:
- Local bleeding or prolonged bruising
- Lagopthalmos (unable to close the eyes)
- Dry eyes
- Milia (small cysts along the suture line)
- Residual skin or fat
- Infection particularly from the absorbable sutures
- Loss of sensation although rare
- Widened or thickened scarring
- Asymmetry (unevenness between two sides)
- Delayed wound healing with skin or tissue necrosis
- Extra skin at the ends of the incisions
- Under-correction
- Over-correction
Unsatisfactory results may require additional procedures. Patients will generally be responsible for any associated facility fees.
The cost of upper eyelid surgery partially depends on the exact technique and whether the procedure is performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. See pricing card below.
There are a number of surgical and non-surgical procedures that can be combined with lower eyelid surgery:
- Canthopexy (lower eyelid)
- Lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
- Forehead lift
- Mini Facelift
- Botox and Fillers
- BBL Laser treatment for pigmentation
Patients are often confused about whether they need a forehead lift or an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Sometimes, they will need both. The forehead skin will fall with age. This will push pressure downwards and close off the upper eyelids.
You can demonstrate this for yourself in a mirror. Place your hand on your forehead and push down. You will see that your upper eyelids will close off. The opposite is also true. Lift your brows to what you think is an attractive youthful position. See if you still have extra skin on your upper eyelids.
You will benefit from a forehead lift if you elevate your brows and the brow position looks attractive to you or if there remains extra skin on your upper eyelids.
Upper Eyelid Surgery
Starts at $3750
- Price does not include facility fees
- Price does not include anesthesia fees
- Procedure will take about 1-2 hours
- Choice of local anesthesia vs general anesthesia
- 1-2 weeks off work
- Multiple procedures are discounted further
Popular Additions
What is Blepharoplasty?
Mini vs. Full Facelift – The Facts
Check Out This Month's Specials
Find all of this month’s special offers and discounts all in one place!
Experts in Plastic Surgery
Featured Videos
Practice Overview
Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty Removal of Fat Pad - Live Surgery by Dr. Chang
Curious to know what the surgery will look like? Dr. Chang performs an upper eyelid surgery live in his office on a patient who has had local anesthesia and sedation. See how relaxed the patient is throughout and how experienced and knowledgeable he is.
Subscribe for monthly specials delivered to your Inbox
Experts in Plastic Surgery
Other Popular Procedures
Breast Surgery
Cosmetic breast surgery includes breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction and breast reconstruction. Other common procedures include nipple and areola reduction.
Body Contouring
Body contouring procedures include abdominoplasty, lower body lift, circumferential body lift, as well as thigh and arm lifts. Some patients need it all especially after weight loss surgery.
Face Surgery
Face surgery includes facial rejuvenation procedures such as face, neck, and forehead lifts or simple nonsurgical procedures such as botox, cosmetic facial fillers, or laser skin treatments. Other procedures include nose jobs or ear reshaping.
Skin and Anti-aging
Vaginal Health
Vaginal health includes treatments for vaginal dryness, laxity, and even urinary incontinence. Common procedures include labiaplasty surgery, as well as Diva Laser Tightening.
Non-surgical Innovations
More FAQs
Upper Eyelid Surgery in Northern Virginia
Dr. Phillip Chang is a leading plastic surgeon in Loudoun County who specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the breast, body, face, and skin. He is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founder of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Leesburg, VA. Dr. Chang is dedicated to providing high-quality service that concentrates on the unique needs and concerns of his patients. He believes combining attentive care and minimally invasive techniques is the best avenue for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. Dr. Chang is thrilled to be serving the greater northwest area of Washington, D.C. with top cosmetic care that is dependable and trustworthy.
Interested in learning more about Dr. Chang? Click here.
We are based in Leesburg, VA. Located as part of the Lansdowne medical complex, you have access to our 24-7 state-of-the-art facility as well as access to Lansdowne hospital. We are based directly across the road from INOVA hospital. There is ample parking and elevators to bring you to our third floor offices, and welcoming staff to sign you in.
We are proud of our surgeries and cosmetic procedures and love that our patients are happy too. They like to shout it out on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and right here on our website. Check out our reviews here.
Yes we do!
All potential patients receive either a phone, virtual, or in-consultation for free.
During the consultation we will discuss your treatment wishes and expectations. This is the time to ask us lots of questions to really understand what is involved, what the costs will be, and what is expected of you. This is also a great time to get to know Dr. Chang.
Aesthetica has received numerous awards from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, New Beauty, Best of Loudoun, Posh 7 Top Picks, and Dr. Chang is internationally known for his lectures and advances in precise surgical technique as demonstrated through his unique mini-facelift procedure.
We have three execeptionally talents cosmetic nurses:
- Melanie Schwarz, RN, BSN
- Katy Down, RN, BSN
- Angela Westbrook, RN, BSN
Follow us online
Follow us on our other platform for more articles, plastic surgery images, and innovations on our social channels