What is lower eyelid blepharoplasty?
Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery performed on the lower eyelid to improve the appearance of the eye area and counteract the effects of aging. Over the years, the skin of the eyelids loses its elasticity, the muscles become weaker, and fat deposits may become more pronounced. All these changes lead to the appearance of bags under the eyes, pronounced dark circles, and a tired appearance, even when the person is rested.
Through blepharoplasty, the surgeon removes excess skin, redistributes or eliminates excess fat, and strengthens the muscular structures, thus obtaining a brighter and younger look. The procedure has not only an aesthetic role but also a functional one in certain situations. For example, a very pronounced excess of skin can create a feeling of heaviness or even affect the visual field.
The results of lower blepharoplasty are long-lasting, contributing to a more rested and youthful appearance. However, it should be remembered that the procedure does not stop the natural aging process, but only diminishes it.
This procedure is recommended for people who have bags under their eyes, sagging skin, or accentuated wrinkles in the lower eyelid area and who want a visible improvement in their facial expression. As with any cosmetic surgery, a prior consultation with the surgeon is essential to assess the state of health, the patient’s expectations, and the most appropriate treatment technique.
Who is a good candidate for lower eyelid blepharoplasty?
Aging of the eyelid area leads to increased laxity of the orbicularis muscle and loss of elasticity of the eyelid skin. Laxity of the orbicularis muscle, together with laxity of the orbital septum and loss of maxillary bone mass, leads to the formation of bags under the eyes, which are determined by the periocular fat that protrudes, no longer being fixed by the lax structures mentioned above.
In some patients, there is a genetic predisposition for the formation of these bags since adolescence, due to the anatomy of the different structures.
Wrinkles, dark circles, and bags appear more accentuated in the morning, after periods of stress or lack of sleep. This happens because of the interstitial fluid, which is distributed throughout the body when a person is standing. This fluid tends to accumulate in the laxer areas when the person is lying down.
Blepharoplasty is a very effective procedure and can significantly improve the appearance of the lower eyelid. It is aimed at people who have bags under their eyes, excess skin, accentuated dark circles, or a sad appearance of the eyelid. For each patient, there is a different combination of the mentioned problems, and the treatment plan must be personalized according to these particularities.
How is lower eyelid blepharoplasty performed?
The purpose of the procedure is to restore the youthful appearance of the region. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty includes several maneuvers, depending on the needs of each patient; in other words, the surgical technique is adapted to the patient’s anatomy and the desired result.
Usually, the procedure is performed under sedation or general anesthesia, but it can also be performed under local anesthesia. The type of anesthesia is established according to the procedures necessary to achieve the expected result.
Blepharoplasty can be performed through a subciliary incision, that is, an incision placed immediately below the eyelashes. Using this approach, several maneuvers can be performed, such as repositioning or resection of fat from the level of the bags under the eyes, anchoring and lifting the orbicularis muscle, which can become lax over time. Also, excess skin can be excised, depending on the needs, but with care not to remove too much skin, as this can lead to a complication called ectropion.
In the case of lower eyelid blepharoplasty, Dr. Hârceagă can also resort to the transconjunctival blepharoplasty procedure, a minimally invasive technique. This method is addressed to patients who do not require skin resection. The incision is not visible because it is performed through the inside of the lower eyelid. Through this approach, the doctor manipulates the fat accumulated at the level of the bags under the eyes: this can be either resected or repositioned lower, to fill the groove that appears between the eyelid and the cheek. Using this technique, the risk of complications decreases, and the results are more natural and predictable.
In addition to these maneuvers, a canthopexy is usually performed, in order to prevent the complication called ectropion, that is, the malposition of the lower eyelid. The manipulation of the lateral canthus can also be performed to change the shape of the eye, being used especially in cat eyes procedures, where it is desired to obtain almond-shaped eyes, with the axis higher laterally.
How long does the surgery take?
How do you prepare for blepharoplasty?
What does post-operative recovery involve?
Dressings
Tips for a good recovery:
Risks associated with the surgery
What is the price of lower eyelid blepharoplasty?
The costs mentioned are estimates, and they may vary depending on the surgical technique chosen, the complexity of the case, as well as any additional procedures or investigations required.
Complex lower blepharoplasty also includes other additional procedures such as fat transfer or CO2 laser.
A detailed final cost can only be established after a medical consultation, in which the patient’s clinical situation will be assessed and the individualized therapeutic plan will be established. These costs include: the surgeon’s and anesthesiologist’s fees, the period of hospitalization, all the medicines and materials needed during the surgery and during hospitalization. For a personalized estimate, we recommend scheduling a consultation.
