no.6
[Mid-Age Eye] What Is Upper Eyelid Surgery? (Surgical Procedure and Benefits)
2026-02-28
What exactly is upper eyelid surgery, and
who is a good candidate for this procedure?
Essentially, upper eyelid surgery
is a type of double eyelid surgery.
It involves creating a double eyelid crease
while removing excess, sagging skin from the upper eyelids.
There are many cases of upper eyelid sagging,
as shown in the illustrations.
As illustrated, a new double eyelid crease is created
at a lower position, and the excess skin above the crease
is removed before the incision is carefully sutured.
However, unlike double eyelid surgery in younger patients,
a greater amount of skin may need to be removed.
As a result, the incision extends farther outward
toward the outer corner of the eye,
as shown in the illustration.
This means that a scar may remain beyond
the outer end of the double eyelid crease,
as illustrated.
Over time, the scar gradually fades
and becomes less noticeable.
So, who is a good candidate for upper eyelid surgery?
First, it is suitable for those who want to create a double eyelid crease or revise an existing one.
It is also a good option for people with thin upper eyelid skin,
as well as those experiencing sagging skin
around the inner corners of their eyes.
However, when patients with thick eyelid skin undergo upper eyelid surgery
and a significant amount of skin is removed,
the upper eyelid area can appear bulky or puffy,
which may result in a less natural or harsher appearance.
Some older patients describe their eyes as looking
"too sharp" or "stern" after surgery.
This is often the reason behind that change in appearance.
For patients with thick eyelid skin
or significant sagging around the outer corners of the eyes,
a sub-brow lift may be a more suitable option.
Before Surgery
Before surgery, sagging upper eyelid skin
covers and conceals the existing double eyelid crease.
1 Week After Surgery
At one week after surgery, some swelling is still present.
Due to the swelling, the eyes may appear
slightly difficult to open.
3 Months After Surgery
By three months after surgery, most of the swelling has subsided.
Eye opening has also improved,
resulting in a more open and refreshed appearance
compared to before surgery.
At the three-month mark,
the surgical scar has also become barely noticeable.
When only a relatively small amount of excess skin needs to be removed,
upper eyelid surgery can be an effective treatment option.
Before Surgery / 3 Months After Surgery
Sai Plastic Surgery — Phone Inquiries
Main Line: +82-2-512-4647
* This post was written by Dr. Kwang-rae Kang, Director of Sai Plastic Surgery, with his own text and illustrations, for the purpose of
providing medical information in compliance with Article 56(1) of the Korean Medical Service Act