Upper Blepharoplasty in Denver
(Upper Eyelid Lift)

Blepharoplasty guide book for patients written by Dr Thiagarajah

Look rested—without changing your expression. If heavy upper eyelid skin makes your eyes look tired or makeup smudge by afternoon, upper blepharoplasty can help. At Denver Eyelid Specialists in Greenwood Village (serving Denver, Cherry Creek, and the Denver Tech Center), Dr. Chris Thiagarajah, MD (ASOPRS) performs precise, conservative upper eyelid lifts that refresh your look while keeping you—your expressions, your personality—exactly the same.

Quick facts

Procedure time: ~45 minutes

Anesthesia: local with oral sedation or light IV sedation

Setting: accredited outpatient surgery center or in office

Downtime: most patients return to normal activities in ~7–10 days

What is an upper blepharoplasty?

Upper blepharoplasty removes a careful amount of extra upper-eyelid skin (and sometimes sculpts small pockets of fat) to restore a natural crease and a visible eyelid platform. The incision hides in your own crease and typically heals to a thin, hard-to-see line.

What are the benefits of upper eyelid surgery in Denver?

- Hooding that covers the natural crease “Heavy” lids that make you look tired or stern.

- Makeup running or loss of eyelid space for shadow/liner

- In select cases, peripheral vision blocked by overhanging skin

Good to know: An upper bleph does not lift the eyebrow. If brow descent is contributing to heaviness, Dr. Thiagarajah will discuss options such as a subtle internal browpexy or a endoscopic brow lift.

Am I am Candidate for Upper Blepharoplasty?

Below are the basic criteria for upper eyelid blepharoplasty. As one can imagine analysis for candidacy can only be confirmed with an in office assessment.

Healthy adults noticing excess upper-lid skin or asymmetry

Stable eye surface/tear film (dry eye managed)

Realistic goals: “more awake, same me”

No prior issues with blinking or closure

Men and women—planned differently to respect masculine vs feminine aesthetics (lower crease & preserved fullness in men)

How Dr. Thiagarajah plans your upper eyelid blepharoplasty

Crease mapping: personalized crease height to match your anatomy and gender goals

Skin pinch test: confirms exactly how much to remove—conservative by default

Fat preservation: contour medial fat only if needed; avoid hollowing

Brow analysis: separates true dermatochalasis from brow ptosis to avoid over-resection

Determines if other procedures like ptosis repair or lower eyelid blepharoplasty may be helpful

The procedure (step by step)

Marking & photos in the upright position

Comfort Anesthesia (local +/- light sedation)

Incision in the natural crease

Precision skin excision

Limited muscle/fat contouring as indicated

Fine suture closure to support a smooth crease

Cold compress and aftercare review before you head home

What is a typical upper eyelid blepharoplasty recovery for patients in Denver?

Day 0–2: swelling, mild tightness; gentle icing and head elevation

Day 3–5: bruising fades; light walking OK

Day 6–7: sutures typically removed; makeup/Zoom-ready for many patients

Week 3: most swelling gone; results look natural in everyday settings

Month 3: refined crease and final result continue to settle

Activity: avoid heavy workouts, hot yoga, or swimming ~2 weeks.

Contacts usually resume ~1–2 weeks (case dependent).

Risks & safety (brief)

Temporary dryness or irritation, bruising, asymmetry, visible scar, infection, bleeding/hematoma, rare lid malposition, visions issues/loss or double vision

Choosing an ASOPRS-trained oculoplastic surgeon reduces risk and helps manage eye-surface considerations (dry eye, contact lens use).

Cost of Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty

Fees vary based on anesthesia and whether additional procedures (e.g., internal brow support) are added. We’ll give you a written quote at your consultation. In office blepharoplasty starts at roughly 3500.

When does Insurance cover upper eyelid Blepharoplasty?

For insurance, the single most important metric is MRD1 (margin–reflex distance 1). When the MRD1 is 2 mm or less, the upper lid sits low enough to encroach on the pupil and functionally reduce the superior visual field—often meeting medical-necessity criteria. Visual-field testing (with taped vs. untaped improvement) and standardized photos usually support the case, but MRD1 drives the decision for most payers. At Denver Eyelid Specialists, Dr. Chris Thiagarajah precisely measures MRD1, documents symptoms and visual fields, and submits the required photos so eligible functional blepharoplasty can be considered for insurance coverage in the Denver area.

Why patients in Denver choose Dr. Thiagarajah

ASOPRS oculoplastic surgeon with thousands of eyelid procedures

Focus on natural, conservative outcomes—no “overdone” look

Extensive before/after gallery and educational content

Convenient location near Cherry Creek, DTC, Greenwood Village:

See real Denver Blepharoplasty results

Book a consult: 720-386-1989

Upper blepharoplasty FAQs

How do I know if I need a brow lift or an upper bleph?

If your brows sit at or below the rim and lift upward when you raise the skin, brow support may help. If the crease is buried by extra skin but brow position is good, upper bleph is usually the answer. Many patients benefit from a conservative upper bleph alone. Read more about eyebrow lifting here.

Will my eyes look different?

You should look like you—just rested. We avoid high creases or excessive fat removal that can feminize or hollow.

Is there a visible scar?The incision sits in the natural crease and generally heals to a thin line that’s hard to see with eyes open.

What about dry eye?

We screen and optimize your tear film. Most patients do well with lubricating drops; symptoms typically improve as swelling resolves.

When can I work out?

Light walking right away; sweat/strain activities after your first follow-up unless advised otherwise

Read about Lower Blepharoplasty

Look at Before and After Photos

Schedule a Consultation

Medically reviewed by Chris Thiagarajah, MD (ASOPRS) —

Oculoplastic Surgeon, Denver Eyelid Specialists.