Dr. Cory Torgerson Blepharoplasty: Eyelid Surgery Guide
Tired eyes, even after a full night's sleep
“You look tired.” If you’ve heard that one too many times when you actually feel fine, your eyelids might be the reason. The skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest on the body, so it’s often the first place aging shows. Upper lids get heavy. Lower lids get puffy. Concealer stops helping.
That’s usually when people start searching for eyelid surgery Toronto options, and many end up reading about Dr. Cory Torgerson blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty is a small operation in terms of time, but the eyes are where people look first when they talk to you. A little too much skin removed, and the result can look surprised or hollow. Too little, and you’ve had surgery for nothing. Getting it right comes down to careful planning and asking the right questions.
This guide covers the difference between upper and lower eyelid surgery, who makes a good candidate, why dry eye risk matters, where the scars go, and what healing really looks like. Think of it as your prep sheet before the consultation.
Upper and lower eyelids: two different operations
People often talk about blepharoplasty as one thing. It’s really two procedures that can be done alone or together.
Upper blepharoplasty
An upper blepharoplasty removes excess skin, and sometimes a little fat or muscle, from the upper lid. It’s the classic fix for hooded lids that make you look tired or crowd your eyelashes. In some people, the heavy skin actually blocks part of their vision, so the surgery can be both cosmetic and functional.
Scar placement: The incision sits in the natural crease of the upper lid. Once healed, it usually hides when your eyes are open and is hard to spot when they’re closed.
Lower eyelid surgery
Lower eyelid surgery deals with puffiness, bags and sometimes loose skin under the eyes. Surgeons may remove fat, reposition it to smooth a hollow tear trough, or tighten the skin.
Scar placement: There are two common routes. A transconjunctival approach goes through the inside of the lower lid, so there’s no visible scar. A subciliary approach uses a fine incision just below the lash line, which allows skin removal and usually fades well.
Quick comparison
Feature | Upper blepharoplasty | Lower eyelid surgery |
|---|---|---|
Main concern treated | Hooded, heavy upper lids | Bags, puffiness, hollows, loose skin |
Where the scar goes | Natural upper lid crease | Inside the lid or just below the lashes |
Typical anesthesia | Often local with sedation | Local with sedation or general |
Social downtime | About 7 to 10 days | About 10 to 14 days |
Complexity | Usually simpler | More delicate, lid support matters |
One honest point: heavy upper lids are sometimes caused by a drooping brow, not extra lid skin. In that case, a brow lift may do more than eyelid surgery. A good surgeon checks this before recommending anything.
Are you a good candidate?
Most people who do well with blepharoplasty share a few traits:
- You’re bothered by heavy upper lids, under-eye bags or both, and it’s not just temporary puffiness from salt or sleep.
- You’re in good general health, with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure under control.
- You don’t smoke, or you’re willing to stop around surgery.
- Your eyes are healthy, with no untreated eye disease.
- You have realistic expectations about what eyelid surgery can and can’t change.
Why dry eye risk deserves its own conversation
This is the part many blog posts skip, and it’s one of the most important. Eyelid surgery can temporarily change how well your lids close and how tears spread across your eye. If you already have dry eyes, surgery can make them worse for a while, and occasionally for longer.
Tell your surgeon if you:
- Use eye drops regularly or wear contact lenses all day
- Have had laser vision surgery such as LASIK
- Have thyroid eye disease, rosacea or an autoimmune condition
- Notice gritty, burning or watery eyes, especially at screens
None of these automatically rules you out. But they may change the plan, such as removing less skin, supporting the lower lid, or getting an eye exam first. A careful Toronto eyelid specialist will ask about dry eye before talking about results.
Dr. Cory Torgerson blepharoplasty: what to know about the surgeon
Dr. Torgerson is a Toronto facial plastic surgeon with MD, PhD and FRCSC credentials. According to his public profiles, he trained in head and neck surgery and completed a facial plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Toronto. His practice focuses on the face and neck, and eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) has long been on his list of core procedures, alongside facelift, rhinoplasty and brow lift.
Why does a face-only focus matter for eyelids? Because the eyes don’t exist on their own. Upper lid heaviness may be tied to the brow. Lower lid bags often blend into the cheek. A surgeon who works across the whole face is more likely to spot when the eyelids are only part of the story.
Before you book, read up on what past patients say. Our guide on Dr. Cory Torgerson reviews shows you how to find independent feedback and what patterns to look for.
