Dr. Ramyar Torabi, Elite Plastic Surgery's Oculoplastic Specialist, Explains Facial Rejuvenation’s Most Overlooked Procedure
Written by Will Jones
Most people associate plastic surgery with breast augmentations, tummy tucks, and other common procedures. But as Elite Plastic Surgery co-founder Dr. Ramyar Torabi can tell you, many people overlook the transformational power of facial rejuvenation procedures.
Eyelid and periorbital (around the eye) surgical procedures are relatively underdiscussed in the plastic surgery space. As an oculoplastic specialist, Dr. Torabi sees every day how these seemingly small surgical adjustments can change patients’ lives for the better.
Some of Dr. Torabi’s patients come to him for medically necessary procedures, while others are looking for purely cosmetic improvements. He says that in many cases, the line between the two is less clear than one might think.
“The difference comes down to why we're operating,” Dr. Torabi explains. “A cosmetic procedure is done to improve appearance; for example, making the eyes look less tired, less puffy, or more open. A functional procedure is done because excess skin or lid position is actually interfering with vision, comfort, or daily function.”
“With a cosmetic case, we're focused on aesthetic balance, subtlety, and rejuvenation. In a functional case, the priority is improving obstruction or discomfort, though patients often appreciate the cosmetic improvement as well.”
From the outside, it’s easy to think that surgeries on such a small part of the face can only lead to minimal cosmetic improvements. However, oculoplastic specialists like Dr. Torabi can attest that small changes often make a big difference.
“Subtle changes around the eyes can shift the way the whole face is perceived,” he says. “That's one of the reasons periorbital surgery can be so powerful.”
Dr. Torabi illustrates that fact with a meaningful patient story. One of his past patients, an investment advisor, worried that his upper lid hooding and eyebrow drooping made him look constantly tired. In the world of finance, displaying a lack of energy can often be a disadvantage.
“He wanted to compete with the younger guys and overall look healthier,” says Dr. Torabi. “After surgery, the change was not dramatic in an artificial way — it was simply that he looked more like himself. What surprised him most was that improving the eyelids made the entire face feel brighter and more refreshed, even though we had treated a relatively small area.”
Patients don’t have to have a functional impairment or major cosmetic issue to qualify for an eyelid or periorbital procedure. Dr. Torabi says that patients sometimes spend years dismissing very treatable problems as “just aging.”
“One of the most common is upper eyelid heaviness,” he says. “Patients think they look tired because they're getting older. In reality, they may have excess upper lid skin, brow descent, or even fat prolapse contributing to that heavy, hooded look. In some cases, it can also start affecting the visual field.”
When it comes to these procedures, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Even for something like eyelid heaviness, Dr. Torabi weighs several alternatives before deciding on a course of action.
“The fix depends on the cause,” he explains. “For some patients, an upper blepharoplasty is enough to remove excess skin and open the eyes. For others, the better answer may be a brow lift, or a combination approach if the brow and eyelid are both contributing.”
Given the sensitivity of the area around the eye, it’s extremely important for prospective patients to work with experienced, capable oculoplastic specialists. With the right surgeon and procedure, those considering oculoplastic interventions will be able to see their next steps clearly and move forward with confidence.
