Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Cosmetic eyelid surgery

What is an Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?

Most commonly known as an eye lift, upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgery that removes excess skin and fat from around the eyes that contributes to heavy upper lids and occasionally decreased peripheral vision. The procedure is most often carried out for aesthetic purposes to give a more youthful appearance to the eyes. This makes blepharoplasty one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the U.S. The most common risk we discuss related to blepharoplasty is dry eyes. Eyelid skin is the thinnest skin on the body and overly aggressive removal can lead to difficulty closing. And even if the eyes are able to close, it may take enough extra effort that dry eye symptoms are worse after surgery. Dr. Vickers has a very conservative approach to upper blepharoplasty and will explain and demonstrate with photos or mirrors what a realistic expectation of upper blepharoplasty will look like.

There is a frequent misconception that since insurance covers upper blepharoplasty when a very strict set of criteria are met, that it is always covered. Less than half of the patients that Dr. Vickers evaluates meet the medical necessity criteria. It is unlawful for physicians to bill insurance companies or Medicare for blepharoplasty when it does not meet the criteria set forth by each plan. Patients often ask why another physician told them it was covered and we refuse to bill insurance for it. The simplest analogy is to liken it to the speed limit. The speed limit is the same for everyone but not every driver chooses to obey it. If a blepharoplasty cannot be deemed medically necessary or if Dr. Vickers does not accept your insurance plan, it can still be performed by going outside of your insurance. This is the case for about fifty percent of our patients.

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frequently asked questions

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Should an Oculoplastic Surgeon perform my Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty?

Many different types of cosmetic and plastic surgeons perform blepharoplasties. Oculoplastic surgeons are uniquely qualified as they have completed a residency in ophthalmology and additional fellowship training in plastic surgery around the eyes. Insurance companies will sometimes cover a portion of the surgery, but they have strict criteria and some patients’ concerns will be deemed cosmetic.

Will I be sedated for the procedure?

Blepharoplasty is performed with either local anesthesia in the office or IV sedation in a surgery center and.

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How long does the procedure take?

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty typically takes 30 minutes.

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What is recovery like?

Recovery to normal activity is within 1 week for most patients. Restrictions include no driving for the first week after surgery, no lifting greater than ten pounds and no strenuous activity.

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How long does it take to heal?

Bruising and swelling can be expected but fade within 2-3 weeks on average. Some patients have minimal bruising that resolves in 10 days, others may have swelling that lingers for a month. Please allow adequate healing time prior to any upcoming special events.

Before

After

Due to the fact that my eyelids were starting to affect my vision, I sought out a good doctor for surgery to correct the problem. Dr. Vickers was highly recommended by many people including my eye doctor. His staff was very professional and caring and put my mind at ease before and after the surgery. Dr. Vickers is an extremely skilled surgeon, and I was very happy with the results.

By Barbara D.

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