Is Upper Eyelid Surgery Painful?

Usually, patients describe upper eyelid surgery as surprisingly comfortable, with only mild tightness or soreness in the first few days. Post-surgery, any mild pain can be managed with over-the-counter medication or prescribed pain relief, and most patients report feeling more pressure than pain during recovery.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Here is what you can expect throughout the process: your initial consultation, a pre-operative visit, the surgery itself, and follow-up visits. These follow-ups allow Dr. Harley to check your healing, remove sutures, and ensure your results are progressing beautifully. Additional appointments may be recommended if you combine your eyelid surgery with another procedure or require a more complex treatment plan.

How Long Until I See Results?

You’ll start noticing improvements as soon as the swelling subsides — usually within one to two weeks — though your final results will continue to refine over several months. Once fully healed, you can enjoy smoother, firmer eyelids and a more alert appearance that lasts for many years. Most patients find their results so natural that friends and family often can’t pinpoint what’s changed, only that they look more rested and vibrant.

Can I Combine an Upper Eyelid Surgery With Other Procedures?

Absolutely. Many patients choose to pair upper eyelid surgery with a facelift, neck lift, lower blepharoplasty, brow lift, or lip lift to address multiple concerns simultaneously and achieve a more intensive, youthful appearance. Combining procedures can often enhance results and minimize overall recovery time by achieving multiple improvements at once.

What Are the Risks Associated With an Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Like any surgical procedure, upper blepharoplasty carries some risks, including temporary swelling, bruising, dry eyes, or asymmetry. More serious complications are rare, particularly when performed by an experienced, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Harley, who takes a preventive, patient-focused approach to risk management. Before surgery, he thoroughly reviews your health history and any medications or supplements that may increase bleeding or interfere with healing. He also customizes your surgical plan to accommodate your unique anatomy and eyelid structure, significantly reducing the risk of visible scarring or unnatural results.

Cashiers, North Carolina

Upper Eyelid Surgery

Introduction

Introduction to Upper Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty)

Do you feel like your eyelid skin sags down on your eyes? Do you look tired or sad? These feelings are quite common among many individuals and can result from genetics, aging, or lifestyle factors. Regardless of the reason, there is actually a permanent solution to remedying this: upper eyelid surgery, known as upper blepharoplasty. Dr. David Harley of Cashiers, NC (located close to Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC) provides eyelid surgery to help patients achieve better vision and restore a lifted, more youthful appearance to the eyes. Many find relief and confidence after surgery, saying they wish they’d had it done sooner.

A close-up of a hand in a white sterile glove selecting a surgical instrument from a tray of metal tools laid out on a blue sterile drape.

What is an Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Upper eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty) removes excess skin, muscle, and sometimes fat from the upper eyelids. Over time, the delicate skin around the eyes can lose elasticity, causing drooping lids that can make you appear older, more tired, or even obstruct your vision. Dr. Harley performs this procedure to restore the natural contours of the upper eyelid while maintaining harmony with your facial features. Through small, discreet incisions hidden within the eyelid’s natural crease, he refines the area to create a lifted, refreshed appearance that still looks completely natural, but lasts for decades to come.

Who Are the Best Candidates For an Upper Eyelid Surgery?

We work with candidates for upper eyelid surgery in Cashiers, NC, and the Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC, area, who are men and women who struggle with drooping eyelids, sagging skin, or puffiness that affects their appearance or vision. If you notice that your upper lids hang over your eyes or that applying makeup has become more difficult due to skin laxity, you may benefit from this procedure. Candidates should be in good overall health, non-smokers (or willing to quit before surgery), and have realistic expectations for their results. We can evaluate your eyelid anatomy, skin quality, and medical history to determine whether upper blepharoplasty alone is the best solution for you, or if another treatment or procedure would be better suited for your needs.

What Are the Benefits of an Upper Eyelid Surgery?

Many of our patients experience improved peripheral vision after excess skin and tissue are removed, making daily activities like reading, driving, and using digital devices noticeably easier. Aesthetically, the surgery can dramatically rejuvenate your overall appearance and soften tired or aged expressions, bringing balance to your face. Patients often report feeling more alert, confident, and youthful after recovery. Results are long-lasting and tailored to your anatomy, so you look like a refreshed version of yourself, not someone different.

What’s the First Step?

You will need to start with a private in-person or virtual consultation with Dr. Harley. This one-on-one process will allow the doctor to carefully analyze your facial anatomy, discuss your aesthetic goals, and review all surgical options, including incision placement, anesthesia, and expected outcomes. The consultation and discussion with Dr. Harley helps ensure that your surgical plan is personalized, safe, and aligned with your vision for natural, long-lasting rejuvenation.

