Eyelid Lift Surgery

The upper eyelid is one of the first areas of the face to show signs of aging. As we get older, the thin skin of the upper lid gradually loses elasticity, the underlying fat shifts forward, and the supporting structures of the brow descend — producing the heavy, hooded appearance many patients describe as looking tired or older than they feel. In some cases, the excess upper lid skin becomes severe enough to obstruct peripheral vision, which is why upper eyelid surgery is one of the few cosmetic procedures that can also produce functional improvement. An eyelid lift — known medically as upper blepharoplasty — addresses these concerns by removing excess skin, repositioning or removing small amounts of underlying fat, and restoring the natural, open contour of the upper lid. An eyelid lift is one of the surgical options for the eyes and brows at Dr. Khosh’s Park Avenue practice in New York City.

Eyelid lift surgery is a precision procedure where small differences in skin removal and incision placement produce visibly different outcomes. Dr. Maurice Khosh brings exactly the kind of careful surgical judgment this procedure rewards. Dual board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Khosh is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Clinical Assistant Professor at Columbia University — where he has taught and refined the orbital anatomy skills that guide every upper eyelid procedure. With three decades of operating on the upper lid, Dr. Khosh has been recognized as a perennial Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a Best Doctors in America honoree, and a New York Magazine Best Doctor in Facial Plastic Surgery.

What an Eyelid Lift Addresses

An upper eyelid lift can address a range of cosmetic and functional concerns affecting the upper lid:

• Hooded or Heavy Upper Eyelids: Excess skin that drapes over the lash line, creating a tired or aged appearance
• Loss of Eyelid Crease Visibility: Excess skin that has obscured the natural supratarsal crease
• Lateral Upper-Lid Hooding: Sagging at the outer corner of the eye that affects facial symmetry and makeup application
• Functional Vision Obstruction: Severe upper lid skin that limits the peripheral or superior visual field
• Difficulty Wearing Eye Makeup: Excess skin that smudges or hides eyeliner and eyeshadow throughout the day
• Asymmetry Between the Upper Lids: Differences in skin laxity or eyelid position between the two sides

How the Procedure Is Performed

The eyelid lift begins with careful preoperative marking — one of the most important steps in the entire procedure. Dr. Khosh maps the natural supratarsal crease and identifies the precise amount of skin that can be safely removed without compromising eyelid function or producing an unnatural appearance. The incision is then made within the natural crease line, which conceals the eventual scar within the fold of the upper lid. Excess skin is removed, a small strip of underlying muscle may be addressed if needed, and small amounts of orbital fat are conservatively trimmed or repositioned if puffiness contributes to the appearance. The incision is then closed with fine sutures positioned to maximize the cosmetic outcome. The entire procedure typically takes one to two hours.

“The most important variable in upper eyelid surgery is restraint. The amount of skin that can be safely removed is much less than many patients assume — and removing too much causes both functional problems and an artificial appearance. Mapping the right amount, in the right position, is the entire art of this procedure.” — Dr. Maurice Khosh

When an Eyelid Lift Is the Right Choice

Eyelid lift surgery is best suited to patients with one or more of the concerns listed above, in good general health, who have realistic expectations about what the procedure can accomplish. Some patients who initially come in for an eyelid lift are better served by a brow lift instead — when the underlying problem is brow descent rather than upper lid skin excess, the eyelid surgery alone will not produce the result the patient is seeking. Other patients benefit from a combined approach. During consultation, Dr. Khosh evaluates the entire upper-face anatomy — eyelid position, brow position, forehead lines, and overall facial proportion — to determine whether an eyelid lift, brow lift, or combination procedure will produce the best result.

What to Expect from Recovery

Eyelid lift surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with light sedation in an accredited surgical setting. Patients return home the same day with detailed care instructions. Most experience mild swelling and bruising for the first one to two weeks, with bruising typically resolving more quickly than swelling. Sutures are removed within one week. Most patients return to work and social activities within ten to fourteen days, with strenuous exercise and contact sports avoided for two to three weeks. The final result becomes visible as the tissues fully settle over the following several months.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Khosh for Eyelid Lift Surgery

• Three Decades of Upper Eyelid Surgical Experience: Deep familiarity with the anatomy and variation across diverse patient populations
• Dual Board Certification: Procedure performed by a dual board-certified facial plastic and head and neck surgeon
• Honest Candidacy Evaluation: Realistic conversation about whether an eyelid lift, brow lift, or combined approach will produce the desired result
• Multi-Recognition Award: Recognized by Castle Connolly, Best Doctors in America, and New York Magazine
• Park Avenue Convenience: Private Upper East Side practice serving patients from across Manhattan and the tri-state area

Schedule Your Droopy Eyelid Treatment in Manhattan

If hooded or heavy upper eyelids are making you look tired, older, or interfering with your vision, the first step is a thorough evaluation of the underlying anatomy and an honest conversation about which procedure — or combination — will produce the result you are looking for. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Khosh at his Park Avenue office in New York City, call (212) 339-9988 or contact us online to request an appointment.