Eyes
Upper Blepharoplasty
Removes excess skin, and sometimes fat, from the upper eyelids to open the eye and address the hooding that makes the eyes look tired. Functional as well as aesthetic when the hooding obstructs the visual field.
Overview
Upper blepharoplasty addresses the upper eyelid. Excess skin that hoods over the lash line is removed, and small amounts of fat are repositioned or reduced when needed, through an incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease. The result opens the eye and refreshes the upper face. When the hooding obstructs the visual field, the procedure is functional as well as aesthetic. It is frequently combined with a brow lift when brow position contributes to the heaviness, since addressing one without the other can leave an imbalanced result.
Who it's for
The right candidate.
Patients with excess upper-eyelid skin that hoods over the lash line, creating a heavy or tired appearance and in some cases obstructing the upper visual field. Both aesthetic and functional candidates. Brow position is assessed as part of the evaluation, since a low brow can mimic or compound eyelid hooding.
Technique
How it's done.
Excess skin is removed through an incision hidden in the natural upper-eyelid crease, and a small amount of fat is repositioned or reduced when needed. The incision sits within the crease so it is not visible once healed. When a low brow contributes to the heaviness, a brow lift is planned alongside it.
Where this happens
Our own surgery center.
One roof, one team.
Dr. Azadgoli operates at The Practice Healthcare's fully independent, on-property ambulatory surgery center — a Medicare-certified, physician-led facility recognized by Newsweek as one of California's top centers for independent, privately owned surgery.
Consultation, surgery, aftercare, and recovery all happen in one building, with the same team. No outside hospital. No new staff to meet the day of surgery. The same person who checked you in at the consult is there when you wake up.
What to expect
From consultation to recovery.
Outpatient under local anesthesia with or without light sedation. Sutures are removed at five to seven days. Bruising and swelling settle over one to two weeks. Most patients are back to social activity within a week to ten days, with the final result over a few weeks as residual swelling resolves.
Insurance & coverage
Patient Advocacy handles the paperwork.
Our advocacy team verifies benefits, pursues pre-authorizations, and appeals denials. You don't navigate insurance on your own.
Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered by insurance. For reconstructive or medically necessary work, our advocacy team verifies your benefits and presents the out-of-pocket estimate before anything is scheduled.
How we work with insurance
- 1 Verification by expertsOur advocacy team verifies your benefits before any procedure — so we know exactly what is and is not covered.
- 2 Patient advocacy & follow-throughWe aggressively pursue pre-authorizations, appeal denials when appropriate, and hold carriers accountable to their commitments.
- 3 Financial transparencyYou receive a clear written estimate of potential out-of-pocket costs. No surprises on the day of surgery.
- 4 Collaboration with carriersOur team handles documentation and communication directly with your insurance company.
- 5 Options & supportIf a procedure is not covered, we walk you through cash-pay options, financing, and other pathways to care.
FAQ
Common questions.
Will the scar be visible?
The incision sits in the natural crease of the upper eyelid, where it is hidden when the eye is open and fades to an inconspicuous line once healed.
Is upper blepharoplasty covered by insurance?
It can be, when excess upper-eyelid skin obstructs the visual field, documented by a visual-field test. Purely aesthetic cases are not covered. The team helps determine which applies.
Will it help my low brow too?
Not on its own — blepharoplasty addresses the eyelid, not the brow. If a low brow is part of the heaviness, a brow lift is added, since removing eyelid skin without addressing a low brow can pull the brow down further.
Can it be combined with lower blepharoplasty?
Yes. Upper and lower blepharoplasty are commonly done together to address the whole eye area in one recovery.
How long do results last?
Upper blepharoplasty results are long-lasting and most patients do not need a repeat. The eyelid continues to age slowly, but the skin removed does not return.
Will I be able to close my eyes normally?
Yes. The procedure removes only the excess skin that is safe to remove while preserving normal eyelid closure. Conservative removal is deliberate, since over-resection can impair closure.
Related procedures
Ready to discuss upper blepharoplasty?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Azadgoli and her team to explore your options.
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