Upper Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) in San Diego, CA
If your upper eyelids feel heavy, hooded, or are starting to affect your field of vision, you may be a candidate for upper eyelid surgery — one of the most common procedures Dr. McCoy performs, and one where her training makes a real difference in outcome.
As excess skin and fat accumulate on the upper eyelid with age, it can do two different things, and they call for two different conversations:
When it’s a vision problem
For many patients, excess upper eyelid skin isn’t just cosmetic — it physically droops low enough to block the upper or peripheral field of vision. This is medically diagnosable through a visual field test, and it’s frequently covered in part by insurance because it’s treating a functional impairment, not just an appearance concern.
When it’s cosmetic
For other patients, the eyelid skin is heavier than they’d like aesthetically but isn’t yet obstructing vision. This is elective, self-pay, and focused entirely on how you want to look.
Because Dr. McCoy is a board-certified ophthalmologist before she’s a surgeon, she’s trained to evaluate which situation you’re actually in — and to tell you honestly if surgery isn’t the right answer yet, or if a different procedure would serve you better.
What the procedure involves
Upper blepharoplasty removes a carefully measured amount of excess skin, and sometimes a small amount of underlying fat, through an incision placed in the natural eyelid crease — designed to be essentially invisible once healed. You choose the setting that’s right for you: it can be performed in-office under local anesthesia, or at an ambulatory surgical center (Faces Plus, Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion, or Sharp Coronado) with local anesthesia plus conscious sedation, for patients who prefer to be fully relaxed for the procedure. It’s also frequently combined with an endoscopic brow lift when brow position is contributing to the same vision or aesthetic concern.
“Great surgery, like great design, is invisible in its effort and outcome.”
~Dr. Allison McCoy
Recovery
Most patients experience bruising and swelling for the first one to two weeks, with stitches typically removed within the first week. Most patients return to work within 7–10 days.
Am I a candidate?
Good candidates are in good general health, have realistic expectations, and are bothered — functionally or cosmetically — by upper eyelid heaviness. A consultation will include an eye exam and, if vision obstruction is a concern, a formal visual field test to document medical necessity for insurance.
“My favorite thing about my work is the privilege of being trusted with a patient’s vulnerable side.”
~Dr. Allison McCoy
Frequently Asked Questions
Is upper eyelid surgery covered by insurance?
It can be, if the excess skin is demonstrably obstructing your vision — determined through a visual field test. Purely cosmetic upper eyelid surgery is billed as self-pay.
Can this be done in-office, or do I need to go to a surgical center?
Both are options. Upper eyelid surgery and ptosis repair can be done in-office under local anesthesia, or at an ambulatory surgical center with conscious sedation, depending on your preference and what else is being done at the same time.
How do I know if I need eyelid surgery or a brow lift instead?
If your eyebrow itself has descended, lifting the brow may correct the appearance without eyelid surgery — or the two may need to be done together, which is common. Dr. McCoy will tell you which applies to your anatomy specifically.
Will there be a visible scar?
The incision is placed within the natural crease of the upper eyelid and typically heals to be very difficult to see.