A blepharoplasty procedure, also referred to as an eyelid lift, is a procedure designed for trimming away drooping skin, tightening loose muscle, and adjusting/removing fat from your eyelids. Lower blepharoplasty is performed specifically for the improvement of the lower-eyelid contours.

Why Blepharoplasty?

One of the primary reasons for undergoing lower blepharoplasty surgery is droopy eyelids. Since it helps in removing and tightening skin in the eyelids, it gives the area – and you – an overall more youthful and alert appearance.

Besides removal of skin, lower lid blepharoplasty may also sometimes involve the removal of fat and muscle from the lower eyelids. If your lower eyelids appears to be puffy and make your eyes look aged and tired, you are a suitable candidate for a lower eyelid surgery. People who have deep lines under their eyes may also consider a lower blepharoplasty surgery.

The Lower Blepharoplasty Procedure

In order to perform a lower blepharoplasty surgery, your facial plastic surgeon will first make exact markings to help indicate the areas from where excess tissue will be removed. The incisions will then be made.

The incision in the lower eyelid is traditionally made on the external lid and is hidden right underneath the lower lashes. This is called the transcutaneous incision.

When the surgery also requires the removal or repositioning of excess fat, the incisions might instead be made inside the lower eyelids. This incision technique is known as the transconjunctival incision and is ideal for camouflaging any post-surgical marks.

Once the incisions are made, the excess tissue from the eyelids is removed. Your facial plastic surgeon may redistribute fat in the lower eyelids during the blepharoplasty surgery. This helps in eliminating bulges or puffiness and creating a more even appearance. Other required adjustments may also be made for correcting specific problems like muscle laxity.

The lower blepharoplasty surgery will end with the application of tissue adhesives or sutures for smoothing and reshaping areas around your eyelids. Self-dissolving sutures are typically used to stitch the skin together after the surgery.

The Recovery Process

The recovery time after a lower blepharoplasty surgery is usually very brief. Your doctor may recommend the use of a cool compress in the first two days after surgery, as this can significantly help minimize any post-surgical swelling and bruising around the face and eyes.

You can undertake some light physical activity (e.g. walking) to speed up the recovery process. Your facial plastic surgeon will have placed some thin bandages on the incision sites, and these will be removed a couple of days after the surgery. The dissolvable sutures may remain for a week or so, and they will not need to be removed.

You may be able to get back to your routine activities within seven to ten days after blepharoplasty. Any swelling or bruising remaining is likely to resolve by the end of two weeks.

Learn More During a Consultation

Dr. Chase Lay, a skilled facial plastic surgeon, will be happy to explain the lower blepharoplasty procedure in greater detail as part of a consultation at our office. To schedule your consultation and get started, contact us today.