Face

Bye-Bye Bags and Wrinkles

A Permanent Solution for Tired-Looking Eyes

Safely and effectively eliminate under-eye fullness and wrinkles for a more rested appearance

Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) at a Glance

  • Overview

    Lower blepharoplasty, or lower eyelid surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to remove excess fat, and sometimes skin from under the eyes. This surgical procedure effectively reduces the appearance of under-eye fullness and wrinkles, providing a smoother lid to cheek transition resulting in a rested appearance.

  • Recovery

    Swelling and bruising are expected and will gradually subside 7-10 days. Most patients can return to work and social activities within one to two weeks, although a full recovery will take a few months. Patients may experience some blurry vision from a few days to a few weeks while swelling improves.

  • Results

    The results of a lower blepharoplasty are permanent and immediate with a smooth transition from the lid to the cheek area. This surgery also treats the hollows of the lower lids and improves the skin texture.

Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid)

Am I a Good Candidate?

You are a candidate for lower blepharoplasty if you are a healthy, non-smoker who is bothered by under-eye bags, puffiness, or excess skin and wrinkles. Patients who have had LASIK eye surgery or cataract surgery should wait 6 months before undergoing eyelid surgery. Lower blepharoplasty is often performed alone but can also be combined with an upper blepharoplasty or brow lift for a comprehensive rejuvenation of the entire eye area.

What Do Scars Look Like?

Lower blepharoplasty has well hidden incisions. Our surgeons will place the incision inside the lower eyelid (transconjunctival approach), which leaves no visible external scar and occasionally an additional incision just below the lower lash line, where the resulting scar will be a very fine, well-hidden line. These incisions will heal beautifully and become essentially unnoticeable over time.

More Details About Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid)

The Surgical Process

Lower blepharoplasty is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make a discreet incision and then carefully remove or reposition the excess fat that causes under-eye bags. They may also remove a small amount of excess skin. The fat is grafted or transplanted from abdomen or thighs to the tear trough. Finally the lower lid skin is treated with Co2 laser to improve the appearance of wrinkles and skin quality.

A Rejuvenating Solution for Tired Eyes

The eyes are often the first area to show the signs of aging, and under-eye bags can give you a tired or exhausted appearance, regardless of how much rest you get. Lower blepharoplasty provides a powerful solution to this problem, restoring a more youthful and rested look that can have a dramatic impact on your overall appearance.

Surgeon's Notes

Jane Namkung, MD

Why I rarely just 'remove' lower eyelid fat anymore

Older lower blepharoplasty techniques focused on removing the fat that causes under-eye bags. The problem with that approach is that it can leave the eye looking hollow over time — patients aged into a sunken, skeletal look rather than a rested one. My current approach is the opposite: rather than removing the bag fat, I reposition it down into the tear trough where most patients are also showing volume loss. The same fat that was creating the bag becomes the fix for the hollow below it. I then often pair this with a small amount of fat grafting from the abdomen or thigh and gentle CO2 resurfacing on the skin surface. The combined result looks naturally rested rather than 'operated-on' — and it ages much better than the older bag-removal-only technique.

Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid)

Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) Recovery & Results Timeline

Please remember this is just a guide for Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) recovery. Every individual and recovery is unique. Your surgeon will provide you with personalized instructions and recovery times after your procedure.

1

1 - 3 Days

You will experience some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort. We recommend using cold compresses and keeping your head elevated to help reduce swelling. Pain is minimal and can be managed with tylenol and ibuprofen in most cases.

2

1 - 2 Weeks

The majority of the bruising will have resolved, and you can typically return to work and light, non-strenuous activities.

3

1 - 3 Months

Any residual swelling will continue to subside, and the final contour of your lower eyelid will begin to take shape.

4

6 Months to 1 Year

All swelling will have completely resolved, and the final results of your lower blepharoplasty will be fully apparent and stable.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule a consultation to discuss Lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid) with our board-certified surgeons.