Upper Blepharoplasty in Denver, CO

For brighter, more open eyes

As we age, excess skin can develop on our upper eyelids, causing drooping or hooding of the eye. Upper blepharoplasty, or upper eyelid surgery, is a surgical procedure that excises this excess skin. By removing the skin and sometimes augmenting the fat pads of the upper eyelid, we can restore the youthful appearance of the upper lid, creating a brighter, more open eye.

Dr. Misch performs isolated upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery under local anesthesia in her Denver, Colorado, facial plastic surgery clinic. Blepharoplasty is often also combined with other procedures, such as a brow lift for upper face rejuvenation and/or a deep plane facelift and neck lift for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. It is also common to have blepharoplasty done for both the upper and lower eyelids.

Who is an upper blepharoplasty candidate?

You are a candidate for an upper blepharoplasty if you have started developing excess eyelid skin or heaviness of your upper eyelids and desire a more open and awake appearance.

You should be overall healthy. It is also important to have realistic expectations and a positive attitude to help you navigate your recovery!

What are the benefits of an upper blepharoplasty?

An upper blepharoplasty will remove excess skin and fat in the upper eyelid, addressing an intense and aging eyelid crease. Eyes that previously looked heavy or tired will look more open and awake.

Upper blepharoplasty is a < 1 hour procedure with minimal downtime and maximal results! Dr. Misch can perform the surgery in her Denver, CO, office under local anesthesia.

What is upper blepharoplasty recovery like?

You will have some swelling and bruising of the upper eyelids after upper blepharoplasty that typically resolves by 1 week. Any early bruising can be covered up by channeling your inner celebrity and wearing sunglasses indoors! Your stitches will be removed on day 4 or 5 after surgery. You will want to rest and take it easy for the first week after surgery, but by week 2 you can return to all your prior activities.

As with all surgeries, full results can take time, up to 3-6 months. Dr. Misch will be with you every step of your recovery!

Why choose Dr. Misch for your upper blepharoplasty?

Dr. Misch’s meticulous surgical technique will provide excellent results for your upper blepharoplasty surgery.

She will provide caring, compassionate treatment, both before and after your surgery. She is available to answer your questions throughout your recovery. You will truly have someone supporting you every step of the way!

Dr. Misch’s upper blepharoplasty will bring back the sparkle in your eyes!

Look and feel better, younger, refreshed. Improved.

Schedule a Consultation

When we feel confident, the people around us notice. Through an individualized, tailor made treatment plan, Dr. Misch can help you feel more self assured.

Upper Blepharoplasty FAQs

  • To start, no one NEEDS an upper blepharoplasty*! It simply depends on what your goals are. *Unless your upper lids are impacting your ability to see.

    In patients with very minimal excess upper eyelid skin, treatment with CO2 laser may improve the appearance of the eye.

    Unfortunately, there are not many other less invasive substitutes for upper blepharoplasty.

  • Incisions in an upper blepharoplasty are hidden within the crease of the upper eyelid. They can only be seen while you blink or close your eyes, but they heal so well that they’re typically imperceptible even while blinking!

  • Most herbal supplements should be stopped 2 weeks prior to surgery. Any blood thinner or aspirin will also need to be stopped. You should avoid taking NSAIDs for 7 days prior to surgery.

    Supplements like arnica, bromelain, vitamin C, and zinc may be taken prior to surgery, as these can help reduce bruising and swelling.

    Pain medication may be prescribed after upper blepharoplasty, but most patients simply take non prescription pain medication.

    Dr. Misch will personally review your medication list prior to surgery and discuss what to and not to take with you directly.

  • Often our eyebrows descend as we age, contributing to the heaviness of the upper lids. When a patient has droopy eyebrows, as well as upper lids, it is important to also perform a brow lift with the upper blepharoplasty for optimal results.

    Occasionally, if the upper eyelids have become hollowed out, this can also contribute to an aged appearance of the eyes. In this circumstance, fat grafting can help rejuvenate the eyes.

  • Hooded eyelids can have a few causes- excess upper eyelid skin; heavy, drooping eyebrows, or sometimes, ptosis of the upper eyelid (a condition where the eyelid covers too much of the eye/iris). Dr. Misch will examine you to determine the cause of your hooded eyelids and recommend the proper surgical technique(s).

    Excess upper eyelid skin can be treated via a surgical procedure called an upper blepharoplasty. This involves removing a small strip of upper eyelid excess skin. It also sometimes involves removing excess upper eyelid fat.

  • Some amount of bruising after upper eyelid surgery, or upper blepharoplasty, is expected. Avoiding medications that can increase your risk of bleeding (aspirin, ibuprofen, blood thinners, Vitamin E, fish oil, and other herbal supplements) can help. Taking an arnica supplement can help reduce bruising. Most importantly, precise surgical technique and control of bleeding by Dr. Misch during surgery will reduce your level of bruising.

  • Yes, there is a small scar hidden in the crease of your upper eyelid after upper blepharoplasty. Because it is hidden in the crease, it is difficult to see the scar, even just weeks after your surgery. Your stitches are removed around day 5 after surgery.

  • Full healing of any scar takes up to a year for the skin to reach its full strength and for the scar’s color to fade. Using a silicone-based scar gel and avoiding sun exposure to the area can help the scar heal imperceptibly.

  • Asymmetry of the results between the two eyes is a potential risk of upper blepharoplasty. Prior to performing an upper blepharoplasty, Dr. Misch takes precise measurements and makes exact markings to help your results be as symmetrical as possible.

  • You can expect swelling and bruising of the upper eyelid and around the eye for the first week after surgery. After one week, most of your bruising is gone, or able to be covered with makeup. Your swelling will continue to go down over weeks to months.

  • Typically, no! Upper blepharoplasty is a relatively quick procedure that can be performed in the office under local anesthesia. Afterward, you may have some mild pain. Most patients manage the discomfort with just Tylenol, but Dr. Misch will also prescribe you a small amount of stronger pain medication. Icing the eyes after surgery can help reduce pain as well as swelling.

  • After as little as one week, your swelling should be reduced enough that you will be able to start seeing the results. The swelling will continue to go down over the next weeks and months, improving your results even more! Full results are seen around 6 months.