"Dr. Patel, I am starting to date and I had a first date with a man. I haven’t worn my contacts for at least 10 years but I decided to try them out on this date. He couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful my eyes are. I guess I should wear my contacts more often. Thank you for giving me back my beautiful eyes, Dr. Patel!" S.J 63 Yrs Old with Droopy brows and eyelids now fixed!- Salt Lake City, UT
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What is Upper Blepharoplasty?
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"Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love..." D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes - Salt Lake City, UT
Am I a Candidate for Upper Blepharoplasty?If the dermatochalasis (heaviness of the upper eyelids caused by skin and fat) interferes with vision, an upper blepharoplasty may be performed to improve the fields of your vision. We would assess your vision and your fields of vision to see if functional surgery would benefit you.
Cosmetic upper blepharoplasty is performed when the patient is bothered by the appearance of the upper eyelids. Dr. Patel will examine you to ensure that the procedure may be performed safely. We see many patients for second, third and fourth opinions because of complications after blepharoplasty: we endeavor to ensure that our patients do not get any untoward results. Study of younger photographs allows us to improve the operated part to match, as closely as possible to your appearance in younger days! |
Studying the changes that occur over time allows us to recreate eyelid creases and curves and leave the patient looking fresh without any of the telltale signs of surgery
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Upper eyelid ptosis (droop) can be corrected together with recreation of skin creases and preservation of some of the fat to give very natural results. Blepharoplasty alone can change the appearance of the face in a most positive way
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How will I be Assessed?Because vision is so very precious and because poorly performed upper blepharoplasty can result in so many complications, it is important for a detailed assessment prior to any surgery. Dr. Patel has written many scientific papers and book chapters on how to assess a patient carefully and in detail to avoid complications. Briefly, everything from relationship of the brows to the eyelids, the eyelid skin, the power of lid closure, the Bell’s phenomenon, skin crease, the tarsal platform, the brow fat pad, presence or absence of lash ptosis, temporal hooding, lower eyelid laxity or retraction, dryness of the eyes, prior eyelid or corneal surgery, etc are assessed. And that is not even an exhaustive list! Dr. Patel trains Plastic Surgeons for two years to teach them all the nuances of examining, assessing and operating upon eyelids! Attention to detail is vital.
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What other Procedures May be Performed with Upper Blepharoplasty?Patients may benefit from attention to lower eyelids (lower blepharoplasty), forehead and brow lifts, cheek lifts, face and neck lifts, fat injections, laser resurfacing and other facial and neck procedures. Please do not hesitate to ask us questions about any other aspects that may bother you. We always remind all our patients: no one NEEDS cosmetic surgery. But if you decide you would like to see an improvement in any aspect of the face, we will pay close and
careful attention to ensure only appropriate and safe procedures are performed. We believe in the motto: “Operate, but don’t leave them looking operated.”Subtelty and nuance are the keys to beautiful plastic surgery. |
This beautiful lady only had brow lift, upper eyelid ptosis repair and blepharoplasty: she loved the result so much, she lost 20 pounds in two months! That made my result go from beautiful to brilliant as the lids now go with her face! Well done, Mrs. M.
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In the presence of left facial palsy and paralyzed left upper facial nerve, browlifts combined with upper and lower blepharoplasty, fat grafts and lasers gives a youthful face with a bright animated look
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What kind of results can I expect after a Brow Lift if I have asymmetric brows?Facial palsy is the commonest medical cause of asymmetric brows, although most people will have some degree of asymmetry of their brows (and, indeed, upper and lower eyelids, face and neck!).
With proper techniques, it is possible to get the brows to be more symmetrical. Of course, this does not restore the brows and forehead to their normal mobility and motility but improves the appearance so the face looks more appealing. Here you see how we combined upper and lower cosmetic blepharoplasty with assymetric endoscopic brow lifts to give very pleasing results. If you look carefully, you will note that the left brow is still just a tad lower than the right brow, but barely noticeable. |
What kind of results can I expect after an Upper Blepharoplasty?
Properly performed upper blepharoplasty can give amazing results. We are always amazed at how patients are told time and again that they look “many years younger! Patients also note that they don’t look tired, don’t have the “baggy upper eyelids”, have more of their eyes showing, and because we pay particular attention to designing skin creases, platform show and eyelash position, ladies, in particular, are delighted that not only can they apply makeup on without it rubbing off on the skin, but their lashes look healthier and longer.
We have hundreds of before-and-after photographs: remember that results have to be determined with the patient’s age, sex, race, and other factors in mind. A Caucasian upper blepharoplasty should not look the same as an Asian upper blepharoplasty! |
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FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR, AND WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A blepharoplasty, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Conservative brow repositioning with upper blepharoplasty changes a "tired-looking" face into a neutral one. Improvement in the frown lines may be obtained with botulinum toxin injections to make the forehead look even more relaxed.
