What is the difference between upper and lower eyelid surgery?

Upper-eyelid surgery removes excess skin that creates heaviness, while lower-eyelid surgery addresses puffiness and under-eye bags. Either or both may be appropriate, which is reviewed at your consultation.

Can blepharoplasty make the eyes look more rested?

Yes. By easing heaviness and puffiness, eyelid surgery often helps the eyes look more rested and refreshed, while keeping your natural expression.

What is recovery like after eyelid surgery?

Bruising and swelling typically ease over one to two weeks, depending on the patient. You receive clear aftercare guidance and attentive follow-up throughout healing.

Close-up of refreshed eyes for the blepharoplasty page at Plastic Surgery of Austin

Eyelid Rejuvenation

Blepharoplasty in Austin

Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, refreshes the eyes when heaviness or puffiness makes the face look tired. Dr. Kaimana Chow refines excess upper-eyelid skin and, where appropriate, lower-lid puffiness — always with restraint, preserving your natural expression. For patients across the Austin area, it is one of the most subtle yet impactful ways to look more rested.

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Overview

A rested, natural look around the eyes

The eyes are the first thing people notice, and small changes there make a large difference. Blepharoplasty eases the heaviness and puffiness that can read as tired, while keeping your expression unmistakably your own.

Upper Eyelid Heaviness

Excess upper-lid skin that can crowd the eyes or feel heavy is carefully refined.

Lower Eyelid Puffiness

Where appropriate, lower-lid puffiness or bags may be addressed for a smoother contour.

Natural Expression

Refinement is restrained to refresh the eyes without an overdone or hollow look.

Subtle Rejuvenation

The goal is a rested appearance that looks like you on a good day — not a different face.

At a Glance

Procedure Snapshot

This procedure centers on upper and, where appropriate, lower eyelid rejuvenation, planned around your individual anatomy and goals.

What is Eyelid Surgery?

Each year, over 200,000 people in the United States undergo eyelid surgery, also known as a blepharoplasty. Plastic Surgery of Austin offers this surgery for both aesthetic reasons and for correcting functional problems. Eyelid surgery can treat loose skin, sagging skin, fatty deposits, bags under the eyes, drooping eyelids, wrinkles, and excess skin on the eyelids. This permanent surgical procedure is the solution to rejuvenating the eyes, looking and feeling more awake, and bringing youth back to the face.

Why should you consider Eyelid Surgery?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, can drastically enhance your appearance, boost your self-confidence, and in some cases, improve vision. Dr. Chow in Austin can assist you with:

1. Ptosis Repair: This procedure corrects drooping eyelids, which can interfere with your vision or require you to tilt your head to see properly. Eyelid surgery can effectively treat this condition, restoring your vision and offering a more youthful appearance.

2. Cosmetic Enhancements: As we age, our eyelids may become puffy, giving a tired or aged look. Eyelid surgery can revitalize your appearance by removing these bags for a fresh, youthful glow.

3. Skin Irritation: Excess skin on your upper eyelid can cause discomfort. Eyelid surgery can alleviate this issue.

Types of Eyelid Surgery

WHAT IS AN UPPER EYELID BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty addresses issues such as drooping upper eyelids that obstruct vision and contribute to a tired appearance. It is effective in reducing puffiness and hooding in the upper eye area. Dr. Chow skillfully conceals incisions within the natural folds of the upper lids to ensure discreet scarring. The procedure involves a precise removal of excess fat and tissue, striking the right balance to achieve a natural and rejuvenated outcome.

WHAT IS AN LOWER EYELID BLEPHAROPLASTY?

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a procedure in which an incision is strategically placed either inside the lower eyelid or along the lower lash line, ensuring it blends seamlessly. This technique is employed to address issues like lower eyelid bags, which are corrected by removing excess fatty tissue. Loose skin in the lower eyelid area is delicately trimmed. Additionally, dark circles beneath the eyes can be treated using laser technology.

What are the benefits of blepharoplasty?

Critical improvement in overall facial aesthetics
Removes excess and bulging bags from the eyes
Tightens and tones loose and sagging eyelid skin
Improves vision by correcting low-hanging lids
Creates a more youthful, bright and engaging appearance
Excellent complement to a facelift, brow lift or rhinoplasty
Helps reduces the most overt signs of aging
Reduces puffiness, eye bags, and discoloration
Long-lasting results
Natural-looking outcome
Improves self-confidence

Upper vs. Lower Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty can address the upper lids, the lower lids, or both. Upper-eyelid surgery removes excess skin that creates heaviness and can crowd the eyes. Lower-eyelid surgery, when appropriate, addresses puffiness and under-eye bags. During your consultation, Dr. Chow reviews which area — or combination — fits your concerns.

Preserving Natural Expression

The hallmark of refined eyelid surgery is restraint. The aim is to refresh the eyes while preserving your natural expression — never an overdone or hollowed-out look. Conservative, individualized planning protects the character of the eyes.

Brow Position and the Upper Eyes

Sometimes heaviness above the eyes relates as much to brow position as to eyelid skin. When the brow has descended, addressing it can complement eyelid surgery. Many patients explore this alongside a brow lift in Austin to achieve the most natural, balanced result around the upper face.

Considerations

Who This Procedure May Be For

01Heavy or excess skin on the upper eyelids
02A persistently tired or aged appearance around the eyes
03Puffiness or bags on the lower lids
04Upper-eyelid skin that interferes with a clean eye contour
05A desire for subtle, natural rejuvenation rather than a dramatic change

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Blepharoplasty addresses upper-eyelid heaviness from excess skin and, where appropriate, lower-eyelid puffiness or bags. It refreshes a tired-looking eye area while preserving natural expression.