What Is a Lower Blepharoplasty?

Lower blepharoplasty, also called a lower eyelid lift, is a popular cosmetic surgery to tighten and rejuvenate the lower eyelids and area under the eyes. It’s a straightforward surgery that deals with bags under the eyes and tightens the lower eyelids. It’s usually done under general anaesthesia – especially when combined with an upper blepharoplasty.

As we age, the skin around our eyes becomes lax and soft. The fat pads under the eyes may grow, causing “bags” to develop. These sagging and puffy lower eyelids give patients an older and tired appearance.

Lower eyelid lifting can reverse these signs of ageing. It’s the best eyelid surgery to get rid of bags under the eyes and lift the lower eyelids. This is why it’s referred to as “eye bags surgery” or “eye bags removal surgery”.

Lower blepharoplasty is often combined with an upper blepharoplasty (an upper eyelid lift) for the best results.

Who Needs a Lower Blepharoplasty?

Getting any cosmetic surgery needs careful consideration. How do you know if you need to have eye bag removal surgery? Who actually needs lower blepharoplasty?

Well, you’re a good candidate for lower eyelid lift if:

  • You have puffy bags under your eyes
  • You have saggy or droopy lower eyelids
  • The saggy lower eyelids are causing the inner red part to show
  • You have skin creases and wrinkles under the eyes
  • You have several skin folds in the lower eyelids
  • People tell you your eyes look tired and sleepy all the time

If this sounds like you, then a lower eyelid lift may be the next step. It’s an effective surgery to reverse the signs of eye ageing and fix baggy eyes.

The Benefits of Lower Eyelid Surgery

If you’re considering getting a lower eyelid lift, then this surgery can do more than just remove the bags from under your eyes. There are many benefits and advantages for a lower blepharoplasty including:

  • Lower Bleph is the surgery to get rid of bags under the eyes
  • Flattens and tightens the lower eyelids
  • Gets rid of excessive skin creases in the lower eyelids
  • Straightens and lifts your lower eyelid so that the inner red part (mucosa) is not as visible anymore
  • Makes you look more refreshed and alert
  • Can takes a few years off your appearance
  • It’s can be a quick procedure (20-45 mins)
  • Can be combined with other facial rejuvenating procedures (upper blepharoplasty, facelift, brow lift)

Browse Before & After Images

Before & After Lower Blepharoplasty Photos

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Recovery after Eye bag Surgery

Lower blepharoplasty is not too invasive. Therefore, recovery does not take too long and is not very demanding. In the first few days, you could expect symptoms like:

  • Double vision
  • Burning sensation in the eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Watery eyes
  • Itching of the eyes
  • Slight pain

You can resume physical activity on the same day after the procedure. This includes walking and light movements around the house. You can usually go back to work 2-3 days after your eyelid lift. Keep in mind that bruising and swelling will be significant during the first week, and will reduce gradually over 2-3 weeks.

Eye bag removal is not too painful. Routine off-the-counter painkillers are usually enough to make you feel comfortable.

You can opt to wear sunglasses after lower eyelid lift to keep your eyes protected from sun rays, and hide the temporary swelling and bruising.

Risks Associated with Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery

Eyelid lifting surgery usually has minimal risks involved. However, like any other surgery, complications can rarely occur with lower blepharoplasty. These might include:

  • Surgical site infection
  • Continued bleeding from the wound
  • Irritated eyes
  • Inability to properly close the eyes (if the eyelids are tightened too much)
  • Problems with eye movement (due to eye muscle injury)
  • Extremely rarely, sustained vision problems

To minimise risks and get the best out of your lower blepharoplasty, choose a plastic surgeon with a proven track record performing this operation. Dr Turner performs dozens of eyelid lifts yearly and has developed his own techniques to maximise results and reduce risks.

Next Steps

Your Cosmetic Plastic surgery consultation

During your consultation, Dr Turner will discuss your goals, and provide an in-depth explanation of your desired surgery and what that means for you. He can also discuss different surgical techniques, benefits, and risks of procedures available.

Most importantly, however, this is the time for you to have all of your questions answered and to be completely listened to and understood by your surgeon. We ask that you please come prepared with any questions you may have for Dr Turner, and look forward to discussing your individualised plan.

1

Research

Ensure you have done your research, both on your desired surgery, as well as your surgeon.

2

Book a consultation

Submit an enquiry through our website or give us a call before booking your consultation. To ensure you are a suitable candidate for your desired procedure, Dr Turner asks to review your images before making a booking. This saves time and money if you are not a suitable candidate, in which case our lovely team will help direct you to an alternative procedure.

3

Meet with Dr Turner

Once your images have been approved and your consultation has been booked, we ask that you prepare any questions you may have for Dr Turner, as well as some images of desired outcomes for your surgery, this helps ensure you and Dr Turner are on the same page when discussing realistic results.

4

More questions?

Looking for more information before your consultation? You can book an additional 15min complimentary consultation with one of our patient liaisons here https://calendly.com/patients-bookings/patient-consult?month=2023-02

5

Keep up-to-date

Keep up-to-date with what’s happening in Dr Turner’s clinics around NSW by following our Instagram @faceplus.aesthetics and @drscottjturner

Other procedures commonly combined
with a Lower Blepharoplasty

Ready to take the next step?

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions about Lower Blepharoplasty Surgery

Why do I always have bags under my eyes?

Bags under the eyes are not always a sign of poor sleep. As we age, the fat pads under our eyes tend to grow and become puffy. This leads to saggy and puffy lower eyelids, also called “eye bags”. Lower blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that targets loose skin under the eyes and gets rid of eye bags.

Can you get rid of eye bags without surgery?

No, there’s no non-surgical alternative to lower blepharoplasty. Eye bags are formed of excess skin and overgrown fat pads. These need to be surgically removed with a lower eyelid lift.

Is lower blepharoplasty painful?

No. A lower eyelid lift is not significantly painful. Routine off-the-counter medications are usually enough to deal with post-op pain.

How long does a lower blepharoplasty last?

A lower blepharoplasty lasts on average 5 to 10 years. As you grow older, the skin will still become laxer, and your eyelids might become lax and puffy again. If this happens, a revision eyelid lift procedure can be performed again.
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Does lower blepharoplasty help crow's feet?

No. Lower blepharoplasty only targets the area under the eyes to get rid of eye bags. Crow’s feet wrinkles around the eye corners are best treated with dermal fillers or a brow lift.

How many times can you do lower blepharoplasty?

You can have a lower eyelid lift as many times as needed. Most patients will need revision surgery after 5-7 years of their first blepharoplasty. Getting a second blepharoplasty is not uncommon.

About Dr Scott Turner FRACS (Plas) – Specialist Plastic Surgeon

Dr Scott J Turner has spent a lifetime acquiring the qualifications, education, training, and hands-on surgical experience to perform superior cosmetic plastic surgery to give you  beautiful results. He is one of Sydney’s great Specialist Plastic Surgeons with a focus on face surgeries in New South Wales.
Achieving this personal goal requires not only in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and refined surgical techniques but an ongoing commitment to learning the latest procedures around the world. This is why Dr Turner regularly attends both local and international surgeon meetings – discussing these advances with the leaders around the world in order to offer you the most effective and safest surgical procedures. 
Dr Turner and his highly trained staff will do everything to ensure that you are fully informed, while providing exceptional cosmetic plastic surgery, in a personal and caring environment.