Dr. Gregory Lewen, M.D is one of the only double board oculofacial plastic surgeons in the Miami metropolitan area. He is an eyelid specialist, having performed over 1,000 eyelid surgeries over his career. Dr. Lewen is an expert in upper eyelid surgery, commonly referred to as upper blepharoplasty.

Introduction to Upper Eyelid Surgery

At our practice in Miami, upper eyelid surgery is one of our most common procedures. Double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, Gregory D. Lewen, M.D., offers upper eyelid surgery—also known as upper blepharoplasty—for men and women in Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, and the surrounding areas of Florida. Dr. Lewen is an eyelid surgery expert, having completed extensive training in oculofacial plastic surgery. He’s one of only a few fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeons in the metropolitan area.

*This page covers upper eyelid surgery, but if you’d like to read about lower eyelid surgery, revision eyelid surgery, or other forms of blepharoplasty, please view our comprehensive pages.

Our patients feel that Dr. Lewen offers the best upper eyelid surgery in Miami and that this surgery adds great value and benefit to their lives. The first step is understanding the procedure and deciding if it is right for you. Below, we’ve included information about the surgery and answered frequently asked questions. If you would like more information, please give us a call or fill out a contact form. We look forward to meeting you!

What is Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery or an “upper eyelid lift” is a surgery that can dramatically improve a tired or aged appearance by removing the excess skin and sculpting the tissue that causes droopy or heavy upper eyelids. This cosmetic procedure can brighten the appearance of your eyes and help to provide a more youthful, refreshed, and energetic presentation to your face.

What are the Common Reasons to get an Upper Blepharoplasty?

Looking your best is a very important part of maintaining your self-confidence and self-esteem. It has been scientifically proven that this can also have a major impact on your degree of personal success, your perception of personal happiness, and the quality of your personal and professional relationships. For many people, upper eyelid surgery is a safe and effective option to significantly improve the appearance of the upper eyelids. Below, we have included some common reasons to get the procedure:

A common complaint from patients seeking this procedure is that they feel like their upper eyelids make them look older. Many patients will even say that they look older in the mirror than they feel inside.
More commonly for women, some will express that they are unable to properly apply makeup to the upper eyelid area or that makeup will run or smudge after it is applied.
Many patients will also say that they feel like they look tired.
Some patients are very concerned about how this tired appearance can be perceived by other people, particularly in the workplace.
At times, upper blepharoplasty can be needed for functional reasons, such as when an advanced amount of upper eyelid skin hangs over the eyelashes causing obstruction of vision. In such circumstances, upper eyelid surgery can be performed to improve vision and decrease the heaviness of the eyelids. If you have any functional concerns related to your eyelids, Dr. Lewen will be happy to discuss these during your cosmetic consultation.

"I just saw Dr. Lewen July 6, 2018. His bedside manner is excellent. He explains all procedures in detail. I was extremely happy with the outcome and I will be going back. He and his staff are super professional and make you feel comfortable. The best part, is that he takes you at your appointment time, no 2 hour waiting ????"
Karen M
"You are in very good hands with Dr. Lewen. Not only is he excellent at what he does, his bedside manner is second to none. His staff are so pleasant and enjoyable to deal with as well. Five stars!"
Joyce K
"What a delightful experience and a fabulous outcome. Besides regaining my peripheral vision, I look ten years younger! Dr. Lewen did beautiful work, leaving the tiniest scars in the most unnoticeable places!!! The office staff, especially Brooke, was so sweet and so helpful."
Judy F

How Much Does Upper Eyelid Surgery Cost in Miami?

The cost of upper eyelid surgery in Miami & Fort Lauderdale can vary greatly depending on several factors such as the type of procedure(s) performed, the desired cosmetic result, the time it will take, the complexity of your case, the surgeries or procedures you have had previously, the medical conditions you may have, and the medications you may take. Dr. Lewen will answer any questions you may have regarding upper eyelid blepharoplasty during your consultation and will evaluate each case individually to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment to address your concerns while providing you the most natural-appearing results. We will provide a cost estimate for upper eyelid surgery after your consultation. We will also explain our financing options.

What are the Benefits of Upper Blepharoplasty?

As noted above, there are multiple reasons why people are interested in an upper eyelid lift. Below, we have included some of the benefits of having Miami upper eyelid surgery.

Many of our patients say that Miami upper eyelid surgery by Dr. Lewen provides them more self-confidence
The procedure can instantly make you look younger and refreshed, taking years off your face.
Upper eyelid surgery may help your eyes appear brighter and more open, especially if there is skin hanging over your upper eyelids.

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Who is a Candidate for an Upper Eyelid Surgery?

If you are not happy with the appearance of your upper eyelids, you may be a candidate for upper blepharoplasty. The most common complaints are due to heavy upper eyelids, or the feeling like there is too much skin hanging in the upper eyelid area. Sometimes, the main complaint can be more asymmetry between the two eyes. Dr. Lewen will answer any questions you may have regarding an upper eyelid surgery during your consultation and will evaluate each individual case to determine the most appropriate and effective treatment that will address your concerns while providing you with the most natural-appearing results. If Dr. Lewen determines that an upper blepharoplasty is a good surgical option for you, he will provide you with an individualized treatment plan that includes this procedure, as well as any additional procedures to help give you the refreshed look that you desire.

What Should I do before Surgery?

