What is a lower eyelid blepharoplasty?

The lower eyelid blepharoplasty is an operation performed to recreate the a youthful eyelid appearance including re-establishment of the smooth contour at the lower eyelid-cheek junction, elimination of visible fat, effacement of the depressions inherent to their transition, and achievement of even, wrinkle-free skin.

How is a lower blepharoplasty surgery performed?

 

The lower eyelid blepharoplasty can be performed as an outpatient procedure or you may be admitted to the hospital. The operation may be performed under local anesthesia, under sedation or general anesthesia.

 

There are mainly two approaches to treat the lower eyelid:

 

1. Transconjunctival (internal) approach involves an incision on the inside of your lower eyelid. The transconjunctival approach is ideal for young patients that have pseudoherniated fat without excess skin. After the initial incision made inside the lower eyelid, protruding orbital fat is removed or repositioned. Sutures are not necessary for closure.

 

2. The transcutaneous (subcilliary) approach involves an external skin incision placed just under the lower eyelid margin. Transcutaneous approach allows management of excess skin and orbicularis muscle that requires redraping for adequate lid recontouring. It enables broad exposure to extend the dissection for a wide release of retaining ligaments and precise correction of problems such as inferior rim hollowing, malar mounds and festoons. The pseudoherniated fat is often repositioned beyond the infraorbital rim to blend the lower eyelid-cheek junction and prevent hollowness. An orbicularis muscle suspension suture is placed to reinforce the lower eyelid support, and  additional sutures may be used to re-suspend the lower eyelid margin. After final trimming of excess skin, the skin incision is closed with sutures.

 

 

 

What can I expect after lower blepharoplasty?

 

There would be mid to moderate moderate swelling and the ecchymosis of the skin. Cold compresses are frequently applied for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling and ecchymosis. The degree of swelling and ecchymosis differs markedly from patient to patient. Either way the swelling and the ecchymosis both subside within 7-10 days, after which time it is typically hardly notable that you just underwent surgery.

 

 

 

Will I have a bandage or dressing after Lower Blepharoplasty?

 

A bandage is not used after the surgery. A steril strip may be used which is changed or removed after one to three days, and ointment is applied over the suture daily for approximately 1 week in patients with external approach. An eye-drop may be used for approximately 7 days. Artificial tear drops can be prescribed to prevent dryness during the  early postoperative period.

 

 

 

Will I need my sutures to be removed?

 

The skin sutures are removed 5 -7 days after the surgery.

 

 

 

Will I be in pain after the surgery?

 

The lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure. Pain after surgery is typically very mild and well controlled with pain medications. A mild analgesic (non-aspirin containing) is used to control the postoperative discomfort for one to five days.

 

 

 

Will I have any visible scar?

 

There is no such thing as a scarless surgery and any type of incision on the skin will leave a scar. However, subcilliary incision of lower blepharoplasty is very well hidden just below the eyelashes, and often not visible after complete healing.

 

 

 

How long will I be off from work?

 

Generally speaking the recovery period after lower eyelid blepharoplasty is short and you may start doing your daily routines as soon as the first to third day. The swelling and ecchymosis persist rarely longer than few weeks and almost never limits patient mobility.

 

 

 

Can I wear make-up after surgery?

 

You can start wearing make-up 4-5 day after the surgery.

 

 

 

How long can I expect the outcome of surgery to last?

 

It is not possible to stop the effects of aging and after surgery this process continues. In time your face will age and the effects of surgery will decrease. The aging process is extremely variable among people so it is impossible to tell how long the effects of lower blepharoplasty will last, but it is generally expected that the results of surgery last approximately 10-15 years.