Are you a candidate for lower eyelid blepharoplasty?

Do you suffer from eye bags that make you look older and more tired than you feel? Thanks to the loss of fat, collagen and thinning skin that come with getting older, eye bags are one of the most common and natural signs of aging. The good news is that though many people develop eye bags as they age, not everyone has to suffer needlessly. Read on to see if you are a candidate for lower eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty. 

Why get blepharoplasty?

It is part of the natural aging process that as people get older, many experience sagging skin or “bags” under their eyes caused by prolapsed eye socket fat, puffy or droopy lower eyelids and loose skin. These can have the undesirable effect of making one look perpetually tired, angry and older than they are. Lower blepharoplasty will cure these effects of aging, resulting in a refreshed,  younger look without completely changing one’s appearance. 

That said, if you are looking for a more extensive improvement of your appearance, a lower blepharoplasty is often performed in conjunction with other procedures such as upper blepharoplasty, brow lift or complete facelift. It is also common to have blepharoplasty done alongside chemical peels or laser resurfacing, and other non-invasive rejuvenating procedures. There are many possibilities depending on your desired results–your doctor can advise you on your best course of action.

What conditions does blepharoplasty not treat?

Blepharoplasty does not address milder signs of aging such as dark circles, crows feet, laugh lines and wrinkles. These should be treated with other procedures such as filler injections, chemical peels or laser resurfacing, and forehead lifts.

What should I expect before, during, and after surgery?

Before:

Before you even make an appointment for lower blepharoplasty, it is necessary to have a consultation with your surgeon. At Amadi Aesthetics, you will meet with Dr. Amadi and he will go over your medical history and examine your symptoms to devise a plan tailored specifically to you. There are many factors that he will take into account while deciding on the best approach including how your symptoms present themselves and your medical history.

Lower blepharoplasty, which Dr. Amadi most commonly performs with fat repositioning technique instead of a “subtractive” fat removal technique, is a more complex and technically more challenging procedure than upper blepharoplasty. The appearance of the lower eyelids may be compromised by prolapsed fat, stretched-out eyelid muscle and skin. Cheek descent and volume loss can worsen this appearance by creating a groove below the eyelid, often termed the “tear trough.” Swelling in the cheek/eyelid transition zone, termed “festoons,” can further complicate treatment. If skin creping or festoons are present, laser resurfacing or a chemical peel can be performed to smooth and tighten the lower lid skin.

Dr. Amadi will take all of these factors into consideration when deciding what approach is best for you.

After/Recovery:

After your procedure, you will experience bruising and swelling and possibly overactive tear production; to minimize these symptoms, you should keep your upper body elevated for several days, especially when sleeping. You can also help minimize bruising and swelling by using “compression goggles” or alternatively applying cold compresses to your eyes for 24-48 hours following your operation. The eyelid surgery almost never requires bandages so your vision is not obstructed, unless applying compression “LidLift” goggles. 

You may also experience blurred vision and swelling at the corners of the eyes, but this is temporary and will usually subside in a few days of when use of eye ointment is stopped.

After undergoing lower blepharoplasty, you should be able to return to regular activity and light exercise in as little as 7-10 days, however with fat repositioning technique, Dr. Amadi does not recommend jumping/running for 1 month. An elliptical machine or exercise bike is allowed. Bruising should subside within this time but swelling can last for weeks and in some extreme cases, months. 

You will see an immediate change in your appearance after your procedure, with full results visible once swelling subsides. While the results from upper blepharoplasty usually last between 5-10 years, results from lower eyelid surgery for eyelid bags are virtually permanent.

Risks 

During your pre-operative evaluation, Dr. Amadi will discuss with you all of the potential risks and complications. As with any surgical procedure, there are risks, but these are diminished significantly when performed by capable, experienced hands. 

The most common complications (though minor and rare) are swelling, ecchymosis (skin discoloration resulting from bleeding beneath the skin), chemosis (swelling of the tissues of the inner eyelid and covering of white of the eye), and lagophthalmos (inability to completely close the eye). 

The best way to avoid any complications with your procedure is to closely follow pre-and-post-operative care as outlined by your doctor. And again, this cannot be stressed enough, complete honesty with your surgeon about any and all medications and medical conditions.

Lower Blepharoplasty Before and After

Click here to see more Before & After photos.

Conclusion:

Though lower blepharoplasty is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries today, it is still considered technically challenging and requires a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the eyelid. Because of the challenges involved and knowledge required, it is extremely important that you find a reputable surgeon with extensive experience such as Dr. Amadi. 

Click to learn more about Blepharoplasty.