Upper Eyelid Surgery

Blepharoplasty is a very well-tolerated procedure with minimal associated pain or discomfort. On the day of your upper eyelid surgery, you will first receive a carefully crafted blend of medications to minimize any pain, anxiety, swelling, bleeding, bruising, inflammation, and infection related to your surgery. In addition, Dr. Raggio will carefully apply local injection anesthesia to numb the area and further minimize discomfort. This is a meticulous and precise procedure on a very delicate part of the skin, and Dr. Raggio takes great care using expert skill and precision to make your experience as painless as possible. All that being said, following your procedure you can expect common but mild after-effects, such as:

Bruising
Swelling
Redness
Itchiness
Dry eyes

Many of these issues can be controlled with over-the-counter medication or topical creams, which Dr. Raggio and his team will guide you on. Remaining upright, limiting strenuous activity, and applying frequent cold compresses to the eyes can also help alleviate pain. In summary, Blepharoplasty represents a well-tolerated procedure with subtle yet striking results.

Upper Eyelid Surgery with Dr. Raggio is completed in one appointment at his state-of-the-art medical facility in Birmingham, AL. Following your recovery period, you will return at 1 week for a check-in appointment, where Dr. Raggio can assess your progress, ensure your healing is on track, and remove sutures if applicable. Additional follow-ups can be expected at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.  These follow-up appointments are a vital element of your recovery and allow you and Dr. Raggio to candidly address any questions or concerns regarding your procedure. 

One of the most rewarding effects of Upper Eyelid surgery in Birmingham with Dr. Raggio is the subtle yet striking result. After the initial 1-2 weeks of mild swelling and bruising, patients who undergo Blepharoplasty will notice an overall refreshed, youthful, and more vibrant appearance. And while surgery results last a lifetime, in the sense that you will always look better than if you had not done the surgery, you will inevitably experience recurrent droopy eyelids as you continue to age over the next several years. This may mean additional surgical appointments to correct the issue but often aren’t required until another 10-15 years after your first surgery. Ongoing sun protection, amongst other prophylactic measures, will help to maintain your results. Talk to Dr. Raggio about the kind of results you can expect, as well as the lifespan of your surgery, and other modalities you can implement to optimize and maintain your beautiful blepharoplasty results.

More often than not, Upper Eyelid surgery is performed with other facial rejuvenation procedures, particularly those affecting the area around the eyes (periorbita).

Such periorbital rejuvenating procedures include Brow Lift, Facelift, Fat Grafting, and CO2 laser skin resurfacing.

Non-surgical modalities are often applied to further enhance and maintain your results, including Medical-grade Skincare, Botulinum toxin (Botox, Xeomin, Jeuveau), Facial Fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, RHA), Chemical Peels, and Radiofrequency Microneedling. 

As every surgery is assessed on an individual basis, when you consult with Dr. Raggio, he will confirm which combinations are possible and whether they are right for you. 

As with any surgery, there are risks associated which should be taken into consideration. Dr. Raggio takes great care to openly and honestly discuss all of the risks involved during your consultation. By choosing a highly-skilled, fellowship-trained, and double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon like Dr. Raggio, you are doing your due diligence in helping to minimize risks.

Some of the risks from Upper Eyelid Surgery may include:

Bleeding from the incision lines
Changes in skin sensation or numbness of the eyelashes
Difficulty closing your eyes
Dryness to the eyes
Infection
Possible need for revision surgery
Sensitivity to sun or other bright light
Swelling and bruising
Unfavorable scarring

If you have any concerns about the risks of upper eyelid surgery, be sure to discuss this during your consultation so Dr. Raggio can put your mind at ease. Dr. Raggio will work to ensure you see the best results possible.

While many plastic surgery practices offer treatments in all parts of the body, we take a different approach. At Raggio MD, we offer highly specialized treatments focused exclusively on one area: the face. We believe that this singular, undistracted focus is what creates true mastery of the field. Dr. Raggio’s passion and extensive experience in Facial Plastic Surgery guarantee that we provide unparalleled results. At Raggio MD we focus all of our energy and expertise on facial procedures, ensuring that we do perform them at their highest level. Because Face is all we do, we can honestly say that we do it best.

We give the patient a 100% honest evaluation of their concerns and goals. Having the full range of surgical and non-surgical treatments allows us to develop a plan without the potential for treatment bias. During consultation visits, Dr. Raggio will present his recommendation(s) and arm patients with the necessary knowledge to make an educated decision about their treatment. The theme that permeates every appointment: “The patient comes first.”

Raggio MD produces the best, top-level Upper Eyelid Surgery results without compromise. Dr. Raggio prides himself on being a perfectionist and tailors an individualized treatment plan for each patient. He believes that no two surgical cases are identical and that outstanding results demand precision, attention to detail, and an appreciation for beauty.

While many patients seek Upper Lid blepharoplasty to correct functional, or vision-related concerns due to redundant and heavy upper lid skin, Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery does not accept insurance. Many patients are relieved to hear, however, that Dr. Raggio takes special care and attention to not only address cosmetic issues, but also ensures that any functional issues are addressed as well. For this reason, many patients who initially seek insurance coverage for their upper lid blepharoplasty ultimately choose to proceed with the elective services Dr. Raggio offers since this equates to an overall more satisfactory and pleasant surgical experience whilst eliminating the many issues often associated with health insurance. To that effect, we do offer financing options for those interested, and one of our team members can guide you in this regard.