Denver Eyelid Specialists
8301 E Prentice Ave, Suite 403 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Upper Blepharoplasty
in Denver
A More Rested Look - Without changing
your expression
Remove excess upper eyelid skin and restore a more open-refreshed look
with Natural looking results from a fellowship trained oculoplastic surgeon in Denver
12000+
Eyelid Procedures
10x
5280 Top Doctor
(2017-2026)
ASOPRS
Fellowship Trained
40-60 minutes
Procedure Time
Local Anesthesia
Comfortable and Safe
In Office Option
For many Patients
7-10 Days
Initial Recovery
Natural
Individualized plan
What is Upper Blepharoplasty?
Upper Blepharoplasty is a precise surgical procedure that removes carefully measured excess skin from the upper eyelid to create a more open rested appearance. The incision is placed within the natural eyelid crease and in some cases, selective fat is adjusted to improve contour and create a smoother eyelid platform. The goal is a natural refreshed look - not a different expression.
Is it Loose skin, Ptosis or a Low Eyebrow?
Upper Eyelid Heaviness can have different causes. A careful examination can help determine your needs.
Excess Skin
Excess upper eyelid skin can create a hooded appearance make you look tired even when you feel well.
True Ptosis
Ptosis of the eyelid muscle is due to weakening or stretching of the eyelid muscle and requires a different procedure.
Brow Descent
A low eyebrow position can contribute to excess skin appearance but is treated with eyebrow lifting techniques.
Blepharoplasty treats excess skin and fat. Ptosis repair raises the eyelid margin Eyebrow surgeries elevate the eyebrow. Some patients benefit from a combination of these procedures.
Benefits of Upper Eyelid Surgery
Hooding
Reduces excess skin that creates a hooded effect
Heavy or Tired Appearance
You look more awake and refreshed
Reduced Eyelid Show
Restores a more visible eyelid crease, eyelid platform and visible upper eyelid
Makeup Difficulty
Makes it easier to apply eye makeup and can improve peripheral vision in certain functional cases
Risks and Eye Surface Safety
As with any surgery, there are risks. These can include temporary dryness, irritation, bruising, asymmetry, visible scars, infection, bleeding, and, rarely, changes in vision.
A thorough eye-surface evaluation is performed to minimize risk and support healing. Oculoplastic Surgeons are trained to evaluate you to reduce those risks as much as possible
Upper Blepharoplasty Cost
Cosmetic upper blepharoplasty performed in the office under local anesthesia is approximately $3,550 for both eyes. Your personalized surgical plan and exact cost will be reviewed during your consultation.
When drooping eyelids significantly interfere with vision, insurance may cover part of the procedure if specific examination, photography, and visual-field requirements are met. Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance.
Cosmetic or Functional?
Upper blepharoplasty may be cosmetic, functional, or a combination of both. Cosmetic surgery is performed primarily to improve appearance, while functional surgery addresses eyelid skin or ptosis that significantly interferes with vision.
Insurance coverage depends on your examination, photographs, visual-field testing, symptoms, and the specific requirements of your insurance plan. Not everyone with heavy upper eyelids will meet the criteria for functional coverage.
Why Denver patients choose Dr Thiagarajah
Dr. Chris Thiagarajah is a board-certified ophthalmologist and ASOPRS fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon with experience performing more than 12,000 eyelid procedures. He is known for a conservative, natural-results philosophy and is proud to care for patients in Greenwood Village, the Denver Tech Center, and throughout the Denver area.
✓ Board-certified
✓ ASOPRS fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon
✓ More than 12,000 eyelid procedures
✓ Conservative, natural-looking results
✓ Convenient Greenwood Village / DTC location
Upper Blepharoplasty Recovery
Day 0-2
Mild swelling bruising and tightness. Rest and keep head elevated
Day 3-5
swelling and bruising begin to improve
Day 6-7
Most people can begin to return to function
Week 3
Patients start returning to social functions with friends and family
Month 3
Swelling and bruising almost gone. Most patients feel healed
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
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. He doesn't waste your time with ancilliary testing and expenses if you aren't a candidate in the first-place.
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
Medically reviewed by Chris Thiagarajah, MD (ASOPRS) —
Oculoplastic Surgeon, Denver Eyelid Specialists.
Published: updated regularly • Last reviewed: 9/15/2025
Chris Thiagarajah MD
Fellowship trained Oculoplastic Surgeon