What is Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty?

Description

As we age, the lower eyelid can develop bags, puffiness, excess skin, and/or dark circles. On occasion, some people may develop lower eyelid bags as early as age 20s and 30s due to their genetics. There may be generalized volume loss in the face as well. These changes can create a tired, exhausted appearance even if you feel great inside.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty may be a beneficial procedure to help address these concerns, rejuvenating your lower eyelid appearance.

Procedure

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure that typically is performed with sedation anesthesia in the operating room. The procedure may take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on what is exactly addressed with the surgery. There are many ways to perform a lower eyelid blepharoplasty and the method selected will depend on the examination findings. Dr. Patel’s preferred technique is to make a hidden incision on the inside of the lower eyelid to sculpt the fat bags and reposition the fat to fill in the tear trough hollows below. In addition, an incision may be made on the skin just below the lashes to address the redundant skin if indicated. Some patients have significant excess lower eyelid skin in which case, Dr. Patel may perform the entire procedure with the skin incision only. Fortunately, this incision hides extremely well just below the lashes and the scar is typically imperceptible.

Classically, a lower eyelid blepharoplasty was performed by removing excess fat and skin. However, we later learned that many of these patients end up looking hollow and sunken in over time. In addition, the lower eyelid could droop leading to dry eye symptoms. Dr. Patel almost exclusively performs fat repositioning with his lower eyelid blepharoplasty. This means instead of removing the excess fat, the majority of it is preserved and repositioned adding volume to the cheek to fill in the tear trough while eliminating the bags from the eyelid. This helps preserve facial volume, creating a smooth transition from eyelid to cheek leading to a more youthful, refreshed appearance to your eyes. This is a more technically challenging procedure than traditional lower eyelid blepharoplasty making the operation slightly longer however the long term results tend to be superior in Dr. Patel’s opinion.

Recovery

As with upper eyelid blepharoplasty, there should be minimal to no pain after the procedure. Swelling and bruising does tend to be more prominent than with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Depending on the patients health status and age, this can last from to 2-3 weeks. Cold compresses are critical during this time to optimize recovery. At around 3 weeks, most patients are socially presentable, however, there may still be minimal residual swelling that will ultimately resolve with time. Most patients are able to drive again after about a week. Strenuous physical activity is to be avoided for 10-14 days and makeup may be used after 2 weeks.

Why choose Dr. Patel?

Dr. Patel is a board-certified ophthalmologist that further subspecialized as an oculofacial plastic surgeon having completed a two-year ASOPRS fellowship. In essence, Dr. Patel is an eyelid specialist. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a more demanding procedure to perform than upper eyelid blepharoplasty. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty typically needs to address skin, fat, volume loss, and occasionally muscle while ensuring the lower eyelid does not droop, a tell-tale sign someone has had lower eyelid surgery. There is no cookie-cutter approach when it comes to lower eyelid blepharoplasty – the method utilized needs to be customized to the individual patient. Dr. Patel has extensive experience in performing lower eyelid blepharoplasties with nearly every technique available. Dr. Patel will draw from his experience to ensure the method recommended is the safest option that will achieve optimal, natural cosmetic results while preserving the health of your eye.

FAQs

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a more technically demanding procedure than an upper blepharoplasty, therefore, there will be some degree of bruising and swelling. The degree will depend on the patient’s age, health status, medications, and adherence to post-operative instructions. In general, it takes approximately 2-3 weeks for most of the bruising and swelling to resolve. However, even after 3 weeks, there can be mild residual swelling that needs a few more weeks to resolve. Most patients are socially presentable at around 3 weeks.

All surgeries carry risks such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and pain. General risks specific to lower eyelid blepharoplasty includes inability to close the eye, dry eyes, and/or lower eyelid droop. As an eyelid specialist, Dr. Patel will take all measures to minimize risks while optimizing the outcome.

Fat transfer or fat grafting means to harvest fat from a distant site such as your abdomen or inner thigh and inject this fat into the face. Fat-repositioning means to take fat from the eyelid and reposition it into the cheek. Both are volume-preserving procedures and Dr. Patel strongly believes most patients having lower eyelid blepharoplasty should have one of these two adjuncts to their lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Dr. Patel’s preferred method is fat-repositioning as he finds it more predictable in his hands.

If the procedure is performed from inside the lid, there is no scar. If a skin incision needs to be made just below the lashes, there should be minimal scar after a lower eyelid blepharoplasty and essentially invisible to anyone else.

The lower eyelid blepharoplasty is performed in the operating room with sedation anesthesia. Therefore, you will have no pain during the operation. Immediately after surgery, some patients may note some mild discomfort that is relieved with pain medication. By the next day, there should be no pain, however, it may feel uncomfortable due to the swelling and tightness sensation.

Majority of the healing is done in the first 3 weeks. However, your results will continue to improve and mature over months with your final result typically being at the 4-6 month mark.

If you have puffiness, bags, or excess skin of the lower eyelids, you are likely a candidate for a lower blepharoplasty. Call 843 790 7582 to make an appointment with Dr. Patel

Dr. Patel is an awesome surgeon that goes over and beyond for his patients. I was originally supposed. to have a skin graft under my lower eyelid. He knew I wouldn’t be satisfied with the appearance and he explained everything to me so he tried something totally different during surgery. I’m definitely glad he was able to correct my lower lid. I just had surgery on my upper lid for a scar revision and everything looks nice. It’s hard coming across a doctor that’s willing to make you satisfied and correct the issue vs just correcting the issue. I can’t thank Patel enough for correcting my issues.

Shakeima S.

Dr. Patel gets my highest recommendation for reconstructive surgery on my lower eyelid, which had 60% of my lower eyelid, including a nickel sized piece of skin, removed underneath the eye, due to cancer. Now, my eyelid looks just like the other eyelid and he did it without a skin graft!. Most people comment, “You would never know you had reconstructive surgery.” Dr and I were very pleased with the results. Dr. Patel was very professional, is talented in his field, and thorough in explaining the procedure and follow-up instructions. He was understanding and sensitive to my concerns about my face. He also had humor, which helped when I was anxious.

Colleen H.

Dr. Patel and his staff were wonderful to work with. I had DCR surgery (Dacryocystorhinostomy) to create a new tear drain. Dr. Patel is friendly, kind, knowledgeable, and easy to understand. The staff assisted me greatly in scheduling surgery and with followup appointments. I am so happy with a perfect outcome of my new tear drain. No more tears constantly running down my face.

Diana M.

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Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty