How long is recovery after upper eyelid surgery?

Sutures are usually removed around 5 to 7 days. Visible bruising and swelling generally settle over 1 to 2 weeks, and most people return to work and social activity within 7 to 10 days. Strenuous exercise is avoided for about two weeks, and the final refined result continues to settle over several months.

Eyelid surgery

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty in Beverly Hills.

Q: Where are the incisions and will they scar?

The incision is placed within the natural upper-eyelid crease, so the healed line is hidden when the eyes are open. Eyelid skin heals exceptionally well, and mature scars are typically very difficult to see.

Q: How much does upper blepharoplasty cost?

The consultation is $500. Because every plan is customized — built around your anatomy and often combining procedures — the cost of surgery is discussed at your consultation, once Dr. Karlin has examined you and a plan is agreed.

Removing the heaviness of a hooded upper lid while keeping the eye unmistakably your own.

In brief

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is surgery to remove excess upper-eyelid skin — and, when needed, a small amount of fat — through an incision hidden in the lid crease. It suits adults whose heavy or hooded upper lids make them look tired. The result is a lighter, more open, rested eye.

By Justin Karlin, MD, MS ASOPRS-certified oculofacial surgeon · UCLA faculty — about the surgeon

Time in surgery: ~1 hour
Anesthesia: Local ± sedation
Sutures out: 5–7 days
Back to work: 7–10 days
Final result: 3–6 months
Consultation: $500Surgery quoted at your visit

What it is

The upper eyelid is mostly skin and a thin sheet of muscle over a cushion of fat. With age the skin loses elasticity and can fold over the lid margin — a condition called dermatochalasis — while the fat pads can bulge. Upper eyelid blepharoplasty addresses the skin and, selectively, the fat. It does not raise the eyebrow or treat a drooping lid muscle; those are brow lifting and ptosis repair, which are sometimes performed at the same time.

Who is a candidate?

You may be a candidate if you have:

Excess or folding upper-eyelid skin that makes the eyes look heavy or tired.
Skin resting on the eyelashes, or a sense of having to lift the brow to see.
Generally good health, no uncontrolled dry eye or eyelid disease, and realistic expectations.

Part of the consultation is distinguishing skin excess from a low brow or a drooping lid, because the right operation depends on which structure is actually responsible.

Often part of a fuller plan

In Dr. Karlin’s aesthetic practice, upper-lid surgery is frequently combined with restoring lost volume — micro fat grafting to the brow and upper-lid hollow — and, when the brow itself has descended, an endoscopic brow lift. Treating skin, volume, and brow position together is what produces a rested eye rather than simply a tighter one.

The technique

The incision is placed within the natural upper-lid crease so the healed line is hidden when the eyes are open. A conservative amount of skin is removed — conservative because over-resection is what produces the operated, hollow look this practice avoids. The underlying muscle is preserved, fat is reduced only where it bulges, and the crease is reformed to sit symmetrically. The procedure usually takes about one hour and is performed under local anesthesia, with or without light sedation.

Recovery timeline

Days 1–3Cold compresses, head elevated. Mild swelling and bruising; tightness rather than pain for most patients.

Days 5–7Sutures removed. Swelling begins to settle noticeably.

Week 1–2Back to work & social life. Residual bruising is usually camouflaged easily; strenuous exercise still avoided.

Weeks 2–6Normal activity resumes. Incision lines fade from pink toward invisible.

3–6 monthsFinal result. The crease softens into its mature, natural position.

Already scheduled? The patient guide walks every step day by day — what to stop and when, what to have ready, and when to call us.

Cost

A consultation with Dr. Karlin is $500. Because every plan is customized — built around your anatomy and often combining more than one procedure — the cost of surgery is discussed at your consultation rather than listed here.

Results

Upper blepharoplasty, before and after.

Drag across each face to compare. Shown with written patient consent; results vary with anatomy and healing.

After: Upper & lower blepharoplasty, facial fat transfer, nanofat & lower-eyelid CO₂ laser resurfacing — Upper & lower blepharoplasty, facial fat transfer, nanofat & lower-eyelid CO₂ laser resurfacing

Before: Upper & lower blepharoplasty, facial fat transfer, nanofat & lower-eyelid CO₂ laser resurfacing — Upper & lower blepharoplasty, facial fat transfer, nanofat & lower-eyelid CO₂ laser resurfacing

After: Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer — Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer

Before: Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer — Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer

After: Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer & CO₂ laser skin resurfacing — Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer & CO₂ laser skin resurfacing

Before: Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer & CO₂ laser skin resurfacing — Upper & lower blepharoplasty with facial fat transfer & CO₂ laser skin resurfacing

See all 11 upper eyelid cases →

Questions

Upper blepharoplasty, answered.

How long is recovery?

Sutures come out around 5 to 7 days. Bruising and swelling settle over 1 to 2 weeks, and most people return to work within 7 to 10 days. Strenuous exercise is avoided for about two weeks; the final result continues refining for several months.

Where are the incisions, and will they scar?

The incision sits within the natural upper-lid crease, hidden when the eyes are open. Eyelid skin heals exceptionally well, and mature scars are typically very hard to see.

Will I still look like myself?

That is the entire objective. Skin is removed conservatively and the muscle preserved, so the eye looks rested rather than altered. The aim is for people to notice you look well, not that you had surgery.

How much does upper blepharoplasty cost?

The consultation is $500. Because every plan is customized — built around your anatomy and often combining procedures — the cost of surgery is discussed at your consultation, once Dr. Karlin has examined you and a plan is agreed.