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About 50% of East Asian people are born without a crease in their upper eyelids, a feature that is known as a “double eyelids.” While many people are happy with their appearance without this crease, others want their eyes to appear wider and larger. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Orange County, specializes in double eyelid surgery at her Newport Beach, CA practice, LEA Plastic Surgery.
What is Asian Blepharoplasty?
Blepharoplasty is a popular plastic surgery that is performed to rejuvenate and refresh the upper and lower eyelids.
While the blepharoplasty procedure is often used to improve signs of aging like sagging skin and under-eye bags, it can also help Asian patients born without an upper eyelid crease who want larger, wider eyes. This procedure is known as Asian blepharoplasty, double eyelid surgery, or Asian eyelid surgery and is intended to enhance the beauty of the patient’s eyes.
Why Patients Choose Double Eyelid Surgery
Caucasian eyelids typically feature a prominent crease, while Asian eyelids often have little to no crease in the upper lid. Dr. Ho Taghva can easily create a double eyelid in Asian patients by performing a quick surgery under local anesthetic and oral sedation to remove excess eyelid skin. Asian eyelid surgery at our Newport Beach location is extremely popular because Dr. Ho Taghva is very experienced in this procedure.
Like all cosmetic surgeries, most patients choose to undergo upper eyelid surgery because they want to improve both the way they look and feel. Patients often feel more confident and happy with their appearance after their blepharoplasty procedure.
Are You a Candidate for Asian Eyelid Surgery?
Good candidates for double eyelid surgery are women and men who lack a natural upper eyelid crease and would like to achieve wide, larger-looking eyes. Patients should be in good health overall and should have realistic expectations for the procedure. Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva evaluates each patient individually during the initial consultation to make sure that surgery can be performed safely.
Your Blepharoplasty Consultation
Every patient must attend a consultation with Dr. Ho Taghva prior to scheduling surgery. Asian blepharoplasty consultations begin with a discussion of the patient’s goals for the surgery. Dr. Ho Taghva will perform an exam, go over the patient’s health history, and make sure they are a good candidate for the procedure before recommending a treatment plan.
Your Asian eyelid surgery consultation in Newport Beach is the perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have. It will also allow you to get to know the doctor and her staff and address any concerns about the surgery. Dr. Ho Taghva customizes each procedure to meet the patient’s unique needs and will begin that process during the consultation.
The Asian Eyelid Procedure
Double eyelid surgery at our Newport Beach facility, the Medicare Accredited GALEA Center for Advanced Surgery, is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation. This reduces risks and allows the patient to be present during the surgery while helping Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva to create a symmetrical appearance.
There are two main techniques for creating a double eyelid crease: the suture method and the full incision double eyelid surgery. The approach that will be used will be discussed during the initial consultation with Dr. Ho Taghva.
Suture Method
During a suture technique procedure, Dr. Ho Taghva uses permanent sutures, rather than surgical cuts, to create a double eyelid. During this procedure, a fine caliber permanent suture is placed beneath the upper eyelid skin to shape and fold the lid. No incisions are required and there is minimal scarring involved because no skin is removed.
This technique is quick and requires less downtime than the full incision technique. However, it is only appropriate for select patients.
Full Incision Method
To begin a full double eyelid procedure, Dr. Ho Taghva creates the incisions. These are made as discreetly as possible to minimize scarring and typically heal very well. Then, the doctor removes excess skin and fat before creating a natural crease with sutures, according to the patient’s aesthetic goals. Once she ensures that the adjustments in each eyelid are symmetrical, Dr. Ho Taghva closes the incisions.The entire procedure typically takes under an hour.
Complementary/Adjunctive Eyelid Procedures
The double eyelid procedure is often combined with other techniques to enhance and adjust the shape of the eyes as the patient wishes. These options will be discussed during the initial consultation and will increase the overall length and/or invasiveness of the surgery, but will also enhance the results of a double eyelid procedure. Options include:
Medial Epicanthoplasty
A medial epicanthoplasty is a procedure that is performed to contour the inner corner of the eyes. This makes the eyes look longer and brighter. It is best for people with an obvious epicanthal (Mongolian) fold.