Eyelid surgery is also often paired with other procedures. If your lower face and jawline bother you too, our guide to Dr. Cory Torgerson facelift options explains deep plane, mini and traditional approaches. And if you’re curious about nose surgery, see our Dr. Cory Torgerson rhinoplasty guide.
As always, confirm any surgeon’s registration and specialty on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) public register.
Questions to ask about eyelid surgery
Bring this list to your consultation. Jot down the answers so you can compare if you see more than one surgeon.
- Do I need upper, lower or both eyelids done, or would a brow lift help more?
- How much skin and fat will you remove, and will you reposition any fat?
- For my lower lids, will you use an inside (transconjunctival) or outside incision, and why?
- Where exactly will my scars be, and how do they usually heal?
- How do you assess and protect against dry eye?
- Should I see an eye doctor before surgery?
- Will I be awake with sedation or fully asleep?
- How many eyelid surgeries do you do each year?
- Can I see before-and-after photos of patients with eyes like mine?
- When can I wear contact lenses and eye makeup again?
- What happens if one eye heals differently from the other?
A thoughtful surgeon will take time to examine your lids, test how they close and check your brow position. If the visit feels quick and the answers feel scripted, keep looking.
Blepharoplasty recovery in Toronto: what healing looks like
The good news: eyelid surgery recovery is usually shorter than most facial procedures. The less good news: the first few days can look dramatic. Here’s a typical pattern. Your surgeon’s own instructions always come first.
Time after surgery | What’s typical |
|---|---|
Days 1 to 3 | Swelling and bruising peak. Eyes feel tight, dry or watery. Cold compresses help. |
Days 5 to 7 | Stitches, if used, usually come out. Bruising turns yellow and fades. |
Days 10 to 14 | Most people feel comfortable going out, often with glasses. |
Weeks 3 to 6 | Light makeup and contact lenses usually return, with your surgeon’s okay. |
Months 3 to 6 | Residual swelling settles and scars soften. |
Up to 12 months | Scars reach their final, faded look. |
Healing tips
- Sleep with your head raised for the first week.
- Use cold compresses as directed in the first 48 hours.
- Keep lubricating drops and ointment on hand if your surgeon recommends them.
- Avoid screens for long stretches early on; your eyes will tire quickly.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors to protect healing skin and reduce glare.
- Skip heavy lifting, bending and workouts until you’re cleared.
- Don’t smoke; it slows healing.
Risks to discuss
Blepharoplasty is generally safe, but every surgery carries risk. Possible issues include dry or irritated eyes, trouble fully closing the eyes for a time, asymmetry, visible scarring, a pulled-down lower lid, infection and, very rarely, bleeding behind the eye that affects vision. Sudden severe pain or vision changes after surgery are an emergency. Call your surgeon or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
Realistic expectations
Good eyelid surgery makes you look rested, not different. It won’t erase crow’s feet, dark pigment or fine lines on the cheeks; those may need skin treatments instead. Most upper eyelid results last many years, and lower eyelid fat removal is often long lasting. Your face will keep aging, just from a fresher starting point.
FAQs
Does Dr. Cory Torgerson perform both upper and lower blepharoplasty? Eyelid surgery is listed among his core facial procedures. Ask at your consultation which approach he recommends for your upper and lower lids, and why.
Will people see my eyelid surgery scars? Upper lid scars sit in the natural crease and usually blend in once healed. Lower lid surgery can often be done from the inside of the lid, leaving no visible scar.
How long is blepharoplasty recovery? Most people return to work and social plans in about 10 to 14 days. Minor swelling can linger for a few months.
Can eyelid surgery cause dry eyes? It can, usually temporarily. The risk is higher if you already have dry eye, so mention any symptoms or eye conditions before surgery.
Is upper blepharoplasty covered by OHIP? Cosmetic eyelid surgery isn’t covered. In some cases where heavy lids significantly block vision, part of the cost may be eligible, but this depends on specific medical criteria. Ask the clinic and confirm with OHIP.
Eyelid surgery can make a big difference with a small operation, but only when it’s planned around your eyes, your brow and your eye health. Whether you’re exploring Dr. Cory Torgerson blepharoplasty or comparing several eyelid surgery Toronto clinics, go in prepared. Ask about dry eye, ask where the scars will go, and ask what realistic results look like for you.