Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Sound Plastic Surgery Seattle performs upper and lower eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to address excess upper eyelid skin, under-eye puffiness, and lower eyelid bags. Upper blepharoplasty removes redundant eyelid skin and, where indicated, herniated fat, restoring an open, youthful appearance and potentially improving visual field obstruction in functional cases. Lower blepharoplasty addresses orbital fat prolapse, skin crinkling, and tear trough hollowing. Both procedures are frequently combined with facelift or browlift surgery in a single operative session at the practice's accredited on-site surgery center.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) at Sound Plastic Surgery Seattle is performed by board-certified surgeons within the practice's accredited on-site ambulatory surgery center, offering both upper and lower blepharoplasty individually or as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan. Upper blepharoplasty addresses the redundant upper eyelid skin that accumulates with age as brow position descends and eyelid skin loses elasticity. The procedure is performed through a precisely placed incision within the upper eyelid crease, through which excess skin and orbicularis muscle strip are conservatively removed, and herniated orbital fat from the medial and central upper eyelid fat compartments is reduced or repositioned as indicated. Sufficient upper eyelid skin must be preserved to allow full eye closure — a critical safety consideration. Where the degree of upper eyelid skin overhang is sufficient to obstruct the superior visual field, formal visual field testing can document the functional impairment, and a portion of the surgical cost may be reimbursable through insurance as a medically necessary procedure. Lower blepharoplasty addresses the three lower eyelid fat compartments — medial, central, and lateral — that herniate through a weakening orbital septum with age, creating the puffy under-eye appearance. The transconjunctival approach, performed through the inner surface of the lower lid without an external incision, allows direct access to and reduction or repositioning of the fat with no visible external scar; it is preferred for patients with good skin tone who present primarily with fat prolapse. Where lower eyelid skin excess, surface crinkling, or festooning is also present, a subciliary (external) incision allows simultaneous skin resection. Tear trough correction — filling the hollow between the lower eyelid and upper cheek that creates a tired appearance — can be accomplished either through fat repositioning during lower blepharoplasty or through injectable filler at a non-surgical visit. Upper and lower blepharoplasty are commonly combined with facelift or browlift procedures at Sound Plastic Surgery Seattle for patients planning comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Seattle-area patients considering eyelid surgery are advised that healing involves bruising and swelling concentrated in the periorbital area for one to two weeks.