What is lower eyelid surgery?
The goal of lower eyelid surgery, lower lid blepharoplasty, is to shrink excess tissue from the lower lids and correct droopiness, as well as other changes of aging by altering tissue.
The results of lower eyelid surgery are typically long-lasting. Some results may last for the rest of the clients’ lives, and some may need another surgery after years or decades.
The satisfaction of clients is very high; most patients experience significant improvement in their looks and function of the eyelid after corrective surgery.
What problems might lower eyelid surgery help with?
- Heavy and drooping eyelids.
- Deep lines between the lower lid and the cheek.
- Furrows and inelasticity.
Who does lower eyelid surgery suit?
Lower eyelid surgery doesn’t have age limitations. Typically, the procedure is done to clients 30-60 years of age, who have problems with excess tissue in lower eyelids or swelling related to functions of the eye and aesthetics.
Lower eyelid surgery corrects the eyes’ tendency to swell and the tired look. In some situations, the heavy feeling of the eyes results from excess skin in eye bags. In this case, skin can be removed from near the lashes as well (pinch blepharoplasty).
Planning before the operation
A consultation with the operating surgeon is always needed prior to the procedure. During this consultation, the surgeon will discuss with you, evaluate the situation, and plan the technical aspects of the procedure while taking your individual wishes and needs into account.
The course of surgery and recovery are discussed during this consultation. We will always be honest about the achievable results with every operation.
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Lower Eyelid Surgery – The Procedure
Lower eyelid surgery is usually performed under facial nerve block and local anesthesia. A calming premedication can be given before the surgery.
In lower eyelid surgery, the incision is most often made through the mucous membrane on the inside of the eyelid, leaving no visible scars. Excess fat tissue is removed, and if needed, the client’s own fat is added under the skin, especially to smooth the tear trough.
The internal incision can be made with either a scalpel or a laser, and the surface of the skin is often tightened at the end of the procedure with a fractional CO2 laser to speed up skin contraction. This combination is called triple treatment.
The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes. The wounds are closed with either dissolvable or removable stitches.
Recovering from Lower Eyelid Surgery
Immediately after the procedure, you may temporarily experience vision difficulties, sensitivity to light, tearing, swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the treated area.
You can go home after you have rested for a while in the recovery room under observation. Unfortunately, cold compresses cannot be used when fat grafting has been performed, in order to secure the blood circulation of the transferred fat. Swelling is treated only by keeping the head elevated.
Bruising and swelling most often last for 7 to 14 days. However, the skin of the lower eyelid may feel unusually thick and stiff for up to 6 weeks.
Possible Risks of Lower Eyelid Surgery
Lower eyelid surgery is generally a safe procedure with high patient satisfaction. As with all surgical procedures, there is a small risk of complications, such as bleeding and wound infection. It is therefore important to carefully follow the postoperative care instructions.
Possible longer-term adverse effects may include a prolonged tendency for swelling, unfavorable healing of the internal scar, and dry eyes.
Very rare adverse effects may include damage to the eye muscles and functional problems with the eyelids, such as the eyelashes turning inward or difficulty closing the eye.
In addition, with all procedures, it is possible that the final result is unsatisfactory, for example due to unevenness. In these rare situations, we will of course aim to correct the issue so that both the surgeon and the client are satisfied.