For nearly 20 years, the practice of Dr. David Harley has been a destination practice. As a patient, you will be fully supported and fully connected throughout the process and beyond. Your journey will begin with a consultation, whether virtual, via telephone, or in person, followed by a trip to Cashiers, NC, for the procedure. Our concierge-type practice provides white glove service from beginning to end. You will be assisted with any questions you might have regarding travel arrangements and accommodations.

What to Expect on the Day of Upper Eyelid Surgery

On the day of your procedure, Dr. Harley and his team will welcome you into their state-of-the-art facility and help you settle into a comfortable surgical suite, answering any last-minute questions and reviewing your individualized care plan. You will then receive oral sedation combined with local anesthesia, which helps keep you asleep and numb throughout your procedure.

The procedure will go by quickly for you, since you will be relaxed and asleep, and you will have no pain. Once the procedure is completed, you will be awakened and a soft elastic dressing will be applied. Your caregiver, hopefully a friend or family member, will transport you to your local accomodations, where you will relax comfortably and rest until your follow-up appointment the following day.

A faded, high-exposure landscape painting in soft white and grey tones, depicting a river, trees, and a distant figure with sheep.

Upper Eyelid Surgery Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Upper Eyelid Surgery Care

Patients should expect mild swelling, bruising, and tightness around the eyes for the first week, which can be managed with cold compresses and prescribed medication, and are advised to keep their head elevated and avoid strenuous activities for approximately two weeks.

Stitches are usually removed within six to seven days, and many patients feel comfortable returning to work or social activities soon after. As healing progresses, the incision line fades naturally within the eyelid crease, becoming virtually invisible.

How Much Does an Upper Eyelid Surgery Cost?

The cost of an upper eyelid surgery can vary based on factors such as surgical complexity, anesthesia type, and whether the procedure is combined with other facial rejuvenation surgeries. Our team will provide a comprehensive quote that includes all associated fees, so there are no surprises, and of course, financing and payment options are also available.

Why Choose Dr. Harley?

Dr. David Harley is double board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ABO-HNS) and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), credentials that reflect his exceptional training and surgical expertise. With years of experience specializing exclusively in facial procedures, Dr. Harley brings a high level of skill to every case—his practice philosophy centers on natural enhancement, safety, and individualized care. Patients across Cashiers, Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC, trust him for his compassionate bedside manner and ability to achieve beautiful, lasting results that preserve their authentic appearance.

Dr. Harley, wearing a black surgical cap and face mask, adjusts a pair of specialized surgical loupes with integrated lighting on his head.

Upper Eyelid Surgery FAQ’S

Here is what you can expect throughout the process: your initial consultation, a pre-operative visit, the surgery itself, and follow-up visits. These follow-ups allow Dr. Harley to check your healing, remove sutures, and ensure your results are progressing beautifully. Additional appointments may be recommended if you combine your eyelid surgery with another procedure or require a more complex treatment plan.
You’ll start noticing improvements as soon as the swelling subsides — usually within one to two weeks — though your final results will continue to refine over several months. Once fully healed, you can enjoy smoother, firmer eyelids and a more alert appearance that lasts for many years. Most patients find their results so natural that friends and family often can’t pinpoint what’s changed, only that they look more rested and vibrant.
Absolutely. Many patients choose to pair upper eyelid surgery with a facelift, neck lift, lower blepharoplasty, brow lift, or lip lift to address multiple concerns simultaneously and achieve a more intensive, youthful appearance. Combining procedures can often enhance results and minimize overall recovery time by achieving multiple improvements at once.
Like any surgical procedure, upper blepharoplasty carries some risks, including temporary swelling, bruising, dry eyes, or asymmetry. More serious complications are rare, particularly when performed by an experienced, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Harley, who takes a preventive, patient-focused approach to risk management.

Before surgery, he thoroughly reviews your health history and any medications or supplements that may increase bleeding or interfere with healing. He also customizes your surgical plan to accommodate your unique anatomy and eyelid structure, significantly reducing the risk of visible scarring or unnatural results.

Schedule Your Consultation

If sagging or drooping eyelids are affecting your confidence or vision, now is the time to make a change. Contact Dr. Harley in Cashiers, NC, to schedule your upper eyelid and facial surgery consultation. Dr. Harley serves patients across the country and locally in Asheville, NC, and Greenville, SC.

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