The first step is to fill out a contact form on our website or pick up the phone and give us a ring. We have a welcoming team that is excited to assist in scheduling your consultation. During your appointment, Dr. Lewen will do a thorough evaluation of your eyes and provide his expert feedback.

If you are comfortable with Dr. Lewen’s recommendations and the treatment plan, surgery will be booked, and we’ll provide you with full preoperative instructions. It’s vital that you follow these instructions, as it will lead to the best possible outcome. For your safety, Dr. Lewen will want to know the details of your medical history and all medications you are currently taking.

*Please remember that it is important to be as open and honest with Dr. Lewen about your aesthetic desires. Great communication leads to the best results.

What Should I Expect on the Day of Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery usually takes about one hour of time, although you will need to arrive a little early and spend a little extra time after surgery before you can go home. The incision is carefully hidden in the upper eyelid fold so that it is virtually unnoticeable when the eyes are open. This surgery can be performed in an outpatient surgery center (where you go home the same day) or in the office, depending on the individual patient. If performed in the surgery center, IV anesthesia is frequently given to induce a twilight sleep, and then local anesthetic injections are administered to the upper eyelid area. If performed in the office setting, Dr. Lewen may give a light oral sedative to help relax you so that local anesthetic injections can be administered to the upper eyelid area. If your surgery is performed in an outpatient surgery center, a standard medical clearance is required. This clearance typically includes basic blood work, a history, and physical exam, a recent EKG, and a urine pregnancy test (if you are female and of reproductive age) from your primary care physician or your cardiologist.

Upper blepharoplasty is generally a very safe procedure. When considering any eyelid surgery, it is important to inform your surgeon of any abnormalities of your eyes, your vision, or your general medical health. Dr. Lewen requires all cosmetic eyelid surgery patients to have a full eye exam with dilation completed within the last 6 months before the day of surgery.

The eyebrow position can frequently also affect the appearance of the upper eyelids. For this reason, brow lifting procedures are often combined with upper eyelid surgery in order for patients to obtain the most complete rejuvenation in this area of the face. Dr. Lewen will evaluate your brow position and may make recommendations for rejuvenating the brows in combination with your upper eyelids during your consultation. When appropriate for an individual patient, Dr. Lewen may utilize the revolutionary CO2 laser, which can be used for both blepharoplasty surgery and skin resurfacing for the eyelids and the surrounding areas of the face.

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Upper Blepharoplasty Recovery

Surgery should be scheduled for a time when you can relax for at least one to two weeks. It is important to avoid any strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or bending down during this time to avoid complications and to promote the best healing situation. It is also important to avoid taking any blood-thinning medications for at least two weeks prior to surgery. Dr. Lewen and his staff will review a list of common medications, supplements, and vitamins that can cause your blood to be thinner.

Please note: If you have been placed on a blood-thinning medication by your doctor for a medical reason, you will have to ask your doctor’s permission before stopping any such medications.

Dry eyes are the most common side effect of any eyelid surgery. Dr. Lewen typically advises all eyelid surgery patients to use artificial tear drops at least three to four times per day before and after eyelid surgery for best results and comfort.

Sutures are placed in the incision line and are commonly taken out in the office in a manner that is virtually painless at about one week after surgery. The average patient has most of the swelling and bruising healed in about one to two weeks.

With the development of the CO2 laser, upper blepharoplasty surgery is a more sophisticated procedure than ever before. The CO2 laser provides Dr. Lewen with extremely precise control, and generally leads to less bleeding and bruising than surgery by conventional means. For most patients, the recovery time is shorter overall. Although sometimes preferred, laser surgery is not always appropriate for individual patients.

While upper eyelid surgery can be expected to correct certain conditions more permanently, your body will continue to age naturally. Life-long sun protection and good skincare are important to help maintain your results.

Frequently Asked Upper Blepharoplasty Questions

Your Upper Blepharoplasty Questions Answered

What’s the difference between cosmetic eyelid surgery and functional eyelid surgery?

It is important to note that there can be a big difference between cosmetic eyelid surgery and functional eyelid surgery. The purpose of cosmetic blepharoplasty is to improve the appearance and shape of the eyelids, and this can involve sculpting of skin, fat, muscle, wrinkles, and/or altering the position of the eyelid to create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. Functional blepharoplasty involves a more simplified removal of some excess skin and is only performed to improve vision. It is important to understand that with functional blepharoplasty, cosmetic improvement in the eyelids is only circumstantial.

Can I combine upper eyelid surgery with other procedures?

Yes, many of our patients combine upper eyelid surgery with other procedures to provide an even more rejuvenated appearance.

What if I have lower eyelid issues?

If you’re experiencing puffy under-eye bags or wrinkles under the eyes, our Miami Lower Blepharoplasty might be the best procedure for you. Read our page on lower eyelid surgery, here.

Why Choose Dr. Lewen?

Dr. Gregory Lewen is a Miami eyelid surgery expert. He has performed countless upper blepharoplasty procedures in his career, making him one of the most knowledgable eyelid surgeons in the Miami & Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area. Dr. Lewen prides himself on his expertise in the anatomy of the eyes and face, along with the relationships he builds with his patients.

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Oculofacial Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa in Miami, Fl

To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Lewen, pleae call the office or request an appointment online. We welcome your visit.

305.514.0631 20803 Biscayne Blvd. #110, Aventura, FL 33180 Contact Us