Lateral Canthoplasty
The opposite of a medial epicanthoplasty, a lateral canthoplasty addresses the outer corners of the eyes to make them look bigger and longer. The procedure can subtly change the shape and tilt of the eyes as well.
Ptosis Repair
Upper eyelid drooping, or ptosis, is common in older people and can cause both aesthetic problems and vision issues. Ptosis repair can help prevent forehead wrinkling and make the eyes look bigger and brighter by strengthening the levator and Müller’s muscles to resolve drooping.
Recovering from Double Eyelid Surgery
Patients can expect some swelling and bruising following their double eyelid procedure. Over-the-counter or prescription medications can help with any discomfort. You should keep your head elevated during the first few days to minimize swelling and follow all of the doctor’s instructions closely to help you heal post-operatively.
Typically, patients will need to take about a week off from work and other responsibilities.
You may need to postpone exercise and other strenuous activities for several weeks after surgery. Our office will let you know when it is safe to resume normal activities at your follow-up appointments.
If you have any concerns following your Asian eyelid surgery, contact our Orange County facility for advice from our trained staff or call 911 in case of an emergency.
What are the Risks of Asian Blepharoplasty?
Like all cosmetic surgeries, double eyelid surgery does involve some risks.
Patients should understand the risks of Asian eyelid surgery when planning their procedure but can rest assured that most patients do not develop complications after the procedure.
However, complications are rare, especially when the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva. Possible risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Dryness and irritation
- Trouble closing the eyelids
- Asymmetry
- Unfavorable scarring
- Temporary vision problems
- Skin discoloration
About Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva
Although blepharoplasty is a common procedure, double eyelid surgery is a variation that even many board-certified surgeons are inexperienced with. Dr. Ho Taghva received additional post-residency training in Korea for Asian aesthetic surgery and is known for her exceptional double eyelid surgery results. She specializes in this procedure and sees patients from all over Southern California and beyond for Asian eyelid surgery.
In addition to her expertise in this procedure, the doctor is an Ivy League-trained plastic surgeon and board-certified, offering a wide range of aesthetic procedures from body contouring to complex facial surgery. Dr. Ho Taghva has an in-depth understanding of Asian facial anatomy and strives to help patients achieve a unique look they can be proud of.
Patients seek out Asian eyelid surgery in Newport Beach at LEA Plastic Surgery because they know they can trust Dr. Ho Taghva to help them turn their dreams into reality. To schedule a consultation for Asian eyelid surgery in Newport Beach, CA, call 949.945.2168 today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Blepharoplasty
The standard blepharoplasty is typically focused on anti-aging of the upper and/or lower eyelids. The eyes show their age early, causing sagging skin, wrinkles, and changes in a person’s resting expression. Blepharoplasty is performed to brighten and refresh the eyelids by resolving under-eye bags, removing excess skin, and repositioning fat for a more youthful appearance.
Double eyelid surgery is a variation on the traditional cosmetic blepharoplasty. Instead of focusing on signs of aging, the procedure addresses a common trait of Asian eyes—the absence of a natural eyelid crease. By strategically removing skin in the upper lids, a skilled plastic surgeon can create a crease, opening up and enhancing the appearance of the patient’s eyes.
No! The intention of this procedure is not to make you look like everyone else. Your preferences and unique facial anatomy will guide Dr. Ho Taghva in creating a treatment plan that is tailored to your goals. Modern plastic surgery is patient-focused and Dr. Ho Taghva is dedicated to ensuring that all of her Orange County double eyelid surgery patients look and feel like themselves after surgery while enjoying beautiful results.
Good candidates for Asian eyelid surgery in Newport Beach typically must be at least 18 years of age to undergo the procedure. Aside from that, almost any healthy adult who meets all the criteria for candidacy can choose double eyelid surgery, regardless of age. Many patients who choose this procedure are young, but there are no upper age limits provided the patient is otherwise a good candidate.
Yes. Many Asian patients do have a natural crease but wish to adjust or deepen it. At LEA Plastic Surgery, Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva customizes double eyelid surgery for Orange County patients with different levels of natural creasing.
Call World Famous Blepharoplasty Surgeon for Free Consultation at 949-945-2168
