Lower blepharoplasty
A lower blepharoplasty will help remove drooping lower eyelids along with any puffy bags under the eyes. It can reposition excess fat and unwanted wrinkles. The scar for a lower blepharoplasty is usually hidden under the eyelash line or on the inner aspect of the lower lid.
You may need a combined upper and lower blepharoplasty if you want a completely rejuvenated appearance around the eyes, and this is usually more common in older patients where gravity has taken its toll.
Dr Bill Lyon is well-experienced in both upper and lower blepharoplasties and will advise what is best for you.
Some possible complications and risks associated with upper and lower eyelid surgery may include:
- The operation can be conducted either under a general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with or without sedation. There are small risks associated with general anaesthetic which your surgeon will discuss with you during a consultation. This being said however, with modern anaesthesia, the risks of problems associated with general anaesthesia are extremely low, particularly in patients who have undergone previous surgery or interventional procedures in the past.
- Common with eyelid surgery is mild bruising in and around the eyelids. Normally this bruising settles extremely quickly and is normally completely gone by day 10 after surgery. If you were to get a black eye or more extensive bruising over the eyelid skin, it is normally at its worst at day 4. Because of this we would normally recommend that you had sufficient time to recuperate and recover following surgery and would not recommend that you plan to return to work inside a week post operatively. Very rarely the bleeding in and around the eyelids may be a little more extensive and if this were to occur, you may need to return to theatre to have the bleeding investigated and/or the small bleeding vessel cauterized. This is extremely rare but does underline the importance for close monitoring of your eyelids following surgery and the necessity to keep you in a quiet cool room for a minimum of 6 hours post operatively.
- Some patients have a propensity to develop dry eyes and if you are one of these people you should notify your surgeon pre-operatively. If you do suffer from dry eyes it may mean that we need to modify your surgery or would recommend that you don’t undergo surgery at all.
- Ectropion is seen with lower eyelid surgery. If detected early, it is possible to correct this through the administration of steroid injections. The best method of avoiding this is to be very conservative in the surgery on the lower eyelid.
What are the main reasons for having eyelid surgery?
To create a more youthful looking upper or lower eyelid, to improve the appearance of the area surrounding the eyes and to improve vision obscured by drooping eyelids.
What is the recovery time for eyelid surgery?
We would recommend that you plan to return to work at least one week post operatively.
Who is a good candidate for eyelid surgery?
You have loose or sagging skin that causes folds or affects the natural contour of the upper eyelid, sometimes impairing vision. You have excess skin and fine wrinkles of the lower eyelid, bags under the eyes, or droopiness of the lower eyelids. Your general health is good.
Important note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
