This patient did not come in asking for “a whole new look.” His concern was very specific. Over time, his upper eyelids had become heavier and puffier, and in photos his eyes looked more tired than he felt. He was not bothered by his lower eye bags and chose not to have his lower eyelids done at the same time as his upper eyelids. At this time, he likely notices his lower eyelids more than he ever did before since only the upper eyelids have been addressed. This is why it makes sense to do it all at the same time if you’re on the fence.
What bothered him most: upper lid heaviness, not lower bags
In his before photo, you can see:
- Puffiness and fullness in the upper lids that sit heavily over the eyes
- Lower eye bags that are noticeable, but not the main thing that bothered him
When he met with Dr. Jason Sabet Peyman in Fullerton, he was clear. He only wanted his upper eyelids addressed. He was comfortable leaving his lower eyelids alone.
This is an important point. Not every patient wants surgery on all four lids. A good plan starts with what bothers you most and what you are ready to undertake. Dr. Sabet-Peyman aims to address only what’s bothering you and what you want done.
The plan: upper eyelid surgery only, with a natural Asian result
Dr. Sabet Peyman recommended upper eyelid blepharoplasty designed specifically for his anatomy and goals.
For Asian eyelids, the goal is not to “Westernize” the eyes, but to:
- Reduce heaviness and puffiness in the upper lid
- Create or refine a natural looking crease that fits the patient’s face
- Respect the natural shape and ethnic character of the eye
In this case, upper eyelid surgery:
- Removed or reshaped the extra upper lid tissue that made his eyes look heavy
- Helped his eyes appear more open and less tired
- Brightened the eyes
Comparing his before and after photos, you can see that the upper lids look cleaner and less puffy, while the lower eye bags look essentially the same. The change is focused exactly where he wanted it.
Why he chose not to address his lower eyelids
Even though lower eyelid bags were visible and are more visible now, he did not feel they were a problem for him.
During the consultation, Dr. Sabet-Peyman reviewed the option of lower eyelid surgery but did not push it. Surgery is never pushed upon patients, but realistic outcomes are discussed and presented.
In the end, the patient was very happy with his results. Who knows, he may eventually come back to do his lower eyelids in the future, as has happened before with patients that only address the uppers alone.
Upper lids only vs combining with lower lids
Some patients are like this man and only want upper eyelid surgery. Others have both heavy upper lids and under eye bags and feel incomplete if only one area is treated.
If you are curious about what it looks like when patients choose to treat both upper and lower lids together, Dr. Sabet Peyman explains that option, with a different case example, in this blog:
“Upper, Lower, or Both? Why Combining Eyelid Surgeries Can Give a More Complete Refresh.”
Reading both stories side by side can help you see the difference between:
- A focused, “upper lids only” approach like this patient chose
- A more comprehensive four lid surgery for people who want a full eye area refresh
There is no single right choice. The right plan is the one that fits your anatomy, your goals, and what you are ready for.
Asian upper eyelid surgery in Fullerton and Orange County
If you have Asian eyelids and feel your upper lids look too heavy or puffy, schedule your consult today. Dr. Sabet-Peyman will thoroughly discuss your case with you.
Dr. Jason Sabet Peyman is a fellowship trained oculofacial plastic surgeon who focuses exclusively on eyelid and periocular surgery. From his office in Fullerton, he performs Asian upper eyelid blepharoplasty, traditional upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, and combined four lid eyelid surgery for patients across Orange County, including Fullerton, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Yorba Linda, and Huntington Beach.
A consultation with Dr. Sabet Peyman can help you understand what can be achieved with upper eyelid surgery alone and when it might make sense to consider your lower lids as well, now or in the future.
