patient 101
Upper Blepharoplasty
Upper Blepharoplasty
As the upper eyelids age, the skin loses elasticity and excess tissue begins to drape over the natural eyelid crease. Some patients also develop puffy fat pads that contribute to a heavy or tired look. Over time, this excess upper-lid tissue can crowd makeup, make the eyes look smaller, and even interfere with peripheral vision.
Upper blepharoplasty removes a precise amount of excess skin and, when needed, conservative fat, restoring a clean, defined upper eyelid. The result is brighter, more open eyes that make the entire face look more rested.
Good candidates are adults with excess upper eyelid skin, a heavy or hooded appearance, or a sense that their eyes look tired even when they are well rested. Patients should be in good general health, have realistic expectations, and have any underlying eye conditions managed before surgery. Some patients also have brow descent that contributes to upper-lid heaviness; in those cases, Dr. Carboy may recommend combining upper blepharoplasty with a brow lift for a more comprehensive result.
In Bend and across Central Oregon, the bright, high-altitude sun and outdoor lifestyle are wonderful in many ways but can accelerate visible aging around the delicate skin of the eyelids. Patients frequently tell Dr. Carboy that they are constantly being asked if they are tired, sad, or angry, when in reality they feel great. Upper blepharoplasty is a powerful way to bring outward appearance back into alignment with how patients actually feel. Many patients across the Pacific Northwest also pursue this procedure to look more refreshed in professional settings without making any obvious change to their face.
Upper blepharoplasty is typically performed in the office under local anesthesia with light oral sedation, or in the operating room with deeper sedation when combined with other procedures. The incisions are hidden within the natural upper eyelid crease, where they heal as virtually invisible lines. Most patients experience mild bruising and swelling for the first week, with sutures removed at about five to seven days. Most return to work within seven to ten days and to full activity by two to three weeks.
From the Surgeon
Dr. Jourdan Carboy, MD explains brow lift and upper blepharoplasty, and lower blepharoplasty — how the brow, upper lid, and lower lid work together, why she evaluates the whole upper face, and how she achieves a refreshed, natural result rather than a tight or overdone look.
Dr. Carboy will discuss the safest and most effective combinations at your consultation.
Upper blepharoplasty is typically performed in the office under local anesthesia with light oral sedation, or in the operating room with deeper sedation when combined with other procedures.
Most patients experience mild bruising and swelling for the first week, with sutures removed at about five to seven days.
The result is brighter, more open eyes that make the entire face look more rested.
The average procedure time varies based on your personalized treatment plan and the complexity of the procedure performed
Most patients are able to return to light daily activities within a short recovery period while healing continues gradually over time
Your follow-up appointments are designed to monitor healing, support, recovery, and ensure your results continue progressing naturally.
The location of your procedure is determined vary based on your personalized needs and the complexity of the procedure performed
We understand that choosing a procedure is a deeply personal decision. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about treatment, recovery, results, and the overall Alpenaura experience.
The incision is placed within the natural crease of the upper eyelid, where the fold conceals it completely when your eyes are open. Eyelid skin is the thinnest on the body and typically heals exceptionally well — within a few months the scar is usually a faint line visible only if you close your eyes and someone looks closely. Most patients find it undetectable in everyday life, even without makeup.
Upper blepharoplasty results are long-lasting — commonly ten to fifteen years, and for many patients the excess skin never returns to its pre-surgery degree. Your face will continue to age naturally, and the brow's gradual descent over time can eventually reintroduce some fullness above the eye, but the vast majority of patients never feel the need to repeat the procedure.
Sometimes. When drooping eyelid skin genuinely obstructs your upper field of vision, the procedure may be considered functional rather than cosmetic, and insurance may cover it. Coverage typically requires documentation — a visual field test showing measurable obstruction, photographs, and an examination. At your consultation we can assess whether your case may qualify and help you understand the documentation your insurer would need. When the goal is purely aesthetic, the procedure is self-pay, and financing options are available.
Recovery is quicker than most patients expect. Bruising and swelling peak in the first two to three days and improve steadily; sutures are typically removed within a week. Most patients feel comfortable in social settings within seven to ten days, often sooner with light concealer once incisions have closed. Strenuous exercise is usually restricted for about two weeks, and contact lens wearers should plan to use glasses for the first one to two weeks.
Yes, and it frequently is. Common pairings include lower blepharoplasty for a complete eye rejuvenation, a brow lift when descent of the brow contributes to the heaviness, and facelift or skin treatments as part of broader facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures means a single anesthesia session and one recovery period. During your consultation, Dr. Carboy evaluates whether the heaviness you see comes from the eyelid, the brow, or both — which is the key to choosing the right procedure or combination.
No — and that's the point. Upper blepharoplasty doesn't change the shape or character of your eyes; it removes the excess skin that has been hooding them. Patients consistently hear that they look rested, brighter, or 'like themselves ten years ago' rather than different. The most common experience is friends sensing something positive has changed without being able to identify what.
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Experience personalized plastic surgery and aesthetic care designed to enhance confidence with natural, refined results.