Lower Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty
Remove bags and excess skin below your eyes for a dramatically more youthful and refreshed appearance.
Lower blepharoplasty is surgery for the lower eyelid to address the functional and cosmetic concerns of the lower eyelid area. The signs of aging of the lower eyelid region include:
- Excess skin of the lower eyelid, and/or
- Eye bags or fat bags of the lower eyelid
Lower blepharoplasty surgery addresses both of these issues.
Who should get a lower eyelid blepharoplasty?
Aging causes the breakdown of key structural proteins in the skin and connective tissues. The lower eyelid structure is very similar to a hammock.
In the image above, you can see that the lower eyelid is tethered to the nose at point # 1, and to the lateral orbital bone at point #2. The lower eyelid hangs in the middle like a hammock. With aging and loss of structural proteins, the lower eyelid loses its snap, hangs more, fat deep to the skin layer pushes outward in eye bags, and the skin becomes loose and in excess.
These issues can be corrected via a lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
Before and after upper and lower blepharoplasty
How is a lower eyelid blepharoplasty done?
A lower blepharoplasty can be performed via 2 techniques: Subciliary and transconjunctival.
Subciliary lower blepharoplasty
The subciliary approach uses an incision right below the lash line.
Example of subciliary incision.
The subciliary approach is excellent to remove excess skin and herniated fat. Once the skin is elevated, the excess fat under the skin is resected, the skin is laid back down, and the amount of excess skin is measured. Once the amount of excess skin is determined, the excess skin can be resected and the incision can be closed. Normally, dissolvable sutures are used.
Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty
The transconjunctival approach is a surgical procedure where the incision is done on the deep surface of the lower eyelid.
Surgical photo of Transconjunctival approach to lower eyelid. The eye is covered by a metal contact lens to protect the eye.
The transconjunctival approach is excellent to resect excess fat in cases where there is minimal excess skin. Only excess fat can be resected via the transconjunctival approach. In cases where there is a small amount of excess skin, the skin is either pinched via a skin pinch right under the lash line, or the skin can be contracted via a laser resurfacing or chemical peel procedure.
Photo of skin pinch for slight excess skin after transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty
Lower eyelid laser skin resurfacing to address excess skin immediately after surgery
Anesthesia for lower blepharoplasty procedures
Most lower blepharoplasty procedures are performed with local anesthesia and oral sedation. Local anesthesia without additional pain management or sedation is not enough anesthesia to perform a lower eyelid surgery because the tissues are far too sensitive. Patients tolerate the procedure very well with sedation and local anesthesia. The procedure can be done under general anesthesia if desired by the patient.
Why should you choose Dr. Athre for your lower blepharoplasty in Houston?
Dr. Athre is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon known for his meticulous technique and his natural results.
Before and after upper blepharoplasty, lower transconjunctival blepharoplasty with skin pinch
Dr. Athre’s approach is to tailor the surgery for each patient’s individual anatomy to achieve the best results with the least risk of complications.
Ancillary cosmetic procedures
The most common procedures done with a lower eyelid blepharoplasty are:
Laser Resurfacing or Chemical Peel
The lower eyelid is connected to the cheek and to the crow’s feet region. The lower eyelid skin tends to lose thickness, become very thin, and have a crepe-like appearance. This also happens to the skin that intersects the lower eyelid-cheek junction, and to the skin in the crows feet region. This thinning can be revered with a skin resurfacing procedure.
Tear Trough Volume
As the lower eyelid ages, the cheek also tends to fall. This creates a groove of volume loss between the cheek and the lower eyelid called the tear trough. Adding volume into this area via fat transfer or fillers (Ocu Rx) can help revolumize and rejuvenate the lower eyelid complex.
Upper Blepharoplasty
Four eyelid surgery or combined upper and lower eyelid surgery is a common procedure to rejuvenate the entire eye complex. The upper and lower eyelids tend to age as a unit, and patients needs upper eyelid surgery usually also benefit from lower eyelid surgery. Both procedures can be performed in under 2.5 hours under local anesthesia with oral sedation.
Lower Eyelid Surgery FAQs
How much does a blepharoplasty cost in Houston?
The average cost of eyelid surgery is $3,339 (Based on American Society of Plastic Surgeons). The cost of a blepharoplasty near you may be different due to geographic factors and the above cost estimates do not include operating room fees and anesthesia fees. The average cost in Texas of eyelid surgery is $2,235-4,475.
Lower blepharoplasty eyelid surgery costs start at $3,250. If upper and lower eyelid surgery are being done together, the starting price at our office is $5,750. These fees assume local anesthesia.
What is the recovery time after a lower blepharoplasty?
The swelling and bruising after a lower blepharoplasty surgery or after combined upper and lower blepharoplasty surgery is slightly more than isolated upper blepharoplasty surgery.
Patients usually have bruising and swelling for approximately 5 days. By 7 days after surgery, most patients are able to return to work with makeup to cover up mild bruising.
What are the risks of lower blepharoplasty surgery?
The risks are:
- Dry eyes
- Blurry vision (usually temporary x 2-3 days)
- Ectropion (Scar tissue caused by excessive skin resection that pulls the eyelid down)
- Need for additional surgery
- Infection or granuloma formation
- Change in color of eyelid skin
These risks are extremely rare in Dr. Athre’s patients.
Client Testimonial
“From consultation to post Op, Dr. Athre and the entire process has been great, including my results. I was incredibly nervous but Dr. Athre made me feel comfortable and I felt like he genuinely had my best interests in mind. He thoroughly explained what to expect, answered all my questions, and reassured me that I had nothing to fear. I’m super pleased with the results as they are exactly what he promised they would be.”
Schedule a Consultation
Telephone No.281-557-3223