Upper vs. Lower Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can dramatically improve the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure often results in a rejuvenated appearance to the area surrounding the eyes, making the patient appear younger, more rested, and alert.

It may be necessary to operate on the upper eyelids, the lower eyelids, or both. Lower eyelid surgery is best for reducing the appearance of excess skin, wrinkles, and bags beneath the eyes while upper eyelid surgery is favored by patients seeking to remove excess skin, fatty deposits and puffiness that causes the upper eyelids to drop down over the eye.

In eyelid surgery, the surgeon carefully trims away the excess skin and fatty deposits that are causing the eyelids to droop down or sag. The result is a firmer appearance to the eyelids and a facial expression that is more alert and refreshed than before.

San Francisco plastic surgeon Dr. Kimberly Henry has performed eyelid surgery on patients, helping them get rid of saggy, droopy skin around the eyes to create a more attractive facial appearance. Dr. Henry can advise patients on whether surgery on the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both is the best procedure to achieve the best possible results.

Upper Eyelid Surgery

For many patients, upper eyelid surgery is the best option for correcting sagging skin that is not only unattractive, but also may be impairing their vision. Surgery on the upper eyelids is most often used to correct conditions such as:

• Loose or sagging skin that causes the upper eyelid to fall down over the eye, impairing vision
• Fatty or excess skin that results in the upper eyelid to fold over and lose its natural contour

Lower Eyelid Surgery

Men and women who want to reduce the appearance of drooping or sagging skin that causes bags to appear under the eyes may choose lower eyelid surgery. Lower eyelid surgery is commonly used by patients of all ages to treat:

• Excess skin that causes wrinkles of the lower eyelid
• Extra fatty skin that forms bags or dark circles under the eyes
• Droopy lower eyelids that reveal too much of the whites of the eyes

Other Eye Treatment Options

In some cases, our San Francisco eyelid surgery patients may not be able to achieve the results they want with surgery alone on the upper or lower eyelids. If the eyebrows are sagging along with an upper eyelid condition, Dr. Henry may recommend a forehead lift to best firm up the area. Smoothing out crow’s feet along the corners of the eyes may best be corrected with BOTOX® injections. Dark circles beneath the eyes that cannot be adequately treated with lower eyelid surgery may require a laser resurfacing procedure or chemical peel treatment.

Contact Our Plastic Surgeon

If you interested in undergoing upper or lower eyelid surgery to look younger, more rested, and refreshed, you may have questions about which type of surgery is best for you. We encourage you to contact Dr. Kimberly Henry today. Dr. Henry has extensive experience in this area of plastic surgery and can advise you on whether upper eyelid surgery or lower eyelid surgery is best for you.