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It can be frustrating to look in the mirror after a good night’s sleep and still look tired and older than you feel. That’s where upper blepharoplasty or upper eyelid surgery comes in. This procedure can address the tired-looking eyes that often arise as we get older and helps patients restore a youthful, refreshed appearance. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva performs upper blepharoplasty in Newport Beach, Orange County & nearby locations, for men and women who are bothered by their aging eyelids.
Upper Blepharoplasty vs. Lower Blepharoplasty
Upper blepharoplasty is performed to remove excess fat and drooping skin from the upper eyelids, typically caused by the natural aging process. The blepharoplasty procedure can help patients get rid of puffy eyes and a tired appearance. A lower blepharoplasty, on the other hand, can address dark circles under the eyes, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles in the eye area. While some patients only choose to undergo upper blepharoplasty, others opt for both procedures at the same time to address both the upper and lower eyelids.
Good Candidates for Upper Blepharoplasty
Patients who are looking for a more rejuvenated and refreshed appearance in the eye area may benefit from upper eyelid surgery in our Newport Beach location. Dr. Ho Taghva often recommends this procedure to patients who have wrinkled, saggy, or loose upper eyelid skin. While most of our patients are usually at least 35 years of age, younger patients may undergo this procedure if they believe it’s necessary.
Upper blepharoplasty at our Orange County facility is also a great option for those who have lost their natural eyelid creases or folds and have puffy fat pouches that make them look tired. An eyelid lift to remove excess skin may also be an ideal solution for drooping lids that are getting in the way of a patient’s peripheral vision.
Patients who have a serious medical condition such as glaucoma or diabetes should not undergo upper eyelid surgery. Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Ho Taghva at our Orange County plastic surgery center is the best way for a patient to determine whether or not they are a good candidate for this procedure.
The Upper Blepharoplasty Consultation
The main goal of an upper blepharoplasty consultation is for a patient to share their concerns and goals with Newport Beach’s Dr. Ho Taghva.
The doctor will perform a physical exam on the patient’s upper eyelids and on their lower eyelid skin and muscle. She will also evaluate the patient’s medical history to figure out if they have a history of dry eyes or use blood thinners.
If the patient is a good fit for upper eyelid surgery, Dr. Ho Taghva will explain the procedure in great detail and answer any questions they may have.
Preparing for Upper Blepharoplasty
To help ensure a safe and successful procedure, Newport Beach patients will need to take some steps to prepare for an upper blepharoplasty. They’ll need to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain other medications and supplements at least two weeks before their surgery as these may cause excessive bleeding.
Smokers will be required to quit a month before the procedure to prevent complications. In addition, patients will need to come to our office on the day of surgery without any lotion or eye makeup and should arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.
The Upper Blepharoplasty Procedure
Upper blepharoplasty in Newport Beach is performed next door to the LEA Plastic Surgery offices, at GALEA Center for Advanced Surgery. The office is Medicare Accredited, which is the highest level of accreditation available for outpatient ambulatory surgery centers in the United States.
During upper blepharoplasty in our Orange County facility, Dr. Ho Taghva will make tiny incisions to access the tissues of each upper lid.
These are made in the natural creases of the upper eyelids to hide the minimal scarring. After she makes the incisions, the doctor will reposition and remove skin and fat as needed. The specific techniques she uses will depend on the patient’s particular needs.
Once Dr. Ho Taghva has reshaped and restructured the patient’s eyelids, she’ll place very fine sutures in the natural folds of the eyelids to reconfigure them. These sutures will be removed several days after the procedure. In most cases, an upper blepharoplasty takes one to two hours to complete and is typically performed under local anesthesia.
Recovering From Upper Blepharoplasty
After upper eyelid surgery, patients should relax for at least a week or two before they return to work. They should avoid any heavy lifting or vigorous physical activity to reduce the risk of complications and to minimize swelling and bruising. Dr. Ho Taghva meets with patients a few days after their procedure to make sure they are healing properly and to address any questions or concerns. Patients should not travel immediately after the procedure.
Risks and Complications of Upper Blepharoplasty
As with all surgical procedures, an upper blepharoplasty comes with some risk and potential for complications. The most common risks include pain, swelling and bruising, scarring, infection, adverse anesthesia reactions, eye dryness or burning, or whiteheads that appear after sutures have been removed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Blepharoplasty
Many Newport Beach patients opt for lower eyelid surgery at the same time as upper eyelid surgery so that they can enjoy more dramatic facial rejuvenation results in the eye area. Some patients also undergo a brow lift to improve the appearance of the upper third of their face.
Contrary to popular belief, upper eyelid surgery is not intended to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, and dark circles. Instead, its goal is to remove excess skin and fat in the upper eyelid area. Patients who are interested in improving fine lines and wrinkles should consider other procedures like laser resurfacing, injectables, or chemical peels.
There is no “perfect age” for an upper blepharoplasty in Newport Beach. Most patients choose to undergo the procedure in their 30s, 40s, and 50s when signs of aging around their eyes have begun to make them look older than they feel.
After upper eyelid surgery, patients may feel some pain and discomfort. The good news is that postoperative discomfort can usually be greatly reduced with cold compresses and pain medications. Patients shouldn’t worry about any unmanageable pain as it is a very rare occurrence.
Most patients return to work 8 to 10 days after upper eyelid surgery. However, those with physical jobs typically require more time away from work.
Typically, upper blepharoplasty is performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation. However, when it is paired with other procedures, general anesthesia may be necessary. Dr. Ho Taghva will discuss the type of anesthesia is right for the patient’s individual procedure during the consultation.
Upper eyelid surgery results may last around seven years. After about seven years, the natural process of aging may cause skin and fat to accumulate once more. Patients can undergo this procedure again if they wish.
Most patients appear normal and feel comfortable participating in social activities about two to three weeks after surgery. They can typically enjoy their final results after three months and may find that their results continue to improve until around the six-month mark.
Most patients are cleared to shower and wash their hair the day after upper eyelid surgery. Dr. Ho Taghva does not recommend wearing eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, or any other type of eye makeup for at least a few weeks after surgery.
Some patients choose an upper blepharoplasty for medical reasons. Their upper eyelids may droop so far that it makes it difficult for them to see. In these cases, insurance may cover the cost of the surgery.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Ho Taghva to Perform My Upper Blepharoplasty in Newport Beach?
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is the founder of LEA Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach. She has performed countless upper eyelid surgeries and enjoys helping patients look and feel their best. Although Dr. Ho Taghva is known for her expertise in eyelid surgery, she is also experienced in other plastic surgery procedures and has an in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy and aesthetics. This allows her to design treatment plans that suit each patient’s unique needs.
Dr. Ho Taghva is a proud graduate of Brown University’s medical school and is constantly expanding her knowledge and experience in plastic surgery techniques. You can depend on her to provide you with individualized attention before, during, and after the procedure.
