Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

 

Look rested—without changing your expressionIf heavy upper eyelid skin makes your eyes look tired or makeup smudge by afternoon, upper blepharoplasty can help. At Denver Eyelid Specialists in Greenwood Village (serving Denver, Cherry Creek, and the Denver Tech Center), Dr. Chris Thiagarajah, MD (ASOPRS) performs precise, conservative upper eyelid lifts that refresh your look while keeping you—your expressions, your personality—exactly the same.

 

Quick facts

 

Procedure time: ~45 minutes per side (varies)

Anesthesia: local with oral sedation or light IV sedation

Setting: accredited outpatient surgery center

Downtime: most patients return to normal activities in ~7–10 days

 

What is an upper blepharoplasty?

 

Upper blepharoplasty removes a careful amount of extra upper-eyelid skin (and sometimes sculpts small pockets of fat) to restore a natural crease and a visible eyelid platform. The incision hides in your own crease and typically heals to a thin, hard-to-see line.

 

What it can improve?

 

Hooding that covers the natural crease“Heavy” lids that make you look tired or sternMakeup transfer or loss of eyelid space for shadow/linerIn select cases, peripheral vision blocked by overhanging skin

 

Good to know: An upper bleph does not lift the eyebrow. If brow descent is contributing to heaviness, Dr. Thiagarajah will discuss options such as a subtle internal browpexy or a staged brow lift.

 

Who’s a good candidate?

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Healthy adults noticing excess upper-lid skin or asymmetryStable eye surface/tear film (dry eye managed)

 

Realistic goals: “more awake, same me”

 

Men and women—planned differently to respect masculine vs feminine aesthetics (lower crease & preserved fullness in men)

 

How Dr. Thiagarajah plans your surgery

 

Crease mapping: personalized crease height to match your anatomy and gender goals

 

Skin pinch test: confirms exactly how much to remove—conservative by default

 

Fat preservation: contour medial fat only if needed; avoid hollowing

 

Brow analysis: separates true dermatochalasis from brow ptosis to avoid over-resection

 

The procedure (step by step)

 

Marking & photos in the upright positionComfort anesthesia (local + light sedation)

 

Incision in the natural crease

 

Precision skin excision;

 

limited muscle/fat contouring as indicated

 

Fine suture closure to support a smooth crease

 

Cold compress and aftercare review before you head home

 

Recovery timeline

 

Day 0–2: swelling, mild tightness; gentle icing and head elevation

 

Day 3–5: bruising fades; light walking OK

 

Day 6–7: sutures typically removed; makeup/Zoom-ready for many patients

 

Week 3: most swelling gone; results look natural in everyday settings

 

Month 3: refined crease and final result continue to settle

 

Activity: avoid heavy workouts, hot yoga, or swimming ~2 weeks.

 

Contacts usually resume ~1–2 weeks (case dependent).

 

Risks & safety (brief)

 

Temporary dryness or irritation, bruising, asymmetry, visible scar, infection, bleeding/hematoma, rare lid malposition.

 

Choosing an ASOPRS-trained oculoplastic surgeon reduces risk and helps manage eye-surface considerations (dry eye, contact lens use).

 

Cost & financing

 

Fees vary based on anesthesia and whether additional procedures (e.g., internal brow support) are added. We’ll give you a written quote at your consultation.

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Why patients in Denver choose Dr. Thiagarajah

 

ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon with thousands of eyelid proceduresFocus on natural, conservative outcomes—no “overdone” look

 

Extensive before/after gallery and educational content

 

Convenient location near Cherry Creek, DTC, Greenwood Village:

 

See real Denver Blepharoplasty results and book a consult: 720-386-1989 

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Upper blepharoplasty  FAQs

 

How do I know if I need a brow lift or an upper bleph? If your brows sit at or below the rim and lift upward when you raise the skin, brow support may help. If the crease is buried by extra skin but brow position is good, upper bleph is usually the answer. Many patients benefit from a conservative upper bleph alone.

 

Will my eyes look different?

 

You should look like you—just rested. We avoid high creases or excessive fat removal that can feminize or hollow.

 

Is there a visible scar?The incision sits in the natural crease and generally heals to a thin line that’s hard to see with eyes open.

 

What about dry eye?

 

We screen and optimize your tear film. Most patients do well with lubricating drops; symptoms typically improve as swelling resolves.

 

When can I work out?

 

Light walking right away; sweat/strain activities after your first follow-up unless advised otherwise

 

Medically reviewed by Chris Thiagarajah, MD (ASOPRS) — Oculoplastic Surgeon, Denver Eyelid Specialists. Published: updated regularly • Last reviewed: 9/15/2025