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Can men have cosmetic upper blepharoplasty and get natural results?It is important to retain the masculine features in a male face so that we don't efeminize the face. To that end, the upper blepharoplasty (and brow lifts and lower blepharoplasty) are performed differently from those in a female face.
In particular, it is important not to arch the lids or brows too high and not to raise the upper eyelid skin crease too high. Furthermore, with lower eyelids, it is vital that some fullness is left behind so that one does not create a hollowing of the lower eyelids. Finally, complete eradication of lines, pores and areas of change is fine with ladies, but not with men! A slightly rugged man looks more handsome than a completely "clean" one!! |
"I had a excellent eye lift done by Dr. Patel. He knows what he is doing and is very pleasant. Dr.Patel was easy to get an appointment and he works with you. The office staff was very pleasant and made you feel calm." D. Gull Highly recommended for eye lift surgery - Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will my surgery be performed?
Most upper blepharoplasties are performed in an operating theatre for the sake of sterility and your comfort.
What kind of anesthesia will be used?
Sedation anesthesia (often called “twilight anesthesia”) works best as you are only sedated for the duration of the local anesthetic injections. Thereafter, the anesthesia team ensures that you are calm and comfortable. They will give you further medicine should you get anxious.
What kind of sutures are used?
In most cases, dissolving sutures are used which break up after about seven to fourteen days. They become itchy as they begin to dissolve and it is fine to
gently scratch the incision line.. The prescribed ointment will also help with the itching, as will oral Benadryl (over-the-counter).
gently scratch the incision line.. The prescribed ointment will also help with the itching, as will oral Benadryl (over-the-counter).
Do you use lasers for this surgery?
We use a number of tools, including lasers to give our patients the best possible results.
How long does the surgery take?
Most upper blepharoplasty procedures take 40 to 45 minutes operating time.
How much bruising and swelling will I have?
Everyone gets bruising and swelling after upper blepharoplasty! Care is taken during surgery to reduce the degree of bruising our patients get. We will also show you how to apply ice to the eyelids after surgery to reduce the swelling and bruising. The worst of the bruising and swelling is over within a week. However, some residual bruising and swelling can take another few days to disappear.
Does insurance cover upper blepharoplasty?
There are criteria that have to be met for submission to your insurance company: certainly, if your visual fields are significantly affected and the position of your upper eyelids is such that the pupils are covered by your upper eyelids, we would submit your clinical history, the visual fields and the clinical photographs to your insurance company: it is they who would decide if you meet the criteria. In the case of Medicare, no preauthorization can be obtained but we will guide you as to whether you may or may not meet criteria. However, Medicare decides AFTER your surgery is done! It is the law of the land!
How painful is Upper Blepharoplasty?
Surprisingly little pain is experienced by our patients. Most of my patients tell me they just need Tylenol or extra-strength Tylenol after surgery. And even that, just for the first one to two days.
Are there any restrictions and when may I return to work?
Most patients need to sleep with two to three pillows for the first two or three nights. This helps reduce the swelling more quickly. You may be up-and-about the very day of the surgery, albeit with some degree of blurry vision because of the healing eyelids. Gentle exercise (brisk walk on a treadmill or gentle cycling) may be resumed within two days. More vigorous exercise like skiing, tennis, etc may be resumed after 10 days. Driving may be difficult for the first two to three days because of blurry vision. Most patients return to work within a week.
What are the most common risks of Upper Blepharoplasty?
Bruising, swelling and blurry vision are not risks: they occur in every patient. Some degree of asymmetry is inevitable as we never have the same height and curve to our eyelids because of the way we sleep and because of genetic variations. Some degree of bleeding and oozing of blood-stained fluid for the first few days is also normal. Rarely, the dissolving sutures may break sooner if you sleep on your face or you sustain trauma: if this happens, putting in further sutures may be done in our clinic.
In the first few days, everyone will experience some degree of dryness and blurry vision. You will also feel that your lids don’t shut completely in the beginning: this is common and of no concern as we always ensure we allow you to close your eyelids when you blink and sleep.
More serious complications which are very rare include excessive bleeding,
hemorrhage and loss of vision.
In the first few days, everyone will experience some degree of dryness and blurry vision. You will also feel that your lids don’t shut completely in the beginning: this is common and of no concern as we always ensure we allow you to close your eyelids when you blink and sleep.
More serious complications which are very rare include excessive bleeding,
hemorrhage and loss of vision.
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Find UsLocations: Dr. BCK Patel MD, FRCS 1025E 3300S Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, USA (801) 413-3599 (phone/text) E: info@patelplasticsurgery.com bckpatel.info Locations:
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