Do you have excess fat or tissue in your lower eyelid? Feel like your eyes look baggy and your face looks tired or older? The solution for you may be a lower blepharoplasty.
What is a lower blepharoplasty?
A lower blepharoplasty – otherwise known as lower eyelid surgery – involves removing or repositioning any excess skin and tissue in the lower eyelid. This will make you look more awake, younger and refreshed, while still looking completely natural. This can be performed on its own or in conjunction with an upper blepharoplasty.
A lower blepharoplasty will be performed using TIVA anaesthetic, so you will not be awake during the procedure.
The surgeon will make an incision on the lower eyelid, which will expose the excess fat. Skin and muscle layers are then lifted, and any excess skin is removed. The incision is then stitched shut.
What is the recovery period like?
After the procedure, you will have stitches and sutures, which will be removed between 5-7 days later. You can wear makeup again once the stitches have been removed, however, it is advised that you should take care when removing the makeup in order to avoid any damage to the incision line.
You will need to take time a minimum of one week off work to recover, however, you may find you require more time. During this period, you will not be able to partake in any strenuous physical activity, which also includes swimming.
After surgery, you will experience some bruising, swelling and redness. This will start to reduce after a few weeks, however, this varies and it may take longer than this. The incision line will look red directly after the procedure, however, this will fade in size and colour with time.
What Is An Upper Blepharoplasty?
To help reduce side effects, you can:
- Sleep in an elevated position: for the first few days after surgery, you should use multiple pillows to keep your head upright. Avoid sleeping on your face and on your sides, make sure to sleep on your back.
- Use cold packs: cold packs, or even frozen bags of peas wrapped in a tea towel, are an effective way to reduce swelling.
- Use eyedrops: keep your eyes clean by using eyedrops.
- Wear sunglasses: this will help to protect your eyes from the sun and wind.
To help reduce any pain and discomfort you experience during recovery, you can take pain medication when appropriate.
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Are there any side effects or risks of lower eyelid surgery?
Side effects
After a lower blepharoplasty, you will experience some swelling, bruising and redness on and around the operated area. You may also experience puffy and watery eyes. These are all normal side effects and will recede in a few weeks. You can apply cold packs to help reduce the swelling and bruising.
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Risks of lower blepharoplasty
As this is a medical procedure, it does have some potential, but rare, risks. Lower blepharoplasty risks include:
- Blurred vision
- Excess fluid in tissue around the eye
- Asymmetry in the eyes
- Haematoma – a pool of blood which collects under the skin. This will reduce on its own after a few weeks
- Noticeable scarring
Centre for Surgery currently offers lower blepharoplasty, as well as upper blepharoplasty. Contact us to book a consultation or to get more information.